scare before they will consider being good!
2007-12-12 13:47:23 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christianity encourages selfishness. It's all about ME, what do I get for being good? what do I get for believing? Will I go to Hell? does God love ME? Me me me me me!
The fear of Hell does nothing to teach one to empathize with each other and commit acts of love simply for the sake of love. It is not at all interested in egalitarianism.
It makes me sad, generation after generation of people with fear as their primary motivator.
2007-12-12 13:55:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think thats true. I think everyone responds well to fear. Way too many people will only act on something when they have something to lose. Unfortunatly, I think it is human nature - to do the bare minimum, underacheive. Thats why the majority of people aren't rich, successful, whatever.. It takes a disciplined mind set to succeed and go the extra mile, it takes work. Since it is the most popular, I will use Christianity as an example. When the Romans wrote the Christian doctrine at Nicaea, they knew this, they understood it, and they incorporated it into thier new religion. They knew if they did not offer some type of reward (eternity in paradise) or motivation (fear of an eternity in hell) people would most likely be too lazy to follow. Sometimes the truth hurts, but life isn't easy.
2007-12-12 21:59:07 · answer #2 · answered by Scottsays 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Children. A child learns self discipline by being afraid of doing wrong because of consequences. The rewards for doing good are more enticing. Everyone starts off as a child in the flesh and (hopefully) matures to gain wisdom. So too with people in the spirit. Fear is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom matured is reward enough.
2007-12-12 21:57:31 · answer #3 · answered by Overseer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm neither scared or religious. My beliefs are a way of life. besides, what makes you think that someone who chooses to believe in something (supernatural) has to be scared into believing. What religion are you practicing and maybe you should share your thoughts on why you where scared into being good??? perhaps these are your experiences but think you are way off in thinking that people are scared into their beliefs and in being good.
Note: Being good does not get you into the kingdom of God, Salvation does and that is a choice not a command.
2007-12-12 21:54:31 · answer #4 · answered by Bandrea 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I disagree, Religious practices seem to scare the non-believers more than the adherants. Take marriage, a fully religous practice which gives one person the right to enslave another human being and their off-spring for ever! Where is the supposed fear here?
2007-12-12 22:05:22 · answer #5 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because then they can look down on anyone who doesn't believe as they do and gloat about the alleged punishment that awaits them.That is what the "reward" thing is all about.It is a method to gain worshipers to whatever religion and when there are those who still won't join, well then they can say "You're going to Hell".
2007-12-12 21:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by Demopublican 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever
Pr 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
2007-12-12 21:58:53 · answer #7 · answered by broroy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think this applies to all religions or to all people in a religion. I personally want to be the best I can be because it's not only the right thing to do, it's what I believe we are supposed to do.
2007-12-12 21:56:45 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
and an atheist does not want a pay increase for good work? don't tell my boss that!
Besides, it is mentioned in the bible that god does not reward for just being good, Jesus said why should you be rewarded for doing what is right to begin with.
a cop will not pull you over and give you money for obeying the speed limit. (wish they did LOL)
2007-12-12 21:56:44 · answer #9 · answered by Blue Berry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously they don't see it that way. So its somewhat of a foolish question. Your relative perspective says they are scared into believing that doing "good" will lead them to heaven. they believe they are following the divine truth. Everyone makes choices according to their value systems which are created through life experiences and the paradigms that they come to embrace. "good" is just another term for what people believe is true and that is relative to their paradigm which is relative to their experiences.
2007-12-12 22:46:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋