Instigator / Con
Ultracrepidarian's avatar
Ultracrepidarian
1500
rating
0
debates
0.0%
won
Topic
#6331

Hell is likely locked from the inside

Status
Debating

Waiting for the next argument from the instigator.

Round will be automatically forfeited in:

00
DD
:
00
HH
:
00
MM
:
00
SS
Tags
Christianity
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
4
Time for argument
Three days
Max argument characters
10,000
Voting period
Two months
Point system
Winner selection
Voting system
Open
Contender / Pro
KobayashiMaru's avatar
KobayashiMaru
1500
rating
0
debates
0.0%
won
Description

C.S. Lewis theorizes in The Great Divorce that no one is barred from heaven or forced to remain in hell, rather that it's a choice. One must desire to be free of pride, sin, etc.

Pro carries the burden of proof and must demonstrate this theory can be used to resolve the problems with the traditional heaven/hell dynamic.

Hell is defined as any place or state separate from god, and it is assumed heaven, or the presence of god, is more desirable.

Round 1
Ultracrepidarian's avatar
Ultracrepidarian
Con
#1
Greetings and welcome to the site!

Introduction
I will refer the theory in question as "the choice theory" throughout the debate.

My case will be presented through two main arguments:
  • The choice theory in question is not supported by scripture
  • God would not punish us for ignorance 
C1 - Scripture does not support the choice theory
  • If people could choose salvation after death the bible would likely say that
  • Instead, the bible delivers a contradicting message
  • Therefore, the theory of choice is likely false
Matthew 25:46
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Revelation 14:11
“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night...”

The Bible makes it clear that the torment of hell is unending and eternal, meaning it can't end through choosing to be with god. 

C2 - God would not punish ignorance
  • We are assuming it is best to be with god
  • So the only reason to choose separation from god is ignorance
  • A perfect god would not punish someone (allow them to suffer) for their ignorance
  • Therefore the choice theory is likely false
When I was a child I hated vaccines. In hindsight, I'm glad I got my immunizations, I'm better off for it. I didn't know this when I was five though, all I knew was that the process of getting this vaccine was hard. I resisted will all my little might. Thankfully, my parents knew I was ignorant and didn't give me a choice in the matter, they did what was best for me. 

This is a perfect metaphor for the situation. Why would a good god allow someone to suffer because of their ignorance? Would it not be better for them to see their folly in hindsight instead of allowing them to dwell in it? 





KobayashiMaru's avatar
KobayashiMaru
Pro
#2
As the church was dragged away from its more literal interpretation by the enlightenment the idea of Hell came under scrutiny. Eternal punishment is manifestly unjust for finite sins, and some of the 'sins' themselves where becoming to be seen as a bit...petty.  How can the idea of Hell be reconciled with a perfectly good God? A modern idea of God who had conceptually moved far way from Yahweh the Egyptian War and Storm God

The development of Free will (against the Pauline doctrine of divine determinism) and that idea that staying in  Hell is a choice is a way of absolving the modern conception of God from moral responsibility for the horrific idea of Hell.

Simply put, Hell must be locked from the inside to make the idea of a perfectly good being coherent. It's not Gods fault it's the people's fault.

Round 2
Not published yet
Not published yet
Round 3
Not published yet
Not published yet
Round 4
Not published yet
Not published yet