so is it wrong to become a christian based solely off the fact that one is scared to go to hell? does that make you not really saved, cause you don't really believe one way or another, you just are scared...?
2006-12-19 06:36:12 · 18 answers · asked by heaven-sin-t 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't think it counts, personally. From my upbringing, I was told that everyone has free will and because of this, you should bring people to the church and to christ with solid, sound arguments that they can freely choose. Telling a person, "if you don't believe in Jesus, you're going to go to hell," always sounded too much like a threat to me and I really don't think it worked in recruiting people who actually believe and who have a strong faith.
All of the fear tactics don't seem like they work and they certainly don't answer people's lasting questions about who they are, why they're here, and how they should live their lives. I also don't think God wants wishy-washy supporters who are only half-believing because they are afraid of what will happen if they don't.
If you believe in something, believe in it because you know it in your heart/soul/being/etc to be true not because you are afraid it could be true.
2006-12-19 06:43:42 · answer #1 · answered by jenn_smithson 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I remember the old ads against drunk driving and using drugs. Those were fear tactics. Ads about what can happen to you if you get AIDS - those were fear tactics too. They were made to scare you because (assumingly) someone cared about you or this nation enough to send that message. I don't recall an outcry of "they're just using scare tactics to control you". Mention that hell is the consequence of sin and everyone gets defensive and upset.
Having said that I would say it is wrong to become a Christian soley base on fear of hell, but it is certainly a place to start. Let me explain.
When a person comes to God out of fear of hell only, they may view God as cruel and unjust. It is only when they see that they have transgress a holy and righteous God that they see their true state before Him.
We deserve hell because we have broken His laws (10 Commandment). But when we realize that we are lawbreakers deserving punishment and that God provided a way out through the sacrifice of His Son, it is then we see God's goodness toward us. We then are brokenhearted for what we have done against Him and should be thankful for what He has done to save us. The Bible tells us that if we repent (turn from sin) and put our trust in Christ to save us, we will be saved.
So while fear of hell can definetly be a motivator, it is the sacrifice of Christ that is the reason we should come to God. He didn't have to do it. He could have just let us all go to hell, but He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to be the means by which we may be reconciled to Him. This is truly great news!
2006-12-20 10:22:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, being a Christian means being Christ-like. If you're not trying to be more Christ-like, or don't even care to be, then what is the motive? Being a Christian is an action, not just a one-time decision you make and then go on your merry way. Being "saved" is the acceptance of God's grace & mercy and believing what He says. If you don't believe in what the Bible, or preacher's, or whoever says, then you're probably not saved. I hope that didn't confuse you. Not wanting to go to hell isn't a bad thing, as the Bible describes it, it's eternal and once you're there, yo ucan't leave.
2006-12-19 06:44:42 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa R 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God is not an idiotic dictator who would onsign to hell all those who do not belive in him. the concept of heall and heaven wee invented by the ancinetmen who wnatd to convert the illiterate and idiotic masses to their religion. 9if accorsding to the christians death is a reaward for sin , jesus also was given that reward ad he dies on the coss ,he was himself a sinner . he refunded the reward secretley if he really rose from the grage and went to heaven with his mortal body or he cheated the Romans by pretending to be dead so that he would be taken to the grave and left in a chamber covered with stone to be let out by his followers .all; the witnesses and gospels are from and by his foillowers and not by any independent persons.Only those ignoant persons are afraid of the non existent hell. the knowledgeable persons know that that the hell is already around us created by the politicians and religious fundamentalist terrorists .
2006-12-19 07:04:56 · answer #4 · answered by diamond r 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All i choose for Christmas is my 2 the front tooth ( I had an twist of destiny years in the past and the front have porcelin caps that favor to get replaced in about 2 months at the same time as i'd have kept sufficient money to replace them!)
2016-11-30 23:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is known as Pascal's Wager - youre better off faking beleif and being right than not beleiving and being wrong....
Yes, this is a terrible reason to become a Christian (as are all other reasons...) Why? Because if the Christian God is truly as omnisicnet as he is claimed to be, then he would KNOW that you only beleive to save your own behind. And thus, to the eternal fire pits with you.... Cuz we all know how an all loving omniscient being likes to torture people....
2006-12-19 06:40:57 · answer #6 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
in my humble opinion, using fear as a recruitment/retention tool seems rather weak, theologically speaking. Rewards and punishment are good for training dogs, maybe for raising children, but it does not make a good theological system for adults.
Being good and doing the right thing are their own rewards; if you do them expecting any benefits, you are donig them for the wrong reason. Likewise, submitting to a hypothetical fear compromises who you are - your soul, if you use such terms - in exactly the same manner their lore attributes to their devil.
Be your own person. Be a good person. Don't settle for the carrot and the stick.
2006-12-19 06:43:04 · answer #7 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, no absolutely not. It matters not what drives you to make the decision. You must decide to trust Jesus for your salvation, and believe that His death paid for your sins. It matters not if fear drove you to do so.
If, on the other hand you are just frightened, and are willing to say "I am a Christian and I will go to church or whatever to keep from going to hell-that will not work. you "must" believe in and trust Christ.
2006-12-19 06:44:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yah i think god wants us to use religion as a form of life insurance. that way if we do die we dont go to hell. lol
thats another reason i dont agree with christianity, they preach through fear, but i highly doubt thats the reason god wants us to come to him. its like using him as an "in-case".
brainwashing is no better. ur not allowing the child to come to him on their own free will, something GOD gave us. thus u are taking away a god given gift. i cant imagine god would see that as a good thing. i would assume god wants us to come to him on our own accord. we should WANT to come to him, not be brainwashed into that being the only thing we know.
*shrug*
2006-12-19 06:40:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
just the same as evidence in court isn't admissible when obtained under duress.....
Nah, I'm kidding. But really, if you believe in something just because you're scared then not only that should tell you that something's wrong but you should SUE as well...
2006-12-19 06:40:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋