Quote:
Originally Posted by greywar
OK, I hope no one is offended by this as its meant as a honest question. Often I see folks talking about how bad people behave who dont believe in God because they should fear his wrath justice etc. aka "you should fear the wrath of god" sort of things.
But...isn't it more about kindness and about a loving god? Why do people choose to make folks fear him, instead of understanding that love is a better motivator long term. Fear? People get over when nothing happens immediately. Love? Love can go forever.
Why do so many ministers etc focus on the fear side?
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To some extent I do agree with you.
However, there are various factors here.
First, what religion you are talking about?
Second, which is more of a philosophical thought, "different people have different triggers".
Some folks go for carrots, others for sticks. And some need a mix of both. There are various shades of gray spread across human race and human psychology.
Not every one will be attracted by the carrots only, and not everyone will be straightened out by the stick.
So religion has both facets.
To put it in a more meaningful terms... I thinks it's the "warning" vs "hope". (You may call it "wrath" vs "love".)
There is usually no "wrath" of God at the spot. Religious guidance only gives a warning. It's then up to the individual, as how he chooses to act?
And it's usually "hope", and no instant reward at the spot by God, given to person for avoiding what's bad and trying to do what's good.
So,
If we talk about Christianity and Judaism then it seems like there is no, so to speak, Judgment leading to "wrath" " for the Jews and for the Christians as long as they believe in their faith. i.e. Jews just be Jews, and Christians to believe that Jesus is their savior.
So why would a Christian use the word "wrath of God" against anyone? Perhaps when he sees a non-Christian and warns him about the consequences of his bad actions?
I don't see how a Christian can use the "wrath of God" against another fellow Christians? Both are technically guaranteed a spot in heaven for believing Jesus to be their savior. As we know, Modern day Christianity is primarily based on "faith" and not necessarily "works".
Not sure, how the "wrath of God" will be used among Jews?
There is no concept of hell for Jews in the Jewish doctrine, from the little I know.
Some Jews who may do bad and evil things to others, may have to spend a few days in some sorta cosmic quarantine, and then they will be send to paradise. Please correct me if I am wrong as my knowledge is very limited.
However, in the Islamic faith, the game is played a bit differently, and I would say, more fairly.
Just because you are a Muslim, doesn't give you a carte blanche.
Your faith must be supported by a genuine and continuous effort good works, and avoidance from bad and evil works.
There is a nice long cosmic stick for Muslims who do evil things and injustice to others, and there is hope and glad tidings to those who try to avoid what's evil and try to do what's good.
So there is warning and hope, well in place.
In the Islamic theology, your ACTIONS determine where you want to call the wrath or love.
Religious guidance only gives you "warning" and "hope".
And where I do agree with you is that, within the Islamic world, I sometimes see that there is a lot of stress of "Warning" and "Wraths" rather than "Hope and Love".
I have approached and argued with many scholars and speakers who I found doing this.
Personally, I believe that we should give people more hope rather than the stick.
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