An argument for proof of hell

[Blackleaf]

Religion doesn't teach morality, it teaches obedience.

"Do this or be punished."

True morality is about doing the right thing because it's right - not because you fear hell or want heaven.

Yep. And when you're taught to do the right thing out of fear of punishment, you'll do whatever you want when you think no one will find out. Fear of authority only works if, you know, that authority is present. And based on all the church clergy who've sexually abused children, an invisible man in the sky is not present enough. Also probably doesn't help that they can just pray and be forgiven anyway. Christianity is the religion of escaping consequences. That's why it's so cliche for celebrities to "find Jesus" after they get caught doing something they shouldn't have done.

[Cassia]

You don't need an argument when you have proof. And of course, like all key religious claims, hell is unfalsifiable. We can watch how hell has evolved in the imagination from a vacuum into a fiery realm of torture.

I don't know of any bullet-proof evidence for Jesus the man either. Could have been a mythological figure who was euhemerized.

[Nobody]

I've listened to Dr. Richard Carrier, a historian of the 1st and 2nd centuries, and he gives Jesus a 1 in 3 chance of having been a historical reality. Personally, I give him a lot less chance than that, but I'm no historian.

[Nobody]

Yep. And when you're taught to do the right thing out of fear of punishment, you'll do whatever you want when you think no one will find out. Fear of authority only works if, you know, that authority is present. And based on all the church clergy who've sexually abused children, an invisible man in the sky is not present enough. Also probably doesn't help that they can just pray and be forgiven anyway. Christianity is the religion of escaping consequences. That's why it's so cliche for celebrities to "find Jesus" after they get caught doing something they shouldn't have done.

I seriously doubt that those pedophile priests actually believe in the God they claim to worship. How could they possibly do such things if they really believed they were being watched by almighty God?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

[Cassia]

I've listened to Dr. Richard Carrier, a historian of the 1st and 2nd centuries, and he gives Jesus a 1 in 3 chance of having been a historical reality. Personally, I give him a lot less chance than that, but I'm no historian.

Yeah, me as well. Perhaps some sort of fictional amalgam of wandering preachers. Practically every event depicted is carefully scripted for a purpose, the cast of role players taking advantage of every symbolic opportunity. The script getting more fleshed out as the decades passed. Did I mention people are like needy children, looking for all the answers they want?

[Simoon]

Basically, if we believed that there is nothing after death, we wouldn't have any problem with raping and murdering people. The only thing we would have to worry about is punishment by society or the law, and people do get away with committing crimes. So the fact that we believe that we shouldn't do these things regardless of whether or not we would be caught for them is proof that we know that there are consequences in the afterlife for doing them.

Even when people say that there is no such thing as hell, they still seem to believe there is some inherent reason not to be evil, meaning that there would have to be some consequence for being evil. Otherwise, it wouldn't matter what a person does.

SO, are you telling us that if you didn't have your belief in punishment after death, you'd be raping and murdering?!

If so, please, by all means, continue to believe!

As someone who has no beliefs in gods or an afterlife, I rape and murder as much as I want to. And the amount I want to rape and murder is ZERO.

 

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Thinking is forbidden in religion, so this is what they have. Don't hate them because they're too lazy to think for themselves. Hate them because they're too lazy to think for themselves and still expect us to buy what they post.

[SoldierofFortune]

Many people who truly and frankly believe in God, they don't really internalize that God really exists.

You can't deceive God. He watches you every now and then.

The problem, God never punishes you immediately. He just watches and don't interfere till the end.

But if the consequences of your evil actions/deeds are immediately punished, it's obvious that you'll bow. Because the gods punishment is immediate and close.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I killed hundreds of men back in the day. God didn't give a shit.

[aitm]

If Christian's "really" believed in hell, the world "may" actually be a better place. But it appears to Christian's that the Ten Commandments are merely suggestions. And if they don't really believe, why should I?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

If Christian's "really" believed in hell, the world "may" actually be a better place. But it appears to Christian's that the Ten Commandments are merely suggestions. And if they don't really believe, why should I?

Well spotted. "I do lip service to the concept of 'Hell', but at the last second I can repent and go to Heaven regardless of how much of a raging bastard I was when I was alive."

[Cassia]

If Dante Alighieri was trampled by a horse before he wrote his "comedy", we probably would not have the hell we have today. Such nonsense.

[aitm]

Another thing, but not about hell. If I recall, and it's been while since I read the last book of the OT, but the greatest reward god grants is a flock/herd of sheep. Gee. What a present!

[Nobody]

I suppose that's OK if you're into mutton.