At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
Over the break (which just ended last week for us) I got caught up on some TV shows. One of which gave me the idea for this week's question. (If you watch the show in question, you know where this came from. And I beg, no spoilers as I'm still a bit behind...)
First, we must suppose that hell as a place/realm exists in some way, shape, or form...
What if you had the chance to eliminate hell? Would you do it? (Consider the type that ends up there. Would you want them running free? Or what would happen to them if you could eliminate hell?)
I think you would have to create something else for those type of people to go to. You have to kind of keep it in balance I think between good and evil, heaven and hell.
ReplyDeletebetty
I don't believe we're separate by a so called heaven or hell.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
I was wondering (hoping) if some might think this.
DeleteThe devil needs to reside somewhere. I'd only eliminate it if everyone there repented.
ReplyDeletewell, obvious...they would all go to walmart
ReplyDeleteI thought they were there already.
DeleteI wouldn't. There needs to be some place for evil.
ReplyDeleteMy belief is that hell is right here on earth. I believe that heaven exists for all of us. So I sure don't want to eliminate hell or we will all have to place to live!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, then that would be a problem.
DeleteI wouldn't eliminate it, then where would they all go? I wouldn't know where to send them lmao
ReplyDeleteSeems like there have been some interesting comments to answer that question.
DeleteNot even a little unless those people could be zapped out of existence completely. Otherwise nope.
ReplyDeleteThis presupposes several beliefs however:
ReplyDeleteI suppose the question remains of if we're ONLY eliminating hell and WHAT the ramifications of its elimination is. Do people just die and that's the end? Sure. Problem solved one way or another. Do the people in question just somehow live on in a physical or metaphysical sense due to the lack of a receptacle (as it were). Hell no. (all pun intended)
Yeah, well, when you're talking speculative fiction, you're talking about things that people may or may not believe in. Which is why you can take the question in any way you wish.
DeleteLemme guess, you're watching Supernatural? I'm still waiting for this new season to come on Netflix...but, in answer to the question, no, one cannot have Heaven without Hell, imo. Besides, if you eliminate hell, where will all the evil go? Up to Heaven? Those good souls up there don't want that in their place, right? Plus, sometimes souls who deserve it get out, and rightly so, because in my mind redemption is always possible...
ReplyDeleteI would never want the responsibility but this reminds me of a great 1990's series called "Brimstone". It featured a cop who died and went to hell for having killed his wife's rapist during his lifetime. When some of the most evil sinners escaped Satan's grasp he sent the officer back to get them. Good stuff! I was so mad when it got prematurely cancelled. Be well, my dear.
ReplyDeleteI seem to recall Brimstone. I never watched it, but I have a vague memory of it being on.
DeleteOh! I actually bought the series on eBay, not knowing it was a bootleg. I still never regretted the purchase.
DeleteI would not eliminate hell.
ReplyDeleteSome behave - for the fear of going to hell.
I also believe hell is right her. Or, at least, purgatory. It explains so much. Alana ramblinwitham.bogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOkay, then.
Delete