(June 29, 2015 at 11:56 am)Tonus Wrote:(June 29, 2015 at 11:51 am)SteveII Wrote: It depends on what the consequences of a total separation from God might be to one's soul.
I think it would have more meaning if there was a consensus on what hell is, and what separation from god means, and so on. The explanations for hell have gone from a fairly straightforward idea (you burn in torment as if suffering from extreme physical pain) to something ambiguous. Where does my soul end up if I go to hell? Is it a literal place, like heaven? What form does my suffering take? What activities are possible?
I ignore any and all gods until one should happen to show up. Am I separated from god now? Because if my life is hell, then it's not a very unpleasant place at all. What is it about hell that would make me turn to god in desperate terror if I ever understood what it was?
Jesus mentioned Hell more than most other topics (warning people not to go).
While I am no theologian, it seems hell is a real place, burning, lasts forever, and there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth". While those that go to heaven are promised new bodies, I know of no such mention for those that do not go to heaven--so it might be just the soul that exists. I do wonder how much of the experience is a direct result of separation from God and how much is a overt attempt to make it more uncomfortable--I lean toward the former.
As far as right now, you are not separated from God. You still have the offer of redemption on the table. While that time lasts, our lives here are reasonably enjoyable (as a whole).
