Debate: Would a benevolent God send people to hell?
Side: Yes, they rejected him

I want to answer this question as it is framed. The premise of the question is hinged on two ideas - (a) you are speaking of a particular deity "a benvolent God" and (b) questioning His nature on the basis of His action (ie - "would" He "send people to hell?").Terminology is key to understanding. First, we use the term benevolent, and think of some kindly, well-meaning gentleman that in philanthropic-action, pours out his resources on others simply because he can. The Bible claims God as being "good" (Mtt. 19:17 - "...there is none good but one, that is, God") and where it is true He does work "all things" "together for good" (there is a limited audience according to the verse - Rom. 8:28 "...them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose") there is no term of benevolence applied to God. So, the question may be better phrased - would a good God send people to hell?First, hell was created for the devil and his angels. Why? Satan rejected the plan he was designed for and sought to "be like the most high" (Is. 14:14). The Bible teaches that a third of the angels followed Lucifer in rejecting their place. In return, they have a place prepared for them that will one day be their permanent home. Hell, then the Lake of Fire. It is not the current place of residency but for a select few demons (who we are told have been chained in that bottomless pit. They were a particularly churlish group.) Satan's domain is as the "prince of the power of the air." (Eph. 2:2) Job teaches us that he goes "to and fro in the earth" "walking up and down in it." (Job 1:7) His residency is on earth, and his purpose is he "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8). Why? Because he is God's adversary. He is man's adversary. He wishes to destroy God's creation. To have man reject God as he did. To what end? That he might destroy man, by having him reject God's purpose for his/her life.What of man? Judges 17:6 and 21:25 tell us "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Does that mean everyone is out trying to be wicked? No, it simply says that everyone is living life according to their own notion of right and wrong. When God's plan has been rejected, the solution then is to determine a new plan - a new system. The philosophy of today is just do it "if it feels good, or it feels right." Yet, the basis of good can not fit into our frame - because as already stated, there is none good but God. That means He sets the standard. When we reject God's standard and replace it with our own, we are basically telling God we are going to replace Him in on the throne of our lives - with what we find to be a more fitting substitute. Ourselves. Our reasoning. Our plans. The Bible says in Psalm 14:1 "The fool hath said in his heart, no God." (Some may add in the commentators "There is" - but the original simply states "No God.") So, to reject God, and His plan - is to play the part of a fool.What is God's plan for the life of man? I already stated that God is good. In fact, He is so "good", he is absolute perfection. Another word used to describe that is Holy. God, in His perfection is completely sinless and Holy. Man, in his fallen state - is on the opposite end of the spectrum. We are taught, "the plowing of the wicked is sin." (Prov. 21:4). And "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23). And 'There is none righteous, no not one." Rom. 3:10). For "the carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7). We are in a helpless state. The Bible goes on to say, "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23a) There is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to escape this place of desperation and separation. We are estranged to God. We are sinners. He is holy. In our sinful condition we cannot go to Him, and in His holiness, He can not fellowship with us. But God provided a solution. That solution was the shed blood of a perfect lamb (as pictured in the Old Testament - and expressed fully in the death of Jesus.) The remainder of Rom. 6:23 says, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."God provided a gift. Gift's do not cost the recipient anything; they simply have to receive. The gift Christ offers is eternal salvation. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." And probably the most quoted scripture, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life." Do you see that? The options are on the table - accept the free gift to salvation, or reject God's plan and perish. Would a good God send people to hell? By their choice to reject the plan of salvation He has provided, then yes, He is resigned to reject them and to cast them into hell.