Fear of hell

[renew70]

Aside from this very rational fear, is there any reason for anyone to actually want to become or remain a "christian?"

Fear of eternal torment at the hands of an angry deity is quite rational, even if there remains no evidence for such a place. Pascal said it best when he promoted his fire insurance evangelistic tactic. The trouble is, he didn't know there were actually other belief systems and faiths out there that contradicted his own, so his wager isn't as easy to take as one may think. It also lacks evidence. But self-preservation is a stronger need than morality, honor or dignity, so it is easier (and possibly saner) to take the blue pill and worship a being solely out of fear of eternal torture than it is to stand by your principles and risk offending the said capricious deity.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Aside from this very rational fear, is there any reason for anyone to actually want to become or remain a "christian?"

Fear of eternal torment at the hands of an angry deity is quite rational, even if there remains no evidence for such a place. Pascal said it best when he promoted his fire insurance evangelistic tactic. The trouble is, he didn't know there were actually other belief systems and faiths out there that contradicted his own, so his wager isn't as easy to take as one may think. It also lacks evidence. But self-preservation is a stronger need than morality, honor or dignity, so it is easier (and possibly saner) to take the blue pill and worship a being solely out of fear of eternal torture than it is to stand by your principles and risk offending the said capricious deity.

Well the bible doesnt actually teach eternal torment and that would not be just for God to do. Fear of hell should not be the main reason for one to be and remain a christian. Love of God should be. Jesus paid the ultimate price to save us from hell. He paid our price so that we don't have to pay it. We just need to accept it and accept his grace.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Aside from this very rational fear, is there any reason for anyone to actually want to become or remain a "christian?"

Fear of eternal torment at the hands of an angry deity is quite rational, even if there remains no evidence for such a place. Pascal said it best when he promoted his fire insurance evangelistic tactic. The trouble is, he didn't know there were actually other belief systems and faiths out there that contradicted his own, so his wager isn't as easy to take as one may think. It also lacks evidence. But self-preservation is a stronger need than morality, honor or dignity, so it is easier (and possibly saner) to take the blue pill and worship a being solely out of fear of eternal torture than it is to stand by your principles and risk offending the said capricious deity.

Renew,

When I became a Christian, I had very little understanding of hell, and that concept played almost no part in my decision to be Christian. What did entice me to be Christian was the promise of eternal life and the character of Christ. I found myself completely attracted to Jesus as Lord; His goodness permeated my heart.

As far as Pascal is concerned, Pascal did know about other religions. You need to read his Pensees to see that. Many people misunderstand his wager; it was only meant to assist those whose already wished to be Christian but have a difficult time fully being convinced.

So, you stand by your principles. What principles are those and from where do you get them?

 

[Chesterton]

Aside from this very rational fear, is there any reason for anyone to actually want to become or remain a "christian?"

I've heard this before; it is not all about fear of hell. Just pretend for a moment that you've discovered some real meaning to existence, a Tao, a Way, that is right. Wouldn't you want to live in accordance with that Way? Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn't, you're free to choose, but I do want to, and I believe that's what I'm trying to do.

 

[football5680]

I don't think of hell and it doesn't motivate me. I look forward to heaven.

 

[Rattus58]

Aside from this very rational fear, is there any reason for anyone to actually want to become or remain a "christian?"

Fear of eternal torment at the hands of an angry deity is quite rational, even if there remains no evidence for such a place. Pascal said it best when he promoted his fire insurance evangelistic tactic. The trouble is, he didn't know there were actually other belief systems and faiths out there that contradicted his own, so his wager isn't as easy to take as one may think. It also lacks evidence. But self-preservation is a stronger need than morality, honor or dignity, so it is easier (and possibly saner) to take the blue pill and worship a being solely out of fear of eternal torture than it is to stand by your principles and risk offending the said capricious deity.

The reward of eternal LIFE! Look forward to your reward for sincere service of his missions. Look forward is my prescription for positive experience each day... looking back slows you down. There is consequence to all we do, in my opinion, and our life here on earth has no less a trial, and we shall be judged someday... be judged on the positive I'd be thinking....

Much Aloha...

 

[renew70]

I've heard this before; it is not all about fear of hell. Just pretend for a moment that you've discovered some real meaning to existence, a Tao, a Way, that is right. Wouldn't you want to live in accordance with that Way? Maybe you would, maybe you wouldn't, you're free to choose, but I do want to, and I believe that's what I'm trying to do.

If it was true, why would it need to coerce people with threats? People are so primitive.

 

[renew70]

Well the bible doesnt actually teach eternal torment and that would not be just for God to do. Fear of hell should not be the main reason for one to be and remain a christian. Love of God should be. Jesus paid the ultimate price to save us from hell. He paid our price so that we don't have to pay it. We just need to accept it and accept his grace.

Christianity disagrees with you there.

How does one go about loving a hateful being who threatens humans with hell for being imperfect? god is the one who made humans, let them fall, then set the penalty.

 

[Chesterton]

If it was true, why would it need to coerce people with threats? People are so primitive.

It doesn't need to. It's rarely mentioned, but when it is I see it as a invaluable warning, not a threat.

 

[renew70]

It doesn't need to. It's rarely mentioned, but when it is I see it as a invaluable warning, not a threat.

I think you need to go to an average, evangelical church, sir. It is mentioned as much as the muslim's beloved quran mentions it. All the time.

 

[Chesterton]

I think you need to go to an average, evangelical church, sir. It is mentioned as much as the muslim's beloved quran mentions it. All the time.

Yeah, we've all heard fire-and-brimstone preaching before. It happens, and it often gets undue attention.

 

[renew70]

Yeah, we've all heard fire-and-brimstone preaching before. It happens, and it often gets undue attention.

It's vomitous. It's an insult to anyone with an IQ over 85's intelligence.

 

[Chesterton]

It's vomitous. It's an insult to anyone with an IQ over 85's intelligence.

How so?

 

[renew70]

How so?

Using fear and coercion is shameful and underhanded and only a fool would happily fall for such tactics and methods.

 

[Chesterton]

Using fear and coercion is shameful and underhanded and only a fool would happily fall for such tactics and methods.

If you were about to grab a live electric wire which would electrocute you, and someone tried to warn you about it, would that be shameful and underhanded of them?

 

[renew70]

If you were about to grab a live electric wire which would electrocute you, and someone tried to warn you about it, would that be shameful and underhanded of them?

In this scenario, god is the one giving us the wire. That is morally objectionable. I do find it funny, however, to see an east orthodox person defending hell fire theory. Truly no christian sect is safe from using scare tactics to lure in the fearful and naive.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

In this scenario, god is the one giving us the wire. That is morally objectionable. I do find it funny, however, to see an east orthodox person defending hell fire theory. Truly no christian sect is safe from using scare tactics to lure in the fearful and naive.

Do you believe the story of Noah's ark or the story of Sodom and Gomorrah?

 

[Chesterton]

In this scenario, god is the one giving us the wire. That is morally objectionable. I do find it funny, however, to see an east orthodox person defending hell fire theory. Truly no christian sect is safe from using scare tactics to lure in the fearful and naive.

Your objection is noted (by me anyway). I was just curious what you found insulting about the idea of hell, or about talking about hell or whatever.

 

[andy b]

i try to live a good life as its the right thing to do it has very little to do with hell

 

[renew70]

Do you believe the story of Noah's ark or the story of Sodom and Gomorrah?

Noah's ark is a children's story. Tell me, how did the wildlife native to Australia travel all the way to the Negev, then back again?