I agree with you but mostly for different reasons.

I had been told about the translation reasons before, I know a bunch of people who understand Biblical languages and they would agree with your friend's translation. Some would agree with your conclusion and some would not.

My reason is more one of love and justice. If God is love and just and merciful as he says he is than I absolutely cannot believe in the theology that only people who believe Jesus Christ is their Lord and saviour will go to heaven and everyone else will go to hell for all eternity. I suppose I could believe in hell being reserved for a select few who have done horrible things. Even then torture for ever?

1. It is not what many people think according to what the Bible says and

2. It is not loving, just, or merciful

That is my issue. What all the millions of people born before Jesus. Hell? Everyone born since then who have never heard of him. Hell? People born and raised in a culture that leaves no room at all for a view of Jesus and Christianity as an option such as much of the Middle East. Hell? Unsaved Children. Hell? Mentally Handicapped. Hell?

The list can go on and on.

Like you said this is not just death but eternal torture that many people believe in. Not my loving, just, merciful God.

Godspell