Heaven and Hell: Are They Literal Places or Figments of the Imagination?

hubpages.com ^ | 8/6/2009 | JXB7076

[jxb7076]

Except in biblical or other written religious accounts, no scientific evidence has ever been documented to prove that there is a physical Heaven or a physical Hell. In the absence of evidence why then do millions of people believe so strongly in a Heaven and a Hell – and how could such beliefs in the unproven have survived scientific scrutiny for so long?

For those raised in Judea-Christian doctrine Heaven and Hell does, in fact exist and one of these places is waiting for the soul of the deceased in the afterlife.

[proudtobeanamerican1]

Swiped this from another freeper today! Funny you should ask this question when I had it saved! gehenna "Gehenna, gehenom, or gehinom (Hebrew: גהנום, Greek γεεννα) are words used in Jewish and Christian writings for the place where evil people go in the afterlife (see Hell). The name is derived from a geographical site in Jerusalem known as the Valley of Hinnom, one of the two principal valleys surrounding the Old City. In Jewish tradition this valley was associated with the idea of Hell. The reasons for this association are uncertain. Some believe that it relates to the role of the valley in the disposing and burning of rubbish and unclean animals. However, Jewish tradition suggests the valley had a 'gate' which led down to a molten lake of fire. (Possibly 'The furnace of Yahweh' in Zion to which Isaiah refers 31:9, 30:33). It is unknown whether this 'gate' was an actual geophysical feature within the valley that provided the focus for cultic activity (2 Kings 23:10) or simply a metaphorical identification with the entrance to the underworld that had come to be associated with the valley."

[Auntie Dem]

Which pop song had the lyrics “I swear there ain’t no heaven, but I pray there ain’t no hell...” ?

Can we have our cake and eat it too?

[Krankor]

Hell is definitely real. There’s a guy at work who was actually dead for two days before they were able to bring him back. He went to hell and said it was pretty darn bad.

[jxb7076]

However one want to pronounce the word, based on its description it appeared to be hell on earth. Thanks for history. I really appreciate it.

[jxb7076]

Blood, sweat, and tears - one of my favorite groups.

[jxb7076]

I have to admit that I am a skeptic on these incidents although I pray that I never experience the moment.

[smokingfrog]

Just wait and see.

[RobbyS]

They speak as though heaven and hells were planets.

[Aliska]

I accept it on faith that both heaven and hell exist, but tend to believe hell is in the core of the earth which wasn't known then but we know it is molten and would appear as a lake of fire if the earth's crust were stripped off. Also it's "down", and would be from any point of the surface of the earth. How much of a curvature would be visible, I don't know as when you look at the ocean, I think you see a slight curvature. That doesn't explain its being forever as we're told the earth will eventually be burnt and all the works destroyed, also that the heavens would roll like a scroll which I don't understand. The earth may be thrown out of orbit and drawn into the sun. That doesn't last forever either, so there has to be more to it.

Or I could be way off and it's just metaphorical. As a spirit, being surrounded by fire and other evil entities would be most unpleasant, but after the resurrection, if a being found itself trapped there, the pain would last for as long as the earth lasts and possibly forever in some way.

As to heaven, I think it might be another dimension. Jesus ascended while witnesses could see him then disappeared in a cloud. The cloud *may* have been the door to another dimension or represent a mystery or concealment.

It seems reasonable that if heaven were someplace in the universe, Jesus would have kept rising until the witnesses could no longer see Him or headed in a different direction other than straight up which is relative to where they were standing and time of day. He ascended of his own power whereas Elijah was shown ascending in a chariot but I don't know if there's anything else about that.

The cloud could represent a mystery or hidden but must have looked real. There are other examples of clouds in the bible but I can't think of the context.

Maybe I should have kept my thoughts to myself because I'm no theologian for sure.

[thecodont]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDWQ8w829tY

[presently no screen name]

God’s Word speaks of heaven and hell - it’s not a mystery. If one doesn’t believe God’s Word, why would they want to spend eternity w/Someone they don’t believe in.

[jxb7076]

Excellent point!!

[ChessExpert]

It seems like a silly question to me.

Perhaps God parked heaven in one galaxy and hell in another. The universe is certainly big enough that it could be some place where we have not looked.

Perhaps heaven and hell are in distinct universes. For those “scientists” (or others) who believe in an infinite number of universes, surely one is hell and another heaven.

Perhaps hell is for small people, who become smaller yet before entering. Hell may be a very small place. Hell may be someplace in your dog's chew toy.

The possibilities are endless.

The probability of intelligent life existing anywhere in the universe is indistinguishable from zero. Yet here we are.

[jxb7076]

I am glad you shared your thoughts. I am encouraged to conduct futher study on the subject. Thanks for sharing.

[ChessExpert]

I was not responding to the title question, but to the first sentence:

“Except in biblical or other written religious accounts, no scientific evidence has ever been documented to prove that there is a physical Heaven or a physical Hell.”

[tessalu]

Acts 2: “29”: Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

All of the bible is true, so when you see something that seems to conflict, you know that you must study more.

[tessalu]

Acts 2: “29”: Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

All of the bible is true, so when you see something that seems to conflict, you know that you must study more.

[Habibi]

It is interesting how many freepers are referring to Heaven or Hell as physical places. Given that so much of Christianity is linked to spiritual and supernatural concepts, why the big concentration on a physical afterlife? I suppose that the mind is perpetually bound to the physical, so that’s the way that most people think. Hard to get out of that rut, though a Christian should have less difficulty dealing with a spiritual existence.

Is it actually that difficult for folks to conceptualize Heaven and Hell as a state versus a place? Time to indulge your spiritual self if it’s too challenging. Just something to think about.

[goat granny]

I have had similar thoughts, Jesus said the Kingdom of God was here but man could not perceive it..(paraphrased) Another dimension existing along with earth...When Jesus talked with Moses and (I forgot the other guy) and the apostles saw them, it could have been a window on the other dimension...Also could explain the New Jerusalem coming down to earth...God just opens the doorway for man to see it...just a thought....Old Testament prophets saw the heavens open and angels descending and going up..(Jacobs ladder) Another door opening.

Just some of my stranger thoughts. :O)