When we think of hell and heaven in terms of mental states, it's easier to see how both could exist. Might they take on physical form for some? Who knows? Some who've had NDE's have reported such things, yet learned that it was as easy to change as introducing a new thought.

The Bible is filled with metaphors and drama, and perhaps people of that day expressed the truths of life in such a manner. Perhaps their fear and guilt were projected onto Jesus' words, or got twisted in the Old Testament. After all, even the word "judgement" is presumed by most of us to have a negative meaning, when it may not. It might mean "to see the truth." All I know is that my Catholic friends today don't think Protestants are all going to hell, as many did many decades ago. Perhaps we're making progress, EH!

Our fears often get the best of us still, and who among us hasn't been superstitious at times? Some may be still stuck in that mindset, but for others, such a contradiction is a very important doorway to questions.