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Traditionally, Christians believed that Heaven and Hell were physical places. Nowadays, some Christians believe that Heaven and Hell are not physical places but instead could be states of mind – for example, Heaven might be a state of unending happiness.

Differences in belief about Heaven and Hell are often due to different interpretations of the Bible. While some Christians understand the words of scripture literally, others interpret them as metaphors or as symbols or myths.

Heaven

When Jesus spoke to his apostles just before his arrest and crucifixion, he assured them that life after death exists. He described going up to Heaven as going to his Father’s house. This has led many Christians to believe that Heaven is a physical place. Jesus said my Father’s house has many rooms (John 14:2) and explained to the apostles how to get there:

Christians believe that, in this quote, Jesus was talking about Heaven as eternal life in the presence of God.

Hell

In contrast to Heaven, the Bible depicts Hell as a place of suffering and pain where souls will be separated from the presence of God.

Jesus taught that Hell is a place to be greatly feared: It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell (Matthew 5:29)

In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31), Jesus explains how a rich man ignored the suffering of Lazarus - a poor beggar. When both men died, Lazarus went to Heaven and the rich man went to Hell. In Hell, the rich man begged for mercy. His request was refused. He asked for a messenger to warn his family so that they could avoid going to Hell. This request was also refused. A prophet explained to Lazarus that God’s law, which teaches how to get to Heaven, was already available to everyone in the scriptures.

This story tells Christians that punishment in Hell lasts forever and that there are no second chances. People who ignore the suffering of others in life must go to Hell.

Many Christians also argue that the existence of Hell goes against God’s omnibenevolent nature. These Christians do not think that God would punish people for eternity. Instead, they believe that people will have the opportunity to atone for their sin. Some Christians believe that everyone in Hell will eventually repent, be forgiven and reach Heaven.

Purgatory

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a place where sins are punished and a soul is purified before it can go to Heaven. This is called Purgatory.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that Purgatory is purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030)

Catholics believe that most people are not so evil that God would condemn them forever to Hell, but also that most people are not pure and good enough to go to Heaven straight away. For them, Purgatory is the state of waiting where a person can make up for their sins after death. Catholics often pray for the souls of loved ones to be released from Purgatory and to enter Heaven.