Truthfully, I had little fear of hell even as a believer. People need to keep in mind that hell evolved just like their scriptures evolved. Along with all of that the meanings have changed. Hell was simply an idea coming out of a city garbage dump, and we end up today seeing it as a place. The original idea was that you would be burned up just like garbage in the end. See Jacob 6:10 and you see the Mormons have given us ideas we all think of for hell, even if you were not Mormon. Then we have the OT Valley of Hinnom where people (and even children) were sacrificed to Molock. In the Dake bible we see also that those in heaven will be able to look down into hell. I'm not sure if this is to keep you on god's side or for ones in heaven to gloat because they made it and some people they knew did not.
My studies took me through all of this and I lost a fear of hell. My studies are why I no longer believe in gods today.
Welcome to the asylum. Enjoy your stay.
I don't fear much of anything. Especially that which does not exist.
Hell does not exist. Neither does heaven, or any god.
No need to fear any of those things.
Remember KK that heaven had a great wall around it. Was that to keep enemies out or to keep us in? It might have made sense to someone 2000 years ago.
I have been in hell since November 9, 2016. Every AM I wake up and that orange dummy is still there.
Well, becuz there ain't one......
I know I don't tell you this often enough, but I think you're just so damned awesome!!!
@KKGator right back atcha, girl!
I gave up the fear of Hell at the age of 15, when I became a pagan. As an atheist, I have no fear of Hell. Hell is a religious thing created to control christians.
Created to control many religious types
Never knew the entrance to hell would look like a giant sphincter . . . .
Thats for the homophobic ones.
A hairy one at that!
At age 13, I told my parents I'm an atheist. I realized the Bible was just stories and fables written by men.
As a young child, I was skeptical. It was obvious the Bible was made up like Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Never believed in heaven, hell nor invisible gods.
Why not believe in Valhalla? The imaginary god of the desert created hell. The Æsir created Valhalla. Women on horses come and take you there, for endless feasting and fighting. A much better story than the heaven/hell one. Or, give it up and deal with life as it is.
I fear dying not death. I want to go quick, I have seen enough pain and do not want to cause any for anyone. Besides I finally figured out that we actually go on until the Universe dies. We are nothing but the matter and energy that we are using for life. Upon death these separate into matter which stays on or in earth depending on the ceremony. The energy goes into the Universe and who knows what happens to that. Matter is energy and energy is matter. There is no god, no hell, no heaven, just concepts to get money and power from individuals. Of course I could be wrong, but this is a journey and I am up for it. Upon death I will not longer be conscious and therefore it will not matter what happens. Looking forward to the vacation.
Yes, one of the strangest side effects of becoming an atheist was how much less frightening some horror movies and stories became.
Ghosts and demon stories now are still enjoyable, but the deep underlaying terror that comes from irrational belief is no longer there.
Horror and occult movies: I don’t find them enjoyable at all. I find them stupid and irritating.
@FlyingGodess Each to their own
I never really had it. Never really believed.
I also think that most people don't really believe in it despite what they say, and I feel sorry for those who truly do believe. What a sad way to live.
When I shed my beliefs I felt a great sense of relief in knowing that there is no Hell.
One of the main problems I had with my religion was this belief that a loving god would create such a horrible place where it not only sent bad people, but also good people who didn't believe in it or the right things about it.
I was never concerned about hell. I was saved from it by the person who created it to put me there...
I stopped believing in hell long before I stopped believing in a God notion.
The concept of Hell turns God into an extortionist.
For God, being all knowing, timeless and ever present, created man with full knowledge he would fall (or your definition fails and God is not all knowing, ever present and timeless).
Hell is thus like a shotgun held to everyone's head. God then says "IF you love me and Obey me, you won't get shot. It is your choice"
BUT
The Same God, created Hell for this fallen man as a predetermined fate.
Like a shotgun Strapped into everyones mouth and rigged to go off UNLESS you love God
and obey God.
And such a God model already knew whose brains would be cherry pie on the wall and whose would not, since before TIME BEGAN.
That makes your idea of salvation actually a violent extortion, if fact THE MOST violent extortion possible as it is eternal.
That would make your proposed God an Evil SOB.
Well I never had that lingering fear of hell because I was raised that only really bad people go to hell, like really bad bad people like murders and acts rapists and so forth.
Hell is as false and ridiculous idea as heaven. Fear is the best proselytizing weapon of western religions. But for a real atheist once you die you will have a pleasant sleep just like the one before you were born...We do not live forever, that's it.