The first time I ever stepped foot in a church I was about 4 or five. I can remember the preacher saying if you don't believe in god you are going to hell. Now for a five year old I didn't know exactly what that meant So it was explained to me. I am older know but part of me thinks I was made to believe in god at a young age. What is the point of forcing your beliefs on someone , I just don't get it. And wouldn't you consider certain churches cults for doing that?
2006-06-14 03:43:14 · 16 answers · asked by arizonabrat 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely. Everyone believes that morality comes only from religion. This is not the case. If anything, nonreligious morality is superior to religious morality and here's why.
Nonreligious morality is a code followed because it is the right thing to do. People have morals because they know that it really is what is best for them.
Religious morality carries a sanction for disobedience. People don't follow the speed limit because they know it to be safer. People follow speed limits to avoid the punishment for speeding. (A ticket in this case.) People obey religion because of the punishment for not obeying, not for the positive good it does for them.
2006-06-14 03:48:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your parents were trying to give you a choice. Most people take thier children to church so they can learn about God & religion so that when thier children get older, they can make thier own choices. As far as going to hell, it is my personal belief that this is hell. We are here to learn & teach lessons so that when we go back to the other side(heaven) we will be on a higher level closer to the Great Spirit of Love or whatever you choose to call God. Personally, I don't go to church...my church is mother nature. How much closer to the Great Spirit of Love can you get than being in nature? I don't believe you have to go to a church or any other building to worship your beliefs. The Great Spirit of Love is everywhere including in us.
2006-06-14 10:54:20 · answer #2 · answered by wolfribbon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is the problem of Churches today, they always tell you good thing about God, but not the serious or the justice side of him. Not everyone is going to Heavn you know. Maybe some believers are not chosen either. It is chosen by grace. Everything is up to God. That preaching in a way to teach you that God's sovernity or his cool side. He is not warm all the time.
It is like looking of half glass of water. You can see it half full or you can see it half empty!
2006-06-14 10:48:31 · answer #3 · answered by LetMEtell&AskYOU 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. I was forced also---and was picked up each Sunday by the church bus.....but then we were put in the basement and did not get to be with the rest of the congregation. They gave us bubble gum to make us come to church. I am bitter now.
And I believe that churches are cults. But, hey, everyone needs somethin' to believe in!
2006-06-14 10:48:31 · answer #4 · answered by Halo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I believe some churches do exactly that. "Get em young" seems to be their motto. I have even had it explained to me that some people use Fear to keep a person from falling off the proverbial cliff. What I find odd is that in the bible it states that God does not give a Spirit of Fear. So why would he use fear tactics?
For me, it only proves that man wrote the bible.
2006-06-14 14:19:30 · answer #5 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is the truth - parents want their kids to believe at a young age...It's hard to explain but just go to www.notreligion.com
2006-06-14 10:46:22 · answer #6 · answered by trace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You better believe it, if I can say one word that would scare a person out of going to hell that would be one more reward for me. Think about it, had you not rather be scared enough to say no to hell and Yes the Jesus then to die and burn in an everlasting fire
2006-06-14 11:07:28 · answer #7 · answered by PREACHER'S WIFE 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they use cultish behaviour all the time.
It used to be pre 20 years ago that if you went to church the religion wasn't forced on you. Now it is expected/demanded that you be a Christian.
2006-06-14 10:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by atheist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have every right to question your beliefs and explore others. As children we are taught what our parents believe to be true. God expects for us to come to Him believing on our own, not just by what others have told us. I encourage you to seek God for yourself, or explore other religions. At least you will know that you believe what you believe.
2006-06-14 10:50:06 · answer #9 · answered by Deborah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that happened to me too, heh.
mine was a catholic church and i slept with a bible under my pillow to ward off satan at night. i didn't sleep well through the night for a long time. fear of going to hell, demonic possession, fear of what the priest would tell me in confession, fear that god hated me for doubting him, etc ect.
i think fear is the worst way to get someone to believe something they don't want to.
2006-06-14 10:50:41 · answer #10 · answered by Aleks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋