Christianity Is Only Popular Because Of Its Idle Threats

[ChristineM]

That's not any sort of Christianity I'm familiar with.

Its the one i know and contributed to me leaving Christianity

 

[PureX]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Since when are idol threats popular?

The people that make them are just trying to control the thoughts and behavior of others when they can't do so in a positive, inviting way. It may be a common tactic for them, but I don't think it was ever popular, or that it ever even worked on anyone but themselves.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

Sounds a lot like the republican party platform. Point being that this is a common tactic for trying to control the thoughts and behavior of others. It's not exclusive to religious Christianity. I've even seen commercial advertisements that threaten bigger costs later on if you don't buy their wares, now. Fear-mongering is just a very common method of motivation among we humans.

Humans fear the unknown because we survive and thrive by knowing how to control and manipulate the world around us to our own advantage. It's why people turn to gods in the first place: to help them deal with their fear of the unknown and the uncontrollable. So of course institutionalized religions will play upon that fear to maintain their "authority" (control). It's why they exist. And why I avoid them.

 

[syo]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

If people love fear, let them, I guess.

 

[firedragon]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

And so the question will be forced upon you which is "do you as an unbeliever want to take a gamble on the unknown and possibly be wrong about what comes next?" So you might as well play it safe and "be a Christian." Yes, this is the psychologicall tactic Christianity will play on you and is designed to do so. But I suspect Islam is constructed very similarly to do the same as well. It's just that Christianity has more followers still and perhaps because it does a much better job at doing that to people.

Thats an anecdotal fallacy. It's unfair to generalise like that.

 

[firedragon]

Since when are idol threats popular?

Maybe since humanity. Probably. Even today, children get idle threats and parents make them. Employers do that too with employees. They may not be great as strategy, but it is popular. IMO.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

And so the question will be forced upon you which is "do you as an unbeliever want to take a gamble on the unknown and possibly be wrong about what comes next?" So you might as well play it safe and "be a Christian." Yes, this is the psychologicall tactic Christianity will play on you and is designed to do so. But I suspect Islam is constructed very similarly to do the same as well. It's just that Christianity has more followers still and perhaps because it does a much better job at doing that to people.

I think its because of the sense of fraternity and brotherhood and sisterhood admist a common, albiet contrived cause.

It's a particular social need for most, that people seek out in religions like Christianity as it provides a person with feelings of relevancy and purpose that they cannot find elsewhere for themselves.

 

[PureX]

Maybe since humanity. Probably. Even today, children get idol threats and parents make them. Employers do that too with employees. They may not be great as strategy, but it is popular. IMO.

But the OP was implying they are popular to receive. That people become Christian because they like being threatened. And like living under threat.

Of course it's a common means of trying to control others. But that's certainly not exclusive to religions.

 

[firedragon]

But the OP was implying they are popular to receive. That people become Christian because they like being threatened. And like living under threat.

Of course it's a common means of trying to control others. But that's certainly not exclusive to religions.

Sorry. I didn't notice in the OP it said "Idle Threats". I thought it just said "Threats".

 

[Altfish]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

And so the question will be forced upon you which is "do you as an unbeliever want to take a gamble on the unknown and possibly be wrong about what comes next?" So you might as well play it safe and "be a Christian." Yes, this is the psychologicall tactic Christianity will play on you and is designed to do so. But I suspect Islam is constructed very similarly to do the same as well. It's just that Christianity has more followers still and perhaps because it does a much better job at doing that to people.

I don't think Christianity has any exclusivity on this method. Apostacy seems a pretty damning threat too.

 

[BilliardsBall]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

And so the question will be forced upon you which is "do you as an unbeliever want to take a gamble on the unknown and possibly be wrong about what comes next?" So you might as well play it safe and "be a Christian." Yes, this is the psychologicall tactic Christianity will play on you and is designed to do so. But I suspect Islam is constructed very similarly to do the same as well. It's just that Christianity has more followers still and perhaps because it does a much better job at doing that to people.

Take it from a current, practicing Christian--most churches I've visited/seen/attended talk almost nil about Hell and judgment--***STAFF EDIT*** Evangelicals talk mostly about meaning and purpose in this life--though that detracts from gospel witnessing.

 

[idea]

I don't think Christianity has any exclusivity on this method. Apostacy seems a pretty damning threat too.

Yes, leaving the cult is worse than abusing kids or murder.

In addition to hellfire, the Church also pushes its way into families - wants you to be married to church, not just spouse, take care of church above children. Pretty evil.

 

[idea]

Take it from a current, practicing Christian--most churches I've visited/seen/attended talk almost nil about Hell and judgment--although Rome is one giant scare tactic and is the chief exception, but doctrinally they are a Christian cult and not a church. Evangelicals talk mostly about meaning and purpose in this life--though that detracts from gospel witnessing.

So, what do you believe the purpose of life is?

Most churches preach purpose = serve the church.... rather than serve other humans. Church above family, church above heathen, church above everything, just serve the church. Rooted in church/state, a way to collect taxes, control the poor, maintain heirarchy, enforce "authority" power struggles.

 

[Colt]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

And so the question will be forced upon you which is "do you as an unbeliever want to take a gamble on the unknown and possibly be wrong about what comes next?" So you might as well play it safe and "be a Christian." Yes, this is the psychologicall tactic Christianity will play on you and is designed to do so. But I suspect Islam is constructed very similarly to do the same as well. It's just that Christianity has more followers still and perhaps because it does a much better job at doing that to people.

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Some healthy, motivating fear is always going to motivate people in all sorts of circumstances.

 

[idea]

“Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Some healthy, motivating fear is always going to motivate people in all sorts of circumstances.

The question is motivated to do what. Dictators use fear.

 

[Colt]

The question is motivated to do what. Dictators use fear.

If I said don't do heroin, its very addictive. You might say "well, don't harsh my buzz man! You sound like an oppressive dictator man". The wisdom of those who came before us can be perceived as fear mongering. But then again some humans seem to need to learn everything the hard way.

I think the principle motivation of religion and the values it preserves is to make something more than an animal of ourselves.

 

[AlexanderG]

That’s not my God; it may be the one you rejected, and for good reason, but please be aware that whatever those Southern Baptists might have told you, for many Christians, Christ’s message is a message of love.

I've really never understood how "do what I say or you'll be tortured" can be a message of love. I don't understand how "he tortured me so that you'd have a tiny loophole not to be tortured, but only if you worship me and do exactly what I say" doesn't sound like some kind of horror movie plot. As hard as I try, I could never conceive of "love" in a way that would match the tenets Christian theology.

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the trend of progressive Christianity, since they seem to embrace modern civilization. But they have to ignore so much of the Bible. They really have nothing to stand on except the fact that their decency outweighs their cognitive dissonance. Even if progressive Christianity prevails, the plain text of the scripture is still sitting there, waiting for the next unscrupulous charismatic sociopath to go back to basics and stir up fear and hatred.

 

[idea]

If I said don't do heroin, its very addictive. You might say "well, don't harsh my buzz man! You sound like an oppressive dictator man". The wisdom of those who came before us can be perceived as fear mongering. But then again some humans seem to need to learn everything the hard way.

I think the principle motivation of religion and the values it preserves is to make something more than an animal of ourselves.

Superstitious muttering, chanting, praying seems more of an animal behavior then deeply studying math, science, reality.

Many religious groups did start based on drugs, mental illness, hallucinations....

 

[Bathos Logos]

Seriously. If there wasn't a threat of eternal damnation for those who reject Jesus then Christianity wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is today.

Take it from an ex-Christian, the Christian religion is built on fear mongering principles and is systematically designed to instill that fear into those that don't believe in it, so that the unbeliever will be coerced into thinking twice about what happens next after death as that dreadful panic sets in him about possibly ending up burning for eternity. All because Christianity takes a gamble on the "unknown" meaning "the next."

And so the question will be forced upon you which is "do you as an unbeliever want to take a gamble on the unknown and possibly be wrong about what comes next?" So you might as well play it safe and "be a Christian." Yes, this is the psychologicall tactic Christianity will play on you and is designed to do so. But I suspect Islam is constructed very similarly to do the same as well. It's just that Christianity has more followers still and perhaps because it does a much better job at doing that to people.

I have seen this side of it, certainly. It's where a lot of conversations go when a non-Christian who is intent on staying non-Christian is in a conversation with a Christian trying to "spread the good news". I've even had it be one of the first things out of a Christian proselytizer's mouth when I told them I didn't believe to their initial statement(s).

And I have talked to Christians who truly seemed to care, and were not wary of nonbelievers, and were openly curious. The interesting thing is that it literally requires Christianity and its tenets to threaten someone with the fires of hell. But the alternative case of a person being willing to talk to another person of a different mindset only really takes a good person. Christianity isn't required. There's definitely something to that.

In my experience I would say that Christianity is not the good of a person. It's very often just some muck thrown on top.

 

[Rival]

Many religious groups did start based on drugs, mental illness, hallucinations....

Proof?

 

[Colt]

Superstitious muttering, chanting, praying seems more of an animal behavior then deeply studying math, science, reality.

Many religious groups did start based on drugs, mental illness, hallucinations....

In a universe of mathematics religion is concerned with the master mathematician, the scientist and spiritual reality.