Why do western religions use fear to convert people?

Question

This is a western, monotheistic trait that doesn't really come up in eastern relgions. Granted, buddhism promises hell for the wrong life and hinduism has something simular, but either way, is fear used too much to convert people?

Answer 1

The Old Testament is so filled with threats and warnings that many Christian beliefs seem to rely upon it completely. The dire warnings..."the Lord, thy God, is a jealous God"...and the stories of God insisting someone kill his son to prove love...things like that are completely out of whack. I'm afraid I would go straight to Hell if I were told something like that, because nothing could make me do such a thing, even if they were just testing me.

Remember, if Jesus tells us to "love each other," he certainly will do the same thing. There will be no violence, no anger, no bloodshed, none of the threatening idiocies promised by some religious groups. Just love God, love Jesus, try to love your neighbors, don't judge others, behave yourself, honor your parents, respect your elders (and each other) and don't give in to greed and the love of money.

It's so simple, and one doesn't have to live with fear. That's what George Bush peddles, remember, and certainly faith should not be composed of the same thing.

Answer 2

Judaism is monotheistic, and doesn't even seek out converts. Judaism believes that peoples of all nations, of all religions, and of all cultures all over the world have a place in the World To Come by following the 7 Universal Laws, otherwise known as the 7 Noahide Laws.

By these paths a person becomes righteous and creates a just, fair, compassionate society, and thus merits a place in the World To Come. These laws are found in every society all over the world already, and as far back as Sumer.

Therefore, there is no reason to go out and try to convert anyone to Judaism. By the same token , this is why Christians are mistaken in believing that they need to be "grafted in" in order to have a place in the World To Come. Not only is that not possible, but it is not even necessary. It's a false teaching by the churches.

These laws, or pathways of the 7 Noahide Laws, are:
1. Do not murder
2. Do not steal
3. Do not commit adultery
4. Do not commit idolatry
5. Do not curse God
6. Do not tear the limb from a living animal to eat (prohibition against cruelty to animals)
7. Do establish courts of law to set up fair and just societies.
http://www.noahide.org

And then there is also the one I like to add, which was NOT at all a "new commandment" as Jesus supposedly said in the New Testament, and that is to Love Your Neighbor. Found in Leviticus 19:18 LONG before Jesus.

But anyway, I guess the reason that Judaism doesn't go out seeking converts but instead believes that anyone of any culture can be righteous, is because it really isn't a "Western" religion, but was born in the East and still remains there after over 4000 years, and retains its Eastern character even though Jews live all over the world.

Judaism does accept converts if THEY choose to come to a Rabbi and say they would like to convert. But they must go through a very rigorous process, and are generally refused several times first.

People are always surprised to learn that Judaism is nothing like Christianity. No burning in eternal hell, Judaism has reincarnation instead (traditional, Orthodox Judaism I mean), hell is a place of burning off our blemishes we have caused our souls in our previous lifetime and then we leave that place. We have no concept of Original Sin (a christian twisted interpretation of Genesis), no belief that we are born filthy like rags, but rather that we are all born with clean pure souls, and that we choose our path every step of our lives, etc.

Really there isn't hardly anything that is the same between Christianity and Judaism. If you are interested in learning the differences, please check these links out:

http://www.jewfaq.org/toc.htm

As for the real messiah, how he is born, what he is supposed to do, and when:

http://www.aish.com/spirituality/philoso...

http://www.messiahtruth.com/response.htm...

http://ohr.edu/ask/ask00j.htm

http://shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/html/fa...

http://www.beingjewish.com/toshuv/whynot...

http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=1...

http://www.jewsforjudaism.com

Answer 3

Jesus talked more about Hell than he did about Heaven, so you can blame him for it.

Western religions have a strong sense of justice and honor running through it. That is not saying that you don't find these same things in Eastern thought (consider the importance the Japanese place on saving "face"), but often the emphasis is different. Buddhism, for example, has no concept of "sin" per se, because there is no main deity to dishonor or offend.

Answer 4

I think its stupid to use fear to convert. It turns many people off and understandbly so. Like Catholics used it back in the day but not as much anymore. I think a religion that practices love shouldn't preach fear. I think that is an outdated tool that needs to be refined and I feel slowly is.

Answer 5

Your statement is incorrect. Fear is a natural response to some frightening outside stimulus. People practicing easter religions also have fear and to some extent they instill more fear in their followers.. I am from the east, so I know what I am talking about. I am from India and have seen Hinduism up close.

If you are talking about Christianity, it doesn't use fear to convert people. It is just giving facts about hell and eternal condemnation which naturally will cause fear in the minds of people (and it should). Let me ask you this question - Why do advocates against drunk driving use fear to keep people from driving while intoxicated?? Is it not a fact that drunk driving can kill you and others? So you see, it is just a natural response that people will have fear... not because people want to cause fear. But to some extent don't you think it is good for people to be afraid of drunk driving... If you don't think so, email me and I will forward you a picture of drunk driving accident and it will change your mind and make your stomach churn...

However, I believe no one should convert to a Christian out of pure fear alone, but out of the knowledge of God's love. Christianity should be about obedience to God and responding to His love....

Answer 6

It's the carrot or the stick approach. If your good you get heaven bad hell. It's been that way for religious types for centuries. Face it fear works watch the Bush administration in action for a good example.

Answer 7

Are you sure there's no eastern religions that use fear in conversion? I can think of a few groups or countries that send the message "be a part of this religion or die or go to jail."

Answer 8

I don't think that Christians (that's who we're talking about, right? I don't see Jews or Muslims trying to convert anyone) try to base their acts on fear.
Their goal is to save your soul. But what they believe happens to you if you don't believe in Jesus is a scary thing, and that has to be explained somehow.
I think they'd prefer you choose to believe despite what could happen to you if you don't-- that's a more true way of believing.
(And, off topic, sorry... that's my issue with Christianity as it is observed today. I feel like a lot of 'Christians' are Christians just in case they go to Hell otherwise)

Answer 9

It takes the least amount of work. In todays fast paced society we cut through the bull and get to the heart of the matter. We need believers, and the fastest and most assured way to gain them is to put the fear of death in people.

Answer 10

I did not convert out of fear, but out of Love.

You cannot force anyone to believe in something.

Peace be with you!