how is this not spreading fear?

Question

when you tell people we are all sinners, and when you tell people christ died for their sins, and that the only way to have everlasting life is to believe in him, otherwise you'll perish, how is this not spreading fear? i cite this because this is from probably the most famous quote in the bible, john 3:16.

zarathustra... doesn't it say something about those believing in him so you won't parish?

Answer 1

I think I am responsible for my own sins, and have to pay my own price for them… no one died to wipe them away for me.

Answer 2

It is spreading fear, and it's wrong. This verse was spoken to and for believers. Christians make the stupid mistake of trying to take verses that, in context, were used for exhortation of FELLOW believers, and attempt to use them as conversion words. The problem with that is, the personaly realities of believers vs. non-believers are vastly different. Ideas of what truth is or is not vary widely between the two groups. It is implausable, naive and ignorant of a believer to use this verse on a non-christian. Like a missionary going to Africa, and only speaking English to the natives. In that scenario the missionaries words wouldn't mean much would they? In fact, they may even threaten or anger the natives if the missionary is percieved as proud (for not bothering to learn the language of the natives) or ignorant (for speaking from such a finite perspective that does not align anywhere with their idea or perception of truth). Does that make the natives wrong? No. It makes the missionary wrong for not speaking truth in a way that the "listener" can hear.

Answer 3

Do Stop signs and traffic lights also then spread fear, warning us of potential danger?

If a doctor had a cure for a condition or illness, would his advice for me to take the treatment or suffer the course of the illness be "spreading fear"?

It is spreading Hope not only for heaven but freedom for right now today; freedom and healing from the pain of addiction and suffering.

Answer 4

To be in fear of unknown things is the kind of fear that makes people hide, and shiver for lack of understanding.
The kind of fear that is described in the Bible is a fear that is healthy, it allows us to understand what God's purpose is for man, the earth,and allows us to have his protection when these world shattering events take place, it causes us to build faith in him and his son and let's us see how his rule will be over the earth. Daniel 2:44, Revelation 21:3,4
It's a matter of people not being lazy and earnestly getting to know our creator through his 66 letter's of instruction to us. if we do this, then he says our reward will be to live here on earth forever. Psalms 37:9-11,29

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(Ecclesiastes 12:13) 13 The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the [true] God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole [obligation] of man.

Answer 5

Prehaps because all you have to do for salvation is believe? Christianity is simple, but humans often try to add steps to the process. The apostle Paul said it best: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Act 16:31)"

Spreading fear would be pointing out a problem and not giving a logical solution to solving it.

Answer 6

http://www.sullivan-county.com/identity/intol_right.htm

The Christian right are intolerant of free thinkers. They feel they have little or nothing to learn from perspectives other than their own. They wish to raise their children in "closed" sometimes "Anglo only" environments, exposing them as little as possible to the "corrupting" influences of the outside world. Indeed, by isolating their children this way, they pass on their intolerance to their progeny. Music and art to the Christian right must conform to their biblical beliefs. For example, lyrics or art labeled "pornographic," films and/or books that accept, not necessarily promote, homosexuality as an alternative life style are condemned as corrupting influences on youth. The Christian right, almost gratuitously makes homosexuality a rallying point, a way to raise "true believers" in thoughtless, easy condemnation. They readily claim that the country is run by homosexuals and blame them for numerous social ills. To many of the Christian right, AIDS represents God's punishment of homosexuals.

THEIR HATRED ONLY MEANS that they do not understand the true meanings of the bible that they are so fond of quoting and that THEIR attitude can only mean one thing. THAT according to their religion, their behaviour and hatred condemns them and that THEY WILL GO TO THE HELL THAT THEY WISH ON EVERYONE ELSE.

Answer 7

It is a way to make members fear even thinking that another religion could possibly be right, and it works great, look at all the scared Christians not even glancing at what Satanicism and Wiccan actually are.

Answer 8

Sometimes being afraid of something can actually save your life. If someone tried to push you off a cliff, not only would you probably come close to wetting yourself, but you would more than likely fight for your life.

Because the rebellion of one man brought a sentence of death upon all his descendants, (us, we, you) God, in His deep love, sent Jesus to pay the price for that rebellion through His own death so that those who accepted His personal sacrifice could have the sentence of death revoked from their lives...and then be washed clean from any wrong-doing through forgiveness. That's what "salvation" through Jesus Christ is.

The "cliff" in this case is the undeniable sentence over every person's life. Death is what awaits over the edge. Salvation gives us the opportunity to fight for our lives. If fear causes you to fight for your life instead of voluntarily falling off the cliff, then it was not a wasted thing.

Answer 9

It is spreading the truth out of love for you so that you will be prepared for the events that may take place in your life. If we said nothing and allowed you to go to that nasty place... we would be guilty and your blood will be on our heads for the truth we knew but did not share it with others.

Answer 10

It doesn't cause fear without giving a person reassurance of salvation in the same way it doesn't make that person believe without giving them the faith that it takes to repent and be forgiven.

Answer 11

Because this is good news. It brings hope and eternal life. It only brings fear if someone rejects Christ as their Lord and Savior.