waterworks
in the luminous darkness
- Jan 31, 2024
- 104
It's Friday, I have no friends or plans, and I'm in my bed just thinking, so here are my thoughts, would love to here people's opinions.
1. Introduction
Definitions: To begin, let's briefly establish what's meant by hell. The word hell originates from the Old English hel or helle referring to the netherworld or the abode of the dead. This term comes from the Proto-Germanic *haljō, meaning "the underworld" or "concealed place," which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kel-, meaning "to cover" or "to conceal." To the modern person hell has come to mean (per Oxford Dictionary) "a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death."
History: The earliest recorded use of the word "hell" in English to specifically refer to a place of torment dates back to Old English Christian texts, which began to emerge in the late 7th and early 8th centuries. Bede known as "The Venerable Bede" (673-735 AD), an Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, translated various biblical and theological texts into Old English, using "hell" to translate terms like infernum (latin. underworld, underneath) and gehenna (hebrew. place of punishment). This Old English translation was rooted in the latin word infernum derives from inferus meaning "below" or "underneath," and it was used in early Christian literature to denote the place where souls awaited judgment.
The general consensus is that the then popular understanding of hell was similar to the Greek Hades which referred to a realm of the dead. This word appears many times in the Christian new testament. The old testament had the Hebrew sheol which similarly referred to a realm for all the dead. This later became what in latin was inferus the realm underneath, similarly with hades and sheol.
2. The Sociological Argument Against Hell
I can't really say I have a way to argue all of theology. The goal here would be to focus on the religions that have shaped our views on hell. Which is why I won't be focusing on Islam or Hinduism etc. Mainly Judaic and Christian literature.
2.1 Dante's Inferno
You may have noticed that the modern word inferno has roots in the latin word inferus, referred to earlier. Today, inferno has come to mean a place or state containing a raging fire. Though originally the word had little to nothing to do with a raging fire.
Synopsis: The most significant influence on the modern understanding of "inferno" as a fiery place of punishment is Dante Alighieri's epic poem, "Divine Comedy," written in the early 14th century. In Dante's vision of the afterlife, the "Inferno" (Hell) is depicted as a series of descending circles, each containing different punishments for various sins. "The Divine Comedy," is divided into three parts: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise). Many of the punishments involved fire, interpreting much of the biblical imagery of hell as a place of eternal fire and torment.
Overview of "Inferno": In this section, Dante vividly describes a journey through nine concentric circles of Hell, each representing different sins and corresponding punishments. The imagery and descriptions of these punishments, including lakes of boiling blood, fiery tombs, and other torments, had a profound impact on popular perceptions of hell in Western culture. But the funny thing is how it incorporates supposedly "pagan" mythology into its narrative. For instance, Medusa In Greek mythology, is a Gorgon with snakes for hair, whose gaze turns people to stone. In "Inferno," Medusa is depicted as a terrifying figure in the gates of hell
2.2 Catholicism: The Great Oppressor
One of the great wonders of modern Christianity is the diversity of institutions within it. One could say, there's a church born every day. But how did it go from a seemingly united organization under the Papal Roman Church, to what we see now. In one word Reformation. It was sparked by theological and institutional criticisms of the Catholic Church, particularly regarding issues such as corruption, indulgences, and the authority of the Pope. Key figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others challenged Catholic doctrines and practices, advocating for a return to what they saw as biblical purity and simpler forms of worship.
Rejection of Indulgences and Purgatory: Indulgences , which promised remission of temporal punishment for sins, were criticized for their perceived exploitation of believers through financial transactions rather than genuine repentance. Martin Luther's famous 95 Theses, posted in 1517, denounced the sale of indulgences as a corrupt practice that undermined the biblical principle of salvation by grace through faith alone.
As noted earlier that institutions such as the Catholic Church through centuries have benefited from their tight control over the "afterlife", you could say. Through the mechanisms listed earlier, indulgences etc, they somehow managed to keep money in their pockets and believers under their steeples. In the very definitions of the word hell is a rich history of demented imagery that keeps leading back to the same institution.
3. Conclusion
This is one the reasons I don't find a case for hell compelling. The history and motivations that have often surrounded it, speak to a world troubled by manipulation and greed. An institution that dominated the then known world, creates a terrifying narrative to inspire belief. This narrative is picked up by a somewhat popular poet who creates a masterclass in writing that influences an almost global tradition. Every joke, every piece of artistry, every media sensation that borrows imagery from that work, serves to cement a belief that was born to serve an institution we think we are not related to anymore. Yet they still bind us in chains we don't see.
1. Introduction
Definitions: To begin, let's briefly establish what's meant by hell. The word hell originates from the Old English hel or helle referring to the netherworld or the abode of the dead. This term comes from the Proto-Germanic *haljō, meaning "the underworld" or "concealed place," which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kel-, meaning "to cover" or "to conceal." To the modern person hell has come to mean (per Oxford Dictionary) "a spiritual realm of evil and suffering, often traditionally depicted as a place of perpetual fire beneath the earth where the wicked are punished after death."
History: The earliest recorded use of the word "hell" in English to specifically refer to a place of torment dates back to Old English Christian texts, which began to emerge in the late 7th and early 8th centuries. Bede known as "The Venerable Bede" (673-735 AD), an Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, translated various biblical and theological texts into Old English, using "hell" to translate terms like infernum (latin. underworld, underneath) and gehenna (hebrew. place of punishment). This Old English translation was rooted in the latin word infernum derives from inferus meaning "below" or "underneath," and it was used in early Christian literature to denote the place where souls awaited judgment.
The general consensus is that the then popular understanding of hell was similar to the Greek Hades which referred to a realm of the dead. This word appears many times in the Christian new testament. The old testament had the Hebrew sheol which similarly referred to a realm for all the dead. This later became what in latin was inferus the realm underneath, similarly with hades and sheol.
So how did hell come to mean a place of eternal fiery torment??? You can thank Dante for most of that.
2. The Sociological Argument Against Hell
I can't really say I have a way to argue all of theology. The goal here would be to focus on the religions that have shaped our views on hell. Which is why I won't be focusing on Islam or Hinduism etc. Mainly Judaic and Christian literature.
2.1 Dante's Inferno
You may have noticed that the modern word inferno has roots in the latin word inferus, referred to earlier. Today, inferno has come to mean a place or state containing a raging fire. Though originally the word had little to nothing to do with a raging fire.
Synopsis: The most significant influence on the modern understanding of "inferno" as a fiery place of punishment is Dante Alighieri's epic poem, "Divine Comedy," written in the early 14th century. In Dante's vision of the afterlife, the "Inferno" (Hell) is depicted as a series of descending circles, each containing different punishments for various sins. "The Divine Comedy," is divided into three parts: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise). Many of the punishments involved fire, interpreting much of the biblical imagery of hell as a place of eternal fire and torment.
Overview of "Inferno": In this section, Dante vividly describes a journey through nine concentric circles of Hell, each representing different sins and corresponding punishments. The imagery and descriptions of these punishments, including lakes of boiling blood, fiery tombs, and other torments, had a profound impact on popular perceptions of hell in Western culture. But the funny thing is how it incorporates supposedly "pagan" mythology into its narrative. For instance, Medusa In Greek mythology, is a Gorgon with snakes for hair, whose gaze turns people to stone. In "Inferno," Medusa is depicted as a terrifying figure in the gates of hell
2.2 Catholicism: The Great Oppressor
One of the great wonders of modern Christianity is the diversity of institutions within it. One could say, there's a church born every day. But how did it go from a seemingly united organization under the Papal Roman Church, to what we see now. In one word Reformation. It was sparked by theological and institutional criticisms of the Catholic Church, particularly regarding issues such as corruption, indulgences, and the authority of the Pope. Key figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others challenged Catholic doctrines and practices, advocating for a return to what they saw as biblical purity and simpler forms of worship.
Purgatory was (and still is) believed in Catholic theology to be a temporary state after death where souls undergo purification before entering heaven. It was seen as a place where souls could expiate their sins through suffering.
Indulgences were certificates issued by the Catholic Church that promised remission of the temporal punishment due to sins, either for oneself or for the souls of the deceased in purgatory. Funny enough, these certificates were often issued in exchange for monetary gain.
Rejection of Indulgences and Purgatory: Indulgences , which promised remission of temporal punishment for sins, were criticized for their perceived exploitation of believers through financial transactions rather than genuine repentance. Martin Luther's famous 95 Theses, posted in 1517, denounced the sale of indulgences as a corrupt practice that undermined the biblical principle of salvation by grace through faith alone.
As noted earlier that institutions such as the Catholic Church through centuries have benefited from their tight control over the "afterlife", you could say. Through the mechanisms listed earlier, indulgences etc, they somehow managed to keep money in their pockets and believers under their steeples. In the very definitions of the word hell is a rich history of demented imagery that keeps leading back to the same institution.
3. Conclusion
This is one the reasons I don't find a case for hell compelling. The history and motivations that have often surrounded it, speak to a world troubled by manipulation and greed. An institution that dominated the then known world, creates a terrifying narrative to inspire belief. This narrative is picked up by a somewhat popular poet who creates a masterclass in writing that influences an almost global tradition. Every joke, every piece of artistry, every media sensation that borrows imagery from that work, serves to cement a belief that was born to serve an institution we think we are not related to anymore. Yet they still bind us in chains we don't see.
honestly thought the first paragraph was just uhh word art 
