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Why has Hell been reduced to a metaphor

Sha'irullah

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
Hell centuries ago was as it was taught in the Bible, a place of eternal torment. Christians now a days along with other libeal movements of theists teach that it is temporary, metaphorical or a "threatening device not intended to be actually used". This has become a norm now amongst Christians and is replacing the fire and brimstone preaching Baptist ministers. Why this sudden change in interpretation?

This in many cases has come down to intellectual deceit as most people reject the 'evilness' of an eternal hell. So newer interpretations have been formulated to replace older doctrines which is about as deceptive as it gets.

Muslims have kept to their stance and still preach the existence of a literal hell which I find honest although many now are backing away from this. Honesty is something in which I respect greatly but this new Fluffy Doctrine is becoming annoying.

Why is there a need to make hell something it is obviously not.

I myself believe in hell and I do not try to make it anything else but real
 
LuisDantas

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
Sha'irullah said:
Hell centuries ago was as it was taught in the Bible, a place of eternal torment. Christians now a days along with other libeal movements of theists teach that it is temporary, metaphorical or a "threatening device not intended to be actually used". This has become a norm now amongst Christians and is replacing the fire and brimstone preaching Baptist ministers. Why this sudden change in interpretation?
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I don't know if it is sudden, but it seems to me to be a natural and much-needed consequence of advances in social and anthropological maturity in Christian communities. As larger mutual dependency and responsibility are acknowledged, healthy interpretations of that specific teaching change as well.

This in many cases has come down to intellectual deceit as most people reject the 'evilness' of an eternal hell. So newer interpretations have been formulated to replace older doctrines which is about as deceptive as it gets.
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This deserves a deeper look, in my opinion. Perhaps a few examples or study cases. Letting go of traditional interpretations is not necessarily deceptive and can be quite needed to be faithful, as I learned in different ways from both Bahais and Ken Wilber.

Ultimately, a religious teaching is only as good and as worthwhile as the wisdom of those who teach and elaborate it. That may or may not be what you are denouncing here. I can't tell yet.


Muslims have kept to their stance and still preach the existence of a literal hell which I find honest although many now are backing away from this. Honesty is something in which I respect greatly but this new Fluffy Doctrine is becoming annoying.

Why is there a need to make hell something it is obviously not.
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To renew the doctrine, perhaps. Parts of any religious doctrine do become obsolete. That is both natural and not even a flaw.


I myself believe in hell and I do not try to make it anything else but real
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Is it even in the power of humans to make hell real or unreal? I don't think that is quite how it works.
 
Sees

Sees

Dragonslayer
Hel was much different to begin with :D

I think people like to believe they practice that "good ole'time religio" but in reality each one is different from generation to generation. It is mutually beneficial for people and religion that the evolution continues.

Some parts will bend as far as possible, some completely transform, some are forgotten or only remain relics.
 
Sha'irullah

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
Sees said:
Hel was much different to begin with :D

I think people like to believe they practice that "good ole'time religio" but in reality each one is different from generation to generation. It is mutually beneficial for people and religion that the evolution continues.

Some parts will bend as far as possible, some completely transform, some are forgotten or only remain relics.
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Hel, one of my favorite Scandinavian words :D.

I support theological evolution but I also support analysis of theological evolution. I believe that hell should remain the way it has remained. I find no issues with eternal torture and to some extent I think religions should adopt it considering that Islam is doing so well with it :D
 
Saint Frankenstein

Saint Frankenstein

Here for the ride
Premium Member
It's because the liberal and moderate Christians realized that the hellfire and brimestone talk is bad PR to the secular world. They're trying to make themselves look good to everyone else. But the mainline denominations are dying out in the US and people are either becoming fundies or non-religious.
 
Sha'irullah

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
saint_frankenstein said:
It's because the liberal and moderate Christians realized that the hellfire and brimestone talk is bad PR to the secular world. They're trying to make themselves look good to everyone else. But the mainline denominations are dying out in the US and people are either becoming fundies or non-religious.
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I liked the concept of hell :D. I cannot believe in any god that is not full of wrath to be honest. It is like worshiping Mr. Rogers
 
LuisDantas

LuisDantas

Aura of atheification
Premium Member
Sha'irullah said:
I liked the concept of hell :D. I cannot believe in any god that is not full of wrath to be honest. It is like worshiping Mr. Rogers
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Spread your Dharma based on that perception then. At some point going back to that source will indeed be needed, after all. Who knows, you just might have a role to fulfill on that regard.
 
Sees

Sees

Dragonslayer
saint_frankenstein said:
He is into S&M, at least psychologically. :D
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With the confessions of being a naughty boy there is a grin lol

For me the punishing God concept has always seemed too much like a person (child, really) making a leaning, wobbly tower of blocks - who then gets upset when they tumble over, throws a fit by cursing the blocks and tossing them in a fire-pit. :shrug:
 
Sha'irullah

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
Sees said:
With the confessions of being a naughty boy there is a grin lol

For me the punishing God concept has always seemed too much like a person (child, really) making a leaning, wobbly tower of blocks - who then gets upset when they tumble over, throws a fit by cursing the blocks and tossing them in a fire-pit. :shrug:
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Depends on the reason for the wrath. When I say wrathful I am immeditely assuming of a wrathful king or dictator. Just exclude Kim Jong-il from your mind though
 
Sha'irullah

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
Magog said:
Hell is a concept, it is not on any map.
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I declare BS because it is in MI

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