Is this proof that Christianity is fear based?

Question

Anyone who's always talking about being saved is scared out of their mind. In order to feel that you are saved, what had to come first is a threat because if there's no threat, there's nothing to get saved from. Threat + saved = fear based

FACE IT. YOUR BELIEF IS FEAR BASED

Answer 1

Threat alone might equal fear based, but salvation cancels out the fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
I John 4:18-19

We wear seat belts because there is a risk of accident. That doesn't mean driving is fear based. And it doesn't mean that if we avoided wearing seat belts we could avoid the fear or the risk of driving.

Seat belts are a means of dealing with the risk and fear of driving. Salvation is a means of dealing with the fear and risk of living in a sinful world.

Answer 2

Some say "belief is fear based," the implication being that all fear is inherently bad. I won't jump off of a 50-story building because I'm afraid I'll spread by brains all over the sidewalk. I think that's a healthy fear. I won't play Russian Roulette because of virtually the same results. I think that's a healthy fear.

I won't come into work late four out of every five business days because I'm afraid I'll be fired. I think that's a fairly healthy fear.

Proverbs 9:10-11 says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. My belief is based in small measure on fear and in large measure on knowledge and love.

Having said the foregoing, it is wisdom to express some measure of fear. Which means the person who fears nothing has absolutely no wisdom.

Answer 3

The only fear I have is for people like yourself who will be so easily fooled when the Antichrist shows up and convinces you that he is the God you've been denying all this time. He'll pull a few 'miracles' out of his hat, show you some mind blowing technology and you will grovel at his feet begging forgiveness for not believing he existed. The majority of Christians will think he is here to rapture them away, the Muslims will think he is Allah, the UFOlogists will think he is Luke Skywalker from the far corner of the universe to take them to the mother ship, etc.

Watching all of you fall in line like sheep to the slaughter is my biggest fear.

Answer 4

Christianity is not based on fear. It is based on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The whole foundation of Christian theology rests on the person of Christ who, according to the Scriptures, is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14), who bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), and who died and rose from the dead three days later (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

However, there is nothing wrong with being motivated to become a Christian based on trying to avoid the righteous judgment of God. In such a case, fear is properly warranted, and wisdom would dictate the necessity of avoiding God's judgment. If that judgment scares people and motivates them to come to Christ and be forgiven of their sins, then that is a good thing.

But, what motivates one person may not motivate another. One person may want to become a Christian because of fear where another might be motivated out of love for God or sorrow for sin or fatigue due to the consequences of rebellion against God. People's reasons for becoming believers can vary wildly, but the fact is that Christianity is not based on fear. It is based on God's work through Jesus to bring people into salvation. Fear is a proper motivator when accompanied by wisdom.

Prov. 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . . "
Matt. 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Let's take, for a moment, the issue of Christianity being based on fear according to the Scriptures listed above. If a critic wants to complain about this "fear," then on what basis does he or she complain? Is it his opinion, or is there a universal standard to which he appeals? Is he saying that fearing God is a bad thing? If so, why? Why would it be morally wrong to fear the infinite God of the universe and his holy and righteous judgment? By what standard does a critic assert that such fear is not wise or proper? After all, is it not smart to fear the judge and appeal to his mercy before sentencing?

So, Christianity is not based on fear, but fearing God is a logical as well as wise thing to do because God is the judge who has the right to execute lawful and moral judgments upon sinners.

http://carm.org/is-christianity-based-on-fear

Answer 5

Your logic is irrefutable. It reminds of the question "If you govern should you be feared or loved?" I've always found fear to be a prime motivator; it appears prevalent in our species as well as in nature therefore it could be argued that God does rule by fear inherent to our very own world. This then could be put forth as the basis of why the Old Testament was filled with such brutal requirements to please The One. With the New Testament brought into this context we have now the required carrot and stick to drive forward general acceptance tempered and enforced by fear not of retribution but of being not included in the fold. An interesting transformation of values, curiously still inspired by fear. Yes, it makes sense in my opinion that a successful gathering of people to worship God should be inspired by fear and this formula for attendance appears to be applied effectively to this very day. Thank you for this question, I enjoyed thinking about this facet of humanity.

Answer 6

Almost all man made religion is based on control of society in one way or another, it is generally fear based and uses the threat of exclusion from the group and from heaven upon death to compel self sacrifice.

Most modern versions of socialism simply substitute "The Public Good" for "God" but still retain the underlying compulsion to altruism and self sacrifice.

Answer 7

Why do you beliee that anyone who is saved is scared out of their minds? Just because someone is saved, doesn't mean that they are scared or that they have been threatened in any way.

According to 2 Samuel 22:47 "Live, God! Blessing to my Rock, my towering Salvation-God! This God set things right for me and shut up the people who talked back. He rescued me from enemy anger. You pulled me from the grip of upstarts, You saved me from the bullies. That's why I'm thanking you, God, all over the world. That's why I'm singing songs that rhyme your name. God's king takes the trophy; God's chosen is beloved. I mean David and all his children— always."

Being saved is an empowering feeling. It allows you to live life to fullest because there is someone on your side through everything and you don't have tow rry about getting burned.

Answer 8

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pro 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Pro 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Pro 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Pro 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
You have no idea of how it is to come into the presents of a Holy
and Powerful God but you will some day unless you receive Jesus as
your Lord and Savior.I pray that you do before its to late.This is Gods
Only Way to be saved!
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
It is your choice if God is calling you.
In Christ in Love,
TJ57

Answer 9

I choose to believe in the sweet side of Jesus and God. Jesus is my friend and He doesn't want me to fear God, he wants me to love Him and just know Him a little. God doesn't need for us to fear Him either. He doesn't NEED anything from us, after all He's God, He has everything He needs. For our own happiness I think He would like to see us give credit where it is due, but I don't think it's a requirement. We are all just spiritual beings having a human existence, trying to remember what we are.

Answer 10

. Well, to a point because yes, I am afraid of going to hell.

It's like when a kindergardener goes to school for the first time. They only go because they are told they have to. they are scared of going but more afraid of their parents wrath if htey don't go.

Then they make friends and learn things to be independent. They start to like it then.

I am madly and totally in love with my God and Savior. I love Him becasue He first loved me.

I adore my husband and at the same time I get so afraid of thinking of life without him. He has had mulitple helath issues. And that scares me to death. That doesn't mean I stay out of fear. I don't. I stay because I love him.