I call myself a Christian, but only after years of trying to discover why I was a Christian and exploring other religions. What turned me off before was the feeling that too many ppl seemed to focus on fear and "not going to hell" as there reason for being a Christian. They then proceeded to try and convert others by threatening them with hell. My question is: Why do so many Christians seem to believe more in the power of hell and God's wrath than his love and empathy?
2007-12-01 15:25:48 · 74 answers · asked by BoogyBoo 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Indeed. Bravo for an excellent point. If these so-called Christians don't stop intimidating others into their will, without giving a fair choice, the decision at the pearly gates may not go the way they thought.
I say seek everything for the truth. If you are right, it cannot hurt to allow a wider scope to the skeptics.
2007-12-01 15:31:29 · answer #1 · answered by Your Uncle Dodge! 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It started Back before the Protestants Split from the Catholic Church.
The Church was needing Money so they Demonized Pagan Gods to make people convert (Pan the Half Goat Half Human God of Herds became the Universal "Look" of the Devil along with Poseidon's Trident) But that didn't work well enough so the Church decided to Strike fear in the hearts of all men, using Hell of course.
In reality Hell is not a real place.
Just ask the Jews (Remember that the Jews were worshiping God From the time of Moses!) Hell is not real, there is no Lake of Fire, Sheol is the Underworld, literally, The Grave.
After death you Sleep, then at the End you are awakened and judged for your sins. The end.
oh where do the baddies go, you ask?
They go Poof! it's as if they never existed.
2007-12-01 15:37:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bobby The Wolf JPA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm LDS (mormon) . We believe in Hell, but we also believe in the 3 degrees of glory. We believe if you don't get your act together while here on earth, you'll still have some opportunity to do so on "the other side of the veil" (but it's best not to wait) Some people believe God punishes them. We believe he gives us opportunities for spiritual growth. (but just because we believe this, it doesn't mean everyone feels this way). We believe that the 1/3 of the host of heaven that followed Lucifer at the time he was cast out reside in hell. Perhaps those that have lived a less than stellar life will live in the kingdom with the least glory (telestial).
I really don't know and can't say that I care too much. I can only control my actions while here on earth. I'll strive to be as good as I can be and learn as much as I can. When I get to the afterlife, I'll deal with whatever needs be when I get there.
2007-12-01 15:36:06 · answer #3 · answered by Helen DDS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is rooted in the early days of christianity and a time before Jesus walked the earth. Stop and think about all the violence death and sacrifical stories in the bible. Before Christ walked the earth, the controling powers over the people used violent measures to achieve and maintain that control. If people did not do what they were supposed to, violent things would happen to them. Adults KNEW that fear of something dreadful is what "kept THEM in line" so when it came to keeping their own children on the right path, it was only natural they used same tactics. It has been going on throughout recorded history and will continue throughout the forseeable future. This is a sad but true fact. I personally believe that it is wrong and something that God and Jesus never intended and do not approve of.
2007-12-01 16:08:02 · answer #4 · answered by not giving up 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like this question. I am spiritually searching myself, but was baptized Catholic as an infant. I believe the reason why I am searching is because as I was growing up, my grandmother felt it important to tell me on a seemingly daily basis that I was going to hell. I don't consider myself to be a bad person in the least...I am human though and have made mistakes as anyone else has.
Anyway, best that I can give you for an answer is that it seems members of certain religions will use whatever tactics they can to convert people to their way of believing.
2007-12-01 15:36:17 · answer #5 · answered by Ames 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BEST QUESTION EVER! You are completely correct. I've often wondered this also. But the main reason - I think - is because most people are fearful. And "scaring people" just to convert them is somewhat logical as oppose to "drowning" them with biblical stories. btw I never became Christian because I feared hell, it was because of - like you said - God's wrath and empathy. <3many blessings!
2007-12-03 09:15:56 · answer #6 · answered by obsєssє∂. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know I have thought about that myself. What I think, and maybe it might sound a little crazy but anyways....I think they are tricked into believing that, and what I mean by that is, well it is a turn off to most people when Christians start preaching about fire and brimstone, right? OK, but when you speak of love and forgiveness and empathy and long suffering those things are attractive to people because its something that everyone needs and wants. Right? So, my point is, I believe that satan tricks them into believing or preaching about it so that Christianity looks unappealing and it keeps people from wanting to be a Christian. Isn't it Satan's job to take as many down with him as he can? Why wouldn't he attack the ones trying to bring people to God the hardest?
2007-12-01 15:40:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theological imbalance.
Seriously, if a person concentrates more on some doctrines than others, they become imbalanced.
I heard about a young evangelist that drew huge crowds in South America. The church leaders hadn't been able to be at the revivals he held for a few days and when they saw how many came to Christ, they wondered what he told them.
He didn't preach about hell, what he preached on was the love God had for man, and what He did.
I wish I could give reference for this, but I cannot. I know it is the truth though.
2007-12-01 15:33:23 · answer #8 · answered by Jed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those christians that focus on the "not going to hell" or rather "not wanting to go to hell", convert people based upon the powers they had learned from hearsay or church members and people that work with in the church. Off they go selling fear to those that don't believe so they can pat themselves on the back for "saving" those people. Just to bad they don't understand that just help those that do not believe in their deity or any deity is all that positive and loving.
2007-12-01 19:42:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good question. I wish I had an answer. But we're talking about thousands of years of things being done a certain way. Preach fire and brimstone to get them to come to the altar!! Repent sinners!! Save yourselves from the fire that burns but does not consume. Be Christian or else. (Slightly off topic...) I think that's why it's good to not try and push peple to find religion, but just a closer relationship with God. Everyone's path there is not going to be the same.
2007-12-01 17:33:25 · answer #10 · answered by CaramelKitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i understand what u are saying. I dont know about the people trying to convert others by threatening them with hell. many christians are so afraid of hell with satan and all that, that they believe that eternal seperation from god is hell. and as for ur question about why do people believe in the power of satan and not gods love? well, the fact is that bad is more of an influence than good. its not that people dont believe in gods loving powers, its just that they are terrified of hell and its "powers".
hope i helped
2007-12-01 15:33:19 · answer #11 · answered by Will 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋