Where is Sodom-Gomorrah?Sodom and Gomorrah were ancient cities, widely known for their wickedness, that were destroyed by God, according to the biblical account in Genesis. The destruction is described as a fiery downpour of sulfur and salt, resulting in the utter annihilation of the cities and their inhabitants. The primary sin attributed to the inhabitants was a combination of sexual immorality, violence, and a lack of hospitality, particularly towards the angels sent to the region.
What is Hellfire?In religion and folklore, Hell is a location or state in the afterlife in which souls are subjected to punishment after death. Religions with a linear divine history sometimes depict hells as eternal, such as in some versions of Christianity and Islam. Religions typically locate hell in another dimension or under Earth's surface. Other afterlife destinations include heaven, paradise, purgatory, limbo, and the underworld. Other religions, which do not conceive of the afterlife as a place of punishment or reward, merely describe an abode of the dead, the grave, a neutral place that is located under the surface of Earth. Such places are sometimes equated with the English word hell, though a more correct translation would be "underworld" or "world of the dead".
Who are Patheos?Patheos is the leading web platform hosting dialogue on all of the world's religions. Our articles and Library have a visually stunning compendium of information about all the religions of the world compiled by some of the world's top religious leaders and scholars. Patheos exists to provide information, stories, and conversation that leads to understanding, empathy, and acceptance of all faiths. Head on over to each of the religious categories to read about the current events, philosophy, history, and more from leading authorities on every religion subject.