All my life I was afraid of going to hell. It wasn’t until I was about thirty years old that I realized I had been living in hell. That hell is not some place people go when they die; rather it’s a state of mind people reside in when they’re not living.
By Joshua Halinen
One of my earliest memories is hiding from my parents under the buffet table in the dining room when I was “supposed” to be getting ready for church. In blue gym shorts and a red t-shirt, I was not ready. I felt the tan carpet under my knees and forearms as I quietly prayed that I wouldn’t have to go.
I wish I could have articulated to my parents at that age how I felt at church. Yes, I felt bored and shy. But the real reason I didn’t want to go was because I didn’t feel safe. I felt like I was in spiritual danger and I didn’t understand why my parents who were supposed to protect me would take me somewhere that left me feeling so sick inside.
I remember hearing from a pew I used to chew on – I can still recall the taste of it in my mouth – that hell is a place painted with fire, brimstone, (What the fuck is brimstone anyway? Twenty-five years later, I still don’t know – okay, I just looked it up, it’s sulfur, which burns as it’s mined and is hence evocative of “hell”) and gnashing of teeth.
Maybe that’s why I was chewing on a pew? I was gnashing my teeth?
All my life I was afraid of going to hell. It wasn’t until I was about thirty years old that I realized I had been living in hell. That hell is not some place people go when they die; rather it’s a state of mind people reside in when they’re not living.
This fear is drilled into so many – only every Sunday if you are lucky. The less fortunate get double drilled on Sunday and then once or twice more during the week at youth group or Bible study just for shits, giggles and social control.
At about eight years old I recall sitting on the toilet repeating over and over and over what I could remember of my church’s confession of sins. Sunday morning we’d all pull down the kneelers and read the confession of sins printed in our bulletin: “Forgive me Father for the things I have done and the things I have left undone…” As soon as I would finish, I would begin again. This went on for years — on and off the toilet.
Some of these pastors who tell people that they’re in danger of going to hell are really scary — with the seriousness they embody when they’re talking about it. It’s as if they are driving that concept of hell so deeply into people because they’re so afraid of it themselves, passing it on as if it will lighten their own burden.
One day I shared with my mom how afraid I was of going to hell and how often I would confess my sins. I could tell she felt compassion for me. She told me I didn’t need to worry that much, explaining that once God forgives you, you stay forgiven. I didn’t really believe her. Why would we confess every week then? It still lingered in the background, but I learned to push it further out of mind. After all, she had a lifetime of more practice at it than I did.
The real kicker or what really got me was that I was told I’d be completely alone, separated from God and everyone. It made my stomach drop but it wasn’t fun like a Disney roller coaster.
Some of these pastors who tell people that they’re in danger of going to hell are really scary — with the seriousness they embody when they’re talking about it. It’s as if they are driving that concept of hell so deeply into people because they’re so afraid of it themselves, passing it on as if it will lighten their own burden. It’s the nature of fear or dis-ease to spread.
When someone, particularly a child, is told that they are in danger of hell, this fictional hot and stinky place where they are utterly alone, of course their reaction is, “Fuck! I don’t want to go there!” That person is then told anyone who doesn’t believe this or that, or do this or that, is going there, but if they believe the “gospel” they’re told, of course, the only sane thing to do is what they’re told.
And in one fell swoop their power of choice and their attention have been taken, all for a cracker, a thimble of grape juice and a promise that once you’re dead, life will be clouds and sunshine. This is reinforced every Sunday, at every Bible study and youth group or gathering with other people whose power has also been taken. Feeding one another’s fear, a deeper and deeper pattern becomes engrained in their psyches.
One day I shared with my mom how afraid I was and how often I would confess my sins. I could tell she felt compassion for me. She told me I didn’t need to worry that much, explaining that once God forgives you, you stay forgiven. I didn’t really believe her.
This is a deep fear that can become all consuming. It doesn’t allow for personal exploration or power, rather, it reinforces a pattern of victim – abuser – savior; a triangular broken record – a hit called Hell. It’s a record mixed and mastered by different religions manipulating society into doing what they want. Its most popular songs – Stealing all their Power and Pawns.
This is what organized religion has done. Hijacked spirituality, for its own purpose and gains; and manipulated masses into believing that they are hopeless sinners, deserving of hell. If one believes that they deserve hell they will settle for very little in this lifetime in exchange for heaven in the afterlife.
How convenient for anyone pitching this old con. Taking your life in exchange for the promise of a better one that you will never see.
Anyone who is sexually free poses a threat to the story that religion tries so hard to maintain. It is why in religion self-sex (masturbation) is the ultimate sin. Once someone is in touch with their own body and sexuality, understanding their power, they cannot easily be controlled.
Part 2: The Sex Connection
If this has happened to you, the question is: what do you do with this information?
True spiritual growth is about taking your authority back. Deciding what is best for you. This is an experiential process, and requires people to know themselves and what motivates their actions. It requires becoming embodied and learning how to feel again.
Now, sexuality ties into all of this. How? Sex is how we all came to be. It is the force of creation and people’s power to create. It is what religion shames the most.
Anyone who is sexually free poses a threat to the story that religion tries so hard to maintain. It is why in religion self-sex (masturbation) is the ultimate sin. Once someone is in touch with their own body and sexuality, understanding their power, they cannot easily be controlled.
Now, religion does this, but it’s not the only one. The effect of advertising is similar: putting an image up that everyone feels they must look like. Again comes constant shame and judgement, turning people against themselves.
No life will ever feel good when this is the case. We all have to find our own purpose for being here. No one else can tell you what it is. It is for you to discover. This process of self-love and self-actualization is the process of becoming one’s true self. It is reclaiming yourself as divine; an extension of Source.
Hell, as I am defining it, is a place where we are never enough. A place where we feel unworthy, helpless, wounded, distrustful, and alone. Being afraid of hell is like a black hole that sucks people in. Following organized religion results in giving up personal authority.
I am not discouraging a spiritual path, but rather encouraging one that empowers the seeker through self-understanding. Your life is your own and no one else can walk it for you. Blessings on YOUR journey!
The author is a Planet Waves editor and artist who facilitates connection to one’s true self through creativity, sexuality and self-actualization.
For more about Joshua: go to Imagine Matters, Facebook and Instagram.