Okay, well..... I can believe what I want.
Yes you can. I don't think anyone is disputing that. What is being disputed is the validity of those beliefs.
Things change. I'll bet the Bible many of the world read today has evolved from many other different stories;
True, so why buy into it and believe it's real (as I think you might have mention once or twice that you're a Catholic, thus believing this stuff.) if you know it's just a bunch of made up fiction for the most part?
I thought you were Atheist? If so, then why did you happen to be snooping around in the Bible?
1) I wasn't always an atheist.
2) If I'm going to believe or not believe something I wanted to know what it was I was going to believe/not believe and what better way than to read it for myself.
3) To field questions and such as the one you're asking that i will cover shortly.
4) To act as a defensive measure against theistic claims.
5) I have an interest in mythology and holy texts get my interest in the same way stories of Odin or Zeus do.
6) Even though the Bible is self is boring as hell at times, given it's cultural impact makes it an interesting read from that perspective.
what does the Bible say about Heaven and Hell?
We find a description of Heaven and Hell in Revelations.
Rev 4:1-11 (KJV)
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Interestingly enough Heaven is apparently not as eternal as usually thought as Revelations describes a new Heaven.
Rev 21:1 (KJV)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And apparently anyone in this new heaven will experience no pain and what not.
Rev 21:4 (KJV)
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Through out the New Testament we get depictions of Hell as being basically a pit of fire. Just for a couple of examples of this.
Mark 9:43 (KJV)
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to
go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:Revelations 21:8 (KJV)
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and *****mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.