Do you fear Hell?

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Let me state now, I will not argue with you. I'm not questioning the validity of your beliefs or making any argument at all really.I would just like to put the question out there for any Christians who wish to answer, do you fear Hell? Does the thought of going to Hell ever cross your mind and actually changes your behaviour? Has the thought of going to Hell deterred you from doing something or acting a certain way?

Good question Bob.I don't fear Hell at all, basically because I don't believe I'll ever be there. I don't believe my salvation (from Hell) depends on my actions. So it's not a thing where I fear heading there one day and feel safe the next.The fear that people I love will go there...that's another thing altogether.

ditto.I do not fear hell at all because i don't think i'm going.

Originally Posted By: bobaliciousThe Word of God - Surprisingly indistinguishable from one's own personal opinion.Except it's not.

Originally Posted By: damien

The fear that people I love will go there...that's another thing altogether.

I suppose this requires the question, what are the (your) requirements for going to Hell or being saved? If nobody is to be judged by their actions then what are the standards?

That's what I have been wondering. I have yet to be baptized (because I have a fear of being on front of people, and there's a certain way the church goes about it) and I've been told my the pastor that baptism is sort of the way to secure your place in Heaven. Actions don't seem to matter, from my understanding as of today, anyone can be saved if they genuinely believe and get into Heaven. So, if I die tomorrow and am not baptized, off to Hell I go. It's something that I've been struggling with, my incredible shyness and trying to work up the courage to be baptized. I hate standing in front of people and talking to people I don't know well especially about very personal things.I don't know how are we judged on how we've lived our lives, if we've asked for forgiveness and have been saved.

No@ TangledWebbaptism is the public announcement that you have asked / accepted Jesus into your life. It’s like a symbol of death (old life), buried with Jesus, and rebirth (new life with Jesus)…. death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.I was very shy too... it helps to not look at the Congregation. i staired at the other side of the stairs. Preacher says your name and you walk down the steps. He puts you under (in - out) and lifts you up and you walk out. You Don’t even have to be able to hold your breath a long time - it’s that fast. The meaning behind is why it’s important.

Originally Posted By: *CR!*baptism is the public announcement that you have asked / accepted Jesus into your life. It’s like a symbol of death (old life), buried with Jesus, and rebirth (new life with Jesus)…. death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.I was very shy too... it helps to not look at the Congregation. i staired at the other side of the stairs. Preacher says your name and you walk down the steps. He puts you under (in - out) and lifts you up and you walk out. You Don’t even have to be able to hold your breath a long time - it’s that fast. The meaning behind is why it’s important. Very well stated.

Being that I'm nothing now and hold my own faith and reason, I am not the demographic your seeking input from. However, I would like to address this from the mindset I had when I was a child.I feared demons. I suppose that would be the logical outcome of being raised Catholic and sneaking around watching things like Amityville and Salem's Lot. As a child and adolescent I never feared hell or let any abstract ultimate punishment advice my actions or inactions. I think, for the most part, human kind is geared to justify their actions and so the vast majority, even those who commit the most heinous acts, don't fear hell. People, by and large, always seem to think it's the other guy that's going to hell or in need of punishment, never themselves.

Quote:People, by and large, always seem to think it's the other guy that's going to hell or in need of punishment, never themselves. hence the folly of capital punishment.the hell concept is fascinating but we'll leave that for another time lest we become distracted from the original question.

Originally Posted By: unsupervised  Quote:People, by and large, always seem to think it's the other guy that's going to hell or in need of punishment, never themselves. hence the folly of capital punishment.Capital punishment is a good deterent...but works much better when coupled with a high conviction rate. In Japan, for example, the conviction rate is 98%. If you knew there was a 98% chance you were going to die if you got caught doing something, there aren't a whole lot of folks out there who would do it.

still sporting a distaste for history I see.

Originally Posted By: unsupervisedstill sporting a distaste for history I see. You're confused...that's a description of a liberal.

Mr.U & Thor - As much as I love a good argument and if we start a new thread about it then I'll see you there, can I please ask you not to start one here. I'll fully admit to forcing myself to bite my tongue in this thread, simply because I am looking for honest answers and I really don't want to discourage people from this thread.But of course, if this is too much to ask, then go ahead.

aww HELL!

Here ya go!

a wise man once said, "we'll leave that for another time lest we become distracted from the original question."I'm still interested in the answers to that original question so I promise to leave no further bait on my hooks.please continue

Originally Posted By: unsupervisedI'm still interested in the answers to that original question so I promise to leave no further bait on my hooks.You're such a master baiter, too.

Matthew 7:[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.There is other scripture supporting this idea, but to make it short, not all people who think they are saved, are.God is who will sort us all out in the end...not Satan. I fear God...I spend little to no time even thinking of hell.This one's for you, damien: Paul Washer

Well isn't there somewhat of a contradiction (that I won't dwell on) in the Bible where one verse says that you are judged on your deeds and another saying that you're not judged on your deeds. How do you determine which is the correct... method?I presume from your quote above that you believe in the former. But I do understand not thinking about hell that much. It seems to just be nutjobs (Phelps, etc...) who really focus on it and cause others to worry about it.