Are we not saying those who do not fear God are outsiders, not to be trusted, not saved, not one of "us"?
Isn't this a manifestation of the 1st century Jewish belief that strangers were unwelcome and unclean, that there should be no mingling between Jews and Gentiles.
Wasn't this matter resolved in the early Christian church by teaching the Jewish fear of God to the Gentiles, thus creating a bridge for the Jews who believed in Christ to accept Gentiles as kindred spirits within the church of Christ?
Is this not why Fear is so prevalent in a religion of Love?
2006-10-05 01:05:30 · 7 answers · asked by bobkgin 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You do not understand the hebrew root word for fear here...
It means to show respect for God through obedience to His commandments, and reverance for His name. It also means to stand in awe of His authority and submit to it.
So "no fear of God" simply means an attitude of disrespect towards god, disobedience, and general contempt for his authority.
2006-10-05 01:13:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Fear of God specifically is a different disorder then Xenophobia but pursuing a delicate moral code causes you to fear the things that make you vulnerable.
2006-10-05 08:20:30 · answer #2 · answered by W0LF 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, religions do tend to denigrate those not in their religion. There is a normal distrust of people not in your "group". People tend to have greater empathy for those in the group and enmity for those outside the group. However, religion amplifies this to keep its converts. When you have a belief system mostly based on pleas to emotions, you have use similar tactics to set your followers against other groups. Therefore, most religions depict those outside of the group as corrupt and evil. They have to insulate their followers from any contrary lines of thought by threatening them with the dangers of "backsliding" by instilling a "fear of God" into them. It's all mind games. They have to use mind games because they really lack facts.
2006-10-05 08:11:27 · answer #3 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't this all come from Jesus saying fear the one who has the power to destroy the soul?
I don't see the fear "factor" that you are talking about. Christianity is about love and forgiveness, but I don't want anyone to go to Hell.
2006-10-05 08:12:28 · answer #4 · answered by RB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off, the early church was soooooo wrong it aint funny, but other ppl shouldnt be excluded for what they believe-if your giving ppl
"The Hand" be cause they dont believe same as you, arent you sinning, God said to love everybody the SAME and
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"-i hope you arent doing that but stop if you are.
also fear is out of respect and to let you know He is overpowering but He wants you to fear and love Him
2006-10-05 08:23:09 · answer #5 · answered by total.hippy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought 'god-fearing' meant that you believed you would suffer terrible, agonizing, eternal torture if you did something that the priests told you was against your god's wishes.
2006-10-05 08:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
Fear of God is to REVERE God.
A reverence for, to and of God.
Why should I fear MY FATHER?
I LOVE HIM-HE LOVES ME.
2006-10-05 08:12:32 · answer #7 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋