As is often the case with your posts, several things resonate with this Jewish agnostic. Most notably, what you describe happened with T, I believe, is restorative justice - now used more and more (though in my view not nearly enough) in the youth and adult criminal justice systems. We need a lot more of that because the evidence is that it does, in fact, reduce committing another injurious act.
And, about hell: I was not raised with that notion, and have never understood the threat of an unknown thing that supposedly follows death as the incentive to be a good person. So, I totally support your view (for whatever my opinion is worth on that) - live kindly and justly and lovingly because we are. That's all.
Thanks, Daphne! I’ve always thought it’s so odd how Christianity (which, let’s be honest, was an offshoot of Judaism) completely discounts both ancient and modern Jewish views on Hell.
And yes to more restorative justice! I’m so encouraged to see the way different communities are trying to implement this practice.
I grew up adjacent to Evangelical Christian communities, thus was influenced by them but not fully indoctrinated. I was afraid of Hell and of sex before marriage, but I was also taught to question everything and that all religions have similarities, therefore some validity. I joined a queer affirming ELCA church as an adult and eventually got married there. Then I got disillusioned and quit church permanently. I don’t believe in Hell, because like you said some experiences in this life are already hellish enough. As a U.S.-ian of Irish descent, I am now especially interested in Celtic myths and spiritual traditions. The nature-based practices make more sense to me than worshiping some invisible sky daddy!
I've been dabbling in some Celtic/ancient European spiritual rituals, too! It's so interesting to be able to explore this stuff that was (in my upbringing) forbidden.
While not forbidden by my dad (he’s the all-religions-are-equal influence in my life), my mom would absolutely be horrified if I told her I’m into tarot and kitchen/green witchery. Ah well… I use language that works for her to keep the peace. It really is fun to learn and explore what works best for me, outside those religious restrictions 🥰
I've recently had an experience that has me really disillusioned about the church as an institution.
It's funny/not funny how deeply rooted the fear of Hell is from my childhood upbringing in the Evangelical world. I wanted to swear off God and religion and all of it because of this recent negative experience, but so far the fear is keeping me from doing so.
The fear is so real! This book might be helpful in giving your doubts about hell some backing, though I know it can be complicated to logic yourself out of a fear.
I've had to rethink so much of this, too. Pretty into the idea of something like Purgatory even though I'm still Protestant-ish, heh.
Especially resonate with this part: "What I do know is that there are people living in Hell right now. Addiction is Hell. War is Hell. Divorce is Hell. Serious disease is Hell. I wish the church would triage the suffering people are currently experiencing rather than some far-off Hell that probably won’t happen."
Thank you!
As is often the case with your posts, several things resonate with this Jewish agnostic. Most notably, what you describe happened with T, I believe, is restorative justice - now used more and more (though in my view not nearly enough) in the youth and adult criminal justice systems. We need a lot more of that because the evidence is that it does, in fact, reduce committing another injurious act.
And, about hell: I was not raised with that notion, and have never understood the threat of an unknown thing that supposedly follows death as the incentive to be a good person. So, I totally support your view (for whatever my opinion is worth on that) - live kindly and justly and lovingly because we are. That's all.
Thanks, Daphne! I’ve always thought it’s so odd how Christianity (which, let’s be honest, was an offshoot of Judaism) completely discounts both ancient and modern Jewish views on Hell.
And yes to more restorative justice! I’m so encouraged to see the way different communities are trying to implement this practice.
I grew up adjacent to Evangelical Christian communities, thus was influenced by them but not fully indoctrinated. I was afraid of Hell and of sex before marriage, but I was also taught to question everything and that all religions have similarities, therefore some validity. I joined a queer affirming ELCA church as an adult and eventually got married there. Then I got disillusioned and quit church permanently. I don’t believe in Hell, because like you said some experiences in this life are already hellish enough. As a U.S.-ian of Irish descent, I am now especially interested in Celtic myths and spiritual traditions. The nature-based practices make more sense to me than worshiping some invisible sky daddy!
I've been dabbling in some Celtic/ancient European spiritual rituals, too! It's so interesting to be able to explore this stuff that was (in my upbringing) forbidden.
While not forbidden by my dad (he’s the all-religions-are-equal influence in my life), my mom would absolutely be horrified if I told her I’m into tarot and kitchen/green witchery. Ah well… I use language that works for her to keep the peace. It really is fun to learn and explore what works best for me, outside those religious restrictions 🥰
Thank you for writing this.
I've recently had an experience that has me really disillusioned about the church as an institution.
It's funny/not funny how deeply rooted the fear of Hell is from my childhood upbringing in the Evangelical world. I wanted to swear off God and religion and all of it because of this recent negative experience, but so far the fear is keeping me from doing so.
The fear is so real! This book might be helpful in giving your doubts about hell some backing, though I know it can be complicated to logic yourself out of a fear.
The Holy Hell book?
I'm definitely open to giving it a read!
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if you check it out!
just ordered a copy. excited to dive in!
I've had to rethink so much of this, too. Pretty into the idea of something like Purgatory even though I'm still Protestant-ish, heh.
Especially resonate with this part: "What I do know is that there are people living in Hell right now. Addiction is Hell. War is Hell. Divorce is Hell. Serious disease is Hell. I wish the church would triage the suffering people are currently experiencing rather than some far-off Hell that probably won’t happen."
Thanks, Liz! To me, it feels weirdly freeing to think that Protestant Purgatory is an option? LOL
Lol I mean, like you said, no one really knows…