For Minstrelofc, Titan & Any Other Christian: A Challenge!

[minstrelofc]

So, why does god say that you'll burn in hell for etenity if you don't believe in him? Forcing your beliefs upon someone else is wrong but using emotional blackmail to obtain the same result is ok?

If you don't believe in God, why would you believe in hell? And if you don't believe in hell, there's nothing worrying about it.

On the other hand, if you believe in God, then you believe that you're not going to hell, so once again there's nothing to worry about.

[karadan]

So, why does god say that you'll burn in hell for etenity if you don't believe in him? Forcing your beliefs upon someone else is wrong but using emotional blackmail to obtain the same result is ok?

If you don't believe in God, why would you believe in hell? And if you don't believe in hell, there's nothing worrying about it.

On the other hand, if you believe in God, then you believe that you're not going to hell, so once again there's nothing to worry about.

Then why do christians always love telling people like me that i'm going to burn in hell? Face it, it is just another recruitment tool for your cult. Some people aren't as lucky as me in that, they aren't as strong in their convictions as i am. The people who sit on the fence or even try to shed the insanity of religion are forced to withold their own freedom of thought because of the promise of eternal pain and turmoil in hell. That is emotional blackmail. That is forcing your beliefs upon someone else.

[minstrelofc]

Then why do christians always love telling people like me that i'm going to burn in hell? Face it, it is just another recruitment tool for your cult. Some people aren't as lucky as me in that, they aren't as strong in their convictions as i am. The people who sit on the fence or even try to shed the insanity of religion are forced to withold their own freedom of thought because of the promise of eternal pain and turmoil in hell. That is emotional blackmail. That is forcing your beliefs upon someone else.

I don't think Christians should do that. Those who do, I agree, are doing it wrong.

I do not recall any cases in the NT where burning in hell is being used as a recruitment tool. (ex-Christians, feel free to contradict me   )

[McQ]

Then why do christians always love telling people like me that i'm going to burn in hell? Face it, it is just another recruitment tool for your cult. Some people aren't as lucky as me in that, they aren't as strong in their convictions as i am. The people who sit on the fence or even try to shed the insanity of religion are forced to withold their own freedom of thought because of the promise of eternal pain and turmoil in hell. That is emotional blackmail. That is forcing your beliefs upon someone else.

I don't think Christians should do that. Those who do, I agree, are doing it wrong.

I do not recall any cases in the NT where burning in hell is being used as a recruitment tool. (ex-Christians, feel free to contradict me   )

The most common recruitment tool employed is the "Roman Road". It is what "led me to christ" way back when, had been used for a long time prior, and is still used today by many (mostly protestant-based) churches and evangelicals.
http://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm

In it, there is Romans 3:23, 5:8, and 6:23, where we are told we are separated from god and that the penalty for the separation is death (via permanent separation from god in the afterlife, ala hell). Not one denimination I know of denies the reality of eternal separation from god if you are not "saved". How they name it and define it are all slightly different, ranging in a literal, physical location of eternal pain and torment to a simple "lack of the presence" of god. But they are all saying that those places are hell.

I'm too rushed to cite more right now, but there are many more citations, although the interpretations vary a huge amount.

[McQ]

So, why does god say that you'll burn in hell for etenity if you don't believe in him? Forcing your beliefs upon someone else is wrong but using emotional blackmail to obtain the same result is ok?

If you don't believe in God, why would you believe in hell? And if you don't believe in hell, there's nothing worrying about it.

On the other hand, if you believe in God, then you believe that you're not going to hell, so once again there's nothing to worry about.

Then why do christians always love telling people like me that i'm going to burn in hell? Face it, it is just another recruitment tool for your cult. Some people aren't as lucky as me in that, they aren't as strong in their convictions as i am. The people who sit on the fence or even try to shed the insanity of religion are forced to withold their own freedom of thought because of the promise of eternal pain and turmoil in hell. That is emotional blackmail. That is forcing your beliefs upon someone else.

Not all christians are the get-in-your-face type, as demonstrated by minstrel. But the ones who are sure seem to make up for it, don't they?

[McQ]

Wow, I'm away for 3 days, and people start begging to be converted? What a great God I serve!   )

That is exactly the answer I would give as a christian, in this situation. That's one of the best responses I've seen in the forum for ages on this topic. No, I am not just pandering to minstrel!  

I believe his answer is the only sensible one for a christian to take in this situation. It is, in my opinion, the right attitude to have for christians.

[curiosityandthecat]

I think it's important to note that atheists don't need to be shown how to be Christian.

[Xalle]

I note however, that the "easy" option was taken however.

The challenge addressed was the one that could be tiwsted. "god gave free will"... "I think its wrong to force my beliefs on people"... the option of showing faith working through my apple tree.. or rather lack of apple tree was conveniently ignored.

The whole other problem this challenge raises are things like the fundi christians who pray for the closing of Abortion Clinics or the like. Sincere (although I do believe completely mental) people, "strong in their faith" praying vehemently with all their hearts and.... Zip. Nada. Nothing.

Funny... I was going to ask do none of these things make you doubt for a moment. But then I thought.. maybe I should just point out that in the end even Christ himself had doubts. Makes you think no?