The Absurdity of Eternal Torment

In the presence of those who promote a belief in a "hell of eternal torment" I find my mind posing the question "Do you really believe what you say you believe?".

I admit that a "hell of eternal torment" is the majority position held by mainstream church goers, and others, for all unbelievers, but I find it illogical, immoral, unBiblical and contradicted in the lifestyle of its proponents.

Firstly, the belief is illogical.
Suppose the torment only lasts for a billion years rather being eternal. For the mistakes made in a lifetime of about 70 or 80 years on this planet, can you imagine even the harshest judge imposing a sentence of a billion years? That doesn't make sense.

Secondly, the belief is immoral.
A sentence of a billion years for a crime of 70 or so years is unjust, unfair -- just downright immoral. Can you imagine any parent imposing such a disproportionate penalty on a mischievous child? Not even a fallen human parent would do so, let alone a perfect, loving heavenly Father.

Thirdly, the belief is unBiblical.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has already paid for the sins of the world.

Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.
[1 John 2  :2  GNT]

And if all sins have already been dealt with, if everyone's debt to God has been fully paid, by God Himself no less, why should anyone else have to pay again?

For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  TLB]

Fourthly, the belief is contradicted in the lifestyle of its proponents.
If it was really believed, I would expect its adherents to use every opportunity every day to warn their families and friends in the hope they would avoid this outcome. But I don't see them being stirred into urgent action on this score at all.

This widely-held belief in a "hell of eternal torment" fails on many levels and contradicts what the Bible reveals about a loving God's plans for His creation.

The Son is the image of the invisible God ... all things were created by him, and for him ... and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 15 - 20  NIV]

because God

intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]

As faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, let's continue to proclaim the really good news about what God intends for His creation through what Jesus' death and resurrection have achieved. Expecting anything less than eventual success is an insult to our loving, sovereign God.

Blessing, Barry