# If Hell does exist will I be doomed there for eternity? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 17, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163 "2003-09-17T16:26:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![merqutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@merqutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merqutio)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/41 "2003-09-19T22:33:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NightUK \* > \*\* > > So my question is this. If Hell does exist will I be doomed there for eternity? \*\* From what religious viewpoint are you asking? ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/42 "2003-09-19T23:31:07Z")
[hijack, vaguely related to OP] This one is for the Catholics. Say I’m a Catholic - baptized, confirmed, all of it. I’ve just committed a mortal sin, but I’m not repentent. However, I happen to be wearing a scapular (why? I don’t know. I just am.) I get hit by a car, and die without ever confessing my sin. Does the scapular send me to Heaven? Do I still have to go to Purgatory? Or do I go to Hell anyway? [/end hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Roches](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc8723/32.png) [@Roches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roches)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/43 "2003-09-20T09:21:50Z")
Most Christian sects seem to subscribe to one of the following viewpoints on the afterlife: 1. Most Protestants: Eternal punishment or eternal reward. 2. Catholics: Temporary punishment followed by eternal reward, or eternal punishment, or eternal reward – though it’s probably more complicated than that, as everything Catholic is. =) 3. Some liberal Protestants: Eternal reward only; hell is figurative. 4. “Others”: Something else, like resurrection to paradise on earth, or eternal death, or ascension to heaven for a pre-chosen 144,000 (Jehovah’s Witnesses) or the very esoteric LDS afterlife system. Some things to consider for those who believe in eternal Hell: - Most cultures believe that punishment should fit the crime. The Judeo-Christian God seems to support this; see Exodus 21:23-25, or Sections 196 and 200 of Hammurabi’s Code – “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. What offense could merit an eternity spent in horrible suffering? Does genocide? Murder? A single lie? Calling someone a fool (see Matthew 5:22, 23:17)? - If God is love (1 John 4:8, John 3:16, Romans 5:8), then why would he condemn people to eternal suffering, even for minor offenses? Suppose that it is granted that one cannot enter Heaven unless they are Christians (e.g. Matthew 18:3) or at least free of sin (e.g. Matthew 5:19). Why, then, must there be no other possibility but for those who do not meet those requirements to suffer infinitely? - Why is the Bible inconsistent on what warrants entry into Heaven and what warrants Hell? (There are examples of this throughout the New Testament, particularly in Matthew.) - The Bible is very sparse in its description of Hell. The word “hell” appears 54 times in the NIV, 15 of which are in the New Testament. The only real description of Hell is in Revelation, while the rest of the New Testament mostly describes activities that lead to or away from it. What is Hell like? Is it just a lake of fire, as described in Revelation 21:8? Or is it a more elaborate place of torture, such as was described in later, non-canonical Christian writings? - Could the fact that the description of Hell evolved greatly from the Gospels (“fire”, late 1st century) to Revelation (“lake of fire”, etc., circa AD 100) to Dante’s Inferno mean something? Did early Christians perhaps find that the threat of Hell was a useful conversion tool? - There are some people who have become Christians only because of the fear of Hell. Is there faith genuine? As an analogy, if someone is forced to convert to a religion by the threat of violence, as has happened countless times in history, are they a true adherent of that religion? What happens to, say, Christians who are forced to convert to another religion? Compare this with what happens to those who die for their faith. What happens to non-Christians who are forced to convert to Christianity? Are they saved? Compare this with what happens if _they_ choose to die for their faith. What does this mean about dying for one’s beliefs? ---
**Author:** ![CigaretteRepairman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CigaretteRepairman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CigaretteRepairman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/44 "2003-09-20T10:06:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NightUK \* > \*\*I was christened a catholic, I have no real belief in religion but would say I am a good hearted man. I’m 26, I’ve grew up in a rough area of the UK and somehow managed never to steel, never to attack or purposely hurt someone unless I was attacked first (only happend twice), I’ve had sex before marriage and numerous one night stands. I’ve never paid for sex or been paid. I’ve taken drugs for personal use but never encouraged on others, I’ve even seen someone drop belongings (once about £100) and chased the person up to pass them there money. I’ve never prayed for 3 years and that was only once and askin for the girl of my dreams at the time (which came true suprisingly). I over tip people even if I cant afford it. I respect my friends and would never lie intentionally to them. > > So my question is this. If Hell does exist will I be doomed there for eternity? \*\* Disregarding all the FLUFF™ on the topic such as what Catholics or various Protestant denominations have to say about it, _according to the Bible_, you would go to hell. ---
**Author:** ![RoundGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@RoundGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoundGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/45 "2003-09-20T15:40:17Z")
> [@](#): > > according to the Bible, you would go to hell. Why? And, what is _hell_, exactly, “according to the Bible”? ---
**Author:** ![CigaretteRepairman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CigaretteRepairman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CigaretteRepairman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/46 "2003-09-20T20:53:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RoundGuy \* > \*\*Why? > > And, what is _hell_, exactly, “according to the Bible”? \*\* If you read his text you will see kind of a brief summary of what he has done throughout his life. Nothing that he mentioned has anything to do with salvation and if you don’t actively participate in the whole salvation plan thing then you are going to hell by default. If you believe that, based on his post, that he would be going to heaven according to the Bible, then about 95% or more of the world’s population would be going to heaven if the only qualification to get in was living an okay life that didn’t involve doing anything too terrible combined with some occasional “nice” deeds. As it turns out, the Bible tells us that very few people are actually going to Heaven: > [@](#): > > Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: > Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and **few there be that find it**. > > Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Now, how about people who have done many great works, and perhaps have even prophesied in Christ’s name? They would be a shoe-in for Heaven right? > [@](#): > > Mat 7:21 **Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven** ; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. > Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? > Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, **I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity**. The Bible endorsed method for getting to heaven is summed up pretty good with this quote attributed to Christ: > [@](#): > > Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. As far as what hell is “according to the Bible”, here is the most descriptive passage about hell in the Bible: > [@](#): > > Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: > Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, > Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. > Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; > Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. > Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. > Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. > Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence. > Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: > Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. > Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. > Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. > Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. ---
**Author:** ![RoundGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@RoundGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoundGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/47 "2003-09-20T21:44:35Z")
> [@](#): > > if you don’t actively participate in the whole salvation plan thing then you are going to hell by default > [@](#): > > here is the most descriptive passage about hell in the Bible: I find it incomprehensible that _anyone_ could actually believe in, and worship, such a sadistic, depraved, and malevolent creator. You have my sincerest sympathies. ---
**Author:** ![CigaretteRepairman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CigaretteRepairman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CigaretteRepairman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/48 "2003-09-20T21:54:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RoundGuy \* > \*\*I find it incomprehensible that _anyone_ could actually believe in, and worship, such a sadistic, depraved, and malevolent creator. > > You have my sincerest sympathies. \*\* Keep your emotions to yourself. You may note that any discussion of the Bible that I do is in an “according to the Bible” fashion. What it says as a whole can be debated, your emotions based on the text can not be debated, neither do I wish to try. ---
**Author:** ![RoundGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@RoundGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoundGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/49 "2003-09-20T22:32:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Keep your emotions to yourself. You may note that any discussion of the Bible that I do is in an “according to the Bible” fashion. But, in the absence of logic and rational thinking (which is impossible in an “according to the Bible” discussion), what else do we have but emotion? ---
**Author:** ![CigaretteRepairman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CigaretteRepairman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CigaretteRepairman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163/50 "2003-09-20T23:50:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RoundGuy \* > \*\*But, in the absence of logic and rational thinking (which is impossible in an “according to the Bible” discussion), what else do we have but emotion? \*\* What difference does it make what piece of text is being discussed? Or what movie is being discussed for that matter? Whether you agree with the text or not, the fact that the interpretation of the text is crystal clear in certain aspects remains unchanged. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hell-does-exist-will-i-be-doomed-there-for-eternity/202163.md?page=2)