a question for all christians?

Question

ok, so i have heard this alot lately "well if i am wrong no harm done. but if you are wrong, your going to hell. do you wanna take that chance?"


first off, what happens if the mormons are right? how about if the jews are right?? you will still go to hell. what happens if the muslims are right, or one of the denominations of christianity that doesnt follow the same guidelines of you is right??

ultimately there is too much variety in religion for you to say that. and to say or believe that is against what your god wants.

having a religion as a back up plan is just ignorant, to say well i dont really know if its true, but hey i love you god and let me go to heaven if its there.


ok so thats the preface, and heres the question.

why do so many christians use the threat of hell to try and convert people??

some christians use jesus' endless love to do it. but on here most just tell us we are going to hell BUT jesus still loves us.

so why do you try and scare to convert

FYI I was raised christian but I am now wiccan.

and its a lil rant, but yes i do have those questions. but they are more meant to make YOU think than me.

Demosthenes

Answer 1

As far as all the different religions are concerned, to an extent they are all correct, and all necessary in order to steer us toward that inescapable final scene . All religions believe their morals, humanity,and loyalty to their GOD is what is at stake in their struggles of life. They feel they must show resolve and sacrifices in order to prove their soul has matured and deserves to be more than flesh. The difference in the religions is by design not mistake, all will be given a chance to see the truth no matter what variation they follow.
When the whole truth is reviled all will convert to it, and all will still be accountable for their actions. Each persons status will be determined by their past actions and maturity of their soul.
Therefore the sooner you come to the truth the better for you. As far as hell goes, your creating yours now, with each action you add a stone or take one away, that is if your hell is made of stone..It is not for me to tell anyone they are going to hell, only that it is one possibility, like a fork in the road, their direction is up to them, between them and GOD and nobody else, and when they reach a point of no return, no one knows,but if you wait too long, you may miss the turn.

Answer 2

I don't know why some Christians use the threat of hell as a means to convert people...I've never used it and it apparently doesn't work that well.

I try to live my life as an example and I try not to judge people. I also try to treat everyone equally and I don't look down on people for their beliefs or think that I am better than them because I am a Christian. I believe in GOD and Jesus, as well as Heaven and Hell...but I don't think using Hell as a scare tactic is the best way to do things.

Answer 3

I won't say who is going to hell because I am not the judge. That is God's job, not yours and certainly not mine. You have a lot of "what ifs." Are you seeking answers or just venting?

I can only tell you and am not where I need to be as a Christian but I'm so glad I'm not where I was. Jesus has blessed me in so many ways, it would take up too much space to write it all down.

Remember, you are using the Internet and not all people are who they say they are. Just because someone says they are a Christian, they go to church or were raised in a Christian family doesn't mean they are a follower of Jesus Christ. Just because I stand in a garage and scream "I am a car, I am a car"...doesn't make me one.

I don't use "scare tactics." I only speak the truth.

I hope that helps.

Answer 4

In the earlier days of Christianity, they used terror attacks to convert people. ( can you say *holy wars*?) and that mentality is still around. Things like that never change. I am one of those people that study different religions and never settle on one. I have been Christian and Wiccan, and Eclectic Pagan, and whatever else I was studying at the time. I have heard from Islamic, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, and many others.

No one does the love me or die thing quite like the Christians, but the reason is simple. Their parents/pastors/grandparents taught them that. Also the best bet is that they go to a church that has hellfire and brimstone coming from the pulpit.

I think, if I were to "convert" someone, I would just simply live a happy life and when someone asked me, I would invite them to my church. But I wouldn't convert anyone, so I don't.

Answer 5

You make an unbelievably great point. Using religion as a backup plan is NOT true faith. If a person's foundation is based on that, and not based on a true belief and faith, then it's probably not going to be a solid one. As for your question, I honestly don't know. I don't think scare tactics work, but at the same time, the Word doesn't return void. Maybe it DOES work for people who know they're not living their life the way they should and just need a nudge from someone to make better choices. I was personally brought to Jesus through the stories of love and have remained because I have seen what He's done for me in my life. Nice question, and nicely put. :)

Answer 6

Well as a Christian, I believe that Hell is a real lace and in fact Jesus teaches about Hell more than any other topics. However, it is not right for Christians to say "you are going to hell" because in fact we do not know who is going to hell because we cannot judge peoples' hearts. Jesus never said "you are going to hell" but as Christians we feel led to make Hell known to people and how we believe they can avoid. Some Christians go over board and come across as very judgemental, I'm sorry if you have experienced this!

Answer 7

If they didn't have fear, all that would be left is a collection of myths and legends. According to the Bible, the earth is flat (Daniel 4:10-11), at least 2 apostles were supposed to see Jesus' second coming (Matthew 16:28), and stars can fall to earth like figs from a tree (Revelation 6:13). Wrong!

Pascal's Wager certainly sounds frightening. Fight back with Homer Simpson's Wager (thanks to user Run James Run):

Homer said: "But Marge, what if we chose the wrong religion? Each week we just make God madder and madder."

Answer 8

A belief in Hell is part of the Christian belief -- at least it is a part of what most denominations believe. As I asked the other day (and this question is still open for you to answer, BTW), why do you consider a belief in Hell to be a personal "threat" aimed at you?

Or put another way, how did we "threaten" you by simply discussing a belief in Hell?

Jesus talked more about Hell than he did about Heaven. It is part of the overall package. We are just being honest. Deal with it.

===edit===

Sorry, my question is now "in voting". You can vote for best answer, though.

Answer 9

Fear is always a viable option to making people mindlessly conform. I always answer like this. If I am wrong, then I will gladly burn in Hell. Because my religion brings me peace and joy, and I refuse to give that up out of fear of persecution. So if I'm wrong you'll know be able to tell it's me in the flames, I'll be the one with the smile on my face. Taking pleasure in the fact that I lived as I was meant to live with no doubts, in perfect love and trust, blessed as blessed can be.

Answer 10

As a Christian Preacher I have never agreed with those that use the threat of Hell as a motivator to accept Christ.
I also do not agree with beating them over the head with the Bible.
Does God love them, yes.
Does Jesus love them, yes.
But I am admonished to be an example of that love.
I am admonished to be an example of Christian living.
I must admit I fail at times.
I ask forgiveness and keep on trying.