Problem of hell - main reason why I consider Christianity

[Wertbag]

I always thought the most simple arguments against hell were the contradictory nature it shows in god.  If you believe god is all-loving, then creating a place of endless torture is a direct contradiction to that claim.  If you believe He is a merciful god, then punishing for confusion, ignorance or getting the wrong message from the thousand of Christian denominations makes no sense.  If you believe in a faith only message of salvation, then it would mean serial killers and genocidal dictators would reach heaven while their victims would go to hell.  If you believe that He is fair and just, then providing a single punishment for all crimes regardless of their severity makes no sense (thinking of committing murder but not doing so, is deemed as bad as a mass murdering psychopath).  If heaven is meant to be without sadness and only pure joy, then what becomes of empathy for those who are hell bound?  How does a mother, finding her children aren't in heaven, kick back and experience endless joy?

 

You then have Christians arguing over whether hell is separation from god, annihilation or endless torture.  Others arguing over whether salvation from that fate is purely faith based, faith plus works, universal salvation or something in-between.  There is no agreement after thousands of years of debate.  It is clear Christians do not know the answers, and have been unable to resolve these conflicts in their stories.  With that in mind, why should we accept anything they put forward as believable?