no it's not. If you became a Christian because you're afraid of a God who's going to torture you in hell for all eternity then that's not faith. Think about that and ponder that . How can you love someone who is threatening to torture you for all eternity? It's impossible. Just admit the fact that you are afraid of being tortured so you became a Christian because of your fear of going to hell. There is no other reason to become a Christian.
2007-04-24 19:20:19 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I did not choose to believe through faith because of a fear of hell and torture. Neither did anyone say this to me ever. There are many reasons to be a Christian, but if you are not one, there is nothing I can say to explain that to you.
I would be a Christian by FAITH even if there were no promise of heaven in the end.
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg
2007-04-24 19:27:29 · answer #1 · answered by Dust in the Wind 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith is not based on fear. A person may hope because of fear but not believe because of it. Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. You may not believe this, but your not believing doesn't cause your belief to be true.
I did not come from a religious family. No one went to church. I became a Christian because God revealed to me that He existed and that Jesus was His son.
I became a Catholic Christian because Jesus talked to me and told me that He is the Blessed Eucharist. You may say that I must be crazy but I worked as a psych RN for over 20 years and know that I was not having delusions or hallucinations. I also know that millions of Christians have had similar experiences.
Let me ask you a question. Why do you care what Christian's believe? Why all the emotion? If all the Christians beliefs were because of an underlying fear, what is that to you? Just ignore us. Is your anger toward Christians due to an underlying fear that we know the truth?
There is nothing to fear. God loves you and Jesus died for you. God does not threaten us with Hell anymore than the mechanic does who tells us that if we don't change the oil in your car every 3000 miles, that the engine won't last as long.That's the way the car is designed and what the qualities of oil dictate.
God designed the universe, both the physical and the spiritual aspects of it. He tells us what to do to go to Heaven after the body dies. He no more desires us to go to Hell than He desires that we walk of the edge of a 3000 foot cliff. Still, if a person stubbornly decides to walk off of a 3000 foot cliff, his body will die when it hits the bottom. Likewise, if a person stubbornly decides to not follow His instructions to get to Heaven, it's no one's fault but his own. He can't blame God.
2007-04-25 02:51:46 · answer #2 · answered by Smartassawhip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You miss several things.
1) Fearing God means that you are beginning to believe what He says. That's why it's called the beginning of wisdom.
2) Trusting what God says and understanding that Jesus was sent so that you will be at peace with Him, is the point!
3) Those that are at peace with God won't be threatened with torment.
4) It's possible, just admit it, that you don't get it, until maybe now!
5) You don't know God. Otherwise you wouldn't be thinking that there is a reason to focus on Hell.
We are left with no other reason to fear Hell. Rather we are left with no other reason than to love God, because He has separated us from those who will not be there with Him.
You have to understand what it is that I just said, or you are just not being practical.
2007-04-25 02:45:55 · answer #3 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ye of little faith is telling us of true faith where our faith came from? Wow! FYI: There's no reason NOT to be a christian. We are christians because God first loved us and shared that love with us = Jesus. Thru Jesus, we now know the love, joy and peace that ye of little faith cannot possibly understand. God is not a threatening God, but a God of love and warning, so that we will follow the right path to eternal heaven with Him. You do not know because you are ignorant of truth that is in Jesus. Read His Word. We are not afraid of a place where we will not be in our future. God bless.
2007-04-25 02:33:56 · answer #4 · answered by connie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think faith is based on fear at all but on love. But ultimately we must accept God's terms of forgiveness for our rebellion against Him to be able to spend eternity with Him, and really, those terms aren't bad at all--we just have to make Him the center of our life instead of living selfishly.
If we refuse God's offer of forgiveness of our sins through Jesus, since He can't allow sin in His presence, He has no choice but to send us to hell. It's not His fault that we reject His terms of forgiveness. We have absolutely nobody to blame if we reject Him. If we go to hell, it's because of the choice we have made, not because God is not loving.
What if God were to let everyone into heaven and just forget about their sin no matter if they were sorry or not? THAT would be the ultimate injustice. What if murderers and rapists and child molesters were just let off for free regardless of whether they were sorry? If a judge did that on Earth, we would have them strung up for letting hardcore criminals literally get away with murder. And we expect a just God to do that? That would be an absolute travesty of justice. Who would want to be with a God who was so callous toward victims?
2007-04-26 06:39:54 · answer #5 · answered by Pastor Chad from JesusFreak.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think about hell. I dont love God because I feel I will go to hell if I dont believe. I have godly fear, like i do of my own dad. Because I know my dad loves me and I dont want to make him angry because I know he wants the best for me and I know my dad is wise and I wanna show him love with respect. I know that I would have to do something really bad to make him angry and if I do Im going to say sorry and make sure were ok again. The same with God. You shouldnt worry about hell. Dont come to God because of hell, but because you believe He is telling you truth and wants the best for you. God is patient wanting you to come to repentance. If you dont and you want to be a runaway then you are free not to live home but the streets. The streets have a hard life and you dont have protection from your heavenly Father. Apart from Him you are going to die and be forever apart as you wanted. The streets you chose is like Las Vegas, looking good on the outside but inside they just want your money and will do whatever it takes. And you will have trouble when you make Las Vegas a lifestyle. If you can, leave your old life of self-righteousness, pride, doubt, hate, jealousy etc. (this is repentance), and come home to the Lord where your family has open arms and forgives you no matter what you did.......hope my analogies are understood, God bless.
2007-04-25 02:37:02 · answer #6 · answered by Ms DeeAnn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is a legitimate fear. In that case a faith conviction based on what you believe to be true would be not only logical but commendable according to Scripture. "Fear of God" is the beginning of wisdom. This means awed more than scared or afraid. Anyone who tries to terrorize or frighten you does not understand God's mercy and love.
2007-04-25 02:36:32 · answer #7 · answered by reasonfaith 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not to burst your bubble, but I believe in God and I have faith in Him because He loves me enough to send His Son to die for me. I don't fear Hell, because Jesus has paid that price. I didn't accept Christ as Savior because I was afraid of going to hell, and you're right, that's not much of a reason to believe in Him. I accepted Him because He loved me and died for me, and rose again so that I could live with Him and The Father in Heaven. Yes, there was the threat of Hell and punishment, but once Jesus was cruicfied, and then when He rose from the dead, it was all about Grace.
2007-04-25 02:35:58 · answer #8 · answered by Steve 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
>> There is no other reason to become a Christian. <<
Religion my friend is about transforming your mind in a positive way. This is why Christians are taught things like love and compassion.
Wouldn't you say those are two pretty good reasons to be a Christian (and I'm sure we could think of other good reasons)?
Don't be afraid to give people credit where they deserve it. Otherwise you're the one that looks/becomes dogmatic.
2007-04-25 02:31:20 · answer #9 · answered by Bad Buddhist 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is not true. I became a Christian because God revealed Himself and His love to me through Jesus. I was more afraid of life than death. And you would do well to admit that you are afraid, because those who accuse and judge others of something are trying to cover their own guilt or fear.
2007-04-25 02:45:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋