Inspired by the exchange between Puddy and Elaine from "The Burning" episode of Seinfeld (1998). Written by Jennifer Crittenden as follows:
ELAINE: Oh, so you're pretty religious?
PUDDY: That's right.
ELAINE: So, is it a problem that I'm not pretty religious?
PUDDY: Not for me.
ELAINE: Why not?
PUDDY: I'm not the one going to Hell.
_ _ _
I've driven on the highway to Hell, commonly referred to in Michigan as county road D32, just Northwest of Ann Arbor. It's true. I've been to Hell and back. Hell, Michigan. So, when asked, “Is Hell a physical place?” Yes.
One day I hope to visit Hell, Norway, an itty-bitty village in Stjørdal. My next visit to Grand Cayman Island will include a stop at Hell, just west of Rum Point. Now that Turkmenistan is finally open again for visitors, I would enjoy a brief swing through the Doors of Hell, as the locals call it, aka the Darvaza Gas Chamber. I've also enjoyed viewing Rodin's Gates of Hell, in both Philly and Paris, inspired by Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, Inferno, 3.1 – 9, as follows:
Through me the way into the suffering city,
Through me the way to the eternal pain,
Through me the way that runs among the lost.
Justice urged on my high artificer;
My Maker was Divine authority,
The highest Wisdom, and the primal Love.
Before me nothing but eternal things
Were made, and I endure eternally.
Abandon every hope, who enter here
The Divine Comedy is an epic poem which takes the reader on a journey through Hell, depicting the various levels of torment that sinners endure according to the severity of their transgressions. Dante's depiction of Hell is a moral allegory, highlighting the consequences of human actions and the nature of “divine” justice. If only the so-called divine justice were meted out by The Divine Miss M, or the drag queen, Divine, it might be good for a few chuckles. Who wants to embrace an unhealthy gloomy state of mind? Not me. Nor do I have a morbid interest in death. I have zero desire to receive agonizing punishment for a split-second, much less an eternity. But I am fascinated with the fantastical imaginings, thoughts, and fears that are associated with the concept of hell, which apparently still influences millions, if not billions of humans around this little space ball of a planet.
The concept of Hell has been a deeply ingrained part of human culture for centuries. Hell is usually portrayed as a place of punishment, retribution, and despair. Hell offers powerful and enduring symbolism that reflects humanity's fears, moral dilemmas, and a quest for justice. Albeit a quest for justice in the afterlife, if not found in the current life. And, the Cuckoos are not only birds.
I highly recommend the television series, After Life (2019 – 2022) created, written by, and starring, the well-known funny atheist, Ricky Gervais, who shows us another way to deal with grief and difficult human psychological situations. Here's one memorable dialogue exchange between Kath (Diane Morgan) and Tony (Ricky Gervais):
KATH: If you don't believe in heaven and hell, and all that, then why don't you just go around raping and murdering as much as you want?
TONY: I do.
KATH: What?
TONY: I do go around raping and murdering as much as I want, which is not at all.
LENNY: Because he's got a conscience.
KATH: What? If death is just the end, then what's the point?
TONY: What's the point in what?
KATH: Living. You might as well just kill yourself.
TONY: So if you're watching a movie and you're really enjoying it
KATH: Yeah
TONY: And someone points out there's an end eventually. Do you just say ah forget it, what's the point? And just turn it off?
KATH: No, cause I can watch it again.
TONY: Well, I think life is precious 'cause you can't watch it again. I mean, you can believe in an afterlife if that makes you feel better. Doesn't mean it's true. But once you realize you're not gonna be around forever, I think that's what makes life so magical. One day you'll... eat your last meal, smell your last flower, hug your friend for the very last time. You might not know it's the last time. So that's why you should do everything you love with passion, you know? Treasure the few years you've got because... that's all there is. [The end.]
Religions have played a central role in shaping the concept of Hell, offering a variety of beliefs and traditions that continue to have strong sway on cultural and social narratives and influence over religious morality. In Christianity, Hell is depicted as a realm of eternal punishment for the damned, where sinners face separation from God and endure excruciating suffering. The vivid descriptions of Hell in the Bible have had a profound impact on literature and art, shaping the portrayal of Hell as a place of fiery torment and spiritual anguish. See the Dutch Renaissance artist, Hieronymus Bosch, who started work on his triptych of Hell in 1490 titled, The Garden of Earthly Delights.
Which reminds me of the time an atheist dies and goes to hell. Surprised? The devil welcomes him and says: "Let me show you around." They walk through a beautiful park with fountains, public artwork, roses in bloom, and lush green trees. When they arrive at a huge palace, the devil says, "This is your house now, here are your keys." The atheist is skeptical but happy and thanks the Devil. The Devil says, "No need to thank me, everyone gets a nice place to live in when they come here." The Devil shows the atheist a garage full of beautiful cars. Some antique, some brand new state of the art. "These are your cars now," and hands the atheist all the car keys.
Again, the atheist tries to thank the Devil, but the Devil says, "Everyone here gets cool cars here. How would you drive around without having cars?"
They walk back out to the beautiful park where there are birds chirping, squirrels playing, and spring flowers everywhere. They arrive at a fountain, where the most beautiful woman the atheist has ever seen is seated on a marble bench. Their eyes meet each other's gaze and bingo — love at first sight! The atheist is happier than he's ever been. The Devil says, "Everyone gets to have their soulmate here. We don't want anyone to be lonely."
As they walk further, the atheist notices a high foreboding fence. He peeks through to the other side and is stunningly shocked. He sees people in pools of lava, screaming in agonizing pain, while little drooling clawed demons stab them with their tridents. Other demons are skinning people alive, heads are spiked, horrors everywhere he looks. It all smelled like sulfur and death. Terrified, the atheist stumbles backwards, and asks the Devil "What is happening there‽" The Devil just shrugs and says: "Those are the Christians, I don't know why, but they prefer it that way."
Islamic Hell is no walk in the park. Described in intricate detail in the Quran, portraying a realm of punishment for those who have rejected the teachings of Islam and committed grave transgressions. The vivid descriptions of Hell in Islamic eschatology portray a severe and uncompromising vision of retribution and suffering, in an attempt to reflect the importance of moral accountability and piety in Islamic beliefs.
In Eastern traditions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, the concept of Hell is also present, yet with different interpretations and implications. In Buddhist cosmology, the concept of Naraka represents a realm of suffering and retribution for those who have committed offenses, emphasizing the karmic consequences of immoral actions and the potential for spiritual redemption through ethical conduct and enlightenment. Karma is the boomerang cause-and-effect belief that suggests patience, they'll get their just due, eventually.
Similarly, Hinduism and Jainism presents a complex cosmology of realms, including the concept of Naraka, where souls undergo tormented purification that leads to atonement for their negative karmic debts, before being reborn into the cycle of samsara where, if they choose, they can play the popular video game also called, Naraka.
The Myth of Er appears at the end of Plato's The Republic, where Plato offers a philosophical allegory which presents a vivid depiction of the afterlife, including the concept of Hell as a realm of posthumous judgment and retribution. Plato delves into profound questions about the nature of justice and the importance of leading a virtuous life in the pursuit of a fulfilling existence beyond death. It seems likely that religiosity took its cue from Plato.
Jean-Paul Sartre also explored the concept of Hell in his 1944 play, No Exit, which presents a compelling portrayal of Hell as a manifestation of eternal psychological torment, where the characters are dead yet aware they are trapped in a confined room and forced to confront the consequences of their past actions and relationships through a series of conversations and bickering where one character, Joseph Garcin declares, "Hell is other people.” This existentialist interpretation of Hell explores the themes of personal responsibility, freedom, and the relentless anguish of self-awareness and self-examination, offering a harsh reflection on the human condition. Suppose hell is not a fiery pit of torment, but a divergence point in the multiverse where one's actions are confronted with a parallel universe which leads to an eternal existence of regret and suffering?
The idea of Hell as a consequence of our choices in a branching reality can be a fascinating thought experiment that merges the realms of science and speculative fiction.
There actually is hell on Earth. Wars. Torture. Starvation. Natural disasters, diseases, certain in-laws, robocalls, and more.
Let's note that in the Seinfeld episode referenced above, Elaine complains to Jerry that according to her boyfriend Puddy, she's going to Hell. Jerry reminds Elaine that she doesn't believe in hell. Frustrated, she agrees but retorts, “But Puddy does!” Jerry further explains that Puddy's remarks are more of a relationship problem than a final destination of the soul.
The concept of Hell spans a wide spectrum of cultural, intellectual, and religious expressions, reflecting humanity's enduring struggles with judgment, morality, and the nature of the so-called afterlife. Which all stems from human imagination. Through diverse literary, comedic, philosophical, and religious works, Hell has been portrayed as a potent symbol with multifaceted interpretations and implications. Whether as a moral allegory, a platform for satire, a subject of intellectual inquiry, a religious doctrine, or just reading this, the concept of Hell continues to captivate and provoke contemplation on the complexities of human existence, the consequences of our actions, and the quest for moral and spiritual redemption.
Bloody hell. Like a Bat Out of Hell I have no Sympathy for the Devil, yet I hear there is a special place in Hell if you like to travel. Remember what Winston Churchill said, “If you're going through Hell, keep going.”
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