Who came up with the idea of scareing people with this "hell" thing, some psychologist manipulator?

Question

Agnostic here, not wanting to convert anyone to a religion. And just so we are clear, I'm not asking you to change, if you choose to believe there is a place called "hell"; I don't wish to "change you".

I read this on yahoo answers frequently. I assumed as a child it was real but then, you know, adulthood. Now I am of the belief that hell is not real. I assume that other people became adults, and know that this hell thing isn't real.

Is it a joke, to illustrate a point, like how atheists use the flying spaghetti monster to illustrate why we don't want Intelligent Design taught in public schools?

Am I incorrect with my logic in thinking people are adults?

People don't really fear hell, do they?

What does it say about people who use hell as a scare tactic, to gain control over people?

You can't yell fire in a crowded movie theater erroneously, and while I respect people's right to a freedom of religion, I just have to ask, who came up with this idea of "hell".

Answer 1

Why do religious people think there is a hell? Yes, they do fear it.
If God forgives....this hell-place should be empty, not to mention unnecessary.

Not to worry J D.
People become adults, it is maturity and logical thinking that doesn't always accompany age.

I am going to now yell fire......by answering your question about people using a scare tactic....they call themselves priests, ministers.
There I just excercised my freedom of speech!

THANX Only the weak will report, it is not abuse, it is opinion.

Answer 2

'Sheol' was a term used to describe the grave ('a place where everyone goes after death') I think the word 'Hell' describing a location of eternal torment was first used in the NT-I'm not sure who first uses it, the concept 'Hell-a state of being w/o God' was a concept I think was around for a while. Ancient Egyptians/Aztecs/etc. worshiped various gods/goddesses but they (to the ancients) were deities that represented different characteristics but they made reference to the 'great God' a few times. It had no image or name. It was a combo of everything, hence the different gods/goddess' so they could 'pray' to a certain deity for a specific reason (Similiar to having a question about a Walmart, you'd go to the store owner-not the CEO)
I think the scare tactic of Hell was a combo effort-those seem to work the best!
(obviously, some people DO believe in an actual location)

Answer 3

I believe the concept is an innate part of the human psyche. To perceive the Universe as a place of dualities is a rudimentary way of looking at life. But if there is good, then the flip side of the coin, bad, must exist as well. A very place or location for the worst of concentrated bad would be Hell. And a similar place that represents good would be Heaven.

Once the more advanced method of thinking realized that events, places, etc were neither good nor bad but just neutral, the idea of Heaven and Hell seems silly. Pure Buddhist thought does not recognize 'good' per se VS 'bad'. things just are. I agree with that.

Then for mental health I try to look for positive things in all events.

Answer 4

The concept of hell was borrowed from the Zoroastrians, an ancient Persian religion still around in some parts of Iran and India.
Jews were influenced by this religion when they were held as slaves in Babylon, later being freed by Cyrus, a Persian king. Many Jews stayed in what is now Baghdad, and some returned to Israel, to rebuild Solomon's Temple.
The concept of hell, satan, and Armageddon are all borrowed from this ancient religion, the first monotheistic religion.
If you read Genesis, you will see two different explanations concerning the Garden of Eden. This is due to the influence of Zoroaster.
But then again I may be wrong.

Answer 5

Apparently, since the word "hell" is in the bible, it was someone who died at least 2000 years ago. It's my personal opinion that it was someone who was trying to control people's behavior. But I guess we'll never know.

And of course I don't believe in hell. Just as I don't believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy. If it's used to illustrate a point, what would that point be? No idea.

Answer 6

The concept of hell is a very handy thing for preachers to use when they want to manipulate and control people, and get them to give lots of $$$ to them for the rest of their lives.

Some Christians are more relaxed about the idea than others are. Some are now trying to emphasise the blessings of God and the good things to cover up what they really say they believe.

Here is a Baptist article about hell and who will go there.

Answer 7

Whomever organized the belief in its current form came up with the concept of hell. Perhaps they thought that additional stimulus to behave was needed. I personally don't respond to fear tactics. I think anything used to control people is unethical; you've taken away their right to decide for themselves when you do so.

Answer 8

In order to manipulate society's behavior, the concept of hell would be ideal. It's the same as prison. Hell acts as a deterrent. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing man that he existed.

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Answer 9

I think you are on the right track. It seems that many religions are based on punishment and the only reason why, would be to scare people in order to get them to follow the rules set forth by the religion. Thus, gaining control of them.

Answer 10

All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)