On Hell and Forgiveness

[polymath257]

How is not experiencing anything but contemplation a torture? Happiness is an *emotion*. if I can experience pain and suffering (without inputs, mind you), i clearly would have the ability to experience emotions.

Why would 'total removal' from God's presence be any different than the life I have right now? I see no evidence of this deity. I see no reason to believe in this deity. And yet I am perfectly happy without this deity being involved in my life.

I think it is just plain stupid to think a person can be eternally happy with just their thoughts. Humans need relationships, contact, routines, stimuli, affection, etc. etc. or they will go off the rails. Emotions attached to nothing directed at nothing and from nothing become meaningless. Only regret persists. Add to that black void of no inputs or outputs and that is a horrible existence. Your "it's not that bad" is simply ridiculous.

If God exists, you are not totally removed from his presence right now. He sustains the universe (and you) in being by his will whether you know it or not. The point is that know one knows the significance that separation will have on someone's soul. 

Which means that nobody knows, even if your scenario is the case, what the effects would be. they could be quite positive, right?
I simply disagree that contemplation is such a torture. In fact, I have little doubt that I could survive isolation if provided basic necessities. That doens't mean I don't like being around (certain) people. But it does mean it isn't as vital (for me) as many make it out to be.
I see no reason why 'only regret persists'. If anything, I would say that the positive memories would persist longer and become more and more precious over time. And I disagree with your claim that such an existence would be meaningless. meaning is something derived at the time.
If the choice is non-existence or existence in the presence of a tyrannical deity, I definitely prefer non-existence.