The Idea of Hell

Let's imagine a world where there is no law or judicial system, but many religions, all of which share one thing in common: the idea of hell. While the concept of heaven may or may not exist in some religions, the idea of hell is universally present. The perception of hell varies, but its core premise remains the same: people suffer for their misdeeds after death.

This concept of hell is fundamentally wrong in terms of justice and human nature. Let’s explore why.

First of all, we are born without our consent. We are given consciousness, along with the full range of possibilities for generating both good and evil thoughts. What keeps a person from acting on those evil impulses are often the mythological stories of religion, and, in many cases, the terror of hell. But here’s the problem: all humans know they are unsure of what will happen after death. No matter which religion they follow, death remains a mystery, and they must rely on collective beliefs about the afterlife—one of which is hell.

We don’t choose the circumstances of our birth. A person born into poverty or violence will have a very different worldview from someone born into privilege or peace. Even if both follow the same religion, their experiences and values will be shaped by very different life conditions. In this context, a system like hell—one that punishes people for their misdeeds—becomes problematic. A just system cannot be built on a foundation where there are countless, uncontrollable factors influencing each individual’s life.

Humans also have constraints and desires. We are born with an instinct for survival, and no matter how righteous we are supposed to be according to religious teachings, survival often becomes the driving force. Sometimes this means making morally questionable decisions, even if they are driven by basic human needs.

Yes, humans are responsible for their actions. Our consciousness allows us to make choices, and thus we must face the consequences of our misdeeds. But the key question is: what really matters in these consequences? It’s the harm done to others, particularly to the innocent.

For instance, executing someone for a crime might release them from guilt, but it does nothing to reverse the harm caused. The innocent victim continues to suffer. The idea that the guilty will suffer eternally in hell—when no one even knows for sure whether hell exists—only deepens this paradox. We are told that the guilty will face eternal torment, but we can’t know for certain if that will actually happen.

A true justice system should be focused on making the wrongdoer feel deep remorse for what they have done to the innocent. More importantly, it should have the goal of transforming the wrongdoer into a better person. True justice isn't about vengeance; it’s about accountability and growth.

Let the wrongdoer face the consequences of their actions in this life, not in an imagined afterlife. Whoever created the idea of hell, as an eternal punishment without the possibility of redemption or growth, has created something fundamentally unjust—something that is, in its essence, cruel.