One is only religious because one fears hell

[0thetrooth0]

Let’s all be honest with ourselves. Would you really go to church every Sunday, go to confession, not commit adultery, etc. If there were no heaven or hell? No reward or punishment?

Keep everything about Catholicism the same just take out heaven and hell. Even though you know God exists and he has laid down rules for mankind to follow, would you really follow them? We have to admit that religious people, their main motivation is to enter heaven, but most importantly, to avoid hell. I’m not saying its bad that thats how religious people are. I’m just saying that one should recognize that deep down its all about self interest. If God tells me to not drink alcohol, he only tells me not to do it, he doesnt mention any punishments that will occur if i do drink. Would i really abstain from alcohol?We only do things that benefir us. Even if it is helping poor children. We either do it because of religious purposes or because it makes us feel good. If thats how God created us that so be it. But doesnt it sound a little disturbing that thats how we are.

 

[Cristiano]

I think that you are quite confused about heaven, hell, God, and relationship with God.
I am the first one to say that if there were no God I would be one of the nastiest people around because I do not see any reasons for personal moral behaviors. I would just try to avoid getting caught.
Considering that God exists I am very thankful for all the gifts that He has given me. I understand what kind of relationship He wants with me and I like that kind of relationship very much.

 

[ASimon]

I think that you are quite confused about heaven, hell, God, and relationship with God.
I am the first one to say that if there were no God I would be one of the nastiest people around because I do not see any reasons for personal moral behaviors. I would just try to avoid getting caught.
Considering that God exists I am very thankful for all the gifts that He has given me. I understand what kind of relationship He wants with me and I like that kind of relationship very much.

It always amazes me when people admit this out loud.

 

[SonCatcher]

A devout Buddhist doesn’t believe these things, yet does good and avoids evil. Thus, I think there is room to say one can and should.

 

[Luna_Lovecraft]

Let’s all be honest with ourselves. Would you really go to church every Sunday, go to confession, not commit adultery, etc. If there were no heaven or hell? No reward or punishment?

Yes, for the simple reason that in (trying) to follow the teachings of Christ I might make the world a little safer, a little saner, and a little better both while I’m here and after I’ve fallen off this mortal coil.

A fear of eternal damnation plays no part in my (oftentimes imperfect) attempts to follow Christ.

But that’s just me.

Luna

 

[0thetrooth0]

I think that you are quite confused about heaven, hell, God, and relationship with God.
I am the first one to say that if there were no God I would be one of the nastiest people around because I do not see any reasons for personal moral behaviors. I would just try to avoid getting caught.
Considering that God exists I am very thankful for all the gifts that He has given me. I understand what kind of relationship He wants with me and I like that kind of relationship very much.

You give religion a bad name, your making it seem like one of the uses of religion is to control the masses, nothing wrong with that, just saying.

NOW do you understand why some atheists dislike/critisize religion? Because without it, alot of people would be doing all kinds of immoral acts like killing,stealing,etc.

 

[Adonia]

No, I think that there are many reasons people are religious. Going to hell is at the back of mine. For me, it is the comfort that I get from God as I go through the trials and tribulations of everday life. It is the assurance that I am not alone in this world, that there is indeed a better place at the end of all this. Faith in Christ lets me know that when I suffer at times, that He also suffered and my pain is somehow more bearable. He was innocent, yet suffered nonetheless.

Going to Mass is the least I can do, as this action shows recognition of God and thankfullness for the many blessings I receive. Sometimes I don’t feel religious enough, what with all the many people who give thier entire lives to God via a religious community, but in the end I guess that have my part in all the scheme of things.

 

[0thetrooth0]

Yes, for the simple reason that in (trying) to follow the teachings of Christ I might make the world a little safer, a little saner, and a little better both while I’m here and after I’ve fallen off this mortal coil.

A fear of eternal damnation plays no part in my (oftentimes imperfect) attempts to follow Christ.

But that’s just me.

Luna

Good for you Luna. If only everyone was like you…we’d have a better world.

 

[bcprincess]

I became a Christian quite out of the blue, I didn’t know any Christians, I didn’t have anyone “witness” to me, didn’t read anything which prompted it, one day I just suddenly “knew”!

What keeps me pursuing my faith is the love I have for this God that I suddenly knew and the knowledge of His love for me.

I go to church not because I should, but because I can.

I don’t go to confession because I should, but because I can.

And dont get me started on adoration… wow treats!!

As for prayer, imagine the Creator or the universe who placed the stars in the sky will lower His head and incline His ear to hear what I have to say.

Pardon my goosebumps!

 

[johnnyjones]

If there was no hell Hitler and Mother Theresa would be floating together in bliss. Do levels of punishment exist? I don’t know. I know degrees of rewards exist on this earth (sometimes) and in the next world as well. I know that science has never demonstrated that someting comes from nothing.

 

[Havard]

I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.

 

[bearer]

I’m a Catholic because I want to see God in heaven, not because I’m afraid of hell. He’s the Authority in life, and I admit I owe everything to Him. Hell worries me, yes, but I trust in God and believe that I am doing what He commanded us to do, so it is a relatively small concern.

 

[LoyalViews]

It always amazes me when people admit this out loud.

I am amazed too. What prompts it?

I am not religious because I fear Hell. Actually, very rarely do I think about the fear of Hell. I only want to make sure I do not offen Our Lord, so I honour His most Blessed Mother and beg her intercession, along with the Saints and Angels. I say my prayers not so the Devil won’t touch me, rather because I want God to know I’m HIS.

Now, admittedly, I am bothered by demons and the Devil sometimes. Some times I do fear Hell, but I do my best to keep my mind off it and focus on Heaven, and although sometimes I fail, that’s what confession is for. Which brings us to the point of confession - not to avoid Hell, rather that we feel sorry for offending God.

 

[SonCatcher]

I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.

 

[0thetrooth0]

I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.

How far do you go out of your way to be a good Catholic though? At what point do you draw the line and say nah, i wont do that today, or nah, i wont go to church this sunday. Without heaven and hell do you still abstain from doing mortal and venial sins. Theres no prize at the end, why not just fall into temptation when the next man/woman tempts you? I mean why not? There’s no one your going to respond to right? You got nothing to lose?

 

[blueadept]

Let’s all be honest with ourselves. Would you really go to church every Sunday, go to confession, not commit adultery, etc. If there were no heaven or hell? No reward or punishment?
.

Since I once upon a time had your childish viewpoint of God, I can relate to your question. Doing ten good things could help get away with one bad thing that I couldn’t let go of or just simply reapplying the rules so that I could justify the bad within the context of the good intention. Fearing hell is not the way to grow closer to Christ for me.

What works better for me is to know that God does want me to grow and be happy in this life no matter what trials and crosses that may come my way and to honor my vows that I’ve made with Him. I made my marital vows that included HIm and my wife. She decided to no longer honor those and move on even though I wish to continue and honor the vows. I know God wants me to be happy and it’s up to me to find that path under the present circumstances. I’ve turned my life over to Him and it’s not because I fear hell.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I wouldn’t say one is religious only because of fear of hell. Hell plays a part because it is a reality. It would be stupid not to take it into consideration. But I believe that the more we pray and strive to live God’s will, our love for Him increases. Maybe fear of hell will make some people think about God and will be a first step of the journey, but love for God will follow and so will change an imperfect motive (fear of hell) into a perfect one (love).

 

[bcprincess]

I do have a fear of hell but not for myself but for others who dont know God

 

[Cristiano]

You give religion a bad name, your making it seem like one of the uses of religion is to control the masses, nothing wrong with that, just saying.

NOW do you understand why some atheists dislike/critisize religion? Because without it, alot of people would be doing all kinds of immoral acts like killing,stealing,etc.

Why do I give religion a bad name. If there were no God I would simply do not see any justification for moral behaviors, there wouldn’t be any justification at all. If we are out of randomness then there is nothing moral or absolute to respect. I am very logical about it, while a lot of atheists do not have the guts to accept that.

I know that God exists and that is why I behave the way I do. I behaved the same way when I did not have any interest in God and then after thinking about it I realized that there must be a God. My moral behaviors are not defined by my belief in God they are defined by God’s existence.

 

[tonyrey]

Let’s all be honest with ourselves. Would you really go to church every Sunday, go to confession, not commit adultery, etc. If there were no heaven or hell? No reward or punishment?

Would you really stay away from church if there is heaven and hell?

Keep everything about Catholicism the same just take out heaven and hell. Even though you know God exists and he has laid down rules for mankind to follow, would you really follow them?

Of course we would.

We have to admit that religious people, their main motivation is to enter heaven, but most importantly, to avoid hell.

We don’t admit anything of the sort.

I’m not saying its bad that thats how religious people are. I’m just saying that one should recognize that deep down its all about self interest.

That is your opinion which is disproved by people who give their the lives to save others.

If God tells me to not drink alcohol, he only tells me not to do it, he doesnt mention any punishments that will occur if i do drink. Would i really abstain from alcohol?

He doesn’t!

We only do things that benefir us.

False!

Even if it is helping poor children. We either do it because of religious purposes or because it makes us feel good. If thats how God created us that so be it. But doesnt it sound a little disturbing that thats how we are.

Many people never help poor children. They let them die from disease and starvation.