Even though hell is largely associated with Christianity, images of hell have a firm grip on the broader public consciousness. A recent study has shown that over 80% of Americans believe in some form of afterlife, and 71% describe hell as either “a state of eternal separation from God’s presence” (39%) or “an actual place of torment and suffering where people’s souls go after death” (32%).

So that’s what the pollsters think, but what do you think? Let us know by answering the poll below. But before you do, a few definitions are in order:

Infernalism: The belief that hell is a place of eternal, conscious torment with no hope of escape. Either God sends you there or you choose to go there. You might believe the fires of hell are literal or metaphorical. You may also believe that God actively punishes people in hell or merely withdraws his presence from them.

Conditional Immortality: The belief that only the redeemed will be granted eternal life. Everyone else will simply pass out of existence as a result of God withdrawing his life-giving presence, typically after the Day of Judgment and possibly after a period of punishment.

Annihilationism: The belief that God actively destroys the wicked, usually after the Day of Judgment and possibly after a period of punishment.

Universalism: The belief that all people will eventually be reconciled to God. Universalism comes in many forms. Many universalists believe in a form of hell but see it as temporary and rehabilitative. Christian universalists believe people will only be reconciled to God through Jesus. Other universalists believe all religions lead to God.

What's your view on hell? Eternal torment

Annihilationism

Universalism

Don't Know

It doesn't exist View Results