Eternal Punishment: The key doctrine is eternal damnation (or annihilation) for all unbelievers and especially for those who leave the religion. This is the terrifying backdrop for the salvation message presented to all newcomers and all children born into the faith. Whether it is a horrifying picture of hell as a lake of fire, a fire of eternal torture impossible to quench despite any pleading; or the Mormons’ “outer darkness” that is cold and just as terrifying; or the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ dying forever at “Armageddon” and missing out on “paradise,” the result is the same — fear.
Small children can obviously visualize these terrible things while not having the capacity to evaluate the message. Moreover, the powerful social context makes rejecting or questioning these abusive teachings impossible. Children are completely at the mercy of religious adults.
Of course, each religion has their version of the salvation formula to offer as a solution, but for many sincere believers it is not enough to ward off anxiety. How does one really know? And what about losing one’s salvation? Many adults remember trying to get “saved” multiple times, even hundreds of times, because of unrelenting fear.
“I feel like much of my life was lived in fear. I am reading all I can to continue to find peace from what I’ve been taught. I still fear hell and I am 65.” —Carl
“I feel little hope, because I don’t know how it is remotely possible for me to ever let go of my fear of hell. If I give up my belief system, I’ll go to hell. Even though my whole life has been so unhappy in the church—it has brought me nothing but turmoil and heartbreak and disappointment and unanswered questions and dissatisfaction.” —Kerrie
Left Behind Terror: Another horrible fear is missing the “rapture,” when Jesus returns. In the Left Behind book series and movies, the world degenerates into a bloodbath without the stabilizing presence of believers. I have heard many people recount memories of going into sheer panic about being left alone in an evil world. Given that abandonment is a primary human fear, this experience can be unforgettably terrifying. Some report that, as children, this was a recurring trauma every time they couldn’t find a parent right away.
“During my freshman year in college, I started having nightmares. In my dreams, the rapture would happen and I would be left behind, or worse, sent to hell. Several times I woke up just before I was tossed into the flames, my mouth open, ready to scream. My mind was crying out, “Please, Jesus! Forgive me! I’m sorry I wasn’t good enough! I’m sorry!” —Andy
“After 27 years of trying to live a perfect life, I failed . . . I was ashamed of myself all day long. My mind battled with itself with no relief . . . I always believed everything that I was taught but I thought that God did not approve of me. I thought that basically I, too, would die at Armageddon.” —Rex
Do either of these teachings of fear sound like the teachings associated with mature spirituality? Do these teachings even remotely seem like they would come from a loving God?
Each of the 50 English versions of the Bible has very different interpretations concerning the divine judgment doctrine. Many versions correctly use the Hebrew word “sheol,” which when interpreted from Hebrew to English means death. This has improved the English translations of the New American Standard and the New International Version, and the word hell doesn’t appear in the Old Testament of either.
Interestingly, the Hebrew word “sheol” is translated 31 times as “grave,” 31 times as “hell” and three times as “pit” in the KJV. This of course means they translated “sheol” according to their theology and not according to the Hebrew language.
All sincere Christians should examine the archeological and historical evidence behind the origins of the hellfire and divine judgment doctrines: how they came into existence due to the influence of Platonism on Christianity, and how the apostles and early church leaders Clement, Ignatius, Hermas and Polycarp didn’t believe in or teach the hell doctrine.
This explains why there seems to be two very different Gods in the Bible: one a loving, compassionate heavenly father; the other a vengeful, patriarchal totalitarian. This also explains why so many sincere Christians experience conflict regarding the subject of divine judgment and other doctrines.
The importance of educating the public and our religious community regarding the identification of religions and religious leaders that teach a false, oppressive and abusive dogma of fear is obvious to everyone psychologically and emotionally rational.
Many who have managed to break free from these diminishing religions and unhealthy forms of spirituality, in favor of a spirituality that resonates deeply within their souls and is validated and confirmed by their instinctual and personal experiences, have delighted in finding a spirituality that in no way diminishes their commitment and discipleship to Jesus, but rather matures, enlarges and enriches their discipleship in ways never before possible.
” This is the terrifying backdrop for the salvation message presented to all newcomers and all children born into the faith.”
Which faith?