The Protestant Hell and the Catholic Hell are places of eternal punishment; however, the Catholics also believe there is a "Purgatory" where all souls go for a time, and a "Limbo" where unbaptized souls go. The Buddhist Hell is divided into eight sections, the first seven of which can be expiated. The ecclesiastical description of Hell is that of a horrible place of fire and torment; in Dante's Inferno, and in northern climates, it was thought to be an icy cold region, a giant refrigerator."
From The Satanic Bible Book of Lucifer 4
"In the King James Version of the Bible, the Hebrew word sheol and Greek word hades (two very different concepts) are both generally translated as Hell."
"A word which appears to have come from the Old English hel meaning 'concealed' (and, some suggest, 'dark hole'). Hell as a place of everlasting torment appears to have been an invention of the early Christians, perhaps a misunderstanding of the esoteric ABYSS which figures in Qabalistic texts and in the ancient mystery wisdom. The near equivalent to Hell in classical times was HADES, which was more of a post-mortem shadow land (where there was no torment, though gnashing of teeth) than the place of torture visualized in the modern European concept of Hell. The Hebraic Sheol has been translated in biblical texts as meaning Hell, but this translation is inaccurate."
From "Hell" in the Dictionary of Demonology by Fred Gettings
Sheol - Hebrew, Jewish, and therefore one of the primary sources of Christian mythology.
"Sheol" is a Hebrew word used for the abode of the dead. It is thought of as a place situated below the ground (e.g. Ezek. 31:15), a place of darkness, silence and forgetfulness (Job 10:21; Ps. 94:17, 88:12). Although the dead in sheol are apparently cut off from God (Ps. 88:3-5), he is not absent (Ps. 139:8), and is able to deliver souls from sheol (Ps. 16:10). It is sometimes translated as "hell"; however, it is not seen as a place of eternal punishment, and its use in the New Testament (e.g. Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:27) suggests a meaning relating simply to the power of death."
"Bible Facts", Heaven and Hell in the Bible, by Jenny Roberts
Sheol is the place where the dead go. There has been very little or no usage of Sheol in Satanic imagery, but it forms part of the prehistory of Hell.
Valley of Gehenna - Hebrew
"The word translated as "hell" in the New Testament comes from the Hebrew word "Gehenna". Gehenna meant "the valley of Hinnom", and was originally a particular valley outside Jerusalem, where children were sacrificed to the god Moloch (2 Kgs 23:10; 2 Chron. 28:3;Jer. 32:35). In later Jewish literature Gehenna came to be associated with a place of torment and unquenchable fire that was to be the punishment for sinners. It was thought by many that lesser sinners might eventually be delivered from the fires of Gehenna, but by New Testament times punishment for sinners was deemed to be eternal."
"Bible Facts", Heaven and Hell in the Bible, by Jenny Roberts
Hades - Greek
"Hades was the son of Cronos, and therefore the brother of Zeus and Poseidon. When the world was divided between the three brothers, the underworld and hell fell to Hades, while Zeus took the heavens and Poseidon, the sea.
[...] He was formiddable in battle and took part in the fight against the Titans. Hades ruled the dead, assisted by demons over whom he had authority. He forbade his subjects to leave his domain and became enraged when anyone tried to steal his prey from him. Among mortals, he was the most hated of the gods, and gods themselves had an abhorrence of him (Iliad, XX, 61). [...] He was also known as Pluto. "
Wordsworth Dictionary of Mythology 1994 edition
This is similar to Sheol in that all the dead go to Hades, not just sinners or saints. Afterdeath is itself separated into areas, and delivery to some of these areas is dependent on actions during ones life.
Tartaros - Greek
"Tartaros. In Greek mythology this was a place, supposed to be as far below HADES as Heaven was above Hell, in which the Titans who had rebelled against the gods were kept prisoners. By Roman times, however, the place was sometimes equated with Hades and even used as a name for the ruler of Hades, often called PLUTO."
From "Tartaros" in the Dictionary of Demonology by Fred Gettings
Origin of the Christian Hell
Jesus Mysteries
[Of hell] "The more enlightened sages of the Mysteries viewed such horrors as merely stories to encourage better moral behavior. Plutarch calls the terrors of the Underworld an 'improving myth'. The Christian philosopher Origen likewise argued that the literal terrors of hell were false, but they ought to be publicized in order to scare simpler believers" [...] "Origen, however, was posthumously condemned by the Roman Catholic Church as a heretic for his compassionate belief that all souls would eventually be redeemed. The Roman Church required all Christians to believe that some souls would suffer in hell forever, while the faithful would enjoy eternal salvation. This is the one doctrine on the afterlife which Celsus regards as distinctively Christian. He writes: 'Now it will be wondered how men so desperate in their beliefs can persuade others to join their ranks. The Christians use sundry methods of persuasion, and invent a number of terrifying incentives. Above all, they have concocted an absolutely offensive doctrine of everlasting punishment and rewards, exceeding anything the philosophers (who have never denied the punishment of the unrighteous of the reward of the blessed) could have imagined' "
Jesus Mysteries
Plutarch (46-125CE) and the early Christians viewed hell as a symbolic place. It was only over time that Christianity became the literalistic belief system that it is now, initially all of it's teachings were either Roman Mystery religion or Jewish in origin. The Valley of Hinnom (see above) was a place where sinners were actually burnt, the hell that the pagan religions believed in was a symbolic place (where those who died went) used to persuade people to behave better, and the Jews had little actual teachings on the concept of Hell. The result was that Christianity, a religion that was popular amongst the illiterate and undereducated in the Roman empire, lost it's inner symbolic nature and became seen as an actual real place where sinners were punished forever, after death.
Hell in the Koran
"The Koran refers to the seven heavens (17.46; 23.88; 41:11; 65:12), a notion also found in Chegiga 9.2. In the Koran, hell is said to have seven divisions or portals (15.44); in Zohar 2.150 we find the same description. These notions go back to old Indo-Iranian sources, because in both Hindu and Zoroastrian scriptures we find the seven creations and seven heavens. [...] In sura 43.76 we find reference to Malik as the keeper of hell who presides over the tortures of the damned; similarly the Jews talk of the Prince of Hell. Malik is obviously a corruption of the Fire God of the Ammonites, Molech, mentioned in Leviticus,1 Kings, and Jeremiah."
"Why I am not a Muslim" by Ibn Warraq p48
Satanism
"There is no heaven of glory bright, and no hell where sinners roast. Here and now is our day of torment! Here and now is our day of joy! Here and now is our opportunity! Choose ye this day, this hour, for no redeemer liveth!"
The Satanic Bible: The Book of Satan IV:2
Despite the lack of belief in a literal Hell, the imagery and symbolism of Hell is used a lot in Satanic writings and art. Satanism does not accept the later Christian mutations of the original concept of hell as a non-symbolic place. Therefore, Satanism accepts hell only in symbolism. The imagery is used to inspire and to create emotional responses.
In Anton LaVey's list of Infernal Names there are a few who are related to concepts of Hell.
Bilé - Celtic god of Hell
Emma-O - Japanese ruler of Hell
Hecate - Greek goddess of the underworld and witchcraft
Mania - Etruscan goddess of Hell
Mantus - Etruscan god of Hell
Nergal - Babylonian god of Hades
Tezcatlipoca - Aztec god of Hell
Yaotzin - Aztec god of Hell
Yen-Lo-Wang - Chinese ruler of Hell
There is no consistent use of the concept of Hell in Satanism. The references to hell are varied and uncoordinated. In general, Satanism uses imagery of Hell derived from medieval times, of hordes of people being tormented by demons. A brief look at the graphics used on the Church Of Satan website reveals a few comments that imply that the masses who are being tortured are the unthinking sheep of Humanity.
The secular usage of the word Hell frequently alludes to it being a temporary state on Earth when a person's life is very difficult. 'Living in Hell...', 'Hell on Earth'.
Satanic imagery frequently uses Hell as a place where power is obtained, where powerful demonic forces are called from and where our impurities are cleansed.
Examples of the usage of the word Hell in The Satanic Bible
"The flames of Hell burn fierce and purify!" The Satanic Bible, Book of Satan introduction
Purification and mental well being are benefits of being without guilt; of being able to understand and accept your own past without the hindrance of guilt inspired by the belief that an eternal God is going to ruminate over your errors. Without thence of guilt inspired by the belief that an eternal God is going to ruminate over your errors. Without the need for forgiveness from anyone but oneself; the negativity and pent up emotion that turns a good man into a bitter one instead turns into a relaxing and calming sensation of inner peace. Cleansed. Part of this cleansing process, the fierce burning of hell, involves revoking past demons and, would you guess, allowing those god-shaped holes in your heart to heal.
"Open wide the gates of Hell! The lower heavens beneath you, let them serve you!"
The Satanic Bible, part of the 19th Enochian key
Liberal Christianity views Hell as being the state you are in whilst, after death, you choose not to accept God. In Conservative Christianity it is a place where people are sent, after their life and actions are judged, for an eternity of punishment and torment.
In Satanism, Hell is a place of power, safety, self development and pleasure. The thinking man who treads the left hand path's first obstacle is to avoid mindless faith and thoughtless belief, and this is also the path to Hell. Intelligence and curiosity will take you there... and you will be rewarded with independence, self reliance, strength, will power and powers that enable you to be successful on this Earth.
The Heavens beneath is the Satanic power of being able to tap into yourself and create a demon.
"The Eighteenth Enochian Key opens the gates of Hell and casts up Lucifer and his blessing"
The Satanic Bible, The 18th Enochian key introduction
Lucifer the Crown Prince brings enlightenment. Lucifer's blessing is Redemption, as we become secure in the knowledge that we are our own, masterless, and no God exists. As the entire world realizes this, Hell is unleashed, and all of humankind is redeemed from past guilts and misinformation. Enlightenment.
"The flames of Hell burn brighter for the kindling supplied by these volumes of hoary misinformation and false prophecy."
Anton LaVey speaking of past religions. The Satanic Bible preface
All religion, blind faith, herd mentality and sources of stupidity are firewood. A source of power for the fire that burns is the knowledge of just how much rubbish and stupidity there is in the world. The ego does wonders for your productivity and energy as you see how crap most people are!
Conclusions
The Christian medieval exciting and grand artistic portrayals of Hell are accepted within Satanism as powerful imagery, although Satanism itself does not believe in any form of afterlife and therefore does not believe in any form of Hell. (Most don't even believe there is a Satan. Therefore making Satanism a philosophy, not a religion.) Hell is sometimes used as a symbolic place where power, demonic forces and strength comes from, and is sometimes jokingly considered a place where stupid people and religious sheep are punished. If something is from hell it is normally considered powerful and good, but something in Hell is normally considered to be suffering. There is no consistent usage of the term because Satanists use various other religions concepts of Hell.
