Recently in conversation with an nice man, I heard the phrase, "God fearing man". Why would man fear the one they choose to name Divine? For me, this is another representation of blind control, obedience.
2007-07-25 14:07:00 · 20 answers · asked by butterflimoon 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you all for your comments. I found this phrase curious.
One answer I do not understand...why "TROLL"?
2007-07-25 14:17:07 · update #1
Christianity is a religion based on the fear of its followers. Fear of God's wrath. Fear of satan. Fear of sin. Fear of death. Fear of hell. Fear of not going to heaven. Fear is how people become Christian. They are afraid of what is after this life and of why they are here. Christianity if followed correctly comforts those fears. If they are a good Christian then they have nothing to worry about.
When someone uses that phrase they usually mean that they fear and respect God as any good Christian should. Fear and religion go hand in hand for some people.
2007-07-25 14:25:54 · answer #1 · answered by peace_by_moonlight 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I believe, like the other answers, this phrase is meant as a sign of respect, like a child with a parent (kept me from doing A LOT of things as a teenager).
However, no one should have fear but reverence for their divine being/gods/godesses. To me, personally, I would much rather have the respect and love that I have for my goddesses than fear them.
2007-07-26 01:30:45 · answer #2 · answered by ambr95012 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The phrase is meant to mean that a person fears God in a similar way to a child fearing a parent. It doesn't mean that they are necessarily scared all of the time. Instead it means that they are respectful enough to fear that they may dissapoint their parent or be punished for breaking the rules.
2007-07-25 21:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by JoseCuervo 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was brought up on phrases like this. For us growing up, if you were God fearing , you were sufficiently afraid of the Father God that doing something wrong wasn't even an option because this guy had no sense of compassion or softness or mercy and if you did something wrong, he would yell and scream and hit and you had better fear him or your behind was going straight to hell.
that's the Lutherans for you. Thank the Goddess for the pagans
BB,
LM
2007-07-25 23:57:35 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Morgana 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Fear. God supposedly will put you in hell for all eternity simply because you grew up in the wrong culture. Obviously, IF a god exists, he should be feared because of his large control over our future lives. Luckily, there isn't any evidence for a god, and a lot of evidence against one! You don't have to worry!
2007-07-25 22:05:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
fear (fîr)
n.
1.
a. A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger.
b. A state or condition marked by this feeling: living in fear.
2. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension: a fear of looking foolish.
3. Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power.
4. A reason for dread or apprehension: Being alone is my greatest fear.
It is generally accepted the 3rd definition is correct when referring to the fear of God
2007-07-25 21:12:33 · answer #6 · answered by melissa 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
There aren't too many God-fearing people around anymore. Since God is all powerful, it would be wise to fear Him since He could cut our lives short at any moment. However, in our sinful human nature, we pridefully refuse to fear Him. Our loss. We also miss out on a lot of blessings as a result. The whole idea of "blind control" is ridiculous. People choose their master.
2007-07-25 21:17:02 · answer #7 · answered by Cee T 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I too, have always had a hard time understanding that one. They pray to God the Father. I have never "feared my father", I have respected him, loved him, but never FEARED him. So why should we FEAR God, the BEST father anyone could ever hope for? WE are NOT supposed to fear the ones who LOVE us, we are supposed to love and respect them.
Raji the Green Witch
2007-07-25 22:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by Raji the Green Witch 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom".
A healthy fear of God is a good thing.
"It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God".
Just as a certain "fear" of parents is healthy for children.
'Fear' can have many connotations to different people. To me it means 'respect'.
2007-07-25 21:26:03 · answer #9 · answered by Prof Fruitcake 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it was explaned to me to mean the way a child fears a parents punishment. thats how it was explaned I however personaly feel that you should not fear the divine. that you should love aand respect the divine. that if you obey only out fear then you may as well be a slave who obeys because you dont want to get beaten.
2007-07-25 21:11:00 · answer #10 · answered by slo18 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋