What do you think about christians using fear?

[hosea1316]

One day I was at a fair with friends when a group of christians handing out pamphlets asked me if the life I'm leading was worth going to hell for. This was not the first time that I've had scare tactics being used on me in the name of jesus, as a young kid (I was born into a christain home) I was in constant fear of not being a "good christain" ya know, what if jesus came from the sky and left me here? I was terrified and then one day I realized that if hell wasn't in the equation then I wouldn't have been a christian, I didn't love jesus, I didn't even believe in him. Which made me worry more, I wanted to believe so bad but I just couldn't, and I worried a lot about if jesus was real would he understand? Was I a bad person? I was a little kid at that time, I'm a proud atheist now. But the point I'm trying to get at is do you agree with making people afraid of hell? And what do you think about the people that try to be christain but wouldn't believe if they weren't threatened by eternal torture? I would really like to hear opinions.

 

[Blayz]

 

[CounselorForChrist]

LOL @ the picture! ^.^

Personally I think the fear tactic is beyond pointless. All it does is make someone more defensive and hate christians more. If someone came up to me and said "Your going to hell hethen!" (assuming I wans't christian) I'd tell them to shove it.

I think this is one of many reasons christans clash with people is because we have alot of bad apples in our religion. Like that West Baptist church who insist in on protesting at various events. I don't "hate" them (because I am not supposed to), but I very much despise their tactics and what they do. Its a terrible way to bring people to God. I can respect a atheist/agnostic who disagrees with me more then I can respect one of those church members who do that.

 

[citizenthom]

A lot of evangelists take it too far and skew the message. But you can't leave Hell out of a complete and accurate picture of the Gospel--realistically or morally. If you believe someone is about to walk over a cliff to their death, you don't just say, "hey, back here in the safe green field people love you and will make you feel nice and stuff." No, you have to say, "YOU'RE GOING TO FREAKING DIE IF YOU STEP OVER THAT CLIFF, MAN!"

 

[HeathenWarrior]

A religion that has to use fear to gain followers is just another power hungry "corporation" looking for converts. Hell is something we forge within ourselves when we are selfish and filled with hatred. And when a fundamentalist tries these scare tactics, they are making the very "Hell" they are trying to "warn" us about.

 

[ebia]

But the point I'm trying to get at is do you agree with making people afraid of hell?

No.

 

[ebia]

A lot of evangelists take it too far and skew the message. But you can't leave Hell out of a complete and accurate picture of the Gospel--realistically or morally. If you believe someone is about to walk over a cliff to their death, you don't just say, "hey, back here in the safe green field people love you and will make you feel nice and stuff." No, you have to say, "YOU'RE GOING TO FREAKING DIE IF YOU STEP OVER THAT CLIFF, MAN!"

If you can't explain the gospel without threatening someone with hell you haven't properly understood the gospel.

 

[citizenthom]

If you can't explain the gospel without threatening someone with hell you haven't properly understood the gospel.

If you think you can explain the Gospel without mentioning Hell at all, then you haven't properly understood Christ's sacrifice.

Also, there is a big difference between "threatening" and describing.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

The 'wages of sin is death', not eternal life in torment. Christians should know this.

 

[ebia]

If you think you can explain the Gospel without mentioning Hell at all, then you haven't properly understood Christ's sacrifice.

Also, there is a big difference between "threatening" and describing.

If it's not an implicit thread it doesn't need mentioning. And no, you don't need it to explain the cross or the gospel.

 

[citizenthom]

If it's not an implicit thread it doesn't need mentioning. And no, you don't need it to explain the cross or the gospel.

Go ahead. Explain the Gospel without mentioning Hell.

 

[ebia]

Go ahead. Explain the Gospel without mentioning Hell.

How many words?

 

[selfinflikted]

It's an underhanded strategy that works. It not only generates converts, it also helps keep the flock in line.

I'm fairly certain that if people didn't believe in hell, there'd be far fewer Christians in the world.

 

[BobRyan]

One day I was at a fair with friends when a group of christians handing out pamphlets asked me if the life I'm leading was worth going to hell for. This was not the first time that I've had scare tactics being used on me in the name of jesus, as a young kid (I was born into a christain home) I was in constant fear of not being a "good christain" ya know, what if jesus came from the sky and left me here? I was terrified and then one day I realized that if hell wasn't in the equation then I wouldn't have been a christian, I didn't love jesus, I didn't even believe in him.

Fear leads some people to "not take revenge and kill" at a time when they might be "inclined to". But it does not mean that they will not grow to enjoy the fact that society around them is not murdering everyone in the neighborhood.

Does Christ appear to be appealing to fear when speaking to HIS OWN disciples in Matt 10?

"Do not FEAR those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul - but rather FEAR him who is able to DESTROY BOTH body AND soul in fiery hell".

Matt 10:28

Are you asking if Christ is Christian or are you asking if He is right to use that appeal to fear with HIS OWN disciples?

in Christ,

Bob

 

[Timothew]

Go ahead. Explain the Gospel without mentioning Hell.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For all have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

These things have been written so that you may know that you have eternal life.

 

[BobRyan]

That "Should not perish" part appeals to what fact? Shall not die a normal old-age death? Shall not die of cancer? shall not get killed in a war?

 

[Timothew]

That "Should not perish" part appeals to what fact? Shall not die a normal old-age death? Shall not die of cancer? shall not get killed in a war?

It probably does not refer to any of those, since we know that some who have believed have perished in those ways.

 

[BobRyan]

Agreed - so that means the John 3:16 form of "The Gospel" does mention the 2nd death of Rev 20 when it says "shall not perish".

in Christ,

Bob

 

[BobRyan]

Christ said "THIS Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world" in Matt 24.

Christ said in Matt 28 to go and teach ALL that I have commanded you -- and thus we have Matthew writing the book of Matthew in fulfillment of that command - and it is in the book of Matthew that we find many references to hell and to the saints "in the kingdom" while those outside are suffering.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[citizenthom]

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For all have sinned and have fallen short of the Glory of God.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

These things have been written so that you may know that you have eternal life.

"People die all the time. Your Jesus is a lie." -Every unbeliever if that's all you tell them

Keep going.