I get where you’re coming from, and it’s definitely a tough concept to wrap your head around. The idea of eternal punishment for finite actions can seem really harsh, especially when we think about it from our human perspective.

It’s not just about individual acts like lying or stealing. Sin, in the Christian view, is more about being separated from a perfectly holy God. Since God is infinitely holy, even the smallest sin is a big deal in that context.

From our standpoint, eternal punishment seems overkill. But God’s sense of justice is perfect and way beyond what we can fully grasp. His understanding of sin’s impact is on a cosmic level that we can't always see.

God gave us free will to choose Him or not. Hell is seen not just as punishment but as a consequence of choosing to live apart from God. It’s like God respects our choices to the point that He lets us decide our eternal destiny.

The core of Christianity is that God provided a way out through Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection offer a way to reconcile with God, highlighting His love and mercy. Salvation is a free gift available to everyone who wants it.

The Bible says God doesn’t want anyone to perish but wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He offers salvation to all, which shows His loving and kind nature.

I hope this gives you a different perspective. It’s definitely a challenging topic, but it’s worth exploring further. Thanks for the thoughtful discussion!