Published by Hell is a simple metaphor to deter evil doers. The idea of hell primarily satisfies the desire for retribution all humans crave. If someone does not get their just deserts while they are alive, there will always be hell to be reckoned with when they die. But no one has ever been to hell and reported back on it, so it is likely to remain a metaphor for time immemorial.
The fact that we would like to mete out the worst punishment for evil doers also accounts for the horrendous brimstone and hell fire that is chosen, not to mention the devil with his pointed stick ready to poke them mercilessly forever. Justice would then be seen to be done.
It is inevitable that if Christians believe there is a god, then, in order to balance that belief of goodness, there would be an arch rival of evil, always leading us into temptation and away from God. The idea of hell also acts as an intolerant deterrent for those non-believers who could expect to have a taste of hell fire if they did not toe the line. In this coercive way, the priests and leaders of the Church could ensure as many followers and believers as possible.
Even now, the Catholic Church is still doing it, threatening politicians who are pro-abortion with “excommunication” if they do not change their view. Translate that to mean not a hope in hell of getting holy orders and going to heaven, if they don’t go against the issue, and only hell fire of the worst kind awaits them. But who can say whether we have any after-life or not, let alone going to a place called hell.
Evil and goodness are also both sides of the same coin. We all have evil and goodness within us. They emanate from our thoughts, they plague us in our thoughts and turn into actions, and then we conjure up all kinds of punishment to suit those wicked thoughts and deeds.
That’s where hell resides: right inside our heads haunting us each day, especially when we live in unforgiving, vengeful ways. If we contemplate wicked, uncharitable thoughts, or evil to others, we go through a living hell. It won’t be one that comes after our death, but one waiting for us right here in the way we live our life after every evil act.
