Summary of How to Go to Hell in Every Religion (Detailed Instructions)

• 00:00:00

  This video explores the concept of hell in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism by interviewing scholars in the field of religious studies. In Christianity, hell is depicted as a place of fire, torment, demons, and suffering, with different regions for different sins. However, there is a growing idea, especially among Evangelical Christians, that hell is simply a place of separation from God rather than physical torment. This perspective may not align with traditional views of hell throughout Christian history.

• 00:03:02

  Physical torment and mental anguish are believed to be experienced in hell, as individuals are separated from God and aware of the good eternity enjoyed by others. There is a concept that those in hell have chosen to be apart from God and are therefore experiencing mental anguish based on their own choices. Different beliefs exist within Christianity regarding who may go to hell, with some emphasizing the need to believe in Jesus for salvation and others holding varying beliefs about salvation and damnation.

• 00:05:51

  Throughout history, from the 4th to the 16th century, the common belief was that to attain eternal life, one had to be a faithful member of the church, be baptized, and follow the church's teachings, including believing in Jesus. Before the Enlightenment, the emphasis was on belonging to the church rather than just believing in Jesus. The Protestant Reformation brought about a shift towards emphasizing belief over church membership. Dr. Ehrman is releasing a course on virgin births and pre-Christian myths, exploring whether other traditions with virgin birth stories may have inspired or been inspired by Christianity. The course delves into various examples from Greek and Roman mythology and history, showcasing the parallels with the story of Jesus's virgin birth.

• 00:08:36

  The speaker discusses the similarities between stories of Jesus and other figures in history, focusing on the aspect of virgin birth. They highlight the importance of examining ancient sources to verify claims rather than relying on secondary sources. The intention behind the inquiry is purely historical, aiming to understand the context in which early Christians proclaimed Jesus' divinity. By comparing supernatural birth stories of other figures to that of Jesus, the speaker seeks to explore possible influences on Christian beliefs. It is suggested to click a provided link for further information.

• 00:11:21

  The video is described as very inexpensive and a good last-minute gift for history or religion enthusiasts, with a note that purchasing it supports the channel. The pin comment thanks viewers for checking out the video and acknowledges Dr. Ehrman for making it possible. The content then discusses the speaker's belief of going to hell in Christianity due to apostasy, and the exploration of Hinduism and Buddhism with insights from Dr. Natasha Michaels. It touches on the depiction of Hindu hell in literature such as the Mahabharata, where it is described as dark with a pungent smell and no visual elements. Additionally, there is mention of King Yama as a central figure in Hindu hell mythology.

• 00:14:08

  Yama and his family are depicted in Hindu artwork and occasionally featured in contemporary ad campaigns with a playful twist on Hindu hell. In Hinduism, hell serves as a place of punishment based on the concept of karma, where individuals go to burn off their bad karma before being reborn in the next life. Actions such as touching a Brahmin if reborn as an Untouchable or engaging in activities deemed disrespectful towards cows can lead to bad karma and the possibility of being reborn in hell. While there are no specific texts detailing the exact consequences for mistreating individuals of different castes, negative actions may result in unfavorable rebirth in Hindu theology.

• 00:16:52

  In Hinduism, specific actions like murder, lying, and stealing can send you to hell in your next life, where your family must perform rituals to help you escape. In Buddhism, similar to Hindu beliefs, bad karma can result in being born in hell for billions of years, but it's not permanent. Buddhist hells are more intricate and detailed than Christian or Jewish hells, with unique tortures like the Utpala hell where freezing blisters burst open, making you appear covered in blue lotuses. Buddhist hells vary across different cultures, reflecting elements of the local beliefs and traditions.

• 00:19:31

  In Buddhism, there are eight cold Hells, eight hot Hells, and infinite neighboring Hells. Actions like dishonoring a monk, Sangha, or Buddha statue can lead to being reborn in Hell. One story involves a cousin of the Buddha who tried to kill him and is said to be in Hell forever. The "Blood Bowl Sutra" in China describes a Hell for women where they are boiled alive in bats of their menstrual blood. Despite the grim depiction of Hell for women in some texts, the act of copying this Sutra was a way for women to gain social power in ancient China.

• 00:22:05

  In Buddhism, if one is reborn in the God Realm and uses up all their good karma, they may be reborn in hell in the next life. While Buddhism tends to be patriarchal, there is a specific hell for women, but not for men. There are stories in popular literature in Tibetan and Chinese traditions where people, often women, descend to hell, witness its horrors, and return to share their experiences, potentially gaining authority in their tradition. These stories offer a unique perspective on hell beyond the traditional Buddhist teachings.

• 00:24:47

  The speaker is discussing popular beliefs about hell that may differ from teachings in religious texts, suggesting that these ideas often come from outside traditions. They mention uncertainty about their fate in Hinduism and Buddhism due to past actions, such as consuming beef and potentially disrespecting a Buddha statue. They also mention interviewing Philip Home from the YouTube channel Let's Talk Religion to discuss hell in Islam.

• 00:27:35

  In Islam, hell is a place of punishment and torment for sinners and disbelievers who have behaved in a way displeasing to God. Commonly referred to as "Jahannam" or "Anar," it is described as a place of burning fire where sinners will suffer, with vivid depictions in the Quran of people being fuel for the fire and having boiling water poured on them causing their skin to burn off. While Judaism does not have a concept of hell like Islam, the idea of hell and divine punishment is central in Islamic theology and often considered one of the six articles of faith. Muslim scholars have interpreted hell in various ways, with some mentioning different layers and gates to hell mirroring the levels of paradise.

• 00:30:30

  Scholars are divided on whether the torment in Hell is physical or psychological/spiritual. Some Muslim philosophers interpret Hell metaphorically, suggesting it may not be a bodily punishment. In Islam, upon death, souls go to a place called Barzakh to await the Day of Resurrection, where the dead will be judged and sent to either Paradise or Hell. The concept of bodily versus spiritual resurrection is also debated in Islamic theology. Islam emphasizes accountability and judgment, with a major sin being shirk (associating partners with God), such as worshiping other gods, which leads to Hell. There are diverse views within Islam on who goes to Paradise and who goes to Hell, based on beliefs and actions.

• 00:33:38

  In Islam, the laws and guidance for human behavior are believed to have been revealed by God through various prophets in history, with Muhammad considered the final prophet bringing the Sharia law. The emphasis is on ethical behavior, including caring for orphans and giving to the poor, while acts like murder, lying, and stealing are condemned as they lead to Hell. Islamic teachings also suggest that individuals will be punished in Hell for their own sins, such as worshiping intellect over God, being hypocritical, ungrateful, or polytheistic. Being a Muslim involves submitting to the monotheistic God and following His laws to avoid punishment in the afterlife.

• 00:36:49

  In Islam, there are interpretations that suggest that Christians, Jews, and other specific groups may have a path to Paradise, especially for those who lived before the time of Muhammad. According to Al-Ghazali, while Muslims are expected to enter Paradise, individuals who lived before Muhammad's time or have not been properly introduced to Islam may still receive forgiveness. This nuanced view allows for forgiveness for those who have not willfully rejected Islam even if they have limited exposure to it. However, deliberately rejecting the truth of Islam and willfully denying it is considered a grave sin that could lead one to hell. In the case of the individual mentioned, who has knowledge of Islam but chooses to reject it, there could be a likelihood of ending up in hell according to Islamic teachings.

• 00:39:52

  The speaker interviews Dr. Justin Sledge, a religious scholar and the creator of a YouTube channel, discussing the concept of hell in Judaism. In Judaism, hell is known as gehenna or gehenom, acting as a purifying process similar to a washing machine for the soul. It is not eternal punishment but temporary, lasting around 364 days with a break on Shabbat. The idea of hell in Judaism has evolved over time, transitioning from a less discriminate afterlife concept to a more developed notion seen in the Talmud and Middle Ages.

• 00:42:35

  In Judaism, the focus is more on living well in this world rather than the afterlife. Gehenna, a concept developed during the second temple period, is considered a form of purification after death. To end up in Gehenna, a Jewish person must die without repenting after violating a Torah law. Non-Jews can avoid Gehenna by following seven rules and repenting before death. The severity of punishment in Gehenna depends on the extent of one's sins. There is a particularly gruesome part of Gehenna where individuals may be subjected to intense punishments, such as being boiled in their own bodily fluids. According to Jewish lore, Balaam, a false prophet, is believed to be forever punished in this manner.

• 00:45:07

  In Judaism, there is a story about a person named Yeshu who may be Jesus, who is said to be boiled in his own excrement forever as a punishment for leading people into idolatry or sexual abominations. There is debate about whether this is actually Jesus. In later Jewish beliefs, some sinners are so bad that hell rejects them, and they become roaming ghosts who cling to other bodies, known as dybics. These spirits are believed to cause harm to their hosts. It is believed that being a spiritual being without a body is very painful in Jewish mythology, unlike in Christian and Islamic traditions where the soul is considered the real self. Being rejected by hell and unable to find rest is considered a worse fate than going to hell, as the roaming spirits are believed to suffer greatly.

• 00:47:38

  The speaker discusses the concept of blasphemy and its implications on one's afterlife in various religions. They mention that blasphemy may not necessarily lead to punishment in Gehenna, especially for non-Jews who are governed by the Noahide laws, which include principles like not lying, not harming others, and not engaging in immoral acts. They also touch on the idea that belief in God is a critical factor in determining one's fate in the afterlife. The outro includes thanks to collaborators and the audience, with a call for comments on personal reflections about the concept of going to Hell in different religions. Resources for apostates seeking community and mental health support are also provided.