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Getting To Know You => Ask HAF => Topic started by: manga on April 02, 2017, 11:01:14 PM

Title: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: manga on April 02, 2017, 11:01:14 PM
Ok, so on youtube there are a variety of videos on some pro-Christian channels that encompass interviews of Christians who apparently were sinners, did not go to church, drank alcohol, masturbated, etc and they talk about how they had Near Death Experiences or visions while they were sleeping where they visited hell. Some describe hell as flames with many demons, and very loud screams, others describe it as a dark quiet place without God. There seems to be a common theme of seeing demons which are together in clusters, trying to tear people apart. It is also common that they can see people suffering.
One experience kind of frightened me. It was about an elderly priest who used to be a firefighter when he was younger. He states that he took drugs often, smoked weed, drank, etc. He said he went to Sunday school for 12 years growing up, but that he never read the bible. Then he said his parents were not happy that he drank/ took drugs, so he stopped. One day, he was at work and somehow got electrocuted, and then he said he could still see clearly, suddenly, he saw utter darkness, and had a life review showing all of his sins ever committed. Then he saw demons, which mocked him, told him God didn't exist, and said "We've got you now". They were tearing into him much like the demons in the Howard Storm story. Then, this man saw fires, called out to God, and God's right hand came and pulled him out of the fire. Suddenly he was back at work and people came running as they heard him screaming. Then, he went to the hospital, and decided that he knew that hell was real.
What do you think could be an explanation of this experience? Do these so called "visions" give any of you atheists chills in case it is right?
How could someone who is electrocuted see these things? Could a brain really come up with such graphic imagery? Another thing I wonder is, are there demons depicted in Christian hell?
It seems a lot of people who claim to see hell in NDEs and other experiences say that they see demons who mock them.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Recusant on April 02, 2017, 11:40:30 PM
What is your question, manga?
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: manga on April 03, 2017, 12:04:05 AM
I'm just really afraid of hell and I am hoping some people can give their opinions.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Arturo on April 03, 2017, 12:11:34 AM
These stories are lies. I've met people who've died and come back, had near death experiences, ect. They all state that you don't see anything. You don't even experience time. You just remember the moment before you die, and wake up where you wake up. There is nothing in between those things.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Magdalena on April 03, 2017, 01:14:09 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 12:04:05 AM
I'm just really afraid of hell and I am hoping some people can give their opinions.
Hello, manga, :computerwave:

It makes me feel sad that you live in constant fear.  :(

Are you this type of person?
Quote from: manga on April 02, 2017, 11:01:14 PM
...Christians who apparently were sinners, did not go to church, drank alcohol, masturbated, etc...
If not, why are you still afraid of going to hell? Does your religion want you to think about hell 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Why the hell would they do that to you?  :headscratch:
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: manga on April 03, 2017, 01:22:16 AM
To be honest, I wouldn't believe in hell, but these videos touch a nerve. I just don't know how to explain them assuming the people who apparently "saw" hell are not lying
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Magdalena on April 03, 2017, 01:47:42 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 12:04:05 AM
I'm just really afraid of hell and I am hoping some people can give their opinions.

Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 01:22:16 AM
To be honest, I wouldn't believe in hell, but these videos touch a nerve. I just don't know how to explain them assuming the people who apparently "saw" hell are not lying
So, which one is it?
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Magdalena on April 03, 2017, 03:09:18 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.

...And it could not be true, as well.
I guess it depends on how you want to look at it.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: hermes2015 on April 03, 2017, 05:17:08 AM
I don't believe that you are really scared. I smell a hidden agenda here.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Velma on April 03, 2017, 06:43:46 AM
It is quite odd how these stories line up with the belief system of the story teller. Catholics see their version, Protestants see whatever version their theology tauts, Muslims, Buddhists, all see what they have been taught is the afterlife - outside of those few stories clearly designed to show the superiority of their afterlife over others by having someone from another faith tradition see that afterlife. Although it seems rather odd that supernatural beings can't be bothered to show themselves or any part of their "paradise" except to people who are in no position to provide believable testimony. When I was six, due to blood loss, I once saw a giant, wooden, alphabet block and a giant stuffed rabbit on the way to the hospital. When I was a bit older, I once saw Tribbles climbing the walls of my bedroom due a high fever. Extreme physical stress can do odd things to people. Hmmmm, does that mean my afterlife is giant children's toys and sci-fi characters?

That said, my husband had died three times. No visions, no voices, no consciousness, just nothingness like going to sleep or being put under anesthesia.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Tank on April 03, 2017, 06:53:50 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 12:04:05 AM
I'm just really afraid of hell and I am hoping some people can give their opinions.
There is no evidence it exists. Stop worrying.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dave on April 03, 2017, 07:56:20 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 01:22:16 AM
To be honest, I wouldn't believe in hell, but these videos touch a nerve. I just don't know how to explain them assuming the people who apparently "saw" hell are not lying

Firstly, stop watching these kinds of videos! If you find you cannot do this seek help.

As has been said, each person sees the variety of hell they have been programmed to, thus "hell" is in tbeir mind. If they are telling the truth about some kind of experience they are suffering hallucinations or something like  "night terror", a sleep/dream disorder where it is difficult to distinguish between dream (usually bad) and reality..

I have suffered both night terrors (befire my heart attack) and been very close to death (after my heart attack). My concious rejection of religion st an early age posdibly meant that there was no recognisable "religious content" in my night terror. Yes, one can remember them and my, more rational, concious mind dismissed them as figments of the unconcious, indicators of an underlying problem.

Mangs, you have not told us of your own background. Your chosen handle could be either ironic or an indicator of interest in fantasy - care to tell us which?
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Arturo on April 03, 2017, 07:57:44 AM
Quote from: Velma on April 03, 2017, 06:43:46 AM
It is quite odd how these stories line up with the belief system of the story teller. Catholics see their version, Protestants see whatever version their theology tauts, Muslims, Buddhists, all see what they have been taught is the afterlife - outside of those few stories clearly designed to show the superiority of their afterlife over others by having someone from another faith tradition see that afterlife. Although it seems rather odd that supernatural beings can't be bothered to show themselves or any part of their "paradise" except to people who are in no position to provide believable testimony. When I was six, due to blood loss, I once saw a giant, wooden, alphabet block and a giant stuffed rabbit on the way to the hospital. When I was a bit older, I once saw Tribbles climbing the walls of my bedroom due a high fever. Extreme physical stress can do odd things to people. Hmmmm, does that mean my afterlife is giant children's toys and sci-fi characters?

That said, my husband had died three times. No visions, no voices, no consciousness, just nothingness like going to sleep or being put under anesthesia.

I'll tell you and everyone else what I saw walking down the hallway after smoking a joint with my friend's dad. A floating red ball. The fuck does that mean to anyone?
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: manga on April 03, 2017, 08:44:44 AM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 03, 2017, 07:56:20 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 01:22:16 AM
To be honest, I wouldn't believe in hell, but these videos touch a nerve. I just don't know how to explain them assuming the people who apparently "saw" hell are not lying

Firstly, stop watching these kinds of videos! If you find you cannot do this seek help.

As has been said, each person sees the variety of hell they have been programmed to, thus "hell" is in tbeir mind. If they are telling the truth about some kind of experience they are suffering hallucinations or something like  "night terror", a sleep/dream disorder where it is difficult to distinguish between dream (usually bad) and reality..

I have suffered both night terrors (befire my heart attack) and been very close to death (after my heart attack). My concious rejection of religion st an early age posdibly meant that there was no recognisable "religious content" in my night terror. Yes, one can remember them and my, more rational, concious mind dismissed them as figments of the unconcious, indicators of an underlying problem.

Mangs, you have not told us of your own background. Your chosen handle could be either ironic or an indicator of interest in fantasy - care to tell us which?

I actually came from a Christian background. I totally believed it, until I was a teen, went to a museum and learned about evolution. After that, I started to realize that so many of these "religious" explanations are bogus, and scientific rational explanations are more sufficient. I was young at the time, and I thought the bible was bogus too. I was kind of excited to think that I might be on to something (debunking religion) and I was a bit rebellious, so I jumped on the atheist bandwagon. Although I did honestly have doubts, and I did really believe what science told me. I was about 85-90% there, and I guess out of excitement, the idea that there isn't some being watching over me judging my every move, I was happy to identify as an atheist. However, a friend of mine a few months later sent me all these Near Death Experience videos of atheists seeing hell such as Howard Storm, Ian mcormick, Don Brubaker. Then, videos of Mulsims seeing Jesus in NDEs and going to hell, and I guess my whole childhood fear got reactivated, and now I worry, what if it is true. I don't just want to go back into religion, as that doesn't seem rational, but I don't know if hell exists, so I am kind of on some sideline, not knowing what to do.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Biggus Dickus on April 03, 2017, 08:58:04 AM
Quote from: hermes2015 on April 03, 2017, 05:17:08 AM
I don't believe that you are really scared. I smell a hidden agenda here.

I think i smell the same agenda as you Hermes,  the force must be strong with us.

This is a typical type of proselytizing,  I wouldn't be surprised if what we smell isn't Ray Comfort himself.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dave on April 03, 2017, 09:05:49 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 08:44:44 AM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 03, 2017, 07:56:20 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 01:22:16 AM
To be honest, I wouldn't believe in hell, but these videos touch a nerve. I just don't know how to explain them assuming the people who apparently "saw" hell are not lying

Firstly, stop watching these kinds of videos! If you find you cannot do this seek help.

As has been said, each person sees the variety of hell they have been programmed to, thus "hell" is in tbeir mind. If they are telling the truth about some kind of experience they are suffering hallucinations or something like  "night terror", a sleep/dream disorder where it is difficult to distinguish between dream (usually bad) and reality..

I have suffered both night terrors (befire my heart attack) and been very close to death (after my heart attack). My concious rejection of religion st an early age posdibly meant that there was no recognisable "religious content" in my night terror. Yes, one can remember them and my, more rational, concious mind dismissed them as figments of the unconcious, indicators of an underlying problem.

Mangs, you have not told us of your own background. Your chosen handle could be either ironic or an indicator of interest in fantasy - care to tell us which?

I actually came from a Christian background. I totally believed it, until I was a teen, went to a museum and learned about evolution. After that, I started to realize that so many of these "religious" explanations are bogus, and scientific rational explanations are more sufficient. I was young at the time, and I thought the bible was bogus too. I was kind of excited to think that I might be on to something (debunking religion) and I was a bit rebellious, so I jumped on the atheist bandwagon. Although I did honestly have doubts, and I did really believe what science told me. I was about 85-90% there, and I guess out of excitement, the idea that there isn't some being watching over me judging my every move, I was happy to identify as an atheist. However, a friend of mine a few months later sent me all these Near Death Experience videos of atheists seeing hell such as Howard Storm, Ian mcormick, Don Brubaker. Then, videos of Mulsims seeing Jesus in NDEs and going to hell, and I guess my whole childhood fear got reactivated, and now I worry, what if it is true. I don't just want to go back into religion, as that doesn't seem rational, but I don't know if hell exists, so I am kind of on some sideline, not knowing what to do.

You are on a cusp thst many people find thdmselves on, Manga, torn between the remains of things learned, maybe inculcated, at a impressionable age and a new view of the universe gained at an age when the mind is somewhat less "flexible".

Luckily for me for I saw the enlightenment at about age 10, still young enough to have a plastic mind.

There may be others in a similar position, maybe there is a group out there. For now all I can offer is that you seek that with which you feel most comfortable.

Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Sandra Craft on April 03, 2017, 10:43:26 AM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 01:22:16 AM
To be honest, I wouldn't believe in hell, but these videos touch a nerve. I just don't know how to explain them assuming the people who apparently "saw" hell are not lying

A person can be telling the truth as they understand it and still be wrong.  The mind plays all sorts of tricks on us, even in the best of circumstances.  That's why eye witness reports of things as ordinary as traffic accidents are so unreliable.

Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.

Valhalla could also potentially be true, but just as I'm not going to spend any time worrying about not getting into Valhalla I'm also not going to spend any time worrying about getting sent to Hell. 

To take this out of the realm of fantasy, it's potentially true that I could suffer an aneurysm in the next 10 minutes and be just plain dead.  No Valhalla, no Hell, just dead, which is disagreeable enough on its own.  I'm not wasting time worrying about that either, even tho I know that, unlike Valhalla or Hell, aneurysms are unquestionably real.  Some ideas just aren't worth the time or trouble it takes to entertain them.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Pasta Chick on April 03, 2017, 03:42:53 PM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.

Seems as though a reverend with a YouTucbe Channel may have a massive ulterior motive for convincing people to believe in hell...
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Arturo on April 03, 2017, 05:37:34 PM
Quote from: Pasta Chick on April 03, 2017, 03:42:53 PM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.

Seems as though a reverend with a YouTucbe Channel may have a massive ulterior motive for convincing people to believe in hell...

Hell exists? Oh well.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dave on April 03, 2017, 06:05:58 PM
Quote from: Pasta Chick on April 03, 2017, 03:42:53 PM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.

Seems as though a reverend with a YouTucbe Channel may have a massive ulterior motive for convincing people to believe in hell...
Sounds like a reverend with a Youtube channel is another manifestation of hell!
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Biggus Dickus on April 03, 2017, 06:14:59 PM
Quote from: Arturo on April 03, 2017, 05:37:34 PM
Quote from: Pasta Chick on April 03, 2017, 03:42:53 PM
Quote from: manga on April 03, 2017, 02:28:12 AM
Ok, I know that it is irrational, but these videos of reverends saying they saw hell scares me, as it could potentially be true.

Seems as though a reverend with a YouTucbe Channel may have a massive ulterior motive for convincing people to believe in hell...

Hell exists? Oh well.

Yes indeed it does, but no worries Arturo it's not like what was is commonly described in some of these YouTube NDE's being discussed here, or the NDE that was described in the other thread (Christian or fake NDE's).

I've been reading NDE's that happen to Muslim's, and hell in the Muslim faith is typically a temporary experience for those sinners or even non-believers like us. A place to be purged and sanctified before being allowed into heaven.

In fact one NDE I read about involved a man named Hamza Yusuf and upon his near-death he actually met the Prophet Muhammad  (PBUH) who instructed him to go back to this life and correct his ways so he could avoid the purging of his soul, but the Prophet (PBUH) did also tell him as it is outlined in the Quran that even the unbeliever or the atheist will have a chance to redeem his soul even after death.

So don't worry about it, we is good.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dragonia on April 03, 2017, 06:17:09 PM
Manga, I believe you, because I believe that Christianity's foundation isn't love or worship of God or hope or whatever. The main foundation of Christianity is fear. Without fear, they have nothing. And I know how powerful and gripping fear can be, especially when it seeps in from childhood.
So, if you were to learn that the hell that is mentioned in the Bible isn't the Hell that we have been raised to believe in, would it make a difference to your fear? It made all the difference to me. It started when I read a book called Love Wins, by Rob Bell, a Christian author. I recommend this book to people who are struggling with fear stemming from Christian teachings. (Brainwashing)
The main point is that every single place in the Bible that mentions the word Hell, has been translated from one of 3 different languages: Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. And the people to whom these passages were written, understood a literal place that these words were talking about. Sheol, Gehenna and Hades. These 3 words have all been translated to the one umbrella word: Hell. But they were never meant to refer to what we think of as Hell today.
So even if you're questioning the Bible, you can be assured that there is no Hell to be afraid of. Put your energy into understanding the original meanings of "hell" and your fear may just dissipate on its own.
As far as the "visions" in the videos, i agree with Velma, BooksCatsEtc, and Pasta Chick.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: hermes2015 on April 03, 2017, 06:29:04 PM
Quote from: Arturo on April 03, 2017, 05:37:34 PM
Hell exists? Oh well.

You better believe it. According to Jean-Paul Sartre Hell is other people.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Biggus Dickus on April 03, 2017, 07:32:37 PM
Quote from: Dragonia on April 03, 2017, 06:17:09 PM
Manga, I believe you, because I believe that Christianity's foundation isn't love or worship of God or hope or whatever. The main foundation of Christianity is fear. Without fear, they have nothing. And I know how powerful and gripping fear can be, especially when it seeps in from childhood.
So, if you were to learn that the hell that is mentioned in the Bible isn't the Hell that we have been raised to believe in, would it make a difference to your fear? It made all the difference to me. It started when I read a book called Love Wins, by Rob Bell, a Christian author. I recommend this book to people who are struggling with fear stemming from Christian teachings. (Brainwashing)
The main point is that every single place in the Bible that mentions the word Hell, has been translated from one of 3 different languages: Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek. And the people to whom these passages were written, understood a literal place that these words were talking about. Sheol, Gehenna and Hades. These 3 words have all been translated to the one umbrella word: Hell. But they were never meant to refer to what we think of as Hell today.
So even if you're questioning the Bible, you can be assured that there is no Hell to be afraid of. Put your energy into understanding the original meanings of "hell" and your fear may just dissipate on its own.
As far as the "visions" in the videos, i agree with Velma, BooksCatsEtc, and Pasta Chick.

I read "Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith", by Rob Bell some years ago, and I agree with you Dragonia, for someone of the faith struggling to come to terms with some of the language and terms of Christianity especially in context of the existence of hell your recommendation for his other book is a good one.

If you are going to explore your faith, or even question your doubts within your faith it is important to do so with an open mind, and if I remember correctly he spells out or discourages the claim that there is only one way to interpret the bible.
More or less inviting the reader to explore the ultimate questions they have regarding their faith,  and not worry so much or at all about any right answers.

Certainly could be a way to get past the fear installed in many people by the more evangelical churches. (Even the less stringent ones for that matter)



Still not convinced that Manga is here wholly out of good faith, as I've been proselytized too many times over the years. I don't trust religious folk that easily.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: xSilverPhinx on April 05, 2017, 12:14:15 AM
Appeal to fear. So what else is new? :eyeroll:

Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Sandra Craft on April 05, 2017, 01:51:05 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on April 05, 2017, 12:14:15 AM
Appeal to fear. So what else is new? :eyeroll:

Hey, it works -- frightened people are very easy to manipulate.  That's how Trump got so many supporters.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dragonia on April 05, 2017, 02:38:13 AM
You know, I might have to find a book exploring the effects of fear. Both from a mob or group perspective and on an individual level.
I grew up very intimately familiar with gut-gripping terror, so it's a subject that has a tender spot in my heart.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Biggus Dickus on April 06, 2017, 04:07:25 PM
I think you folks scared Magna away. :-[
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dave on April 06, 2017, 04:34:56 PM
Dredge hasn't dragged his bucket here for a while either.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Sandra Craft on April 06, 2017, 07:54:24 PM
Quote from: Father Bruno on April 06, 2017, 04:07:25 PM
I think you folks scared Magna away. :-[

Maybe some of you were right about him being a Xtian troll pretending to be an atheist, hoping to scare us into religion with the "but what about hell?" ploy.  Must be so disappointing for them when their reindeer games fail.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Sandra Craft on April 06, 2017, 07:55:27 PM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 04:34:56 PM
Dredge hasn't dragged his bucket here for a while either.

I'm not sure but I think Dredge may have been given a vacation by the mods.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Velma on April 06, 2017, 08:15:58 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:54:24 PM
Quote from: Father Bruno on April 06, 2017, 04:07:25 PM
I think you folks scared Magna away. :-[

Maybe some of you were right about him being a Xtian troll pretending to be an atheist, hoping to scare us into religion with the "but what about hell?" ploy.  Must be so disappointing for them when their reindeer games fail.
They are not generally worried about converting someone immediately. They usually think of it as "planting a seed."
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dave on April 06, 2017, 08:18:19 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:55:27 PM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 04:34:56 PM
Dredge hasn't dragged his bucket here for a while either.

I'm not sure but I think Dredge may have been given a vacation by the mods.

Missed that if so, I knew that he was on a public warning so not surprised.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Dave on April 06, 2017, 08:23:04 PM
Quote from: Velma on April 06, 2017, 08:15:58 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:54:24 PM
Quote from: Father Bruno on April 06, 2017, 04:07:25 PM
I think you folks scared Magna away. :-[

Maybe some of you were right about him being a Xtian troll pretending to be an atheist, hoping to scare us into religion with the "but what about hell?" ploy.  Must be so disappointing for them when their reindeer games fail.
They are not generally worried about converting someone immediately. They usually think of it as "planting a seed."

Doubt it will find the right nutrients here!

But, maybe we do the same back, fight agsinst thrir blather in the hope that one will have second thoughts. Apart from the enjoyment of putting an argument together in response it is usually a waste of time otherwise.

Anyone ever head of a convsersion from theism through a forum? Or 'tother way?
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Sandra Craft on April 06, 2017, 09:01:47 PM
Quote from: Velma on April 06, 2017, 08:15:58 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:54:24 PM
Quote from: Father Bruno on April 06, 2017, 04:07:25 PM
I think you folks scared Magna away. :-[

Maybe some of you were right about him being a Xtian troll pretending to be an atheist, hoping to scare us into religion with the "but what about hell?" ploy.  Must be so disappointing for them when their reindeer games fail.
They are not generally worried about converting someone immediately. They usually think of it as "planting a seed."

Isn't there something in the bible about not throwing your seed on stony ground, where it gets scorched by the sun?  I think we qualify as stony ground, basking away under the bright light of reality.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Recusant on April 07, 2017, 12:16:32 AM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 08:18:19 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:55:27 PM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 04:34:56 PM
Dredge hasn't dragged his bucket here for a while either.

I'm not sure but I think Dredge may have been given a vacation by the mods.

Missed that if so, I knew that he was on a public warning so not surprised.

Dredge has not been suspended, but neither has he logged in since the first of the month. Maybe taking his time to formulate an appropriate response. Or whatever.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Magdalena on April 07, 2017, 01:45:21 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 09:01:47 PM
Isn't there something in the bible about not throwing your seed on stony ground, where it gets scorched by the sun?  I think we qualify as stony ground, basking away under the bright light of reality.

Oooh, I like that.  :smilenod:
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Magdalena on April 07, 2017, 04:03:24 AM
Quote from: Recusant on April 07, 2017, 12:16:32 AM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 08:18:19 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:55:27 PM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 04:34:56 PM
Dredge hasn't dragged his bucket here for a while either.

I'm not sure but I think Dredge may have been given a vacation by the mods.

Missed that if so, I knew that he was on a public warning so not surprised.

Dredge has not been suspended, but neither has he logged in since the first of the month. Maybe taking his time to formulate an appropriate response. Or whatever.
He hasn't logged in since the first of the month...?  :chin:
I asked him to dance with me on the 31st.  :notsure:
Maybe he's mad at me.  :(
Do Catholics dance? Are they allowed to dance?

Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Arturo on April 07, 2017, 05:17:41 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on April 07, 2017, 04:03:24 AM
Quote from: Recusant on April 07, 2017, 12:16:32 AM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 08:18:19 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on April 06, 2017, 07:55:27 PM
Quote from: Gloucester on April 06, 2017, 04:34:56 PM
Dredge hasn't dragged his bucket here for a while either.

I'm not sure but I think Dredge may have been given a vacation by the mods.

Missed that if so, I knew that he was on a public warning so not surprised.

Dredge has not been suspended, but neither has he logged in since the first of the month. Maybe taking his time to formulate an appropriate response. Or whatever.
He hasn't logged in since the first of the month...?  :chin:
I asked him to dance with me on the 31st.  :notsure:
Maybe he's mad at me.  :(
Do Catholics dance? Are they allowed to dance?
This is good, trust me.
Title: Re: I am afraid, and I've got a question about Christian "visions" of hell
Post by: Randy on May 18, 2020, 08:56:39 PM
Quote from: Arturo on April 03, 2017, 12:11:34 AM
These stories are lies. I've met people who've died and come back, had near death experiences, ect. They all state that you don't see anything. You don't even experience time. You just remember the moment before you die, and wake up where you wake up. There is nothing in between those things.

Resurrecting yet another old topic. It's not like I have anything to do all day but sleep and be on my laptop.  8)

I think I died, or came close to it, about a year ago. I've mentioned this in another topic but it wasn't related so I figured I'd put it someplace where it belonged.

I was taken to the operating room straight from the emergency room. I was told they were going to remove my gallbladder. The anesthesiologist put me under and I was in the recovery room in I guess about thirty minutes, definitely under an hour. I was told they couldn't intubate me. Let me explain what intubation is before I go since I've mentioned it before.

Intubation is where they put a tube in your larynx so a machine can do the breathing for a person who is under anesthesia. A person's muscles are paralyzed so even the diaphragm doesn't move. At least I think that's right.

I've had radiation therapy along with chemotherapy about five years ago, give or take. The radiation therapy was done on my throat where the cancer lied through my neck. My openings for food intake and breathing have been shrinking little by little. Last year, it became a problem.

After I was put under anesthesia, they tried to intubate me. They couldn't get the apparatus into my airway. I wasn't breathing and my vitals dropped. This is an anesthesiologist's worst nightmare. They had to start doing chest compressions to keep me going until they got me back to breathing on my own.

Now, I had not thought much about it after it was explained to me by my daughter whom the doctor told about it. After I was in my hospital room a nurse asked me if I had "seen any white lights". Why the plural is beyond me. I was always told there was just one. But no, I had not. I was put under and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. No time seemed to have passed.

Surprisingly I wasn't alarmed about being almost dead. I was quite calm about the whole thing. I figured if that's what death is like, maybe I'll go to sleep and not wake up one day. That would be a nice way to go.