Does God punish for eternity

First things first, you've been warned about what this is (So hopefully no religous bashing)

Some religions beleive in a heaven(good people go here) and hell (Bad people go here) after they die for all eternity. From a logical perspective, is this right ? Should one never be able to live down their crime ?

Add as you see fit

That's pretty hard question. As a Catholic myself I do believe in the conception of Heaven and Hell. If we consider them in cathegories of reward and punishment, we need to remember that it's the kind of judgement based on one's entire life; also, our human understanding of justice is probably different from the God's point of view. Heck, for a being believed to be omnipotent, it would be strange if it wasn't different. We are just humans so we make mistakes all the time, who are we to judge?

Now, from a logical perspective, as you called it, the whole "faith" stuff is irrational and lacking much sense Why believe in something you can't see? You can't touch? You can't comprehend with your own, physical senses? Even better - why believe that such a thing is, 'almighty'?. People have their various reasons. Whether it is because we want to feel somehow controlled, that our small lives depend on something bigger, stronger, something we can cry out to in the times of despair, or simply it is because we humans like the idea that everyone gets what they deserve - it is of no consequence. But, if we are to believe, to believe in God, I guess having faith in His absolute justice is, kinda, included. I personally don't mind that, even if what I deserve for would turn out (hopefully not ) to be a dark, hot pit in hell. Shit happens all the time, so why cry over it?

Ofcourse, there are people that feel quite the opposite, and the idea that they don't have full control over their live sickens them. Well, can't blame them. We were given a free will, so we can think and do whatever we want. Theoretically.

Whether you believe in Heaven or Hell is up to you. Some people say that in the end, you receive what you believed in. Who knows, maybe they are right?

PS. Sorry if my post is a bit chaotic or senseless. It'2 2 am right now, as I write those words and it wasn't the nicest Saturday of the year I had yesterday, so my mind may be a bit... confused.

for all eternity? i dont really think so, it'd make more sense if you were punished until you atoned for your sins, however long that will take.

If you were to go literally that anything against God and his words was sinful, and he punished for all eternity, there'd be very few people in Heaven. To the point, I'd say, that no one would be there for it to exist. Repenting or atoning for a sin is often a sign that you want to change your ways and somewhat make up for them. This is usually where I'd think that God (or whatever Supreme Being you want to believe in) gives his forgivess.

So, even in that, he doesn't punish for eternity. There is an opportunity to correct one's wrongs. It doesn't necessarily make things right, but it's the will and desire to change for the good that is relied upon by the higher powers that be.

However, repenting and then going against it, or repenting without the intention to change (i.e. it's false/fake, like having your fingers crossed behind your back as you ask forgiveness), would probably put you in the dog house as far as they'd be concerned, and I doubt they'd be too happy with you to offer forgiveness again, at least without first proving yourself before you get it.

That, to me, appears to the most logical way of forgiving. I'm the kind who is willing to forgive and forget a first mistake, providing the person is willing to act upon it. If they were to go behind my back after that, I'd probably dislike them a lot to not offer it again without the proof of change.

I don't think that anyone or anybeing with the kind of power that God is said to have, really wants to punish everyone for mistakes. I'm pretty sure some of the things He/They did were mistakes too.

That's my thoughts anyway. It's a much happier thought to have, knowing that a mistake can be made and not affect your outcome too much. Of course, if you were to commit sins on the basis that God will forgive you, I hardly doubt it'd work. I'm very sure He knows who has made mistakes, and who did things intentionally.

But how would 'Hell' help in making people truly repent? They would try to be forgiven to get out of Hell, not because they are truly sorry for their sins. The longer it takes, the more likely this scenario is to take place.

Exactly one of the issues I find with it. It almost sseems too easy to just commit and repent. But that's why I'd hope that God would be able to see through this and know whether the action was intended or a mistake.

Like, if you intend to kill some, it's murder. If not, but you do anyway, it's manslaughter. One is a little more forgivable than the other, though in reality, both are still crimes/sins. Sometimes, however, if the death you caused was a pure accident, caused as an honest mistake (and not out of complete neglect and had no duty of care to that person to ensure their health - there's a bit more to it, but that's a good idea), then even the courts are likely to reduce the sentence, on the basis that it's not really necessary to punish someone fully for a mistake they made and have all intentions to repent for it (i.e. make up for it).

Similar context I would think with God's judgment on whether you commited murder (or any other sin) or not, on the grounds of intentions and such.