How I Overcame the Fear of Hell
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When I realized I was an atheist, I also realized I still had this fear of the idea of hell. I no longer do but am aware of other people who still have that fear weighing on them. People who have also come out as an atheist but that fear is still in the back of their mind. I want to share with you how I grew out of that fear and also tell you why I think it makes sense if you are an atheist and you still do have that fear. And I'll also explain why.
All of us atheists, know and acknowledge I think, how ridiculous and irrational it is to fear hell – because, obviously, we don't believe in it. How does one fear something they don't believe in?
Here's where I think psychologically it makes sense, but first, let's define hell.
Hell: 1. A place of evil and everlasting suffering to which the wicked are sent after death.
2. A state or place of great suffering. - Oxford American Dictionary
Quick note: look at the injustice of this. Injustice: Lack of fairness or justice.
A so-called 'loving and caring god' creating a hell for anyone who chooses not to love and follow him.
Punishing someone forever is not justice. Asshole...
Also, how could people enjoy a heaven if they knew that their loved ones/family members are suffering eternally in hell?
Now, getting back to why fearing a hell, even when you don't believe in it makes sense to me:
1. I think about how old I was when I was told what other people's ideas of hell were/and are.
2. I think about who it was that told me of a hell and also how many years I carried that idea with me, of what a hell was.
3. I think about how many times throughout my childhood and adolescence I was repeatedly reminded of this 'hell.'
I think once you realize all of these things about your past, you now kind of get that this fear is not going to go away over-night. If this fear has been built up for months and years, it's going to take some time to tear this fear down.
Growing up, I remember my church would put on 'scary' plays with the devil luring people to him and taking them to this hell. I'm not sure why but I vividly remember seeing a poster with Darth Maul from Star Wars Ep. 'This is Shit, Don't Even Bother', as Satan in an upcoming play production. Out of all the villainous characters, they picked Darth Maul, he's not even a very good Sith, but anyway...
I think my church was fascinated and I think in a way, seemed to love terrifying everyone with the idea of hell. Hell was my biggest fear as a kid and growing up.
*Nicolas Cage in The Wicker Man - My idea of hell was something like that.
Imagine medieval torture that you learn about in history books, the most god-awful torture, to harm another human being and potentially, kill them. And you're unable to pass out or die because you are suffering unsurmountable pain for the rest of eternity. Or a better example; Dante's Inferno.
Yeah – as a little girl growing up with that imagery in my head, you can bet that messed with me and made me extremely afraid of doing anything that would piss off the christian god. And since the Christian god is an absolute bully and anything will set him off.
Now, think back to your experience with all of this. How old were you when you first learned about hell? Were you indoctrinated as a kid? How many years was hell in your mind and in your thoughts for weeks on end? Who stands out in your memory who told you about hell in the first place or on repeat? Did you, like me, attend Jesus Camps where, again, you were probably threatened from pastors in what seemed like a raging scream match into their already too-loud sound system?
*Pastor Steven Anderson - ugh
Let's come back to the present – breathe with me. It makes sense to me if you are someone who has this fear and again, we can all fully acknowledge how irrational it is.
I think over the course of months, years of repeatedly hearing about an idea of hell even once when you were younger? Given the context of that conversation and who you were having it with, could spook you enough to now subconsciously fear it. Maybe just finding yourself thinking about it, in what seems at random, or maybe even in your dreams.
Regardless, it takes time to step back from a fear and no longer be afraid of it.
So I would suggest to just give yourself some time and to talk about it with other people, with friends.
Being able to talk to a secular therapist has helped me so much. I have seen Christian counselors in the past and I was not able to talk about religion at all with them. So that is a big tip right there is to just see a secular therapist because they could really help you.
Also something that has really helped me is being able to laugh at the ridiculousness, of not just hell but of religion as well. I think when I've listened to comedians or just people in general joke about religion and the idea of hell, that kind of disabled the fear. It helped this big fear in my head become so small over time. Listening to people like George Carlin, David Cross, Ricky Gervais, I mean I could name several people right now but just listening to them just poke fun at religion and also hell - it's very liberating.
Another thing that's really helped me is just going online and looking at other's blog posts and videos from other people who used to have this fear, or maybe someone is talking with someone else who no longer has this fear.
Just hearing other people share their stories and talk about this as well has helped. It helps you realize you're not alone. Other people also have this fear and other people also no longer carry this fear with them. I think it helps to realize that this fear can go away but I really think it just takes some time.
I've added some videos and helpful blog posts from other's talking about this topic. Hopefully, if you are an atheist and you're currently going through this, you'll find some of these resources helpful.
I would also love to hear from you guys in the comments and if you're an atheist who no longer has that fear of hell, let everyone know what has helped you shed that fear.
Special thanks to my patrons who support this channel. An extended portion of this video is on Patreon now for all patron supporters. I share a personal memory of someone in my life telling me about hell when I was, I think around maybe 5 years old.
As always, thanks for reading/watching!
-Sarah
