As usual, I find the interesting debates as they are coming to an end…
My thoughts on this issue:
I have always understood Hell as a “place” where one is fully aware of one’s (freely selected) separation from God. I believe that humankind was created by God to be in relationship with Him and that we are never truly happy until we re-form that relationship. (MHO) In this “real” world, there is a great deal to keep us distracted from our loss/lack, but when we die, there is nothing to do so. Then we become aware of the true extent of our “alone-ness”. This is Hell - knowing that we are alone, that we have chosen to be alone (by not choosing to follow God) and that there is nothing that we can do about it. Ask someone who has lost a loved one about the Hell of being alone…
This is also (I believe) the reason for Jesus’ cry on the cross - He chose to die (i.e. be separated from God), and his relationship with God was MUCH closer than any human relationship could ever be…
Gp