Do people still believe in Hell?
- Thread starter Jayson1
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In theory, he could be there playing shuffleboard with Jesus, Einstein and Judas Iscariot as described in Happy Birthday, Wanda June.
Well, this thread had descended straight to..... 
I was raised in Protestant fundamentalism and fear of hell was pounded into me at an early age. Now, while still a Christian (a Catholic specifically). I hardly think about it. If someone is trying to control me with the fear of hell now they are doing a damn poor job of it. The thing they emphasize most is the worst thing about hell is not fire but separation from God and all the good things that go with God as in love, light, truth...beauty.
Psychology abuse aside which is serious, I don't know why people are overly concerned with what other people believe. I don't sit around wondering if Karma is real for instance.
I was raised in Protestant fundamentalism and fear of hell was pounded into me at an early age. Now, while still a Christian (a Catholic specifically). I hardly think about it. If someone is trying to control me with the fear of hell now they are doing a damn poor job of it. The thing they emphasize most is the worst thing about hell is not fire but separation from God and all the good things that go with God as in love, light, truth...beauty.
Psychology abuse aside which is serious, I don't know why people are overly concerned with what other people believe. I don't sit around wondering if Karma is real for instance.
It's different for everyone I imagine. Some are intrested to hear what other people think about it, Some hate religion and want it destroyed, some like to knock it because it makes them feel superior to not believe in something they see as primitve superstition,some still have a irrational fear of it, some believe in it,some want to save others from it, some want others to go their, some wonder how a place like that would even work and the list could keep going for a very long time as to why people are intrested in the concept of hell. Plus it has the Devil and demons which make for great movie/tv villians.Well, this thread had descended straight to.....
I was raised in Protestant fundamentalism and fear of hell was pounded into me at an early age. Now, while still a Christian (a Catholic specifically). I hardly think about it. If someone is trying to control me with the fear of hell now they are doing a damn poor job of it. The thing they emphasize most is the worst thing about hell is not fire but separation from God and all the good things that go with God as in love, light, truth...beauty.
Psychology abuse aside which is serious, I don't know why people are overly concerned with what other people believe. I don't sit around wondering if Karma is real for instance.
Jason
Well put.Well, this thread had descended straight to.....
I was raised in Protestant fundamentalism and fear of hell was pounded into me at an early age. Now, while still a Christian (a Catholic specifically). I hardly think about it. If someone is trying to control me with the fear of hell now they are doing a damn poor job of it. The thing they emphasize most is the worst thing about hell is not fire but separation from God and all the good things that go with God as in love, light, truth...beauty.
Psychology abuse aside which is serious, I don't know why people are overly concerned with what other people believe. I don't sit around wondering if Karma is real for instance.
I think the inherent judgement in a literal belief in hell and the follow on from that in attempts to put into law those judgements have been amply discussed in this thread. Though you may feel it is personal matter and belief for you that's not the case in the wider sense.
I would say the same about karma, a philosophy which has resulted in callous laws and social mores.
I would say the same about karma, a philosophy which has resulted in callous laws and social mores.
I actually agree with you up to a point but we needn't delve into it any further. Deep theological discussions tend to get boring....
Not in my experience, but the audience at my screening of "Constantine" disagreed, so I see your point
That's all well and good right up until people's fear of invisible cave demons that inexplicably care which gay couple your mini-mall bakery sold a wedding cake to starts influencing public policy and the way they treat others.
Those are probably the points I agree with...but I don't think it was the fear of demons that was the source of their refusal.
Fear of God, then?
Probably to get their names in the papers.
A
Amaris
Guest
Which, if that were true, leads to a problem that is two-fold: Firstly, it gets pushed as public policy by those who believe in it, and wish to use their faith to control others. Secondly, it gives Christianity a bad name, leading people away from Christ, which his followers should be thinking as a negative for all involved, rather than a triumph to lord over non-believers, or "enemies," as I heard when I was a kid.
As their sole motive? I don't believe it.
Keep going....
I don't think I'm going to be able to give you the answers I think you're looking for. These people don't go to bed in a sweat fearing hell but rather are probably patting themselves on the back about how good they'll look to everyone else for standing up for the faith. I grew up with these people and I know how they operate.
I'm pretty sure that I already got on board with the idea that they're not afraid of demons.
And, yeah, they're clearly grandstanding for brownie points, but that really isn't the same as caving under peer pressure.
I didn't know these people were secretly atheists, though. That's a new one on me.
It's cool that you have the inside dope to share with us.
A
Amaris
Guest
I think he (or she, I can't remember!) just means they're the type of Christians who pray out loud to be heard, and believe that they are forever sanctified and have no need to fear the prospect of hell. I grew up with a bunch of those believers, too.I'm pretty sure that I already got on board with the idea that they're not afraid of demons.
And, yeah, they're clearly grandstanding for brownie points, but that really isn't the same as caving under peer pressure.
I didn't know these people were secretly atheists, though. That's a new one on me.
It's cool that you have the inside dope to share with us.
Sure. But I never said they were afraid of going to Hell in the first place.
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