(Written by a friend of mine)
When someone like myself, or one of the multitudes of other way more qualified professionals out there, dares to question the morality of the eternal conscious torment model of hell, we will be almost immediately jumped on by a multitude of would-be apologists and defenders of the faith, seeking to expose us for the heretics we are. I've often wondered why those who oppose this rather obvious pagan invention, are met with such fierce opposition. I could understand if those who react so harshly were, themselves, convinced of the veracity of the doctrine of eternal conscious torment, in which case, their opposition to any such questions or critiques would be, not only warranted, but a moral action. After all, if I or others are, either intentionally or unintentionally, playing a role in the eternal damnation of thousands of unsuspecting individuals, opposing us would be one's moral duty.
This simply cannot be the reason, though, as most who offer the loudest dissent prove by their actions to not be fully convinced of the doctrine themselves. If they truly believed it, they would never cease to preach to those who would otherwise go there. The street corners would be filled, day and night, night and day, with throngs of impassioned Christians, desperately pleading with the world to "turn or burn". But as it is, you're more likely to find a prostitute on a street corner than you are a preacher.
This suggests to me that a majority of those who loudly speak against those who question eternal conscious torment, likely aren't convinced of it themselves. Or, if they are, but remain more or less indifferent to the billions said to be headed in that direction, prove themselves to be utterly depraved, careless, and immoral through their inaction. The burden of believing 9 out of every 10 persons is destined to burn forever is likely a burden too great for anyone to bear. And so we either secretly let go of the belief, while maintaining a facade of belief, or we simply compartmentalize, and only believe part-time. Either way, a total or part-time indifference to the eternal suffering of billions would speak to a corruption of one's morals.
If, by chance, I'm correct, and most Christians don't actually believe in eternal conscious torment themselves (or at least not all the time), why does public critique of it come under such fire? I think it is precisely because it exposes us to our own unspoken disbelief. The critique brings out into the open questions we ourselves have had, but have been terrified to think or ask aloud, and so hearing them expressed by another makes us feel uncovered and vulnerable. We fear the side of us that dares to ask such questions, and so seek to stomp out and destroy that "us" that we see in others.
Whenever you see an exaggerated and irrational anger directed at those who dare to critique certain cherished beliefs, there is likely behind it, a secret, but shameful agreement.
