I am considering the claim that god is both all-merciful and just.  I have many times heard it argued that god is all-merciful to forgive transgressions of his law, but that he is also just and thus must punish unbelievers in hell.  I propose that these two designations for god are contradictory and this view of god is untenable.  I am using the definitions that justice is bringing the correct and deserved consequences for actions (both good and evil) and mercy is offering respite or forgiveness from the negative consequences of a transgression.

Now consider the modern Christian theology of hell as a punishment for sins and Jesus as a sacrifice to forgive them.  In this tradition, god is willing to forgive people and spare them from the supposedly deserved punishment of eternal torment, but people can refuse this forgiveness and be condemned.  Thus, some people will be forgiven and…