How do you feel when someone directly tells you ...

[Fidel_Castronaut]

*looks up picture of Megan Fox*

Hell yeah, I'll be right there next to you.

Who wouldn't want to spend a night in Megan's Fox hole?

[Cyberman]

And are there any atheists in there?

[Doubting Thomas]

If all the gays are going to Hell, that's where I want to be for sure, and I'll be licking Megan Fox's pussy all day long for eternity.

*looks up picture of Megan Fox*

Hell yeah, I'll be right there next to you.

That big, eh?

I don't know, but I'd at least take over the night shift.

[T.J.]

Hell was used as a scare tactic to make me behave as a child. That there was a strike against me every time I did something wrong. Because of this I actually used to have nightmares of God killing me. It seriously scarred me as a child and is the sole reason I have hung on to such beliefs for the longest time. It doesn't just offend me. It pisses me off.

[Cyberman]

Most people of a theist bent have no idea of the psychological damage such scare tactics can inflict on an impressionable, trusting mind. I've spoken elsewhere of my hobby xtian friend who many years ago tried to pull the same shit on my then-single-figure nephew, telling him gleefully that demons and monsters are real and waiting to catch naughty children. Now, kids love being scared if it's a safe scare - just listen to the sort of stories they make up for each other and then throw away that copy of the Brothers Grimm. But this went far too far and introduced a threat into my nephew's own home. After he approached me for reassurance that it wasn't real, I 'discussed' the problem with my friend who never tried it again.

I don't care if you want to pretend this shit is real, but don't expect me to play the game - and most certainly leave the kids out of it.

[Doubting Thomas]

Hell was used as a scare tactic to make me behave as a child. That there was a strike against me every time I did something wrong. Because of this I actually used to have nightmares of God killing me. It seriously scarred me as a child and is the sole reason I have hung on to such beliefs for the longest time. It doesn't just offend me. It pisses me off.

I used to feel the same way, that God struck a tally mark every time I did something wrong, and being raised Catholic was taught that if you die with an unconfessed mortal sin on your soul, then you go straight to hell, doesn't matter about all the good things you did in your life. You could be a kind, caring person, but play with your willy one night and then get hit by a car the next morning, you're down there burning with the devil for eternity. I'm just glad I was able to overcome such nonsense brainwashing without any neuroses.

[Einharjar]

I believe I've only ever had two people legitimately condemn me to Hell. One was a grisly concerned Christian class mate whom was suggesting "you can go to Hell for this stuff, you know that right?"and the other was the angry "you're going to Hell for your sins!" Bullshit that I laughed at. For the classmate, I simply said "um... Nope. Not possible." Which of course broke his logic processes. The flamed however a tore into. There is a wonderful checklist you can spout off to such imbeciles.
1 - it is not your place to pass judgement, so says your god.
2 - you cannot see what my future hold, so says your god.
3 - we are not cast into Hell, but the Lake of Fire, so says your god.
4 - even if I do not repent in this life, I get a second chance to do so at the Great White Throne Judgment, so says your god.
5 - you apparently don't read or head your own Scriptures despite cclaiming you walk with Christ, which makes you a hypocrite, so says your god also.
6 - laslty, there is a special eternal death for those whom are Luke Warm, those who garner the closest to hate god can ever feel for you...so says your god.

The individual started to cry there after though I didn't know if it was outve pure anger or fear. Some would even say she was "crying for my soul" but even if my soul was filled with bullet holes, im pretty sure it shone more light than hers did that day. That was until I went all black and figured I was atheist.

[T.J.]

I used to feel the same way, that God struck a tally mark every time I did something wrong, and being raised Catholic was taught that if you die with an unconfessed mortal sin on your soul, then you go straight to hell, doesn't matter about all the good things you did in your life. You could be a kind, caring person, but play with your willy one night and then get hit by a car the next morning, you're down there burning with the devil for eternity. I'm just glad I was able to overcome such nonsense brainwashing without any neuroses.

How much did you guys spend on gas making the trip back and forth to church?

This family couldn't afford to be Catholic.

[Doubting Thomas]

Well basically it was "hope nothing bad happens until you go to confession." But generally I think most people didn't buy into the "mortal sin" nonsense, because it seemed like most if not all people who died were considered to be in Heaven.

[Godscreated]

Hell was used as a scare tactic to make me behave as a child. That there was a strike against me every time I did something wrong. Because of this I actually used to have nightmares of God killing me. It seriously scarred me as a child and is the sole reason I have hung on to such beliefs for the longest time. It doesn't just offend me. It pisses me off.

I used to feel the same way, that God struck a tally mark every time I did something wrong, and being raised Catholic was taught that if you die with an unconfessed mortal sin on your soul, then you go straight to hell, doesn't matter about all the good things you did in your life. You could be a kind, caring person, but play with your willy one night and then get hit by a car the next morning, you're down there burning with the devil for eternity. I'm just glad I was able to overcome such nonsense brainwashing without any neuroses.

I agree, that's no way to teach children and, in my church that does not go on, I can't say what might happen at home, but by the way the children talk it doesn't happen there either. You guys are quick to condemn all Christians when in truth there are many who would agree with you that scaring children with hell is inappropriate, children just can't understand hell at a young age. I believe that most who leave the faith have been taught that way and I for one think it's shameful they were taught that way.
The Catholic Church teaches many wrong ideas about God and His justice, the Catholic Church teaches much that is wrong actually. Please do not base other denominations on their teachings, the protestant church and the Catholic Church are as different as night and day. Though I know a few protestant churches that believe if one commits any sin and does not ask for forgiveness before one dies you're bound for hell. I say to them what good did it do for Christ to die if we can not make mistakes, I thought that's why He died. Please do not misunderstand what I'm saying, Christians are to live as sinless as possible.

GC