(September 20, 2017 at 12:47 pm)Drich Wrote: Actually grew up atheist-is and knew absolutely nothing of pass through it's gates. it wasn't to much later and much study that I could vett my experience of Hell with exactly what is described in scripture.
It is quite possible to acquire "knowledge" of an imaginary place if it is pervasive enough in one's culture, and for that reason I am all too familiar with the hell concept. I grew up without religion, but have never been able to develop religious faith or actual belief in places like heaven or hell.
Quote:I can post a link as I have posted this story before, but the short version was I could not imagine what the big deal about hell was if we were dead. how do you burn a spirit right? so I mock God's people he sent to try I even sent a message back with one of them that if god gave me a chance I'd spit in his eye.... didn't quite turn out that way.
I say again: Seek counselling. There is something in your story that suggests you may have suffered some sort of psychotic break or other neurological/psychological trauma. If "God's people" were exhorting you to believe, and if at that time you were under high stress from some other cause, it is entirely possible that they exploited that weakness to convert you.
You deserve better than to base your worldview on fear of being punished by a "loving" god.