I have heard so many times from various Christians that I must believe in this or that to go to heaven or avoid hell.
What about telling me how by following your particular religion I will be a better person, a more productive member of society, and happier.
Maybe your message would come across better that instead of tempting me damming me with something I cannot relate to that you give me something real and tangible.
I have never met a person that changed their beliefs because of what would happen to them in death, but I have met many that changed because they were happier and better people than they were before.
2007-07-01 16:57:28 · 14 answers · asked by Gamla Joe 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because no one knows what happens so it's easy for them to make it all up.
2007-07-01 17:00:12 · answer #1 · answered by Infamous Twit 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
The reason Christians 'fixate' on death is, in fact, extremely logical.
Death is life, to Christians. We don't truly die, we are 'reborn' in heaven. If you know anything about Christianity, heaven is eternal happiness.
Let's make this simple- to a Christian, if you die and are a true Christian, you go to Heaven with God and live happily forever. If you aren't, you die and go to hell and suffer for what seems like ever... and then you no longer exist. This is actually Christianity's greatest argument- would you rather live forever happily or suffer forever? Obviously a rhetorical question.
Yes, if you do choose to become a Christian, you will live a happier life, and you will be a 'better' person and such, but life on this planet is fleeting at best- especially when compared to eternity. A fly that lives a single day, compared to a human, has such a short life. This metaphor is nothing compared to what you, as a human, will recieve when you believe in God.
Now, unfortunately, Christians don't always seem to 'phrase' this accurately. Or nobody listens to them long enough to figure out why they're mumbling on about death. That's why the assumption is made that we're all about death... when we're really all about life.
2007-07-02 00:30:07 · answer #2 · answered by Jeremy A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we're just passing through this world, even if we live to be 100 years old, the next life is forever and ever.
We are here to grow toward God, as we were made for Him. We were given 'free will.' Therefore, we get to decide...
By remembering that some day we will die and go to Judgment, this is what keeps us on that straight and narrow path to Heaven. The road to hell is wide.
Christ's message is 'The Good News.' Hope. Most especially in our world today!
2007-07-02 00:24:52 · answer #3 · answered by HereIAmLord 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity has always been founded on fear of the unknown. People have a natural fear of death, so the idea of Heaven and Hell were created in order to help allay people's fears and keep them in line. I believe that this was initially used as a means of social control, and it has since become so deeply imbedded in the religion as to be taken for truth. All you have to do is study religion and history to see that this is true. Throughout the years, anytime that unrest has started, the religious community has been quick to squelch it underfoot with threats of eternal damnation.
Personally, I agree with you that religion would be far more effective if it were "marketted" (for lack of a better word) in a different way, namely as a means of bettering your life and becoming a more productive and likeable member of society. Of course, this would go against centuries of "Biblical teaching", so it is highly unlikely that it will ever happen.
2007-07-02 00:03:18 · answer #4 · answered by Sarah 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I believe it is because a large number of Christians live their lives for the outcome, praying that when they get where they are going, they will be happy. They are so afraid of making a mistake in this life, that they almost can't wait to end the pressure and figure out if they are going to be happy in the next one. I think they missed the lesson on living each day to the fullest and loving life, because it is a gift from their higher power, not a curse.
2007-07-02 00:02:46 · answer #5 · answered by Misa Lynne 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the answer is that religions have taught lies about the condition of the dead, check out these scriptures & see what you think condition of dead
well Jesus was a Jew, & he taught from the scriptures which were the OT he knew what the condition of the
dead was for instance look how he described his good friend Lazirus
(John 11:5) 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Laz´a·rus. . .
(John 11:11-14) 11 He said these things, and after this he said to them: “Laz´a·rus our friend has gone to rest, but I am
journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” 12 Therefore the disciples said to him: “Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well.”
13 Jesus had spoken, however, about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 At that time,
therefore, Jesus said to them outspokenly: “Laz´a·rus has died. . .
(John 11:23-24) . . .Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” 24 Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on
the last day.. . .
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) 5 For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all,
neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.
(Ecclesiastes 3:18-21) . . . I, even I, have said in my heart with regard to the sons of mankind that the [true] God is going to
select them, that they may see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For there is an eventuality as respects the sons of mankind
and an eventuality as respects the beast, and they have the same eventuality. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all
have but one spirit, so that there is no superiority of the man over the beast, for everything is vanity. 20 All are going to one
place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust. 21 Who is there knowing the spirit of the
sons of mankind, whether it is ascending upward; and the spirit of the beast, whether it is descending downward to the earth?
2007-07-02 00:37:52 · answer #6 · answered by zorrro857 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being saved doesn't so much make people more productive or useful in society, it is making ourselves better in God's eyes. What do I need with the adoration of people? What good is it that everyone in the world loves me, when the God of the universe is not on my side?
2007-07-02 18:03:42 · answer #7 · answered by A Gabbi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason why Christians fixate on death is because they think that all the people they like are going to be up in paradice, where they all praise Yahweh, and the people they don't like they damn to hell. It gives them a bit of vindictive pleasure.
In addition, it's their favorite tactic when it comes to converting people. They like trying to implant fear into people by using Hell, and then tell them that if they convert to THEIR religion, they get to go to heaven, as a sort of incentive.
In addition, after death is one of the only places where we have no clue what is going to happen. It's a mystery. So they feel that they can prey on people's lack of knowledge on the subject, and just make things up about what happens after they die.
2007-07-01 23:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
People, in general, fixate on how better things will be in the future.
It's a human trait. Few of us spend any time in the present... and that's kinda the real problem...
2007-07-02 00:06:03 · answer #9 · answered by Bad Buddhist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because you change religions doesn't mean you'll change your attitude towards life. You have to want that change, and make it for yourself.
If you do charity, and give money to poor people, etc. Then you don't have to be Christian, God will see you do the things He commanded and will look favoribly upon that.
2007-07-02 00:01:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because their earthly lives are so horrible. They aren't supposed to enjoy sex, feel proud of themselves, watch secular movies or listen to secular music, or think for themselves. They are constantly reminding themselves that they're "sinners" and competing with each other to see who can be more prudish and uptight; their idea of a good time is spouting catchphrases on Yahoo! Answers...(they can't even come up with original things to say!)
...all in all, a sad, bleak existence, so of course they look forward to the end of it...
2007-07-02 00:03:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋