The history of Hell

[Gloria The Camel]

ha...Well I was a little off...

[Griffin NoName]

Temperature may be a concept merely invented by humans in order to better define heaven and hell. When was temperature first conceived?

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

For years, I had a serious problem with the whole basic concept of "hell".

How could a good Creator even conceive of such a place?

I found it impossible to reconcile a Good Creator and Eternal Torture Pit.

Then, I read a book, "Inferno" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle.  It was an interesting read, but the main points I got from it were two.

1. Hell is simply the last attempt of the Creator to get the Attention of the Damned.  People ended up in Hell, because they believed they deserved to.  Not because they were Judged and sent there.  Hell was the place for people who could not permit themselves to dwell in Heaven, through Guilt. (notice anything missing?)

2. Hell was not inescapably forever.  In fact, the "job" of one of the main characters was to guide people out of Hell--once they became aware of condition 1, and sought escape.

It is well worth reading, I think.  It's a pretty deep book--and pretty graphic.  Not for the faint-livered.

[Swatopluk]

Temperature may be a concept merely invented by humans in order to better define heaven and hell. When was temperature first conceived?

I think in the scientific sense that honour belongs to Cavendish.
Before that it was mainly complaints about how* hot/cold it was.

*quality not quantity