Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
can someone PLEASE tell me why there is so much talk of this? what IS the deal? im beginning to think that christianity is based on fear! fear of eternal hell. what kind of way to live is that? fear is one of the WORST things in the world (imo). it gets in the way of soooo many things. it can paralyze you and not let you reach your full potential.
Honestly.. I was never a "church going" type person for a long time. Found most churches annoying more than anything.
Been going to 1 church for a little under a year now.. I can honestly say that hell (as far as I can remember) really isn't talked about and if it is it's to an extent that I don't remember it being a focal point of the sermon.
Most of what I hear is about the good.. and not much about the bad. Just my experience though.
There once was the implication that "salvation" was being saved from hellfire and eternal punishment. Now, it seems as if the the salvation that is preached is the way to eternal peace and blessings.
I think it has become hard to sell the doctrine of damnation. Either way, first you have to convince someone that there is a life after one leaves this earthy world. If they don't believe that, then, of course they don't believe in either an eternal heaven or hell.
fear is a natural instinct...it seems as if everything is driven by some form of fear...though it can inhibit ones abilities in its extreme...it also motivates...and aids in ones survival
sounds like a nice church you go to. nothing better than an uplifting sermon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigthirsty
Honestly.. I was never a "church going" type person for a long time. Found most churches annoying more than anything.
Been going to 1 church for a little under a year now.. I can honestly say that hell (as far as I can remember) really isn't talked about and if it is it's to an extent that I don't remember it being a focal point of the sermon.
Most of what I hear is about the good.. and not much about the bad. Just my experience though.
There seem to be quite a few people, who attend the church, (or watch on t.v.), that Joel Osteen is pastor of, because he doesn't hammer people with hellfire and brimstone. I actually watched him yesterday, for a good portion of his sermon, which says something, because I never watch t.v. preachers, national or local. I can't stand most of them. But, this Osteen was was kind of refreshing. It's kind of nice to hear encouraging words, instead of the constant barrage of what horrible sinners we all are, and how most of the world's population is headed to hell in a handbasket! I think most people have a pretty fair idea of their shortcomings, without having a "spiritual leader" standing up in the pulpit, pounding on them in every sermon.
Of course, there are quite a few fundamentalists who don't like Osteen, because he doesn't preach that hellfire and brimstone. Which amuses me, just as anyone does, in the Christian community who tweaks the noses of the fundamentalists. I had my fill of fundamentalism long ago, so I really have no patience with it, anymore.
yes, olsteen is a pro (he is soon to be if not already the richest and most popular preacher ever) and pretty darn good to listen to. anyone ever listen to wayne dyer? he was on pbs today and he is more spiritual than religious but seemed to pump out alot of good ideas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CelticLady1
There seem to be quite a few people, who attend the church, (or watch on t.v.), that Joel Osteen is pastor of, because he doesn't hammer people with hellfire and brimstone. I actually watched him yesterday, for a good portion of his sermon, which says something, because I never watch t.v. preachers, national or local. I can't stand most of them. But, this Osteen was was kind of refreshing. It's kind of nice to hear encouraging words, instead of the constant barrage of what horrible sinners we all are, and how most of the world's population is headed to hell in a handbasket! I think most people have a pretty fair idea of their shortcomings, without having a "spiritual leader" standing up in the pulpit, pounding on them in every sermon.
Of course, there are quite a few fundamentalists who don't like Osteen, because he doesn't preach that hellfire and brimstone. Which amuses me, just as anyone does, in the Christian community who tweaks the noses of the fundamentalists. I had my fill of fundamentalism long ago, so I really have no patience with it, anymore.
can someone PLEASE tell me why there is so much talk of this? what IS the deal? im beginning to think that christianity is based on fear! fear of eternal hell. what kind of way to live is that? fear is one of the WORST things in the world (imo). it gets in the way of soooo many things. it can paralyze you and not let you reach your full potential.
Christianity is based on love, the love of God to send Jesus to die on the cross to save us from hell. I love Him because He loved me first, it has nothing to do with fear, all fear is gone.
sounds like a nice church you go to. nothing better than an uplifting sermon.
Its the best I've experienced and feel lucky my wife found it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Spoken like a true Nicolepsian (
who it seems, also attends the cult of d, or either heavily borrows from it).
I think most people have a pretty fair idea of their shortcomings, without having a "spiritual leader" standing up in the pulpit, pounding on them in every sermon. 
Which amuses me, just as anyone does, in the Christian community who tweaks the noses of the fundamentalists. I had my fill of fundamentalism long ago, so I really have no patience with it, anymore.
