1 of 101

Write now Article Tools

According to some religious beliefs, hell is a place or a state of painful suffering. The word hell comes from the Teutonic word hel, which translates into "to cover."

So, how exactly do different religions view the concept of hell?

Let's take a look at the three most prominent world religions:

Rabbinic Judaism

The Kabbalah describes Gehenna as a sort of waiting room for souls. All souls enter into Gehenna, regardless of their qualities of good or evil. The Rabbinic common thought is that souls do not dwell in Gehenna for a long period of time. In fact, a year seems to be the limit. The soul stays in Gehenna for purification until it is ready for it's ascent to Olam Habah, or the world to come. Olam Habah could be considered to be the Rabbinic version of Heaven. The Kabbalah describes this process as the breaking of the soul, like one candle flame lighting another. The part of the soul that ascends to Olam Habah is purified, and the leftover or unfinished part of the soul is reborn.

Geenna (or Gehenna) is the name of a real place. It comes from Hebrew and means "Gorge of Hinnom (Ge-Hinnom)". This gorge can still be visited today near Jerusalem. In the time of the Old Testament it was a place where children were sacrificed to the Ammonite god Molech (2 Kings 23,10).

Christianity

The concept of Hell varies within the framework of the Christian religions. Most versions include a belief that Hell is the domain of Satan or the Devil. Because of his disobedience of God's will, Satan was cast along with his followers into Hell. Hell is most often depicted as a hot, fiery underground domain with the spirits of the damned confined to either temporary or eternal damnation.

Other beliefs, such as Roman Catholicism have changed dramatically over the past several years. Pope Paul II clarified the beliefs from Hell being a place or a purgatory to instead being a state of spiritual emptiness, or a separation from the presence of God. This is an amazing transformation given the fact that earlier teachings of the Catholic version of hell included demons, seas of fire, smoke and flame, and shrieks and groans of pain and despair.

Latter-day Saints present an elaborately complex vision of hell. The concept of a Spirit Prison is a place where souls of the wicked temporarily wait for resurrection. If these souls do not make the necessary transitions, then they are sent to a permanent hell, called the Outer Darkness. The Outer Darkness is inhabited by the Sons of Peridition, who are considered

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Definitions of hell?
We want to hear your view. Write now!