Is it wrong to teach kids about Hell?

[TrueChristian]

I have come to the conclusion that it is.

I have been taught about Hell since I was in Sunday school.

But it was only when I joined a youth group (at 11-12) that the youth pastor really began talking about it.

I was told all non-Christians ( not necessarily evil people) were doomed to Hell forever and ever. They would be burned alive (The flames fueled by God's wrath), they would be tortured by demons, filled up with maggots, and never ever know love, and never ever know happiness for all eternity.

In addition to books about seeing Heaven, and about famous Christians, the pastor would bring in stories (by video) of people who saw Hell, like Bill Wiese "23 Minutes in Hell."

None of it really made me scared about sinning since I was already "saved" but made me feel really bad for all the non christians out there.

One day I asked my pastor about a Jewish friend I had, whether he too was going to Hell, even though he was great.

The pastor kind of looked at me sadly and said "TC, I am so sorry, but that friend of yours will burn in agony for all eternity, unless you help save him." "Wil.. will it ever stop?" I asked incredulously. "No. IT will never ever stop."

Thats what made me disgusted with the idea of Hell, even if I still believed in Jesus.

Do you think I, and other Christian children are harmed by hearing about Hell?

[Catholic_Lady]

I don't think it is objectively wrong to teach your kids about Hell, if that is truly what you believe. But I do think it has to be done very carefully, using prudence as responsible, good parents. Too much focus on Hell is definitely not healthy for anyone, especially kids.

[Chad32]

It does seem a bit off. Jesus is this loving god who wants to have a relationship with you, but if you don't want him you're going to roast in a fire for eternity. That doesn't sound like a guy you would want to associate with.

[Aoi Magi]

It's not just harmful, it's child abuse, plain and simple.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

[TrueChristian]

The pastor made sure to tell us not to feel sorry for the souls there, that in fact they "Chose" to be there, that they would rather burn in Hell than accepting Jesus.

I asked him about all the babbling buddhist monks in the mountains of Tibet who never even heard of Jesus.

He paused, looked frustrated, and then muttered something about "Free will" and "Lord works in mysterious ways"

[Fidel_Castronaut]

So are you genuinely saying that the cops knew internal affairs were setting them up?

[Cecelia]

It's child abuse plain and simple. There's no difference between saying "If you don't believe in god, you'll go to hell. And if your friends don't accept Jesus, they will go to hell too." and saying "If you don't clean your room, I'm going to stuff you in the oven. And if your friends don't clean their room, I'll stick them in the oven too."

I hate when people tell our kids about hell. It makes it hard to let them make their own decisions regarding religion.

[Alex K]

My dad would give anyone an angry lecture who dared tell me about hell.

Good times!

[downbeatplumb]

I enjoyed myths as a child, it was fascinating to learn about the workings of primitive cultures.