A Serious Question For Theists

[Jenny A]

Atheists don't respond to threats of hell because they don't believe in it. That's like saying "I'm going to shoot you with this gun", but you don't see a gun in my hand. I just present what I believe to be the truth and leave the rest to God. We're not here to make people believe. We're here to spread the word. As for me, I'm also here to hear other opinions. This forum has changed the way I perceive others and also my perception of the way christians present themselves in our society. My outlook has changed quite a bit in the last six months, thanks to this forum.

I don't believe in hell or heaven either. But I certainly do respond to threats of hell:

(1) I admit that some Christians do mention hell out of genuine concern (if misguided concern), but not always. Often they the person making the threat is often not the least bit benevolent. They are angry because I don't believe. Those people make me angry.

(2) They also make me wonder about the morals of a proposed god who prescribe an infinite punishment for a finite crime. Not even Hitler [or other evil man of choice] deserves to be punished for eternity. That the proposed god is also supposed to be just and loving in the final nail in the coffin.

So threatening hell is counterproductive if what you want is my belief. If what you want is my respect, your reason for bringing hell up better be concern. If you have learned that much, you've learned a lot.