(July 11, 2016 at 5:01 pm)Lucifer Wrote: I have feared hell a lot, not just for myself, but (perhaps more) for friends (some of whom weren't christian), family and just for humans in general (because I did not want anyone to go there). It motivated a lot of my behavior.
When I was doubting a lot, I was more afraid for my own salvation. When I lost my faith, there was still a bit of a lingering fear, because it was ingrained so deep in my from my childhood.
Now, 3 years after my deconversion, I have zero fear of hell left. None at all, I have no reason to take the possibility of it's existence seriously.
I sympathize with those with even stronger religious indoctrination, who have been threatened with hell throughout their lives and who still have vivid fears of hell decades after their deconversion. It is a terrible thing to do to your child.
So, do you still fear hell? How long did it take to get rid of it, or for those who didn't, how long ago was your deconversion?
I don't have a very good grasp of time, as it passes so quickly. But, according to one website I began reconsidering things some time in 2008.
As far as hell goes, I had already reinterpreted hell as being consumed by ones passions. It made no sense, otherwise. But, I don't discuss these things anymore, thus I don't have a reason to think about them anymore either.
Well, . . . until now.
"My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world and exiles me from it."
Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin