The Empty Threat of Hell

[nameless]

if all sorts of sufferings are available in this world, then what is the need for hell?
existence of hell has not proven yet, one could believe in hell only if he blindly believe his faith.

 

[Kenect2]

I still ask the question who thinks that this is okay? If a god sent people to a place of eternal torment because of their opinions, why would anyone worship this god?

Because you go to hell if you don't worship - obviously.

 

[RamaRaksha]

Because you go to hell if you don't worship - obviously.

This is about proselytization - trying to entice peopel to join their religion with threats. Cults in my opinion have the 2 following characteristics:
1. Threats of Hell to non-believers or to those who might choose to leave the cult
2. Offerings of goodies to members, like an easy access to heaven but only as long as you remain a member

If is unfortunate that the 2 biggest religions today have descended into cults

 

[dragynfly0515]

Oh that's great. And do you believe this to be right? That's like having a friend who kills people and saying to another friend "You better be nice to this guy or he'll cut your head off and chop your body up into little pieces. I'm not too worried though, I'm on his good side, no decappy-choppy for me, ^_^ but good luck with your situation though."

decappy-choppy has just been added to my awesome word list

I agree with your OP but I think the reverse applies as well. Legless people shouldn't criticize those with legs for walking.

:candle:
Crys

 

[nonbeliever_92]

Don't walk or I'll make you grow some more legs???

If you're getting at atheist criticizing theists for believing, then you certainly are generalizing. Often atheists don't criticize the holders of the belief, they criticize the belief itself. it's like blaming a rape victim for being raped. You don't blame the victim. I personally especially don't aim to criticize a person for having their beliefs, but I criticize people's irrationalities for maintining a theistic belief, or the belief itself. It is far better to hold respect for a person than an idea.

 

[McBell]

Sheer numbers dictate that my observation has merit and is not a straw man.

interesting how you jump from strawmen to making an appeal to numbers.

you really do like them logical fallacies.

 

[pippa_wonders]

Yup you wouldn't believe how many I have talked to that are just downright scared "not to believe" just in case. It's actually really sad imo.

Ironically, they're still not off the hook, because they don't really LOVE God, they're only believing out of fear, which is still not good enough. They have to LOVE the one who will send them to hell if they don't love HIM.

 

[RamaRaksha]

Ironically, they're still not off the hook, because they don't really LOVE God, they're only believing out of fear, which is still not good enough. They have to LOVE the one who will send them to hell if they don't love HIM.

Sounds like the creepy guy in some movies tying down the heroine and telling he he just wants to be loved