Arrogance

[Monica]

He only referred to karma, not eternal damnation.

That is most likely true. The real issue about the concept of a place of suffering isn't whether it exists or not. Clearly, extreme suffering exists, even extreme torture. It could be argued that this planet is already a hell for many of its inhabitants! The real issue is whether it's permanent.

It's the idea of a place of eternal suffering that I find abhorrent...no chance of ever escaping, and souls are sent there just because they didn't believe the right book? shudder I find that extremely offensive and STS in nature...totally elitist. And, it causes otherwise well-intentioned Christians to close their hearts to friends and family who aren't 'saved' - how can one continue to love someone who is destined to be permanently separated?

What blows my mind is that their fear is so strong, that they are willing to cut off their love from spouses, mothers, sisters, sons and daughters, in order to keep their ticket, while being willing to accept a 'god' who would sentence their loved ones to eternal torture. That is just soooooo creepy!

Also, who knows what Jesus really said? The gospels were all written several decades after his death.