How do you feel when someone directly tells you ...

[Optimistic Mysanthrope]

I really couldn't care less if I'm told I'll burn in hell. Depending on my mood, I just tell them I'll be getting a job as a recruitment officer.

[Angrboda]

I can't say I ever remember being told that by anyone.


If I were, I would probably have a mix of several different reactions, combined. The first and strongest, a visceral one, like Cinjin's, at being challenged and threatened by someone intending to threaten and challenge. The second would be motivated by contempt for someone of such obviously low morals and character trying to assert the superiority of same over mine; virtue and character are high, unimpeachable goods in my world; offend them, and you offend the gods. The third would be to recognize from my experience of psychology that they aren't experiencing it as a malevolence in the way someone outside their head may be, and that they are just trapped by what they believe, as everyone is in a sense trapped by what they believe. Then, being challenged by an alien faith that sought to destroy mine, I might introduce them to one of the personal vicars of "She Who Destroys" here on earth and verbally beat them into submission. Then the Taoist in me might be inclined to yield and allow these lost souls to wander that specific road themselves until they discover how truly lost they are, so they will be faced with the choice of responsibility and grow through learning. Then the student of Sun Tzu in me might make a quick tactical assessment, and figure the balance of potential gains to be had by engagement are easily outweighed by the real negatives, and the danger of larger unknown negatives not immediately apparent, and then strike a fighting retreat composed of stone-cold looks and hard remarks about weakly related matters, both to stall as well as to gauge their reaction in hopes of getting a glimpse of whatever else is inside them that I might use.

I'll have to let you know if it ever happens. Most of the people I associate are atheists, humanists, or interfaith oriented, so the risk is low. And anyone who does know me, and who might be given to say something like that to someone, would know that saying something like that me presents the strong possibility of encountering ruinious results from their efforts and restrain themselves on their own. It's hard to guess, but it would likely be brief, slow, tense, and rather undramatic, with no winners, but possibly one loser.

[Cyberman]

Yes, it reveals far more about them than they might be comfortable admitting.

I've never really been threatened/promised (delete as applicable) with this condescending shit in my offline world, but to me it's the same as when they say they'll pray for me - I reply "go on, then, let's see you". That often throws them off-script enough to buy me escape time or get my barb in there, depending on how bloody-minded I'm feeling at the time.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Being told I'm going to hell is like being told I'm going to pay for my sins by mining dilithium in the dilithium mines of Rura Penthe. It's nonsensical to me because neither place exists.

What makes the hell premise so bad though is the glee the chap telling me feels when he says it. There's been a few posters on this forum that have literally been drooling at the mouth when they tell me/us that we're going to hell. Seemingly they enjoy getting off the thought of violence and suffering.

It's that which is scary, not the silly hell thing.

[Ryantology]

I remind them that being pious in order to save one's own skin is the express ticket to hell, according to the Bible.

[Doubting Thomas]

I don't think I've ever been told in person that I'm going to end up in Hell, but if someone ever does I think I'll ask them, "And where in the bible does it say there is a hell?" If they're like most Christians they won't know (because it doesn't). The second question is, "Why would I want to worship a God who is threatening to torture me for eternity?"

But yes, threats of Hell are a pretty sad and childish scare attempt to get you to change your beliefs. It's just an adult way of telling children "You better be good or the boogeyman will get you."

---

If all the gays are going to Hell, that's where I want to be for sure, and I'll be licking Megan Fox's pussy all day long for eternity.

*looks up picture of Megan Fox*

Hell yeah, I'll be right there next to you.

[Mister Agenda]

About the only thing that really offends me is malice...for some fundamentalists, telling someone they're going to go to hell for not being a fundamentalist like them is almost a reflex. They have to convey the feeling that the thought of my eternal suffering is an idea they contemplate with some relish to really provoke me. Sadly, there are a few who really do come off like that.

[Clueless Morgan]

I'm in between recognizing it as a personal attack but not exactly being offended, and "Other" since I equate being told I'm going to hell to being told I'm going to Mordor. "Uh... okay. Since I'm already headed that direction, does anyone have any powerful magical jewelry to destroy while I'm at it?"

[Walking Void]

When babies and children are living short, malnourished lives without aid, me going to hell is not that bad in that respect.

But, frankly, it is a meaningless gesture that serves no purpose anyhow... unless they want to fight. Then throw the first stone, motherfucker.

[Cyberman]

If all the gays are going to Hell, that's where I want to be for sure, and I'll be licking Megan Fox's pussy all day long for eternity.

*looks up picture of Megan Fox*

Hell yeah, I'll be right there next to you.

That big, eh?