Why do Christians try to spread their religion with the fear of punishment?

Question

Skeptics have criticized Christianity for seeking to persuade people into accepting its authority through simple fear of punishment or hope of reward after death, rather than through rational argumentation or empirical evidenceTraditional Christian doctrine assumes that, without faith in God, one is subject to eternal hellfire. The Epistle of James states that even mere belief is insufficient for salvation, for "the devils believe and also tremble" (James 2:19). Saint Paul also states in Romans that confession of the Lord as your savior entails you will be saved and "He that doubted is damned" (Romans 14:23). Not only is doubt detrimental to salvation, but mere hope to Saint Paul is an unacceptable sign of uncertainty, "For hope that is seen is not hope: for what man sees, why does he yet hope for? (Romans 8:24)" Not only must one have unwavering belief and faith to receive salvation, but according to Saint Augustine, one of the church's prime theologians throughout the medieval

era, those who are already saved are predetermined, they however must have been baptized and a member of the church.

Since we all inherit Adam's sin, we all deserve eternal damnation. All who die unbaptized, even infants, will go to hell and suffer unending torment. We have no reason to complain of this, since we are all wicked. (In the Confessions, the Saint enumerates the crimes of which he was guilty in the cradle.) But by God's free grace certain people, among those who have been baptized, are chosen to go to heaven; these are the elect. They do not go to heaven because they are good; we are all totally depraved, except in so far as God's grace, which is only bestowed on the elect, enables us to be otherwise. No reason can be given why some are saved and the rest damned; this is due to God's unmotivated choice. Damnation proves God's justice; salvation His mercy. Both equally display His goodness.

Answer 1

Well they can't rightly spread their religion with logic and reason now can they? That's why so many resort to fear tactics, it's the only thing they've got left in their bag of tricks.

Answer 2

First I'll try to address the scriptures you presented.

The verse in James' letter is pointing out that belief alone does not save because "the devils believe and also tremble". The question then, even for the believer, is do you have faith? Do you trust? Will you let God take over and show you the way? The devils believe but have no faith and put no trust in God.

The hope St. Paul is talking about is Jesus Christ. The hope is the urgent expectation of Christ's second coming and final deliverance of us all. "Hope that is seen is not hope": Basically, if I hope to own a new computer and then suddenly I get one from a friend, there is no longer a need to hope for one because it's right there in front of me.

As far as the unbaptized unborn burning in Hell, this is not the case. Whether the child was lost because of a miscarriage or an abortion, we believe that God knows the circumstance and in His mercy lovingly takes them to heaven. It wasn't the child's fault; they never had the chance to be baptized, and God knows this.

Answer 3

Ummm, yeah. I don't believe any of the scripture you're quoting. Possibly because the exact lines you are quoting is why I don't believe in Christianity.

However, the two greatest motivators in life are reward and fear, in that order. Do good and follow our laws, and you go to Heaven. Do bad and don't follow our laws, you go to Hell. Double whammy.

I'm not slamming Christians. This is psychologically proven.

Answer 4

It must be tragic to be controlled by a fictional book full of hate and lies.

The church and before them, Paul, found it profitable to alter the words of Jesus and to add just plain lies.

Answer 5

Many christians dispute the spiritual authority of the epistle of James. Any wonder why.

Answer 6

There are CONSEQUENCES in all life! This is all Christians preach in their doctrine. A dose of common sense goes a long way in comparing the spiritual consequences with physical consequences.

Answer 7

Because it's an efficient way to spread superstition in the uneducated masses.

Answer 8

Your not hearing the whole story. Do you quit listening before they tell you about the Love of God and the sacrifice he made to reconcile you with him?

Answer 9

What if you're wrong and there really is a God, a heaven, and a hell? Are you willing to gamble with your eternal soul (assuming you have one)?

Answer 10

I summarize it this way:

If I designed an animal that sinned, and that animal killed my son, would that make it alright, provided I was invisible and provided no evidence of any of this?