hey i did my confirmation last night. anyway we wont go t hell no matter what these yahoo freaks say, as long as your truly sorry for all your sins
2007-05-13 01:31:45
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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I think a good number of Christians stay out of fear, and I think throughout history there were far more. When the only Christianity was the Catholic church, and it claimed to have the power to save or condemn (through confession and absolution versus excommunication), certainly many, many people were controlled by fear more than by love.
That is less the case today, when there are many different denominations, and giving up one does not mean giving up Jesus or the concept of being a Christian. Still, fear is an issue to most Christians at some time in their lives, unless they just never do commit anything other than small, forgivable sins.
In my own case, logic overcame fear. I decided that if God was the sort who really would send me to hell because I gave in to my boyfriend's pestering one Saturday night, then I didn't want to worship him, I wanted to rebel against him.
Later I concluded that there were other ways to interpret metaphysical truth, and became a pagan priestess -- a witch, if you will.
2007-05-13 01:38:23
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answer #2
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answered by auntb93 7
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Hostages are not the same thing as sinners. Hostages are required to lie, sinners are required only to tell the truth. Those who do not think they have ever sinned, have never cheated, lied, stolen, been hateful or violent, been jealous or bitter, been lazy or irresponsible, i.e. have always treated others as they would like to be treated themselves, need have no fear. They can excuse themselves from God's command to repent, to admit the truth. Everyone else can take note of Jesus' warning that the eternal bad conscience is much worse than any pain that the body can inflict on us.
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2007-05-13 01:59:20
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answer #3
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answered by miller 5
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Hell is a state of mind and existance devoid of the presence of God. Heaven is a state of mind and existance in the presence of God. Love or Fear, these are the universal choices.
PS, originally the term 'hell' referred to a burning garbage heap outside the city. It was always smouldering.
You CAN go to hell, but you have to really really want to and work really really hard to get there. Not all Christians believe in the fundamentalists interpretation of the Bible. They have a narrow view. We take a broader perspective, taking into account the historic times in which the scripture was written.
If your spirit is telling you that something is 'wrong' with fundies beliefs, then dig deeper until you find what feels right. Don't let them deprive you of a relationship with God because of their well meaning ignorance of spiritual writings.
2007-05-13 03:03:36
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answer #4
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answered by Fancy That 6
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You hang out here enough to know that there are Christians that are Christians out of fear.
They really do believe that this is a good argument, which clearly points out that it is true for a big chunk of them. How many times a day do you see Pascal's Wager or some variation of it. I bet it is at least once an hour. I saw it three questions in a row a few months back. Us atheists turning it into a drinking game has cut it down a little, but even mocking them doesn't stop them from saying it.
2007-05-13 01:40:29
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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A true Christian is one who knows Jesus and accepts Him as Lord, anyone who is simply a church goer out out of fear but has not encountered Jesus in a real and meaningful relationship is probably not a true Christian. God does not demand fear as you would define it. A Holy reverence, and an awestruck respect would be a better definition and comes from knowing and loving God through Jesus.
2007-05-13 04:36:01
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answer #6
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answered by good tree 6
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Christians don't have to fear Hell. Atheists don't believe in Hell. I don't see where any threat would be.
If you're saying that Christians are God's hostages, then I'm not sure how Hell would be a rescue of any sort.
2007-05-13 02:23:22
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answer #7
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answered by ccrider 7
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You haven't been to the American South obviously, where preachers threaten the parishioners with Hell fire if they do not believe. This is not God, this is man who lusts for power and more-so, to be RIGHT, that presents God in this way. And it is scary to a young person. I used to cry in church, because I would hear this kind of sermon. But I never broke down and went along with it. I was baptized but in a church who preached God's love. I finally admitted defeat and no longer consider myself Christian though I know there is a Divine force in the Universe. Let's say I moved BEYOND the Christian way of looking at it, to a larger, more powerful 'God' that loves.
2007-05-13 01:36:04
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Hi Angela,
Happy Mother's Day!!
Two things that come to mind:
One being that fear of God is construed, I believe, as respect God. Respect is a major factor in Love. How can you Love someone if you can't show respect to that Person?
Two being that I heard, to paraphrase, "Religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell. Spirituality is for those who have been there."
One more thing, Jesus' message, as with Buddha, Mohammad and All those with a message of Peace and Love, is one of our Creator.
Namaste
Peace and Love
Hugs and Kisses
Alan
2007-05-13 02:25:13
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answer #9
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answered by digilook 2
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Hi Angela,
It may interest you to know that there are hells in Buddhism as well. The difference being that they are not permanent.
It is said that the kindest Boddhisattvas are to be found in hell. In other words, if you won't listen any other way, then you sure as hell will here!!!! (Sorry couldn't resist it).
But yes, your Karma can lead you into one of the hells, you clean it up because you have no choice and off you go. . .
And who is to say that some hells are not right here? People can be born into monstrous suffering right here on this planet.
Never, as far as I know, is hell used as threat to 'keep people in order'. It is just acknowledged that the hells exist as places, not of punishment, but of cleansing.
XX
Jon C
2007-05-13 02:44:28
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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Sounds like you have a fear of ending up in hell,
while hiding behind your self important facade.
Or else you wouldn't be asking these questions!
Just calling a spade a spade!
You know "Nothing" about God,
You don't even have a clue!
2007-05-13 20:12:16
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answer #11
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answered by Anonymous
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