3.1.6
Heaven and Hell
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Life After Death - Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
At the Last Judgement, Catholics believe they will be judged by God according to how they have lived their lives. Following judgement, they may be welcomed into heaven or sent to hell.

Heaven, hell and purgatory
- Heaven is where God lives and is a place of eternal happiness.
- Hell is where the devil rules and is a place of eternal punishment.
- There have been many attempts to describe what heaven and hell are actually like using images from life on earth (e.g. pain and fire).
- Purgatory is a place where sinners experience punishment and purification before the soul can go to heaven.

Influence on Catholics' lives
- This belief encourages Catholics to live a good life in the hope of going to heaven.
- They have confidence that those who live bad lives will be punished by God.
- Without this belief, many Catholics would think life has no purpose.
- If bad people are never punished, life seems to favour those who are selfish and uncaring.

Problems with this belief
- Many believers worry that this belief encourages them to do good actions in the hope of reward, like children.
- They believe a good person should do what is right whatever the consequences.

Connection with God
- Certain Christians believe that in heaven a person is with God and in hell, they are separated from God.
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Jump to other topics
1Buddhism
1.1Key Beliefs
1.2Practices
2Christianity
2.1Key Beliefs
2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3Worship & Festivals
3Catholicism (Christianity)
3.1Key Beliefs
3.2The Seven Sacraments
4Islam
4.1Key Beliefs
4.2Authority
5Judaism
5.1Key Beliefs
5.2Covenant & The Mitzvot
Practice questions on Heaven and Hell
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