Does God cast people into Hellfire?

Sceptics like to point to Medieval paintings of torture and hellfire and demons with pitchforks and tell us that God throws sinners into this imaginary place.
Of course none of this is Biblical.

Have a look at A-rough-guide-to-God's-plan for a Scripture based detailed look at some of this.
For a more brief version stay put here.

Firstly. The idea of flaming pools of lava and torture racks and so on is an artistic invention that came about centuries after the Bible was finished. It is not what the Bible describes.
I myself am an annihilationist, which means I believe that those who don't go to Heaven, will be wiped from existence altogether. There are a lot of reasons why I hold this view, but as a quick pointer 'Matthew 10:28' just about covers it: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

The more common view among Christians however is that Hell is a prison that has been locked from the inside. People freely choose to live without God, and he respects their wishes rather than forcing himself on them.
Unfortunately for those who choose this for themselves, God is the source of all good things. So by choosing to live without him, they deny themselves anything good. And so the torment of Hell is something self imposed.

The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him. -- John 3:36

I agree with this entirely, but another of my own reasons for being an annihilationist is that God is the source of life (and life is a good thing), so another logical implication of choosing to be apart from God, is that you have nothing to sustain your life.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live -- Deuteronomy 30:19

So it is wrong to think of Hell as a punishment for not obeying God. It is more that Hell is the only logical alternative to not following God. As a loving, caring being, he is constantly trying to reconcile sinners to him, not threaten them with harsh punishment.

In short, God is the source of life, joy, and all things good. Each individual is given a free choice to be with him, or to be apart from him. The logical consequence of choosing to be apart from him is torment and death. God does all he can to persuade us that we should follow him, but does nothing that crosses the line into forcing us against our will.
 
What's that old saying? "If you love someone, let them go".