Fear of going to Hell?

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I survived my own death and I haven't been afraid of hell or death since.

Well I am definitely an Atheist myself, but maybe I can provide a word or two of comfort: I became an Atheist when I was seven years old, because I believed that no child should be scared of burning forever in a lake of fire. When I identified that fear within myself, I had to eradicate it--- because if God did exist, and here is my advice, he would be satisfied you lived life as a good person and did not harm others intentionally. I would expect God to be more accepting of those who intellectually challenge his existence and rules than those who blindly follow them and kill in his name. You could say homosexuals may go to hell, but there are homosexual animals. If God made everything perfectly (unless he is fallible and not an omnipotent deity at all?), why would he create gay animals (who aren't cognitive and therefore don't have a 'choice'; how they behave is genetically programmed into them) if it were not okay to be gay?

I wouldn't worry yourself. You will find by the end of your life that you've spent the whole thing worrying about dying and never living a day of it.

I'm much happier without God in my life because it also removes fear. I believe death involves nothingness, pure nothingness, a void in conscience where I no longer exist in any way, shape, or form. I would suggest reading books by Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Douglas Adams, and other Atheists who address the problem of people being terrified of Hell needlessly.

I think I overstated my fears, and made myself come across as a total worry-wart. In reality, I worry about this stuff only occaisonally, mostly at night.

I am deeply heartened, though, by the lively and thoughtful discussion that has developed here. Whether I am an athiest or strict Catholic or just bullshitting my OP, I sincerely appreciate the discussion.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14g_Zd_WCaY[/youtube]

Most of us aren't so bad. Yeah we tell a few lies. We are a bit selfish and a bit greedy at times.

But most of the time most of us do more good than we do harm. We try to do what we should for our friends and our family. We obey the laws. We cross at the lights and park between the lines.

So do we really deserve eternal torture? Being boiled, grilled and disemboweled in incredible pain for thousands of years or for all eternity?

How could we POSSIBLY deserve that? Even if I got angry and beat someone to death does that mean I deserve to be beaten to death for all eternity? God, I hope not.

i'm with meadow, except it's been 4 times. one i have no recollection of, the other three where very strange experiences.

i don't expect to go to' heaven', actually don't think i want to, the way it has been described , doesn't sound appealing. no dogs/cats/birds. that sucks. be with your human 'loved ones'. well gee, now that would be hell.

don't believe in hell or the concept of a satan. except......just maybe........that's what we're going through now! you have to admit......that would explain bristol palin and tom delay being on 'dancin wit the sturss'. not many other possible explanations.