Condemned to Hell?

 

CONDEMNED TO HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY?

My thoughts this morning (on Tuesday, January 6, 2024) . . .

Some “religious people” claim that if a person does not “accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior” (and then completely conform their lives to this or that particular, and frankly “man-made,” way of following the Gospel), then he or she is destined for eternal damnation (i.e., after death, that person will suffer the torments of the everlasting fires of hell).

In response to such thinking, I may be at risk of being called a “heretic,” but I prefer to believe in a God who so loves each and every one of his children, that he does so without conditions and/or exceptions.  No human “dogma” can ever overrule the infinite and compassionate love of a God who loves us more than anyone of us (especially the dogmatists) can ever possibly imagine!

Can any one of us really know the actual and possibly conflicted minds, hearts and personal struggles, and even the “faith” of others, especially those who are otherwise and often quickly labeled as “sinners?”  Can just anyone simply identify him/herself as “saved,” and then claim the right to be the arbiter of God’s boundless love?

I can’t . . .

As a person of faith in a merciful, forgiving, and ever-loving God, it’s clear to me that the concept of “hell” is all too often simply used as an instrument to frighten people into conformity with the whims and biases of those “in power” (and who “at the moment” happen to “control” the religious narratives of the day).

It’s also apparent to me that this type of pharisaical approach to exercising “religious authority” is unfortunately and somehow present, to some degree or another, within the minds of a number of “fanatical” adherents to many and various Christian denominations, “religious systems,” faith expressions, and spiritual traditions throughout the world, and this seems to be the case “from time immemorial.”  And I believe as such it’s a scourge on the human quest to know and serve God and God’s people.

Sorry Pharisees of all stripes, I believe the idea of “hell” to which you ascribe is quite an empty concept (if, as you explain and use it, your teaching is wielded to threaten those of us you label as “unsaved sinners,” and/or if in fact the infernal region is “a place” at all).

Amen!

Praise God!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Some additional thoughts after feedback from others . . .

I don’t doubt the words of Jesus, the teachings of the Church, and I certainly believe in the authority of the Scriptures.  I also believe that OUR human understandings of these things are in constant need of refinement and clarity. This I think is our path to authentic obedience to such things.  

Unfortunately, the words of Jesus, the teachings of the Church, and even the Holy Scriptures themselves are often weaponized (by some "Christians" who in fact are very uncharitable) against the poor, the marginalized, and those who are “different.” It seems to me the “Pharisees” are sometimes quick to do so in order to justify their hatred towards such people, and as such they then distort concepts of true faith, genuine hope and unconditional love (a love empowered by God and that never ends!). 

I couldn’t agree with those who have reminded me of their faith in a a Jesus who promises to be “the Way the Truth, and the Life.”  But the arguments against what I have shared above have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the sentiments I originally expressed.

My “personal relationship” with Jesus is extremely important to me as a Christian man of faith. It guides my life, and the daily decisions I make about how to authentically remain faithful to my God!

My friends, please don’t jump to conclusions about the thoughts I shared above. My perception is that some have completely missed the point I tried to make. Perhaps they might want to read more carefully what I wrote!

My whole point is about how I think some “religious people” are so preoccupied with judging others in this life that they are very quick, and don’t hesitate, to pass the “sentence of hell” on them for the next.

I believe I cannot do that because only God knows the hearts and minds of the people around me. “Judge not, lest you be judged” comes to my mind.

Matthew 7:1-3
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”

It seems to me far too many “Christians” think they can exempt themselves from this admonition of Jesus (and only because they now identify themselves as “saved”). I believe such people are in reality the “modern day Pharisees,” and so I for my part will do everything possible in my own faith life to stay as far away from such “pharisaical thinking.”

GOD IS LOVE! ❤️

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There are but three things that remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

And the greatest of these is love.

1st Corinthians 13:13 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On January 14, 2024, in an interview on Italian television, Pope Francis was asked to comment on the idea of hell, and if he believes God will forgives all those who have sinned.  Said the Pope: “It’s difficult to imagine [hell]. What I would say is not a dogma of faith, but my personal thought: I like to think hell is empty; I hope it is.”

**I love Pope Francis!