(May 3, 2011 at 12:57 pm)Doubting Thomas Wrote: Wow, I've never heard of this non-eternal punishment in hell before. All other Christians I've ever talked to say that punishment in hell is eternal. So exactly how long does the punishment last, and what happens at the end of it? Do you get to get out and join your loved ones in heaven who had a get-out-of-jail-free card? Or do you just disappear forever once you're finally burned up in the fires?
It's based on the school of thought that Hell represents annihilation. They focus on the verses in Revelation that say those not found in the Book of Life are thrown into the "Lake of Fire" which represents "the second death". They interpret this to mean the condemned cease to exist, they don't suffer eternally in torment.
Of course, Jesus had other things to say but the Gospels were written later than Revelation, so perhaps the priests decided annihilation wasn't scary enough.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
