Spaz

What I always wondered, which isn't exactly related to this but close enough, is what about masochists? Would they just have this massively powerful orgasm in hell or what?

BobW

Great post. Love the thought but no such luck. It's really all about punishment and therefore masochists must go to heaven along with sadists. Hedonists go to hell.

inmeitrust

Every time I think of the God/Satan myth, I can't help but think Satan was right. Geez, the arrogant oppressive tyrant ain't so great. I'll find a place of my own. As Milton said, "I'd rather rule in hell than serve in heaven." I think this might be why so many kids join the military.

I don't get why going against the grain is so awful. Satan seems to represent the independant thinker and believes in himself. If I weren't atheist, I guess I'd be kinda Satanist.

Oh boy, that last line will get me into trouble with my wife!

Magus55

Guess being a new resident Christian ill clear things up.

Hell was designed for Satan and the fallen angels when they rebelled against God - it was never designed for humans.

God is perfect and no he didn't make a mistake creating Satan - he created the angels with Free will - they had the ability to choose whether to obey God or rebel against him. Satan had too much pride and arrogance and wanted people to follow him, not God - so he rebelled and God cast him into heaven along with his followers ( fallen angels).

After the Great White Judgement, all unbelievers, Satan, the beast, and the False prophet ( antichrist) are thrown into the lake of fire where they are tormented for eternity. Hell is different then lake of fire - but most people use them interchangably. Hell is where you await judgement if you are an unbeliever - Lake of Fire is your final prison after judgement.
Satan will not be punishing anyone - he will be tormented and suffering for eternity too.

God does not "send" you to hell. Hell is just separation from God. If you choose to disobey him and ignore his warning - that means you choose to be separated from him - since sinners can't remain in Heaven - he lets you go to hell. Its your choice - everyone deserves Hell, so if God wanted you to be there - you'd already be there right now.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Satan is in hell right now but he also has rule over the earth until Jesus returns.

I do find it ironic how some atheists agree with Satan and look forward to Hell. Its not like all the unbelievers are gonna be throwing a "no more God" party down there. You burn and suffer with no relief for ever and ever and ever and ever. But it sounds like you guys like that image so guess i can't change your mind.

Celsus

Whoa nelly! (er... welcome!)

You're talking mostly to atheists and agnostics here. You'll have to establish that the Bible is in fact reliable first, and not just another myth like Greek gods. Then we can talk about whether the account in Revelations is applicable.

Joel

Magus55

I'm aware of that, but since there isn't generally any evidence or claim made by Christians to the validity of the Bible that atheists accept - whats the point? Was just providing the scripture to the statement about the devil not being mention in the bible.

If you are actually interested here are some sites about the accuracy of the Bible.

http://www.carm.org/questions/rewritten.htm

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t003.html

http://www.carm.org/bible/extrabiblical_accounts.htm

Celsus

Good point. So why are you here? (Just curious, I'm not asking you to leave)
Ok, since the CARM sites quote Josh McDowell, here are some replies to McDowell. In particular, I'd recommend The Jury is In: The Ruling on McDowell's "Evidence". We could do this all day, but arguing via links is silly. Why don't you post an argument?--I'll start a new thread if you like.

Joel