The Stockholm Syndrome is a phenomenon exhibitted by hostages who are affectionate and loving towards their captors. It can be explained by how the human brain deals with a great stress. Once a person realizes that there's no escape from the constant fear, it can morph itself into "love".
Similarly, Christians claim that they are motivated by their love towards God, even though the Bible doesn't portray God as very tender, but rather vengeful and cruel. In a sense, Christianity is the culimination of the Stockholm Syndrome, because somehow they managed to convince themselves that their fear of God is really a form of true love.
2007-10-24 04:34:09 · 18 answers · asked by Belzetot 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Fascinating. I think you're on to something, there. Kind of like an abused woman who keeps going back to her batterer, because despite all the evidence to the contrary, she "knows" that he really loves her.
2007-10-24 04:38:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Probably not, for two reasons I can think of:
1. The threat of ultimate punishment was successfully used by the church for centuries to keep believers in line. The church claimed that if a believer pissed off a member of the clergy that clergy could immediately call down death and destruction from on high, Today, even true believers are simply not that naïve.
2. The so called Stockholm effect is an understandable reaction when victims are forced to remain in the company of those considered horrible people. The victim eventually sees a human side to the captor which attenuates the original profound hatred. The victim does not necessarily become affectionate but can become less hostile. It is normal when we learn that even our terrorists are somewhere, somehow, deep down in…human, to an extent.
2007-10-24 11:38:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judgment and Grace
God, tho seen as vengeful, is in actuality just and moral and holy. The Bible "portrays" God as not being tender because the Old Testament stories including the flood, clearing Canaan for Israel (which only involved actually killing 3 cities not all of them, cause the rest fled from the mass of ppl coming) and the exile and the Law.
These are examples of God's justice, not His lack of virtue. When a judge judges someone convicted of murder, no one blames the jury or the court for being cruel.. but for being in the right.
God's JUDGMENT on people through out time are based on their own un-righteousness. No one is perfect. All have sinned, either in their own eyes or in society's or in God's.
But the amazing thing that definitely does not make God cruel or vengeful is His GRACE. He gives people a second chance to admit wrong and to believe in Him. (Now, no one likes to be told that what they are doing is wrong, but its the truth)
The ever classic John 3:16: "God loved the world..." He doesn't hate it or hate ppl. He hates sin. And He cannot have sin in heaven. He made a Way for sinful people like me and you to be in heaven, not by doing good deeds like boy scouts, but by having faith in Him.
It's about conviction and commitment. Not a feeling of love or a sense of fear. The "fear of the Lord" and "love" equate to meaning a dedication. Sadly, most Christians don't commit when they say they do, you can see it in their actions. But as stated before, we are all sinners. Only difference is that Christians will not fear God in the end when judgment comes. Because after death, where are you going?
2007-10-24 04:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then I suppose, according to your theory, that every child is a victim of the Stockholm Syndrome, for God is most often "portrayed" as a father figure.
Perhaps you are seeing through the lens of your own victimization by your parents? I have no idea.
I truly love God, I have no fear of going to hell, I have no fear of doing something "bad". I have the same fear that every child has that they might disappoint their parent, and that's about it. I've no wish to disappoint the One I love.
2007-10-24 04:44:02 · answer #4 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You error in your description of God. The cruelty you are reading in scripture is actually the cruelty of man and his evil heart. God's great love is demonstrated by his faithful nurture of grace through out the pages of scripture.
What seems like harsh judgment for some is actually greater mercy for the whole earth. Such as, his scattering of Israel to all the earth is actually mercy to all men. This because he promised Israel that if he scattered them he would also find them and bring them back.
Then to accomplish this task he sent out his preachers to the Jew first, but if the Gentile nations heard as they preached then they too could receive his grace. Thus, the judgment was not for evil but for good.
And all who call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
2007-10-24 04:54:15 · answer #5 · answered by Bobby B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's even more evil than that, Christianity also cons the gullible into believing they will live forever, if they swallow this bull.
Some deal: ---you can save yourself from eternal suffering and live forever, and all you need is a little self-deception.
And the bonus is: --the sky fairy will solve all your problems while you wait to cash in.
Quick.---Where do I sign up for this covenant thingy.---I can't wait to get all my free stuff.
I need to get in line right away. ---Those other guys have been in line for 2000 years, and his " chosen people " had to roam around the desert for 40 years, and then fight every Arab in the middle east.
I sure hope he has softened the entrance requirements a bit.
2007-10-24 09:54:54 · answer #6 · answered by big j 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eh, I believe my view of God is of the benevolent God. God is engaged but certainly not vengeful. Bad s h i t happens not because God hates us or wants to hurt us but rather to help us grow as human beings and to strengthen faith by testing it. Bad s h i t builds character. You'll recognize this if you've ever been camping.
That's just my view though.
2007-10-24 04:44:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Absolutely! They fear the wrath of their God.
2007-10-24 04:37:03 · answer #8 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Wow! Excellent question!
Yes, that's one of the only ways anyone could defend such a brutal, abusive god.
2007-10-24 04:39:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋
Yawn.....................................................
you are getting really booooooooring...
pick on Buddhists, Jews and Muslims next, I can not wait... a lot of paydirt there for you...
BTW, brilliant deduction... I am in awe of your towering intellect...
christian bashing=last acceptable form of bigotry
2007-10-24 04:41:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋