Hell is a place where sinners are sent after death to exist in torment. Most people think hell is burning hot. In The Inferno, the poet Dante described levels of hell, which mostly are hot; however, the worst sinners, the betrayers, exist in a frozen lake.
Belief in hell has been declining for decades, but some people still believe in it, even though there is no evidence it exists; I think of these individuals as hell holdouts.
Religious beliefs persist because they are taught by parents and religious leaders. Ideas of hell are typically found in ancient religious documents.
Despite the lack of evidence for hell, the place has a powerful effect on people who believe in it.
What underlies the decline of belief in hell?
Here are three possibilities. (1) The development of evidence-based science and thinking is inconsistent with belief in hell. (2) Increases in mass education have led many people to value evidence and to doubt religious views, e.g., about hell. (3) The spread of mass media has led to people learning about other religions and wondering how other people can be so misguided as to follow false religions. Eventually, these individuals wonder whether their own religion (and their belief in hell) might be false.
The belief of some individuals in hell holds on in part because most people do not think much about whether it exists. Also, the existence of hell helps people think there is justice, at least after death. Most of us want to think justice exists. Finally, hell serves as a restraining force on humans. In a world perceived as scary, any restraint of misbehavior seems appealing.
Does belief in hell cause any problems?
Yes. It may cause great fear or depression in some individuals — negative emotions that can last a lifetime. Also, it may lead some people to put off pushing for justice on earth.
I am thinking about hell because JD Vance publicaly told Kamala Harris to go to hell. Believers in hell might be shocked by JD’s statement.
Further, I just watched Unforgiven, a western movie in which Clint Eastwood is about to kill a very bad man. The bad man says to Clint: “I’ll see you in hell.” Clint replies “Yeah” and then kills the man. Two hell holdouts there.
Photo by Maxim Tajer on Unsplash
A decline in belief in hell could also be that people dont enjoy thinking about consequences, and the ripple effects of choices they have made.
Religion can also have beneficial effects on an individual and community though (eg – making choices for the betterment of community, acting with integrity because they believe in the impact of choices, even mindfulness experts say that praying is good for people and it can also help with connection etc)
Afterall faith is the believe in the unseen… and “evidence” is about how the person feels it is impacting them. Maybe it comes back to balance?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your post raises some interesting points about the concept of hell and its role in belief systems and human psychology throughout history. I understand why belief in hell can seem outdated or controversial, especially with the rise of scientific thinking, mass education, and exposure to diverse cultures and religions. That said, I’d like to offer an alternative perspective on why belief in hell persists and why it might be more significant than it seems at first glance.
You mentioned that belief in hell comes primarily from being taught by parents or derived from ancient religious texts. While that is certainly part of the picture, the concept of hell also serves a deeper spiritual and moral purpose that speaks to the human desire for justice, accountability, and the idea that actions have consequences. Many religious traditions, including Christianity, use the concept of hell not merely as a “scare tactic” but as part of a broader understanding of God’s justice and mercy.
One key point I’d like to address is the idea of “evidence” for hell. You’re right that hell isn’t something people can scientifically prove—it exists as a spiritual reality, not a physical one. But lack of empirical evidence doesn’t necessarily mean hell doesn’t exist. Much of the realm of faith involves things beyond human perception, things that can’t be measured by science but are nonetheless deeply meaningful and relevant to human life. Christians believe hell is real not just because of ancient texts, but because of their faith in God’s Word, which teaches that what we do here matters both now and eternally.
In Scripture, Hell is depicted not just as a place of punishment, but as a place where God’s presence is experienced solely through His righteous wrath, rather than through His grace and love—a state chosen by individuals who reject His love and grace. God doesn’t “send” people there arbitrarily; rather, hell is the natural consequence of humans choosing to reject God’s offer of redemption. It’s less about a fiery lake or a frozen wasteland, but rather about a place of conscious torment where God’s righteous wrath is poured out on sin for eternity.
While belief in hell has declined, I think that decline often coincides with a broader shift toward relativism and the rejection of any kind of absolute morality. Without something eternal and unchanging—like God’s justice—people often attempt to create their own versions of morality or justice, which can lead to chaos, despair, or a sense that life lacks meaning. Hell, while uncomfortable to think about, reminds us that actions have consequences and that there is ultimate accountability beyond our earthly life.
You mentioned that belief in hell can lead to negative emotions like fear or depression. I agree that these feelings can arise if hell is misunderstood or emphasized in isolation. However, Christian teaching about hell doesn’t stand alone; it is always paired with God’s love, mercy, and invitation to relationship with Him. The message of Christianity is not about fear—it’s about hope, redemption, and the incredible lengths God went to, through Jesus Christ, in offering salvation to humanity. Hell exists, but God desires none to end up there (2 Peter 3:9), and He offers people every opportunity to turn to Him and receive His grace.
Further, you mentioned that belief in hell might cause people to “put off pushing for justice on earth.” I would respectfully disagree, as countless believers throughout history have been at the forefront of social justice movements precisely because of their faith. William Wilberforce, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa, for example, worked tirelessly for justice because they believed in eternity and wanted to align their lives with God’s heart for righteousness, mercy, and love. For Christians, belief in eternal justice doesn’t negate earthly justice—it motivates them to live out God’s values in the here and now.
Finally, I’d like to address the idea that belief in hell serves as a moral restraint. While this can be true to some extent, I’d argue that the heart of Christian morality is not fear of hell but love for God and others. Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). True Christianity is less about simply avoiding punishment and more about embracing a relationship with God that transforms how we live.
In summary, belief in hell is not just about ancient traditions or fear—it’s about recognizing the consequences of rejecting God’s love and justice and understanding that our lives have eternal significance. While hell can seem like a dark or divisive topic, it’s ultimately tied to the larger story of God’s justice, mercy, and desire for humanity to live in relationship with Him. For me, belief in hell serves as a reminder of both accountability and the incredible hope we have in God’s grace.