Doesn't the obsession of fundamentalists with sin, the devil and hell only give power to negative forces?
I think we should take away their power by denying them. The devil has already been defeated by Christ and hell does not exist, except here on Earth and in sick minds.
Sorry to post this twice, but I put it in the wrong category the 1st time.
2006-10-21 08:53:04 · 14 answers · asked by The Gadfly 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some suggest that I am in denial. Not so. I refuse to give these things power in my life. I trust God. Evil can only exist if you allow it to or are influenced by PEOPLE with evil intentions. The important thing is not to allow yourself to become ensnared in it.
Trust in God.
2006-10-21 09:40:01 · update #1
I am Rational Spirituality. If someone is obsessed with something they cannot let go, it means that they carry it inside themselves.
Enlightened beings like Christ were not fundamentalists. They lived simple and pure lives and saw good in others. People always extrapolate on the outer world their own character.
2006-10-21 09:15:47 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question is a prime example of how ignorance towards evil allows it to proliferate. In fact you are part and party to the crime of the facilitation of evil! Without sounding facetious I reccomend yo uactually read a Bible. I am a Bible scholar and constantly come across Biblical misstatements such as yours. To deny the existence of evil is to deny what is real and true. To be obsessed with it, yes, is detrimental. And will indeed give the dark side power over your life. For you are to meditate on the Word, and things of God. Christ did not do away with sin. He paid the sin debt in full so that you will not have to.
No where in the Bible does it say that hell does not exist. And no where does it say the Devil has been defeated 'yet.' It says that Jesus conquered sin! He fulfilled the law. In REVELATION it says death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire. Since that hasn't happened yet, hell still exists.
I don't see fundamentalists being obsessed with sin, but rather the "consequences' of sin now so prevalent in our society as a result of the denial of Biblical truths, and the ignorance of society as a whole where scriptural knowledge is concerned.
I pray that you, and anybody who reads this will actually check and see for your selves if what I have written is true.
So many popple just hear, and believe without looking for themselves.
In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ our Only Lord and saviour. Ahmen!
2006-10-21 20:53:10 · answer #2 · answered by yiddishlion 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obsessions w/ sin/devil/hell can create negative forces. This seldom occurs w/in the audience, but rather becomes a negative characture for those in the world. My observation is the "load" of s/d/h is used to excess on occasions to break through a blaise attitude and/or the afraid to admit my guilt dynamic. Seldom to hell fires end w/o a call / offer of grace.
I am more disturbed by the so-called "cheap" grace which does not challenge, but rather covers sin.
Sadly, denying them does not take away their power. Alcoholism, suicide, etc. are attempts to deny which only ensnare. They can no more be denied than my hearing loss. They exist until God Almighty removes them.
The devil has been defeated, but very much remains active and dangerous cf. WWII & Hitler. I am not aware of hell's relocation, certainly not in terms of Revelation or Jesus descent thereto. I get nervous around the epithet of "sick minds"...if it exists on earth as you suggest, then are all minds sick?
No problem w/ a double post, only with the theology which seems to have another agenda. Maybe of denial?
2006-10-21 16:03:39 · answer #3 · answered by Joe Cool 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I certainly am not "obsessed" with sin, the devil and hell but denying something does not keep it from existing. If you use that premise, just deny a tornado the next time it's headed your way. Will you take away its power by denial? Noooo. Satan has been defeated by Christ but he will continue to work everywhere he can until Christ's return. As a Christian I need to always be aware of Satan and his evil ways to prevent myself from being drawn into his temptation. Hell is real and denying it will not make it cease to exist. It is eternal separation from God. Denial of hell as a place of torture is to deny the Word of God.
2006-10-21 16:02:13 · answer #4 · answered by missingora 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. They focus so much on the dangers of evil slithering into your life, they negate the 'power' of God. If my belief in God can't protect me from (and some believe this!) demons coming through my television set...posessing my family members...or the number 666, then my belief must be that God isn't as powerful as a number, or the cable company. I for one, think that God HAS protected me by giving me the common sense to know that demons and numbers aren't out to get me, and if they are...God must be doing something to stop that...which would indicate that He IS more powerful than those things.
I do have a responsibility of my own, to do the right thing...not to harm others, steal, lie etc...but if I don't take my own responsibility seriously...bad things will happen. It's not Satan posessing me...it's ME making a bad choice, followed by the consequences of that choice. TOO many times, Fundies will use Satan as an excuse, blaming him for sin when really...if YOU CHOOSE to 'sin' (or in other words, do something ignorant)...you will feel the results. YOU chose that. You were not overtaken by an evil demon and it really does irritate me when someone claims the only bad choice was allowing Satan into your life. Bull. The bad choice was in choosing to do something you knew was stupid. Satan likes it when people do that, but Satan didn't take over your body and make that choice for you.
2006-10-21 15:59:23 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa E 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I do think that preoccupation with the devil and evil can rob people of the power of the risen Christ. When we trust and immerse ourselves in the positive message of Christ, there is no reason to
fear evil...because it has no power. Since I can only think of one thing at a time...it might as well be positve and hopeful!
2006-10-21 15:59:02 · answer #6 · answered by mynickname 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I focus on what you call an obsession isn't one at all....it is merely knowing what the Word say and following it...I do not obsess over the devil and hell...they in fact are real but that doesn't concern me since I am now a child of God.....but it does concern me when those like you come on here and say hell and such isn't real....simply because you are deceived......to each his own.....you do your thing we will do ours...
2006-10-21 16:28:07 · answer #7 · answered by shiningon 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No you have no idea what you are talking about. Without any evil there can be no good! If everything is sweet, then how will we describe sweetness? Only when there is bitterness to compare it to, then sweetness has value.
2006-10-21 15:56:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sin , devil and hell are realities....but people do not need to be obesssed with them....just avoid them
2006-10-21 15:56:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It certainly does clearly advertise their personal fears and weaknesses.
People who are fearful of lust or sex usually are that way because they like it so much but have been made to feel guilty about it.
2006-10-21 15:55:11 · answer #10 · answered by misskate12001 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋