I have been suspecting this for a while. All these evangelicals are running around with the notion in their mind that if they mess up, their going to burn forever and ever. Its just stupid! Why would a perfect God allow Hell to exist? Why not just make the sinners live in the Ghetto part of Heaven? (joking)
When you think about it, it is a pretty smart scheme that was set up, I'm sure, hundreds of years ago, when pastors started realizing they could hook more people into coming to their church, (AND TITHING), if they had something to scare them with. Something to say, if you don't come and give us your money your going to Hell.
I think its bull, anyone else? Your opinion?
2007-03-25 09:26:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wouldn't go as far to call it a conspiracy. It is more of a way to get people to come to church and repent. It was also used by the Vatican to collect taxes from other European states. Until German lords revolted and took up protestantism.
Basically, its used to control people but that doesn't give you an excuse to go rape, murder, and steal.
2007-03-25 09:35:45 · answer #1 · answered by thejoyfaction 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe Hell to be a literal place, but more a state of mind. I believe that at judgement, those that did not live righteous lives will be in a mental state of hell until they learn to forgive themselves for missing out on eternal exaltation. Eventually, they will learn to live with their mistakes and accept their place in the Lord's plan. But until then, they will be miserable. Not because the Lord is sticking them in a burning lake, but because they will be figuratively burning in their minds.
A good example is for those that have competed in sports or something. That feeling you get when you come in 2nd place and know you didn't give it your 100%. That's kind of what I mean by a mental hell, a state of mind. Yet, those that came in 2nd, and know they gave it their all, don't have the regrets.
2007-03-25 09:42:43 · answer #2 · answered by Raising6Ducklings! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The threat of going to hell because we don't follow someone's religious guidebooks is the worst of our worries. If all I had to worry about was that I could say "To hell with you then" (Pun intended).
However, I have to worry about the hate and murder that are perpetuated by these same guidebooks. Two examples in actual passage: Deuteronomy 13:7-11 and the Koran 9:73 and 9:123. Both of these ENCOURAGE believers to go out and actually kill (Deuteronomy even stays to stone to death) non-believers. These are not just one or two SELECT passages pulled out of the religious texts, they are EVERYWHERE. Funny thing is people of all faiths will pull out the ONE passage that says "Our God doesn't justify murder...see...right here it says" In most texts there are more passages to support hate for non-believers than there are against it.
Religious faith, or faith of any kind, in its purest most simple form is an OPINION. There is no evidence that can prove any of it to be true. Opinions can't be right or wrong, they just are. So the question is, in what other aspect of a persons life would they so blindly follow what someone tells them to do, with no evidence as to the very reason it is necessary, while accepting (blindly again) at the same time if they don't do what this person tells them to then you don't love them and your going to hell. It makes god sound like a teenage boy on prom night out in the back seat of his car: "If you love me you will".
2007-03-25 09:42:31 · answer #3 · answered by swee_pea630 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hell/Sheol/Hades in the Bible is the grave. Ecc.9:5
The lake of fire is a symbol for the second death. Rev. 21:8.
All those demons and humans who will not repent will go to the second death. There is no eternal fire literally, it is symbolic of the second death, which is eternal death, never a resurrection from it.
Hebrews 2:14 Jesus will bring the Devil to nothing.
In the Bible God asks us to choose life or death, not heaven or hell. The Bible does speak of the 'heavenly hope,' which is a wonderful true story about the Kingdom of God.
2007-03-25 09:49:52 · answer #4 · answered by tienna 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible says they have been to evangelise the gospel to all of the international.As human beings regular the gospel they unfold the gospel etc. it is how the gospel grew to become into unfold to all of the international.as a effect, God did no longer supply the gospel to a small area of the international and reject the rest to Hell.The Bible especially states we are able to in basic terms get of venture to stay with the gospel in "this" life.Hebrews 9:27 says "that's appointed unto adult adult males as quickly as to die,yet after this the judgement".So, there is purely no longer any gospel discussions,baptisms, and temple artwork being achieved! we've already lost our possibility! We might desire to make our determination as quickly because of fact the Holy Ghost strikes us.that's our final possibility to accomplish that.we don't comprehend while we are able to respire our final, additionally in accordance to scripture.
2016-10-20 10:34:38 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One word. Constantine. Look him up. You're right on, though. Hell is just a reason not to do bad. Instead of allowing people to choose not to do bad because it's bad.
2007-03-25 09:30:45 · answer #6 · answered by Godfather76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since God is perfect, then it means he is also perfect in righteousness and justice. How can he *not* allow hell to exist? I'm convinced that the scriptures are divine in origin and hence I firmly believe its not a scare tactic that was somehow fabricated by the church.
2007-03-25 09:35:09 · answer #7 · answered by Archangel 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Of course it is, In the same sense, HEAVEN is the Bribe used by the church. Hit the nail on the head.
2007-03-25 09:30:24 · answer #8 · answered by Same T 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hell is written in the Bible
Matthew 10:28, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 12:5, But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which AFTER he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Matthew 18:8, 9 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire
2007-03-25 09:32:43 · answer #9 · answered by Angel Eyes 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋