Is religion run by fear?

Question

I mean, is the only reason people are faithful is because they are afraid to go to Hell? This is a serious question. I'm not tryin to get flamed.

Answer 1

Yep, Christianity preaches the "or else" principal. Believe or else. No one want to find out what the "or else" is. However Pagans don't have the "or else" principal. We do have karma though. We know that we take responsibility for our own actions, and try to be the best we can following the rede of "An it harm none, do what you will". to the best of our ability. We will be rewarded or punished depending on our works, however the punishment is not hell as we do not have a hell or a devil. Instead it is to be reborn again to learn from our mistakes in our past lives to pay off our Karmic debt.. If we are rewarded then we may be reborn into a better situation or stay in the summerlands, (our heaven if you will).

Most of your patriarchal religions preach the "or else" principal. In Judaism there is no hell but you soul is eliminated from existence, in Muslim beliefs it is the same but you will suffer first. Christianity has the Ole fire and brimstone. It is funny but in the Renaissance, hell was originally cold and dark, built on the principal that you are the farthest from god and there fore away from his light and light equals warmth. At the same time the devil was pictured to be blue or black. Even time doesn't agree with it.

Answer 2

I dont beleive in hell.
Ecc 9:5
if u truly read the bible and study it
there is no hell and God would never even thought of such an awful thing

Think about this:
If u were a parent and ur son did sumthing wrong, would u hold his hand on the fire forever to punish him for his mistake?
if u dont what more of God.
read this scripture
an awful thing like hell did not even come up in God's heart or anything like that!

read Jeremiah 32:35

Answer 3

Nope, the only reason people are faithful is NOT because of the fear of hell. Try following every teaching of Jesus Christ as close as you can and see if the fear of hell is the only way for religion.

Answer 4

Religion is run by man. Fear man for he will lead you always down the wrong path.

Christianity is a reality. That means you live by faith each day. No need for religion for religion gets in between you and God.
Am I afraid of going to Hell No not at all. I'm looking for great rewards promised to me by God Himself. The main reward is to be co-heir together with Jesus Christ. Fantastic is it not.><>

Answer 5

Not really. When I was a child, yes I was scared of going to Hell. But as I got older and started to think for myself, it's more spiritual belief. I don't really believe in Hell or Heaven anymore. I don't think any religion is that black or white. There's a lot of gray in there. But as a Catholic, although I do follow the religion, I think that nowadays that they do try to put fear in people. When you look at it, that's all you hear about. Don't do this or you'll go to Hell, etc.

Answer 6

Your question is a bit intriguing, because of the word 'religion'. If I will answer your question as it is, I will say yes. As a Christian my answer is no! We aren't run by fear because we have a relationship not religion that's 2 different things. We don't follow God because we don't want to go to hell but because we love Him and we want to please and thank Him for all (even it is impossible I know but in our own little ways we can express this love for Him). Hope I helped you.

Answer 7

Faith cures fear. Fear of what life can do to you. Fear of hell doesn't enter into it. Fear of death, maybe, for some. If someone tries to run a religion by fear, they're using the Lord's name in vain.

When the Bible uses the term "fear God" the connotation should include "be in awe of God."

Answer 8

Yes and no. Some people are faithful because they are afraid of going to Hell. But that is not why you should be faithful to God. You should be faithful and worship God because he is your Lord and Savior and you want a closer spiritual relationship with God.

Answer 9

Only bad teachers would threaten hell on anyone because that's not his job and taking judgment from Jesus (becoming judge ).Being faithful according to Christian faith only means you believe Jesus is the Son of God and you try to seek and understand Fathers word the Bible.

Answer 10

Religion is not running, we are running because of religion. Religion is always there for us throughout our life. It was there before our birth and will remain after our death. Religion is life. fear is death. Strength is Life. Weakness is Death. What ever it might be which make u weak physically, mentally or in any other means reject it as poison. Religion makes you bold, tough, valiant. Fear is the cause of all sorrow in one’s life rejects it and accepts religion to feel infinite bliss. God bless you.