How I got Out of Religion.

[Samson]

I was referenceing people in this thread defining hell, not the bible's I know hell is in the bible.

All of the matthew excerpts come paraphased from noted parables, so I definately take those as more emotive orstory visualization. They're only reference eternal fire, not the south park version of hell
Actually in luke 16 I love the line "30And he said, 'No,(AL) father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31He said to him, 'If they do not hear(AM) Moses and the Prophets,(AN) neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'" this chapter is also started off as a parable, hell again described as unquenchable fire.
All of Revelations was a revelation to John, and while very poetic it's a prophecy not an account, very visual and emotive.

Actually no burden of proof existed because I was asked and responded no unless a clear definition was given, not that it matters. I don't ascribe to a burning lake if that's what was being asked. I think that was a very powerfull primitive visualization on minds without a strong grasp of reason and science. However I do believe that not everyone gets into heaven. You guys can have whatevers left

Reply back from the "Bold"
Just making sure, and "No" I did not get from your response, that you were referring to the forums, and not from another source. When speaking/writing about something from the "Bible", you truly have to be "Literal" with your questions and responses.....(Especially when you live in the Bible Belt of America..) ( Louisiana)...

Reply back from "Red"
Like I stated before..."Just to name a few"... (i.e.) Hell descriptions throughout the passages.. I know there are a few many more.....
However, when you mention "Parables", you are starting to sound like an apologetic making excuses for what the majority believes to be a real place of torture. Which of course, is mentioned in more than one place throughout the Bible...

And to be frankly honest with you, the Bible is one big "South Park Version in a whole" for people who actually know how to think for themselves....
I do see literature and poetry within the Bible, but I could say the same about a thousand other books from our past and present.

Just because I like/love the works of Spike Milligan, Walt Whitman, E.E. Cummings, & Robert Frost, does not mean that I "View" them to be as you do "Mark, Mathew, Luke and John.....

It's nice to know you don't read the Bible "Literally", but since I've never sat down with you face to face etc, I don't know how you view it as a whole. (i.e.) whether you "Believe" humanity gets it's morals from it, or a "God", or that we are 6000 years old, or that you actually believe "John's Revelation" (AKA) Extreme Acid trip...

Regardless of all the above questionings, you state you are a "Christian", which does classify/label you to some degree in comparison with the rest of the faith based beliefs out there. And in saying that, you would defiantly have to take many of the passages throughout the Bible Literally. And it's those VERY blunt verses that I disagree with in so many shapes, forms, and fashions...

If you tell me that, "You" know them to be your "Personal Faith based belief" and "Know" there is no way man can prove it right or wrong, that's one thing....

Anything else than that, and I would have to ask you how long has the Mental institute been allowing internet access to it's clients......

Thanks again for the replies......