I am a Christian and do believe in hell, and that you must accept Christ if you wish to be saved, but I fail to see the purpose of using hell to scare people into heaven. This method does not work, nor does it create an envirionment for open discussion, which might produce the desired response.
2007-02-18 17:16:54 · 21 answers · asked by tjg1987 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hand, nice question, but I think you missed something. I believe in hell. That was included in the original details. I just feel there is a better way to communicate than to avoid a real conversation and debate by saying "Well, you are going to hell." It is my goal with this question to encourage open discussion on both sides instead of the insults and name calling.
2007-02-18 17:38:08 · update #1
it is offensive to anybody that reads such things, stick to the point, not fear tactics, agreed. thomas
2007-02-18 17:28:06 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas A 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their are those that have issues and then there are those who have problems. I have problems meaning its not something others worry about or think about in personal time. Salvation is up to the individual and the people who share common beliefs. If the person wants to attack others based on belief and not identity some people see that absolute evil is the answer if a person is absolutely in the dark about certain interests. Evil is chaos to most people and structure is the solution. The lord, god, Jesus, Christ, Messiah, savior. Their is so much knowledge out their one starts to guess why do i sin and what does it cost?
2007-02-19 01:28:10 · answer #2 · answered by matthew m 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard a Christian use hell as a threat or scare tactic. Hell exists because it's mentioned in the Bible many times. And it is God Himself that tells us about eternal punishment (as well as eternal reward). God doesn't use hell as a threat, He is merely telling us His rules and what the good and bad consequences will be if we follow Him or not. So Christians tell others the same thing. I don't see this as a threat, it's factual.
In all honestly though, we have to admit that hell is probably talked about more than Heaven is. As parents, don't we tell our children over and over again what their punishment will be if they disobey us, rather than telling them over and over again what the reward will be? As humans, maybe that's why we talk about hell more than Heaven. In the Bible, God talks about Heaven and hell all the time. I think He gives both places an equal keel.
2007-02-19 01:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If a person doesn't believe in God, than threatening them with going to hell probably doesn't mean much to them. Heaven & Hell are concepts created within a religious realm, so for those individuals who would consider themselves atheist or not believing in the right God, telling them they would be going to hell had little meaning to them cause hell doesn't exist for them.
If you follow the same concept that you don't believe in God your going to hell, most religions apparently say this so therefore, since you can only belong to 1 religion, the others state that you are going to hell cause your don't believe in their god - so by that statement we are all going to Hell so who really cares :)
2007-02-19 01:26:55 · answer #4 · answered by brat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are correct that is why I don't understand why some say that we use hell to threaten others. We are just suppose to teach/preach the Word of God. hell is a reality. It is a part of the teaching. I try to give the whole picture. That would be like a teacher giving you the assignment but not teaching you how to do it. People only feel 'threatened' when they are convicted. May God Bless U.
2007-02-19 01:26:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh, I can answer this, because I've asked a similar question before!!!! Because if you sell by only the good things, then you would be a liar. Oh, and I've also been told that it's easier to scare people into religion sometimes, than it is to teach and show love.
2007-02-19 01:21:29 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not meant to be a threat it is meant to tell them the alternative. It is our job to let them know what awaits them if they dont accept Jesus. It takes away their option of saying I wont choose heaven, I just will not exist, or I will be in limbo etc. I think the message of Christ is better, but hell needs to be used as the alternative. Its a warning, not a threat.
2007-02-19 01:25:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Baptist. I agree. People are just trying to convert a number. "Ooh! Hey Johnny, that's 66 ppl saved... and its only been 6 weeks. Wow, I"M GREAT at this!" That mentality makes me mad. Note to Christians everywhere: YOU ARE NOT SELLING FIRE INSURANCE!!!
2007-02-19 01:21:40 · answer #8 · answered by pish_01 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because it is fun. What is wrong with it if it is true? How do you know what will work and what wont? What makes you so much smarter than anyone else. It might work very well. Then maybe I just want to see them go to Hell anyway.
2007-02-19 01:20:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have no idea. (Probably not what you were looking for.) Also, I think sometimes that they should dispense with the ecclesiastical terminology, it's not exactly inviting to newer converts/or those not raised in the faith.
2007-02-19 01:21:56 · answer #10 · answered by Rahab 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe, after being persistent enough, they hope to win over some converts!
2007-02-19 01:32:26 · answer #11 · answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋