JillUser JillUser

So, I'm Going to Hell

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So, I'm Going to Hell

from JoeUser Forums
I have been told at different times over my entire life that I am going to Hell. I wasn't baptized as a baby= going to hell. Don't belong to a church = going to hell. Lived with my fiancee before we got married = going to hell.

I personally don't see how any of those things would warrant my being sent to eternal damnation. I am a good person. I treat others as I would have them treat me. My family means the world to me. I am respectful of my parents. I have never harmed another. I donate time and money to charity. I help friends and family whenever possible.

I am open minded about religion. I have not been convinced yet that I belong with any particular organized religion. That doesn't mean I am an atheist though.

I guess I have always wondered how an all knowing God could look at me and send me to Hell. I know many catholics that play by the rules of the church but aren't more loving or caring than I. Why would God accept them and damn me?

So I go on living, learning and being thankful in the ways that fit me. I tend to think that God will judge me on those merits.
religion
20,093 views 181 replies
Reply #101 from JoeUser Forums Top
jilluser.............the last person to be able to judge us objectively is ourselves. if any of us are evil, we are the last to see it.
Reply #102 from JoeUser Forums Top
Marvin, I agree that you can't be objective about yourself. You can , however, pay attention to how you are recieved by others. You can judge yourself by how others react to you. If you keep an open mind and take a step out of yourself, you can try to look at your life and see if you are being the best you you can be. If you are perfectly happy with everything about yourself, I imagine you are unable to take that step away. Noone, and I mean noone (as in no person) is perfect.
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Reply #103 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's debatable is Buddhism is even a religion. It more of an enlightenment than a religion.


I think it's more of a philosophy than a religion.

As a Christian, I profess to have already found enlightenment.


Just because you profess it, doesn't make it true. I'd say that while I think you're on the path, you're nowhere near enlightened.
Reply #104 from JoeUser Forums Top
How you live your life is more important that what you say. In other words, walk the walk don't just talk the talk. Do your best to live according to your convictions. I have nothing but respect for people who practice what they preach as long as they are considerate with their preaching.
Reply #105 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have read the bible (as I already said) and it's just a bunch of stories. Sorry, can't base my life on stories. If you can't understand it, you should read it again and try. it's simple:
There is no afterlife. When you die there is nothing. You never knew you existed. Does that sound scary to you? If so, clutch your bible tighter so it doesn't scare you anymore. Religion gives us an easy way to deal with death. Nobody wants to believe that it is simple "over" when you die. Does that mean that there is no "Creator"? I have no idea.
But, you won't understand what I am saying because it is not Christian. It is not based on the bible because the bible is just a book. Does that make me a "bad" person? In the eyes of a Christian it does. A Buddhist opinion would differ.

Isn't this sort of attacking someone for *their* beliefs? Ridiculing them by telling them to clutch their bible tighter? I agree that you have your right to whatever opinion you wish to have but it seems like you are condemning someone because of their belief. I assume this is because they believe you will go to hell. How is that any more offensive than saying we return to a "oversoul"? Hell is a terrible place with anguish etc. To a Christian, telling them they are going to be returned to the "oversoul" without God is telling them they are going to a terrible place with anguish.

If you can't find "merit" in what I say, then you should read more about other religions. Christianity may be *your* religion, but it is not *everyone's* religion. No matter what you quote from the bible, you won't change my view.

So, do you find "merit" in Christianity?

Just because you profess it, doesn't make it true. I'd say that while I think you're on the path, you're nowhere near enlightened.

Now *you* are judging someone......

I have nothing but respect for people who practice what they preach as long as they are considerate with their preaching.

Agreed, but it should go both ways.
Reply #106 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sgsmitty, I don't follow you. Have I said something that condradicts that statement? I am not aware of it if I have.
Reply #107 from JoeUser Forums Top
Just because you profess it, doesn't make it true. I'd say that while I think you're on the path, you're nowhere near enlightened.

Now *you* are judging someone......


Errmm...did you see the "I think" I put in there? That's my opinion...I'm not saying that it's true. But, no, I don't think Dan is enlightened, not judging from his recent actions. If you want to consider that to be judgemental, then I'd say that's your problem.
Reply #108 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sgsmitty, what is your definition of Hell? If Hell isn't any worse than returning to an oversoul, maybe I won't get as upset when people tell me I'm going to Hell. I was under the impression that Hell, eternal damnation, is horrible. We are talking torture forever and ever aren't we? That is surely different than having your life energy combine with the rest of the energy of the world.
Reply #109 from JoeUser Forums Top

Isn't this sort of attacking someone for *their* beliefs? Ridiculing them by telling them to clutch their bible tighter? I agree that you have your right to whatever opinion you wish to have but it seems like you are condemning someone because of their belief. I assume this is because they believe you will go to hell.

I'm not attacking anyone (why so defensive?). I'm not condemning anyone. I am saying that Christians put their entire faith in that book.  It makes them feel better about "death".  Nobody wants to believe that there is nothing past life.  Who is "they" who is thinking that I will go to hell?  And, why would I care?  I don't believe in heaven or hell, so why would I care if somebody thinks I would go to hell?  Why would I, anyway?  Because I don't believe in Christianity?

So, do you find "merit" in Christianity?

I never said that I didn't find merit in it.  You said that you didn't find merit in *my* beliefs, remember?  I find merit in Christianity, I just don't believe in it.

Reply #108 By: JillUser - 4/20/2004 5:24:13 PM
Sgsmitty, what is your definition of Hell? If Hell isn't any worse than returning to an oversoul, maybe I won't get as upset when people tell me I'm going to Hell. I was under the impression that Hell, eternal damnation, is horrible. We are talking torture forever and ever aren't we? That is surely different than having your life energy combine with the rest of the energy of the world.

Yeah, Hell doesn't sound too scary if it's like that.......

But, whenever I hear what "heaven" is, it makes me wonder...it's no sorrow, no pain, no hunger, nothing bad.....sounds a lot like death to me.  If you don't know that you ever existed, there is no sorrow, no pain, no hunger.........

As a Christian, I profess to have already found enlightenment.


Just because you profess it, doesn't make it true. I'd say that while I think you're on the path, you're nowhere near enlightened.

If he is truly enlightened, I will now call him "Buddha"

Reply #110 from JoeUser Forums Top
If he is truly enlightened, I will now call him "Buddha"


Me too!
Reply #111 from JoeUser Forums Top
JillUser.............I guarantee, you are not going to hell. God isn't anything like religion portrays him to be. If the mainstream Christian world knew how i see God, they would call be a heretic and damn me to the pitts of hell for all eternity. I'm serious.
Reply #112 from JoeUser Forums Top
If the mainstream Christian world knew how i see God, they would call be a heretic and damn me to the pitts of hell for all eternity.


So, write an article about it, Marv. I'm interested. I'll read it.
Reply #113 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm interested too Marv. I wrote this article hoping to hear how people envision God, Heaven and Hell. I found Sherye's interpretation of Heaven and Hell very thought provoking.
Reply #114 from JoeUser Forums Top
Announcement: in response to overwhelming request, I will, from now on, be referred to as "Buddha."

I wonder if some of the tenets of Buddhism are not so directly opposed to Christianity. Now I don't believe in the eight-fold path (or x-fold path) or any of those things, but meditation strikes me as a healthy practise that could do a lot of people a lot of good.

~Buddha
Reply #115 from JoeUser Forums Top
wonder if some of the tenets of Buddhism are not so directly opposed to Christianity


A lot of them are the same, Dan. I can draw many paralells between Buddhist and Christian teachings. I'll write an article explaining them sometime over the next couple of days.
Reply #116 from JoeUser Forums Top
Errmm...did you see the "I think" I put in there? That's my opinion...I'm not saying that it's true. But, no, I don't think Dan is enlightened, not judging from his recent actions. If you want to consider that to be judgemental, then I'd say that's your problem.

I stand corrected, you did specify that you "think" which is not a statement of fact.
Sgsmitty, what is your definition of Hell? If Hell isn't any worse than returning to an oversoul, maybe I won't get as upset when people tell me I'm going to Hell. I was under the impression that Hell, eternal damnation, is horrible. We are talking torture forever and ever aren't we? That is surely different than having your life energy combine with the rest of the energy of the world

Some believe that hell is eternal damnation and torture. Others describe hell as being completely out of the presence of God. A presence which we all benefit from regardless if we believe it or not. As for which I believe I have to say I never have given it much thought in a long time.
As for heaven, the lack or sorrow, pain, despair sounds like a plus to me, not death. Just my opinion.

You said that you didn't find merit in *my* beliefs, remember?

Did I say that? Maybe I did, however there is merit in your beliefs especially since it causes you to attempt to be a better person. That I think they are silly and shallow and not unlike believing in "The Force" is not relevant to the fact that it makes try to be a better person. As for there being nothing after life but returning to the oversoul I find that thought not frightening but making our lives pointless.
Reply #117 from JoeUser Forums Top

Did I say that? Maybe I did, however there is merit in your beliefs especially since it causes you to attempt to be a better person. That I think they are silly and shallow and not unlike believing in "The Force" is not relevant to the fact that it makes try to be a better person. As for there being nothing after life but returning to the oversoul I find that thought not frightening but making our lives pointless.

Do you actually listen to yourself?  You say that my beliefs have merit but then you say that they are silly and shallow.  Now, my dear Christian, who is doing the judging here?  You just got done blaming Dharma for judging somebody, now *you* are being judgmental.  Or, is that a "do as I say not as I do" type thing?

Why would anyone's life be pointless just because their is no "afterlife"?  The point in life is to make life on Earth the best life it can be, and to share that joy with all those you touch. 

It's impossible for me to take you seriously after the comments you make.  You obviously have blinders on to other religions, and the only thing you can do is try and belittle other people's beliefs because you have such little understanding of other religions.   Instead of making ignorant statements, why not try and learn about other religions?  You don't have to believe in them- just learn about them so that you can have a logical, non-insulting conversation. 

Reply #118 from JoeUser Forums Top
"No, Of course not. Maybe your Jewish friend needs to read his book a little more. Ask him about Job, the serpent in genesis, stories in ezekiel, etc."

Just to clarify...Orthodox Judaism does not recognize a specific entity known as Satan or the Devil, but they do recognize the forces of evil.

Reply #119 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sgsmitty, if heaven is just the lack of pain, sorrow and despair, how is that different than nothingness? If I just blink out of existence, I'm not in pain. No suffering, despair, no more anything. How can you have regard to heaven and not hell?

Since I was about 5yrs old, I thought Heaven sounded really boring the way everyone described it. Hell was definitely described as something unmaginably horrible. I have never been able to wrap my brain around the idea of anyone doing anything so horrible that they deserve eternal torture. I mean really, let's say someone goes pyscho, just totally out of their mind, they kill and mangle some people not caring what God or Jesus think. Do they deserve to be tortured for longer than any of us can even concieve? I tend to think not. I tend to think that person should just be put to sleep.
Reply #120 from JoeUser Forums Top
You obviously do not listen to yourself. Below are your *first* quotes on this article:
What is you are not Christian? What if your religion does not believe in Jesus? What if the Christian interpretation is wrong? (*gasp*...but, that can't be, could it?) What if the humans that are interpreting the bible for you are wrong in what it means? Will that "I now believe in Jesus" save you then?
.
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I didn't grow up being told what to think by any church. I have read the bible, and it reads like a bunch of stories if you don't have somebody "interpreting" it for you. I have also learned about many religions and tried to learn about life in general. (I think Buddhism is the closest thing to religion that I can believe in, though....maybe Buddhism with a transcendentalist twist....but that is a whole different topic)

It was a response to LovesBlessing's response, A response that did not belittle or make fun of anyone's beliefs but simply outline their's and why. I think it is obvious that you threw out ignorant statements and *attacked* first.

It's impossible for me to take you seriously after the comments you make. You obviously have blinders on to other religions, and the only thing you can do is try and belittle other people's beliefs because you have such little understanding of other religions. Instead of making ignorant statements, why not try and learn about other religions? You don't have to believe in them- just learn about them so that you can have a logical, non-insulting conversation.

Just because I fail to buy into the "oversoul" theory does not mean I have blinders on, and I think I have proven that *you* belittled first. You are just inflamed because you received a dose of your own medicine. And seriously, do you really care if *I* take you seriously? I certainly do not feel likewise.

Just to clarify...Orthodox Judaism does not recognize a specific entity known as Satan or the Devil, but they do recognize the forces of evil.

Yes, a adversary, a enemy. Whether Satan is a name or a title is up for debate. Evil is evil and it is a force in our world.

Sgsmitty, if heaven is just the lack of pain, sorrow and despair, how is that different than nothingness? If I just blink out of existence, I'm not in pain. No suffering, despair, no more anything. How can you have regard to heaven and not hell?

Imagine your life now with its' mixture of joy, happiness, contentment, love and so on that has pain, suffering, sorrow, worry, etc. mixed in. Take out the pain, suffering, despair and you have something left. With nothingness, you have, well nothingingness.

Since I was about 5yrs old, I thought Heaven sounded really boring the way everyone described it. Hell was definitely described as something unmaginably horrible. I have never been able to wrap my brain around the idea of anyone doing anything so horrible that they deserve eternal torture. I mean really, let's say someone goes pyscho, just totally out of their mind, they kill and mangle some people not caring what God or Jesus think. Do they deserve to be tortured for longer than any of us can even concieve? I tend to think not. I tend to think that person should just be put to sleep.

I understand why you feel this way. Remember, some people describe hell has being completely seperated from God and not a bunch of demons stabbing you with pitchforks. Is the seperation from God idea torture? I don't know, but that sounds unenjoyable as well.
Reply #121 from JoeUser Forums Top
"Just to clarify...Orthodox Judaism does not recognize a specific entity known as Satan or the Devil, but they do recognize the forces of evil. Yes, a adversary, a enemy. Whether Satan is a name or a title is up for debate. Evil is evil and it is a force in our world."

I'm not going to get into a debate over semantics...I have been told that they do not believe in Satan/the devil, and I will stand by that....end of discussion.
Reply #122 from JoeUser Forums Top
I still say that all good, never anything bad sounds like eternal boredom. I guess it must involve new levels of enlightenment that we can't currently grasp.

I do believe in evil. I don't believe in Satan. I believe that we have to have both good and evil to appreciate the two.
Reply #123 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm not going to get into a debate over semantics...I have been told that they do not believe in Satan/the devil, and I will stand by that....end of discussion.

That is fine. As for me, a adversary, enemy, forces of evil = what Christian's call Satan, they are the same and *some* of the Jewish scholar's I have met concede the point. End of discussion as you say.

I still say that all good, never anything bad sounds like eternal boredom. I guess it must involve new levels of enlightenment that we can't currently grasp.

Boredom? Could be to some, as for me I choose boredom over bad anytime. It certainly could involve new levels of enlightenment, time will tell.
Reply #124 from JoeUser Forums Top
Unless you are unimaginably dull, eternal boredom would be bad. I would rather just blink out than be bored forever more.
Reply #125 from JoeUser Forums Top
"I still say that all good, never anything bad sounds like eternal boredom. I guess it must involve new levels of enlightenment that we can't currently grasp."


It's my opinion that it could never get boring...there would always be people to meet and talk with, things to do, etc.---whatever, to you, equals the perfect life, you could do and have....with no illness, no death, no heartache, no failures.....truly paradise. :)