Originally posted by wolfgang59I think all of the above are valid depending on the situation.
Why?
What is the purpose of punishment?
1. retribution, justice, payment
2. prevention (of offender offending again/for some while)
3. rehabilitation
4a. deterrence for offender
4b. deterrence to society
All of above, some or none?
Originally posted by wolfgang59at some point in human history, people might have responded better to action-punishment/reward. even nowadays there are still asholes who would do all kinds of heinous acts if there were no consequences.
Why?
What is the purpose of punishment?
1. retribution, justice, payment
2. prevention (of offender offending again/for some while)
3. rehabilitation
4a. deterrence for offender
4b. deterrence to society
All of above, some or none?
in truth this whole idea of hell might simply be god's way of parenting. like a parent threatening the child with a cane that never gets to be used. those that call god's bluff might not in fact get sent to hell, or not eternally. they might get sent to a "reeducation center for souls" and then resent to earth for a second chance.
Originally posted by Suziannehe means that the punishment system, and an eternal punishment at that, resembles too much like revenge, rather than an absolute and supreme being teaching lower life forms something about life, the universe and everything.
You would rather he reward them?
Counter-intuitive, that.
the evil committed during one's life is already done, so who does it benefit to have the sinner punished for eternity? shouldn't rehabilitation be closer to the wishers of a benevolent god. after all, the christian god supports repentance at any point during the life of the sinner, why would he have only that period of time to repent, why couldn't he be given this opportunity after 1000 years of agony, or a million?
because of that, it seems rather unfair that someone should spend and eternity of torment for deeds done in a period of 60 years. and eternity is a very long time indeed.
perhaps closer to justice would be that evil-doers be educated and then sent back in a cycle of rebirth. thus the soul reincarnates itself and accumulates knowledge. evil done then is simply the hurdles one willingly places in his path to a higher form of existence.
1 edit
Originally posted by wolfgang59In the Bible there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of passages highlighting God's willingness to forgive.
Why?
What is the purpose of punishment?
1. retribution, justice, payment
2. prevention (of offender offending again/for some while)
3. rehabilitation
4a. deterrence for offender
4b. deterrence to society
All of above, some or none?
It is good to consider these while contemplating punishment.
For example, I have always liked this one -
Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now and let us reason together, Says Jehovah.
Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow
Though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool. "