In terms of how it perhaps appeals to people who fear what the afterlife might hold. Do you think that some people only keep their religious ceremonies and rituals to the absolute letter because they fear going to Hell? Is it a bit like the tv show Lost where the fear of not pressing the button in the bunker was what kept them pressing it for so long?
All opinions welcome
2007-02-25 07:34:36 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
plato: I say organized religion as it's those that have all the rituals etc. I think you can read the bible (or other scriptures) and take what you want form it. You can learn from it like a guide but I don't think you need to fear anything about your God.
2007-02-25 07:53:03 · update #1
YES MOST DEFINITELY i definitely agree with that in some cases. Its horribly used for scraing little kids into christianity aometimes aswell, im so aganst evangelism, not religion itself, but evangelism is wrong........
2007-02-25 07:38:47 · answer #1 · answered by ダニエル 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You emphasise 'organised religion' why not religion of any sort? No I don't think it blackmails at all, never ever looked at it in that way. In the past Hell was spoken about more, but today it is focused on a God of love who wants all to know and love him and not end up going in the opposite direction. There will always be people who cross the t's and dot the i's, so don't worry.
2007-02-25 07:48:20 · answer #2 · answered by Plato 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many religions do indeed blackmail their followers into acting as they want them to act. If you don't do as we say - hell for you.
And the oft repeated Pascal's Wager only proves that many of them follow along honestly thinking they gave nothing to lose and all to gain - just by believing.
2007-02-25 07:52:59 · answer #3 · answered by Sun: supporting gay rights 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I attempt to follow Christian teaching out of love not fear. It is a far better guide.
PS Would you prefer DISorganised religion?
2007-02-25 08:02:46 · answer #4 · answered by alan h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes much of religion blackmails people in to thinking that they will go to hell if they do not follow what is said, what they forget to say is most of it is man made, having twisted Gods words to suit himself
2007-02-25 08:11:36 · answer #5 · answered by ringo711 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's quite simple really, it's a choice of eternal life, or not. I wish it was as easy as just remembering to press a button. If you see free will/choice as blackmail, that's your option. Kinda like you have a choice of abiding by the law or going to prison, I suppose you could call that blackmail too if that's your definition of blackmail.
2007-02-25 07:43:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yet on the different hand without faith your movements are up on your individual perception of morality. What one Atheist might discover morally incorrect the different might discover spectacular. And if a individual acts on some thing that contradicts the guideline of his faith he would not characterize the religion.
2016-11-25 22:46:41 · answer #7 · answered by cordell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Faith does not save a person. If you are helped, it is a gift, grace, of the Almighty YHVH. Most people have faith in something else, which cannot save. And in the end most people will choose to be lost rather than come to the Savior YAHOSHUA for salvation!
The Almighty YHVH set up a system. He sent His “Son” YAHOSHUA to die for the sins of mankind so they would not have to. (They could choose to, but did not have to). Any person who chooses not to allow Yahoshua to take care of their sins, chooses to remain attached to their sins. They thus will wind up in the lake of fire which is YHVH’s method of cleaning this world, and eliminating sin and sinners. The Creator set aside the Seventh day for rest and worship. Yes that is the day usually called “Saturday”. We are not saved by obedience, we are saved by faith. However we are saved FOR obedience. As He said in John 14:15 (and in many other places) “If you love me, keep my commandments.
The only thing that will change a person is the indwelling savior Yahoshua. Obviously that is rare in this sinful world.
2007-02-25 07:38:19 · answer #8 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Oh yeah, the key to a "great" religion is bribes and threats.
2007-02-25 07:40:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, we have just taken that saying "get a life" to heart.
2007-02-25 07:38:26 · answer #10 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋