I think the media has blown something out of preportion...?

Question

I have heard on here time and time again, that Christians tell people ALL the time "You are going to burn in hell if you do not believe"...someone even said missionaries say this to small children.
I have never ever said this to anyone, no one I know has ever said it to anyone. I also have read a lot of answers on here and VERY seldom have I heard this. When I have the person is rude and most likely a troll.
Does the media give people this perception? Do I just live somewhere where people don't say it?
Have you actually had many Christians say this to you?

Tartu: What is wrong with my spelling and sentence structure?

Skeleton: Do you really find people saying that "Jesus is the only way to save your soul" the same as "you are going to burn in hell"?

People believe it is their "duty' to tell others about Jesus. I myself am not one to preach unless someone asks about my faith and then I just honestly tell them my experiences.
Some Atheists I have met feel it is their "duty" to tell Christians how stupid they are to believe what they do...then turn around and are offended when the Christian tells them what they believe is the truth.

Answer 1

I am a Christian.

Long ago I played Dungeons and Dragons. It’s a fun game with a bad rep. I tried to debate Christians over whether it was Satanically inspired or just a way for friends to pass the evening while learning a great deal about themselves and each other. It was futile.

There was always an example of some kid who hid in the sewers or attacked school mates because of some delusional D&D fantasy.

I came to realize that there are certain activities and gatherings that simply attract nut-jobs. (Yes, that’s a technical term! :-)

It’s no different in Christianity (or maybe any other active belief system.) I’ve heard more than one pastor say, essentially, that if there is a wacko anywhere within a hundred miles, they sooner or later show up. Of course, they don’t stay long, because such personalities are unstable. Unfortunately, these tend to be the visible (and even confrontational) ones, and the entire body gets cast in an unpleasant light.

You say you’ve been approached three times? Six times? Maybe even a dozen times? According to the last census, more than a quarter of the U.S. population is Catholic, and nearly one fifth is Baptist. That’s from a population of 300 MILLION. So at least 59,999,988 Baptists haven’t knocked on your door yet.

I deeply regret that you’ve been so horribly inconvenienced by our outcasts. Perhaps if you could offer them a shining example of the peace, love and joy in your life without God…

I know of at least three car dealers who don’t tell the truth, cheat on income statements, and “doctor” vehicles so they’ll perform at least until they’re sold, I still drive.

I know two doctors personally who have misdiagnosed some pretty serious conditions. One, in my opinion, shouldn’t even be in practice. Still, when I need medical help, I go see a doctor.

Anybody ever heard of an unscrupulous lawyer? Yet we still have a court system.

Let’s be real people. The news media doesn’t report the common or the mundane. It reports NEWS, the stuff that’s out of the ordinary. The day it becomes news that four people did NOT get mugged in L.A., that’s when I start to worry.


PS to Beverly and the other Christians who will read this:

Remember that no matter what they say, they are not against you personally. Our Savior warned in John 15 that they hate “for my name’s sake”. Everyone knows in their hearts where the real power lies. Nobody has ever mashed his finger with a hammer and cried out "Buddha dammit!"

Answer 2

I don't remember every being told directly face to face that I was going to "burn in hell" for not believing, etc.. I can, however, picture a large number of times that I have heard that type of statement come from TV preachers (not all though)... and also have seen that idea come across in many TV shows and movies (which I believe is where 95% of people see/hear it and then somehow convince themselves they've actually had it happen to them).

I will admit, I have known some fellow Christians that have thought that way about non-believers (the going to hell idea) but those particular people didn't go around and say "You're going to hell".. they would be more apt to say in private to another Christian "I believe so-and-so is going to go to hell if he doesn't learn the truth".. etc.

While I am sure that there are Christians that do act that way... telling people outright that they're evil or going to hell, etc etc.. I think that is actually a very low percentage of Christians and that it probably, more often than not, happens in certain areas where you get a congregation that believes that.. but then it's probably 1 out of 100 congregations that has any beliefs like that.

I personally do think that the media (being movies/tv shows... not 'news')... that does make this appear like a much bigger thing than it actually is... same as in movies/tv you will more often than not see terrorists being from certain countries.. even though it's not necessarily true.. :)

Anywhoooo....

Answer 3

Three times I was told this to my face.

The first time was many years ago, a friend and I were talking about her religion (Pentecostal I believe). I asked something along the lines of, "so, assuming that heaven and hell exist, do you believe that even if I am a good person, I will go to hell?"

And her reply was "I am sorry to say it. But, yes."

It was actually a nice friendly exchange of ideas until her husband came home and started screaming at me :p

The second time was another friend who basically told me the same thing (I did not ask that time), and that it made her sad that I was "lost" (sigh)

The third time, I was screamed at while visiting Washington's Mount Vernon in VA. This lady comes up, hands me a piece of paper. I took it, saw it was a religious tract, and handed it back with a polite "No thanks". At which point she started screaming at me that the end was near, I would go to hell and would be sorry... My kids were there as well, which was a nice object lesson.

As far as media is concerned, my mind is a bit overloaded from watching Jesus Camp. The message in that was crystal clear and highly disturbing. In mainstream media though, I do not encounter it often.

Edit: webbeagle, where's the sarcasm coming from? Beverly didn't ask if this was indicitiive of Chrisitans on a whole, only if it has ever happened to people personally and if we've seen it in the media. If the question had been asked, I would have said no, that it was merely a wacko in a park who'd lost touch with her sense of the proper time and place for things, and two friends who care about me and show it in their own way.

That day at Mt Vernon for example, I was showing an example of the peace, joy and love that I have in my life. I was with my kids, whom I homeschool, and my husband, whom I've been married to for 16 years. We were smiling and enjoying our company together. And, when I was handed something I didn't want, I didn't burn it, or scream at her, or throw it at her. I was polite to her. If that is not an example of peace and love and joy, I don't know what is.

Beverly asked a question, and I gave her my truthful, and yet not angry or sarcastic answer.

Answer 4

Before I received Christ, I never had a person tell me I was going to burn in Hell. Nor have I ever told anybody I was witnessing to that. I dont think it is only where you live. I dont think true Christians try to scare people into believing. It may be sterotyping Christians. The media seldom reports the good that Christians do. They seem to focus on when a Chrstian falls. I guess the secular world prefers to hear the bad instead of the good.

Answer 5

Stop looking the scoop. Then you'll be able to fully grasp how overblown it's. The constant flu kills hundreds and hundreds of countless numbers a yr. 32,000 humans died in America from the constant flu in 2008. Think approximately that. This is blown method out of praportion however the media desires it. They wish humans to panic. Most of this madness can also be traced to them besides. I'd be extra involved approximately the humans who do not manage paranioa snapping. I've watched it occur.

Answer 6

I've been around a LOT of Christians and I have never ever heard one say that to anyone around me or to me... and I wasnt a Christian til I hit my 30's....

now, the thought that the media has blown something out of proportion...ah, yeah... like most all their news perhaps.... they get on one side of an issue and makes that the 'draw' for their news.... not ever give a whole picture!

wait a second, I do recall someone telling my husband that he was now going to hell because he left the catholic church to be born again in Christ and follow Jesus alone... yeah, that was his mom, my mother in law.... but she says she isnt a christian, she is catholic

Answer 7

Telling someone something like that is a method of manipulation, coersion and control. Some people want other people to act and believe as they do, so they tell them they are "evil" or "bad" or "wrong" if they don't conform to certain ways.

We are all influenced by others when we are young, parents, teachers, clergy, the police, etc. They all tell you things from their perspective to get you to act, be and believe they way they want you to. The media is no different, it is controlled by the governement, and they want to control your actions and your thoughts, as well.

I've been told many things by "Christians"; when they tell me these things, I do not see or feel the love in their hearts and voices, only condemnation and persecution for the differences in my beliefs from theirs. Think for yourself, let the hypocrites go their own way. Choose your own path.

Answer 8

Most Christians don't go around saying this kind of thing, but I do think the so called Born Again Christians think it is their responsibility to tell everyone else they are going to hell and that they need to worship the "true" Jesus. Yawn.

Answer 9

Actually I have had many people say this. My own grandmother told me that. She said that anyone that wasn't Christian was going to burn in hell. When I asked if Jewish people were going to burn in hell too she said yes. She said that is why all Jewish people have been converting to Christianity. Now I don't believe it but I have heard this many times. I even had one person that called me on the phone and said they would pray for my family and if we weren't Christian we would burn in hell.

Hugs

Answer 10

It's only said when the evangelical is frustrated and doesn't know his interlocutor very well. Even the most fervent believers usually have some tact. I have had discussions with a Baptist friend who was very concerned about my salvation because my church approached the issue differently.