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In the spiritual realm, it is not necessary to occupy space, because spiritual beings have no mass. They cannot occupy space, as a result.

But aren't you "crossing realms"? :) I have no problem in thinking that spiritual beings do not have mass in our realm, but as for their own realm, who can know? I think of Jesus and His resurrected body. We are told that we are also going to have resurrected bodies. These will take up space, somewhere. It doesn't have to be in our realm.

Magnetism exists. Yet, it occupies no space or takes up no mass. It is an effect on the visible universe.

In grammar school we are taught that nouns are persons, places, things, or ideas. I am only talking about the first three. I think of Magnetism as a description of a relationship between two or more "things". For the purposes of this discussion, I don't think ideas qualify as "things" in existence.

In much the same way, God also effects the visible universe yet takes up no space or mass.

I disagree. Using your own terms, you appear to be saying God is more like an effect rather than a cause, in and of Himself. I contend that a cause requires space, not necessarily in a dimension observable to us.

God is not "in" hell because hell is a state of existence WITHOUT God.

What is the difference between "state of existence" and "place", if "place" can include other dimensions?

But Jesus didn't descend into Hell as we refer to it.

Thanks for the clarification. I've just seen that so many times as being part of the Apostle's Creed.

I presume that you are joking about the soul having mass!

Yes. :) The article I linked to discredits the "science" behind the measurement of the weight of a soul. But I thought the attempt was interesting. :)

We are told that we are also going to have resurrected bodies. These will take up space, somewhere

Spiritual bodies. Like angels. Angels are purley siritual beings, yet they are circumscribed, i.e. finite.

disagree. Using your own terms, you appear to be saying God is more like an effect rather than a cause

God is the cause, and effect, but He is outside (not subject to the laws of) the creation.

I wrote: Magnetism exists. Yet, it occupies no space or takes up no mass. It is an effect on the visible universe.

You responded: In grammar school we are taught that nouns are persons, places, things, or ideas. I am only talking about the first three. I think of Magnetism as a description of a relationship between two or more "things". For the purposes of this discussion, I don't think ideas qualify as "things" in existence.

Magnetism is a force that is applied to an object. This effect, then, exists. Is it a thing? No. But it is a state of existence, which is what we are talking about. I disagree. Using your own terms, you appear to be saying God is more like an effect rather than a cause, in and of Himself. I contend that a cause requires space, not necessarily in a dimension observable to us.

Magnetism is not an effect, it is a cause of an effect. You are confused in what I am saying.

What is the difference between "state of existence" and "place", if "place" can include other dimensions?

A place suggests a physical location. Where would you suggest heaven be located? Is God there but not somewhere else?

Again, this is all speculation and attempts to work out the intellect of our faith - called theology. Rightly, we really don't know what the after-life will be like. Perhaps we are quibbling over an undefinable thing.

Regards