Board index ‹ Heaven and Hell

[Redneck Ralph]

I was always taught that god was our father and he loved us. As a new dad I can say, without reservation, there is nothing my son could ever do that would cause me to send him to a place like hell. Any god that claims to love us like a dad and yet creates a place like hell is no god I desire to worship or believe in.

[jimwalton]

I'll be glad to talk to you about this, and please feel free to respond back to me. It's apparent to me that you misunderstand hell. Hell is not where God throws people he doesn't love anymore. Hell is where people choose to go who don't want anything to do with a relationship with God. I can say with confidence that God doesn't want anyone to go to hell. Hell was not made for people; heaven was made for people. You misunderstand if you think that God somehow stops loving people, even though at one time they were his beloved children, and he sends them to hell when they no longer please him. God opens the doors of heaven and invites everyone in, but many people simply refuse to come, despite his promises of blessing, his intent to reward, his desire for relationship, and his personal sacrifice to make it free for anyone to come. Hell (separation from God) is the only other choice for people who don't wish to be united with God.