The Christian Vision

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Many Protestant denominations believe that the tortures of Hell are metaphorical. For example, the fires of hell are not actually fires, but the burning pangs of a guilty conscience. Protestants believe that the notion of a place of physical torment is outdated and incompatible with the idea of a merciful God. Jean-Paul Sartre, although an existentialist, certainly put the notion that Hell is whatever the individual perceives it to be in his 1944 existentialist play, "No Exit." Sartre alluded to the idea that "Hell is other people."

Because technology has led many to believe that there is no place for a traditional Hell, some have embraced the idea of annihilation, an idea which maintains that in the afterlife, evil souls will be eradicated from existence. However, critics of this theory claim that belief in Hell is essential to the importance of Jesus Christ's redemption of humanity. Without a hell, Jesus' sacrifice and death would not have been necessary. Many also claim that the existence of Hell proves free-will. God does not force anyone to spend eternity with him.

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In old English tradition, the word "hell" is derived from the the old English word "hel" meaning a black, fiery world of eternal torment for the damned. However, because the Vikings were converted to Christianity, the Old Norse "hel" was both a place and a being. Hel, as referred to as a place, is a world where oath-breakers, evil, wicked persons and individuals unlucky enough not to have died in battle, abide. This underworld is very cold, unlike the Roman Catholic version (Mediterranean). Hel is also the name of the goddess of hel. She is the part blue, part white and part black daughter of Loki and Angrbotha (in Celtic legend).