random thought
It is startling to me that primitive man knew so much about the physical world and translated it into myth and religion.
One of the earliest forms of 'hell' was the pit of fire in the center of the Earth (or underground) How did they know that the middle of the planet was molten lava? I know they saw volcanos and all but seems a big jump to take a local event...a mountain that rained out fire and figure out the fire was all underneath their feet...
Well, here in NZ we have extensive geothermal regions - mainly hot water and mud, and no myth of Hell. (We do have an earthquake god, Ruaumoko, a baby suckling at the Earth Mother's breast, who was taken underground when her children turned her over so she was not tormented by the sight of the Sky Father, whom they had separated from her.)
What's the story in Hawai`i, where molten lava is relatively common? What makes you think they are connected? While the magma/lava glows red when it comes out, it doesn't radiate any light anywhere when its in situ. Hell was traditionally burning sulphur. Someone calculated that Heaven was hotter (seven times something or other) than Hell (limited by the properties of sulphur).
Primitive people very much went by appearances. If it moved, it was alive. Overhead was something that looked like a dome studded with stars, so that what it was. What was on the other side? Aha! Heaven! And Hell would be diametrically opposed.
