I will pray for you
2006-12-15 08:33:52 · 36 answers · asked by squid_red_leader 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What is the point in believing in a religion out of fear of hell?
Just curious.
2006-12-15 08:54:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Believing JUST so you won't go to hell isn't really believing. It's not the reason why God wants us to believe. I also don't believe in God because I want to go to Heaven. I have done a lot of reading of different faiths, have friends of different faiths and have done a lot of praying over the years as well as 'searching for myself' and I have come to the conclusion that YHVH does exist. And because I believe that He does exist, then it only makes sense to honor, respect and worship Him. He loves me so much that He decided to give me a life experience, I want to love Him back to return the favor. Yet I know my love will never be as perfect as His.
I'd rather believe because the past 4 years of believing has saved myself from myself and others. The 15 years that I turned my back on God was a living hell. I can't live without Him. I freely choose to have faith in Him. But not so I won't be punished eternally. Hell scares me but disappointing God scares me more. If I do end up in hell, then all I can say is that I didn't do enough to enter Heaven. It's than all my fault and I will have deserved it and will pay the price.
Thanks for praying for us. I will also keep you in my prayers. God only knows how many prayers that we all need. :)
2006-12-15 08:41:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Belief isn't about taking chances, its about conviction based in your heart and soul. If the only reason a person believes is to escape "hell," then isn't that belief valueless?
Any religious leader should be loved not feared, and if loyalty is only inspired by fear then that loyalty is only as strong as that fear. It follows then that all it would take to win that loyalty is a greater fear.
Sorry, my convictions such as they are are based on what my heart says is right, not because I fear the alternative. If G-d prefers fear, then that's not the G-d I want to believe in.
And please, don't pray to your god on my behalf. I can pray to G-d for myself.
2006-12-15 09:13:17 · answer #3 · answered by jeffedl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because if you believe just to stay out of hell, you're going to go to hell anyway, right? that would be fake...as an atheist, i don't believe in hell either. you can pray for me if you wish, but it's probably a waste of time that could be used on something more important.
2006-12-15 08:41:26 · answer #4 · answered by pirate00girl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
God would have to be a sucker to be tricked by someone who was only believing so that they could go to heaven just in case. Doesn't seem right to me.
Plus even if you did want to hedge your bets - which religion would you choose? There are about 20-25 major religions and 10,000 - 30,000 different demoninations. Even in Christianity a quick look through the phone book will give you 100's of choices.
Very confusing, huh?
A
2006-12-15 08:37:27 · answer #5 · answered by Alan 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Belief isn't something you do. Its something you have. I can act like I believe, but if there were a god I'm sure god would know the difference. I have a friend that said he would just act like he believed to get into heaven. I said pretty much the same thing to him. If there is a god your not going to be able to trick GOD.
2006-12-15 08:37:05 · answer #6 · answered by Magus 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is known as Pascal's Wager in The Pensees circa 1800.
2006-12-15 08:36:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you think it's better to believe that a meteor might come crashing down and split open your head unless you buy one of my $1,500 cosmic anti-magnetic arm bands? Come on, it's $1,500 but you could save your life and the lives of everyone around you. Isn't that worth it, or are you too selfish and greedy to give up some material goods to protect yourself and those around you?
(Do you see how that argument is just flat dumb?)
2006-12-15 08:36:38 · answer #8 · answered by godlessinaz 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Believing in god, you do not have to have wittiness, you do not have to confess to others, Only in religion will you find such things, the religion heads want you to do their foot work by tell everyone what you believe, because they want you to believe that if you say "no I don't believe in god" that you have sinned by deny god. How if you are on trial in a court of law set up by man, and you are charge with believing in god and you would say no I do not know God, than it would be a sin. Look don't fall for the religious system its full of tricks to covert you mind. Be strong and resist religion and have faith in god if you choose, put you don't have to say it
2006-12-15 08:42:15 · answer #9 · answered by man of ape 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A faith which is based on playing it safe is no faith at all. Such a "faith" will not save anyone.
Rather than purporting what is fruitless, encourage people to have a real faith, a faith that leads to good deeds performed from love. Also, the Bible talks of love more than punishment. People respond better to the gospel when you first show them why it is a good thing.
2006-12-15 08:42:38 · answer #10 · answered by steven.henderson 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋