HELL

[Homeless Nutter]

HN, this is specifically addressed in the article I posted on the OP:

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For example, The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, a large 1995 publication edited by several theologians under the direction of the Rev. Richard P. McBrien of Notre Dame, defines hell as ''the eternal loss of God'' and bluntly warns that biblical images of infernal torments are not to be taken literally but instead symbolize suffering ''inherent in the state of sin.''

In 1994 the church released the new Catholic Catechism, which contains more than 700 pages explaining Catholic beliefs but devotes only five paragraphs to hell. While the catechism says that Jesus spoke of hell as an ''unquenchable fire,'' it says hell's primary punishment is ''eternal separation from God,'' which results from an individual's conscious decision.

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Yeah... No - not really. You said there's nothing in catholic teachings about hell being a "punishment". Well, apparently - there is SOMETHING, at least according to the fragment you just quoted - even if it's not the "main thing".

It's pretty clearly spelled out in the catechism, as quoted earlier - Jesus' angels, at his command will cast the sinners into the fire. Of course, I'm sure it won't be difficult to correct in the next edition of Catechism - whenever that happens. After all - for old guys wearing dresses and funny hats, who make this sh*t up for a living - there is no circle that can not be squared. They made it up - they can twist it however they like. It's not like anyone can check...