WHY I THINK THERE IS NOTHING LIKE HELL

Riungu Jnr Ikiugu

I have read a number of theological books, scientific books, religious books and the Bible itself. With all these reads, I have not come to a better understanding of what hell is rather I have got into some form of confusion and later my eventual conclusion that THERE IS NO HELL. This does not mean that am an atheist. It’s only that the hell things do not add up to me. Further more, I can have a spiritual bondage with my God without this hellish thing.

So guys, what is "hell" like, really? Where is it located: here on earth, or in some other dimension? Is it true, or a sinister fabrication? Can the Bible lead us to the truth? Where is "hell" first mentioned in the Bible, and why is it so very difficult to find? Why was the punishment of "hell" never mentioned to original sinners like Adam, Eve and Cain, or to unbelievers like the people of Sodom and the Pharaoh who defied God repeatedly? Are there Bible verses that clearly describe "hell," explaining its origins and defining its purpose?  If you study "hell" in the Bible, starting at the beginning, you're in for a long, fruitless search for facts, definitions, explanations, reasons, references and images. Why? Because the Hebrew prophets never mentioned a place where human beings burn in "hell fire," writhing in eternal torment, gnashing their teeth forever. Nor did the prophets ever mention the possibility of any other form of suffering after death. Isn't that extremely odd, if there really is a hell and God wanted human beings to know about it? These are some of the questions that have been lingering in my mind for a while. But after a long search and thought I can now make some fairy correct conclusions.

From my Bible experience and knowledge, Old Testament mentions a place called Sheol- the Hebrew word Sheol, which I have researched on, clearly means "the grave." and not “hell”. This can easily be confirmed because if Sheol is translated as "hell" the Christian dogma of hell as an inescapable place of suffering. The following Bible verses are a true reflection on mistranslations of Sheol to mean “Hell” by today's Christians. (1) in Psalm 139:8, King David said that if he made his bed in Sheol, God would be there with him; (2) in Job 14:13, Job asked to be hidden from suffering in Sheol; (3) in Psalm 49:15, the sons of Korah said that God would redeem them from Sheol; and (4) the prophet Ezekiel and the apostle Paul agreed that all Israel would be saved, and yet in Genesis 37:35, Israel himself said that he would be reunited with his son Joseph in Sheol. How can all Israel be saved if Israel himself is in "hell"? In each case Sheol clearly means "the grave" and cannot be interpreted as "hell" unless "hell" is heaven!

What we think hell looks like

So "hell" is not a biblical teaching at all, but a harrowing mistranslation used by charlatans to brainwash believers into forking over their hard-earned money while toeing moral lines they never bothered to observe themselves. It seems hell hath no fury like a hypocritical moralist out to control other people's behavior while raking in lots of loot. Look at Prophet Victor Kanyiri and his like minded preachers.  Unfortunately, the people who suffer most from this hellish dogma are highly impressionable children who trust their parents, pastors, youth directors and Sunday school teachers not to mislead them. Women and the poor people also suffer from this hellish thing.

If you are keen in reading the bible, you will realize that, "hell" was never mentioned even to the worst people at the worst of times. "Hell" was never mentioned to Cain (the first murderer), nor to the people guilty of the wickedness that led to the Great Flood, nor to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, nor even to the Pharaoh who enslaved the Hebrew tribes and defied God repeatedly. So how can “Hell” be in existence? Do you see my sense guys?

Let’s look at another word guys- “Hades” a Greek word meaning “grave” As with Sheol, everyone went to Hades when they died. You might have also come across the word “Gehenna”. According to my research, Gehenna is not "hell" either, but a physical location in Israel known in Hebrew as Gehinnom, or the Valley of Hinnom. Today Gehenna is a lovely park and tourist attraction. Wonderful archeological discoveries have been made there, such as the healing pool of Siloam and the oldest Bible verses ever discovered, inscribed on small silver amulets. Those verses are the benediction "The LORD bless thee and keep thee; the LORD make his countenance to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. How such nice and comforting words could be discovered in "hell?"

My fellow readers, what does this really mean?  This just my opinion guys but this is what I have to say- If you believe in a loving, compassionate, wise, just God, you might conclude that "hell" has always been either an error of translation or an outright human fabrication. Why would human beings invent hell? Well, as ancient Greek philosophers like Celsus pointed out, "hell" was a good way to control the behavior of the unwashed masses. And "hell" has always been a handy way to increase conversions (perhaps we should call them "coercions"), church attendance and revenues. But what about the emotional, psychological and spiritual well being of little children and women? Surely their innocent hearts, minds and souls are vastly more important than the head counts and coffers of churches!

Think about this!