Why fire?

[Epic Beard Man]

in Christian and Islamic tradition, fire is symbolic as a form of punishment in the hereafter. In some interpretations sulfur is implied inChristian eschatology, but why fire? Why is the act of burning significant as a form of punishment?

Islam provides the most nightmarish imagery of hell. But why hot boiling water, or fire burning off the epidermis? I figure that in life people suffer simply from memory or from a loved one loss in an early death, but one thing that alludes me is why fire?

Surely one can suffer from being away from God, the source of ecstasy and happiness. I don’t see how fire can trump the sense of loss.

 

[Rational Agnostic]

in Christian and Islamic tradition, fire is symbolic as a form of punishment in the hereafter. In some interpretations sulfur is implied inChristian eschatology, but why fire? Why is the act of burning significant as a form of punishment?

Islam provides the most nightmarish imagery of hell. But why hot boiling water, or fire burning off the epidermis? I figure that in life people suffer simply from memory or from a loved one loss in an early death, but one thing that alludes me is why fire?

Surely one can suffer from being away from God, the source of ecstasy and happiness. I don’t see how fire can trump the sense of loss.

To con people into giving money to the church. Religion is one of the biggest money generators in the world.

 

[LuisDantas]

Fire is very evocative.

It may be either nearly invisible or spectacularly destructive, silent or thunderous.

It is dynamic to the point of almost looking alive and conscious.

It has a hint of mystery when it originates, and it causes irrreversible changes.

It suits itself to destructive aspects, as well as to the role of shining beacon to signal the way for the lost.

It is "tame-able" for domestic use, but never loses its punch, and therefore requires an attention that in some respects resembles reverence.

It is even a good illustration of ideas such as contagion, transmutation and rebirth.

It is a perfect substract for the application of mystical significance.

From a historical perspective, it may also have been inherited from Zoroastrian practices.

 

[LuisDantas]

To con people into giving money to the church. Religion is one of the biggest money generators in the world.

I don't think that quite addresses the question actually asked.

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

The fire is not to punish but to destroy. God does not send people to be tortured forever. They are burned up like garbage because they refuse to follow God's way of life.

 

[England my lionheart]

The fire is not to punish but to destroy. God does not send people to be tortured forever. They are burned up like garbage because they refuse to follow God's way of life.

Dont you just love God stuff

 

[England my lionheart]

It isn't literal. Means destruction via cleansing, which is destruction. This is you send yourself to Hell, you aren't sent to Hell.

Is that what the good book says?

 

[sun rise]

Fire is very evocative.

It may be either nearly invisible or spectacularly destructive, silent or thunderous.

It is dynamic to the point of almost looking alive and conscious.

It has a hint of mystery when it originates, and it causes irrreversible changes.

It suits itself to destructive aspects,as well as to the role of shining beacon to signal the way for the lost.

It is "tame-able" for domestic use, but never loses its punch, and therefre requires an attention that in some respects resembles reverence.

It is even a good illustration of ideas such as contagious, transmutation and rebirth.

It is a perfect substract for the application of mystical significance.

From a historical perspective, it may also have been inherited from Zoroastrian practices.

That's an interesting speculation on Zoroastrianism. From what I know, fire is a positive in Zoroastrianism as well as the term "dhuni" which as I understand it is using fire to worship the feminine principle.

 

[crossfire]

The mind is like fire. Hell is made within the mind: Buddha's Fire Sermon

 

[Mindmaster]

in Christian and Islamic tradition, fire is symbolic as a form of punishment in the hereafter. In some interpretations sulfur is implied inChristian eschatology, but why fire? Why is the act of burning significant as a form of punishment?

Islam provides the most nightmarish imagery of hell. But why hot boiling water, or fire burning off the epidermis? I figure that in life people suffer simply from memory or from a loved one loss in an early death, but one thing that alludes me is why fire?

Surely one can suffer from being away from God, the source of ecstasy and happiness. I don’t see how fire can trump the sense of loss.

Fire lights the way, so naturally certain religions bent on keeping people ignorant and as servants fear the symbolism of illumination. Nothing is worse for the duped than to know the truth.

 

[Father Heathen]

The Eight Cold Hells - Wikipedia

 

[Ellen Brown]

in Christian and Islamic tradition, fire is symbolic as a form of punishment in the hereafter. In some interpretations sulfur is implied inChristian eschatology, but why fire? Why is the act of burning significant as a form of punishment?

Islam provides the most nightmarish imagery of hell. But why hot boiling water, or fire burning off the epidermis? I figure that in life people suffer simply from memory or from a loved one loss in an early death, but one thing that alludes me is why fire?

Surely one can suffer from being away from God, the source of ecstasy and happiness. I don’t see how fire can trump the sense of loss.

My opinion is that some of us ask for mercy and seek repentance. The mean and nasty ones dream of fire and brimstone. You choose.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Fire is very evocative.

It may be either nearly invisible or spectacularly destructive, silent or thunderous.

It is dynamic to the point of almost looking alive and conscious.

It has a hint of mystery when it originates, and it causes irrreversible changes.

It suits itself to destructive aspects, as well as to the role of shining beacon to signal the way for the lost.

It is "tame-able" for domestic use, but never loses its punch, and therefore requires an attention that in some respects resembles reverence.

It is even a good illustration of ideas such as contagion, transmutation and rebirth.

It is a perfect substract for the application of mystical significance.

From a historical perspective, it may also have been inherited from Zoroastrian practices.

Good description

 

[Epic Beard Man]

The fire is not to punish but to destroy. God does not send people to be tortured forever. They are burned up like garbage because they refuse to follow God's way of life.

But in hell you aren't destroyed. Your flesh is burned off and regenerates anew.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

The Eight Cold Hells - Wikipedia

FH I see what you did there......

In Dante's Inferno Satan is in the lowest hell which is cold. I guess the cold representation is being away from the divine light and warmth. Cold, which is symbolism of evil, malice, and without care. I suppose that is off the top of my head.

 

[Dawnofhope]

in Christian and Islamic tradition, fire is symbolic as a form of punishment in the hereafter. In some interpretations sulfur is implied inChristian eschatology, but why fire? Why is the act of burning significant as a form of punishment?

Islam provides the most nightmarish imagery of hell. But why hot boiling water, or fire burning off the epidermis? I figure that in life people suffer simply from memory or from a loved one loss in an early death, but one thing that alludes me is why fire?

Surely one can suffer from being away from God, the source of ecstasy and happiness. I don’t see how fire can trump the sense of loss.

Fire can also have positive connotations of purity and light. Sometimes we need to experience the fire of hell to truely taste the sweetness of heaven.

O SON OF MAN! My calamity is My providence, outwardly it is fire and vengeance, but inwardly it is light and mercy. Hasten thereunto that thou mayest become an eternal light and an immortal spirit. This is My command unto thee, do thou observe it.
Bahá’u’lláh

 

[crossfire]

But in hell you aren't destroyed. Your flesh is burned off and regenerates anew.

Stuck in a cycle of reincarnation?

 

[lostwanderingsoul]

But in hell you aren't destroyed. Your flesh is burned off and regenerates anew.

Source please?

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Source please?

"Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, God is ever Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 4:56)

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Stuck in a cycle of reincarnation?

Perpetual suffering more like it. You’re technically dead in an ethereal plane of existence so you are subject to the “laws” of that existence or however God wills it.