Is God more cruel than the worst sadist you know?

Originally posted by RJHinds
It serves as the opposite to eternal life and rewards.

You didn't answer the question.

And, in any case, the opposite of 'life with rewards' is 'no life with no rewards'.

Which is effectively what the main alternative interpretation of the Bible is for those that do not go to heaven.

So, if your argument is that there needs to be an opposite to 'eternal life with rewards' (which is pretty silly), then you have just argued in favour of there being no hell as a place of eternal torment.

But back to the main point. What conceivable purpose does this place have, over and above the alternative of just allowing sinners to die?

Originally posted by Pudgenik
Justice (i will note here, i am not FOR having anyone go to hell)

What do you mean by justice? Be more specific. What purpose does punishment serve in justice?

Originally posted by Rajk999
This is exactly why I try to repeat what the Bible says exactly as it is said.

Here you make a statement which Im pretty sure cannot be substantiated by references from the Bible .. can it?

Eternal crimes and eternal punishments go hand in hand with eternal gifts

Its like the 'love the sinner and hate the sin'. Is it in the Bible?

This kind of thing is the start of false doctrines.

If you sin against an eternal God that pretty much means its an eternal
crime. If you want your communication with others to only be scriptural
quotes, than stop telling me what you think and quote scripture only.
Kelly

Originally posted by Rank outsider
Same question.

I have not been following your posts, so what question would that be?
Kelly

Originally posted by Rank outsider
You didn't answer the question.

And, in any case, the opposite of 'life with rewards' is 'no life with no rewards'.

Which is effectively what the main alternative interpretation of the Bible is for those that do not go to heaven.

So, if your argument is that there needs to be an opposite to 'eternal life with rewards' (which is pretty silly), ...[text shortened]... le purpose does this place have, over and above the alternative of just allowing sinners to die?

If sinners are just allowed to die with no punishment, then God would be an unjust God and a Liar.

I still say punishment is the opposite of reward.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060810101538AArGn4U

Originally posted by KellyJay
I have not been following your posts, so what question would that be?
Kelly

What purpose does eternal punishment serve?

Originally posted by Rank outsider
What purpose does eternal punishment serve?

It serves to perform the eternal justice required by the eternal nature of God.

Originally posted by KellyJay
If you sin against an eternal God that pretty much means its an eternal
crime. If you want your communication with others to only be scriptural
quotes, than stop telling me what you think and quote scripture only.
Kelly

Did not tell you what I think. You are telling us what you think and its not in the bible. People are interested in what the bible says about eternal torment. I already quoted what the bible says about eternat torment of the beast, false prophet and devil. Do you have any other references to add?

Originally posted by Rank outsider
What purpose does eternal punishment serve?

I was not consulted when God setup the universe, so I don't know.
Kelly

Originally posted by Rajk999
Did not tell you what I think. You are telling us what you think and its not in the bible. People are interested in what the bible says about eternal torment. I already quoted what the bible says about eternat torment of the beast, false prophet and devil. Do you have any other references to add?

Believe it or not, I agree with you! When I wish to discuss what I think is
in the scripture I bring up scripture. When opinions are being bantered
about than I can either speak about opinions, mine or others, or like you
are suggesting give a scripture to support a view.
Kelly

Originally posted by sonship
I think a lot of people are very stumbled by the thought of endless punishment from God. I think probably more atheists then we know are offended very much at this point and privately may make it the main obstacle to their believing in Jesus Christ or even wanting to.

Concerning Hell, I think this video is one of the better ones on the matter.
In my o ...[text shortened]...

"Does God Send People to Hell?"

[b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWnsjOL0tQ8 [/b]

"Hell is locked from the inside."

Great link, sonship.
Thanks.

Originally posted by KellyJay
If you sin against an eternal God that pretty much means its an eternal
crime. If you want your communication with others to only be scriptural
quotes, than stop telling me what you think and quote scripture only.
Kelly

Why is a sin against an eternal God an eternal crime?

Do you have any rational explanation for this?

Originally posted by Rank outsider
Why is a sin against an eternal God an eternal crime?

Do you have any rational explanation for this?

You break a Federal law, it is a Federal crime, it is just the nature of things
you go up against a natural law, the natural law will set you straight.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
You break a Federal law, it is a Federal crime, it is just the nature of things
you go up against a natural law, the natural law will set you straight.
Kelly

This is no answer to my question. What is natural about eternal punishment that justifies its use?

Suppose that someone stole a wallet off me 5 years ago. Now imagine I discovered today a pill that made me immortal and I take it.

Does the nature of the past crime suddenly change? What about future crimes against me? Does the individual now deserve a greater punishment for their actions? Why?

Just using phrases like 'eternal justice', 'natural law' does not explain what you mean.

Originally posted by RJHinds
It serves to perform the eternal justice required by the eternal nature of God.

Again, this is just waffle. What purpose does this type of justice serve?