Posted by Seeker [Seeker] on March 31, 1999 at 16:25:37 {ohFII14TUcbkYYamxmSw79YAW9JMpc}:
In Reply to: ***Chat with a fundie posted by Jeffery M. Schwehm on March 31, 1999 at 13:06:47:
Hi Jeff,
In my opinion only God can say who is going to wind up in hell.
That would seem to be a given, but my question dealt with the worst possible characters in history. I fail to see the moral need for eternal suffering.
One thing that I must point out however is that the JWs believe in eternal punishment themselves but often do not realize this. Eternal annihilation is a form of eternal punishment. Granted the individual who receives this form of eternal punishment is non-existent and does not feel the effects I suppose.
Yes, that is a key difference. The JW form of punishment is merely what I expect anyway. I don't actively look forward to death, but I don't mind the concept either after a full life. Conscious punishment, however, is another matter entirely.
One thing that many are not aware of is that there are a minority of Christian scholars who believe that the wicked suffer in hell for a time but eventually are annihilated for eternity. This is a minority view however.
Interesting. That sounds to me like they are trying to deal with the moral implications of the doctrine.
In my opinion, the bottom line is that we do not know alot about this and I do not think a person who does not believe in an eternal fiery hell will lose their salvation because of this belief.
I agree. I fail to see the need for a God who would do otherwise.
However, I do believe that the wicked will be punished for eternity and that punishment will include eternal separation from God whether it is conscious or unconscious. And, eternal separation from God is enough of a punishment for me to know that I do not want to experience it in either form.
And as I've frequently said in this forum, your mileage may vary. For instance, I already have a separation from God and I haven't felt a loss yet. The idea of this continuing for eternity doesn't bother me.
I do recognize, however, that if I had a personal revelation from God (as some here seem to have had), then perhaps I would recoil at the thought of losing this, as you seem to. But for now, I'll go about my merry way, content in knowing that only the really fundamental types can't wait to see me burning. The nice folks, such as you and Jaypeeto and Julie, seem to be letting me off the hook. :-)
Seeker