Harrowing of Hell refers not merely to the idea that Christ descended into Hell, as in the Creed, but to the rich tradition that developed later, asserting that he triumphed over "inferos", releasing Hell's captives, particularly Adam and Eve, and the righteous men and women of the Old Testament period. In Classical mythology Hades is the underworld inhabited by departed souls and the god Pluto is its ruler. The New Testament uses the term "Hades" to refer to the abode or state of the dead. In some places it seems to represent a neutral place where the dead awaited the death, burial, and
Something to Believe In: Is Kurt Vonnegut the Exorcist of Jesus Christ Superstar? that, because of organized religion giving God very harsh attributes, most of which are not supported by scripture, organized religion ironically tends to drive people "away" from God, seeing Him perversely as a "Monster God" who is cruel, merciless and mean, instead of a God of Love, Mercy and Charity. Short argues that the typical portrayal of God - and the ideas of heaven and hell - by mainstream churches is incorrect and not in line with Biblical teachings, and the concept of a heaven that only some can enter, and the alternative of a burning eternity in Hell, presupposes