we don't send ourselves to hell

[Godscreated]

Why would you love someone you're commanded to fear?

I've never taken it as strictly a commandment, I do take it as great advice. Most of the time the word translated fear would be better translated as respect but, not always.

GC

[The Valkyrie]

"I'm not threatening you. I'm just repeating the threats of my book of fables uses to keep its followers under control"

Corrected that for you, GC.

You didn't correct anything the Bible doesn't threaten, it gives promises, there's a huge difference, you should realize that.

I don't have any fear of your imaginary god, your imaginary devil, your imaginary hell, or your book of fables. The same way as I don't have fear of Loki, Set, or Quetzacoatl.

Reality is better than fantasy, GC.

RJA

Scripture states that only the foolish do not fear God. I know reality is better than fantasy, that's why I live in reality.

Scripture also states that bats are birds, that Pi is exactly 3 and that the Earth is the centre of the universe.

I wouldn't take it seriously if I were you.

An all loving god wouldn't need to generate fear among its followers.

And yes, you do live in a fantasy world.

[FatAndFaithless]

Why would you love someone you're commanded to fear?

I've never taken it as strictly a commandment, I do take it as great advice. Most of the time the word translated fear would be better translated as respect but, not always.

GC

Okay then, why would you love someone that you're "strongly advised" to fear?

[Godscreated]

Scripture states that only the foolish do not fear God. I know reality is better than fantasy, that's why I live in reality.

Says the guy who is in awe of a magical being that he's never seen and can't evidence but which he believes controls every aspect of our universe and his life.

Whatever works for you, bud.

What works for me can work for others, as long as they take the right path. I know God exists, I have all the evidence I need.

GC

[FatAndFaithless]

Says the guy who is in awe of a magical being that he's never seen and can't evidence but which he believes controls every aspect of our universe and his life.

Whatever works for you, bud.

What works for me can work for others, as long as they take the right path. I know God exists, I have all the evidence I need.

GC

Take your statement word for word and imagine a Muslim saying it.
"What works for me can work for others, as long as they take the right path. I know Allah exists, I have all the evidence I need."

Would you believe him? Why not? How can you prove him wrong?

[Godscreated]

I've never taken it as strictly a commandment, I do take it as great advice. Most of the time the word translated fear would be better translated as respect but, not always.

GC

Okay then, why would you love someone that you're "strongly advised" to fear?

Any one who doesn't fear a person with superior strength when one opposes them is being foolish. To avoid being foolish I have respect for God, it a simple choice and quite logical, don't you think so. As a child I had respect for my father most of the time, when I forgot that I should always have that respect I got into trouble doing something I shouldn't have, I then was punished I also forgot to fear that punishment, very foolish of me. My father's concern was for me to obey and stay out of trouble and the fear of punishment was there to remind me. Even though he is now gone, I still love him for all he was.

GC

[FatAndFaithless]

Call me crazy, but I find it hard to see how a relationship can be called a 'loving' one if fear of one party by another is a major and integral part of it.

[Godscreated]

What works for me can work for others, as long as they take the right path. I know God exists, I have all the evidence I need.

GC

Take your statement word for word and imagine a Muslim saying it.
"What works for me can work for others, as long as they take the right path. I know Allah exists, I have all the evidence I need."

Would you believe him? Why not? How can you prove him wrong?

Actually because I know that this Allah doesn't exist, I do not concern nor worry myself about it. That's why I can't understand why atheist waste time with something they do not believe exists.

GC

[abaris]

Any one who doesn't fear a person with superior strength when one opposes them is being foolish. To avoid being foolish I have respect for God, it a simple choice and quite logical, don't you think so. As a child I had respect for my father most of the time, when I forgot that I should always have that respect I got into trouble doing something I shouldn't have, I then was punished I also forgot to fear that punishment, very foolish of me. My father's concern was for me to obey and stay out of trouble and the fear of punishment was there to remind me. Even though he is now gone, I still love him for all he was.

GC

By the same token, I should fear Superman as far as the evidence is concerned.

And a sad story you're telling there. I did respect my father very much, but I didn't fear his punishment, since he never punished me. He only told me, I was wrong when something happened. I respected him for being an open minded, tolerant man. And more than I respected him, I loved him.

[The Valkyrie]

Call me crazy, but I find it hard to see how a relationship can be called a 'loving' one if fear of one party by another is a major and integral part of it.

Battered partner syndrome.

"I know he beats me every day but deep down I know he loves me."