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Metaphor

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The comment that springs to mind is that Hell is not a real place in the sense that Paris is a real place, (despite similarities), but that it is a very real experience. If, as has been said, perception is truth, then for those undergoing the experience, it is as real as a coronary and far less fun! The individual soul may believe that they are separated from their creator, and suffer accordingly for as long as it takes them to understand that that is not possible. This realization would of necessity enable them to see what they had blinded themselves to.

As a child I was impressed with the statement that those who transgressed the many rules of the Anglican church would burn in the eternal flames of hell, along with all the other sinners and servants of the Antichrist, (which in the early 50's included the entire Roman Catholic church.)

But there was more! Along with the eternal torture, there was the separation from God, who apparently used the infernal region as a kind of garbage can, as well as a sort of diversion for the souls of the blessed, not unlike a celestial bullfight

As to why Satan chose to live in Hell when he was Lord of this World, well that wasn't really explained too well. If Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world, then they must have been his to offer, else the refusal is pointless.

Yet, if the world is Satan's, it must be with the blessing of the creator: for the alternatives cannot fit in with Christian Philosophy:
Either
(1) Satan is as strong as the Creator, (which would be the Manichean Heresy). OR
(2) Satan is acting with the express consent of the Creator, which means there was no fall.

Even to a young boy there seemed to be some inconsistencies here. Given that the Almighty was Omniscient, he would already know who was going to be naughty or nice before their birth, and was thus condemning them in advance.

Did this not mean then, that mankind was predestined to be saved (or not,) that the golden book was in fact already written, and no individual action could change that result? This is a dangerous path, leading to absolute licence.

Further, If God was omnipresent, how could he fail to be in some place or other; would it not cease to exist in the face of such a withdrawal? How can something exist where He is not? Is he really the creator?

If Hell is in fact a concept to deter "Evildoers" it has been hugely unsuccessful, serving only to build the egos of the self-righteous and the guilt complexes of many worthy individuals, not to mention swell the coffers of those who exploit the segment of a population which takes the concept seriously.

Learn more about this author, Richard Sprigg.
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