Why do catholics use scare tactics to get people to believe in their God?
481380
Not all chatholics believe this. Generally, however, strong heaven/hell beliefs, in any religion, are a reflection of the person's own level of psychological development. Now I don't have time, obviously, to get into theories of psychological development, so I won't, but without understanding development I think it is harder to answer these kinds of questions, so I will just offer what I can and hope you get the drift.\n\nPeople who have developed to the conventional/mythic-membership level of cognition -- which is the general level of consciousness among fundamentalists and people who adopt conventional religious beliefs such as heaven and hell -- tend to see the world in black and white, good versus evil, us versus them, and therefore tend to project their own psychological orientation toward the world onto God, thus assuming God must be as equally judgemental and vengeful. Since people at the conventional stage of psychological development tend to see those outside of their own group, community, or religious affiliation as a threat, as other, as less than fully human, they assume God will think/feel the same way. \n\nHowever, having said this, there are catholics who happen to be more psychologically developed than this. Some reach the ability for rational cognition (that does not mean the ability to sound rational, but rather the ability to hold perspectives that separate objective its from subjective shoulds), some pluralistic cognition, and some higher. For such people, God will tend to be viewed increasingly as more rational, more pluralistic (in which case, God couldn't possibly hold the tight standards of heaven as hell as a conventionally minded follower would believe), etc, depending on the person's individual cognitive and psychological development. \n\nSo, one's stage of psychological development largely dictates what that person considers to be "loving", and therefore they will project their form of "love" onto God. For a person developed up to the conventional/mythic-membership level, and no higher, "love" means being moral and good to your friends, neihbors, family members, and community, but that love rarely extends to foriegners or outsiders (which is why they tend to be more prone to racism and pro-war positions). Thus, a God who loves his chosen people, but essentially hates and punishes the non-chosen, is not seen to be at odds with their understanding of love.\n\nOn the other hand, someone developed past the conventional/mythic-membership stage, someone with rational or postmodern consciousness, understands love not merely as loving your neighbors, friends, community, and family, but also loving those who are different than you. That is, their sphere of loving embrace is larger, and therefore naturally will assume that God's sphere of love must be larger too.\n\nHope this helps a bit.
353579
People are afraid of things they dont understand. People who dont understand god, spend all their time trying to rationalize with logic why he doesnt exist, which will be a never resolving issue because god is too mysterious to rationalize.
793669
Interesting Question I read your other question and some of the answers. I dont believe in god either. I have often wondered why faith and the belief in God has to be taught. Why isnt it an instinctual thing. Why was brute force used to spread the word of God. What are they afraid of that and made them kill and fight wars? Personallly I think people hit a mental barrier and use God as an excuse. They use it as some sort of mental crutch. We suppose to have free will to do what we want and when we want. To believe in God removes a part of that free will because then you have to obey something other than your own free will. It is amazeing how people react badly when you ask these type of questions. Not very Christain like attitude. Surely their faith is strong enough to take these questions with out getting all hot under the collar.\n\nI shall come back to this question to read the rest of the answers as like you I find it interguing. \n\nJust an opinion of one man.
41949
People want something to believe in. If they do not believe in something than chaos will erupt.
427074
They're trying to convert people using FEAR
867538
some believe the catholic church
582956
Atheists don't have enough knowledge about religion because they are not associated with any religion. I guess it's their own ignorant way of forming an opinion which ins't even valid. It's kind of like children laughing or teasing at something that they have never heard of. It's a childish way of coming to terms with something.\n\nYou're right in saying that there is a reason to believe in God. As a catholic, we don't really consider it as a "higher power" though. However, it is the only form of being that we worship (we worship no one else except God) which comes from one of the 10 commandments.\n\nOne other thing, why would God be unfair and cruel? Because of all the terrible things that happen? Let me tell you that there is a reason for everything that happens and it's all part of God's plan for each of us in the future. For example, something bad had to happen today for something more important that will happen tomorrow.
63752
Lack of knowledge has to take it, I think. Most of what anti-Catholics know about our faith comes from anti-Catholic apologetics and tracts of the Jack Chick kind, and not any first-hand knowledge. The most ardent detractors are often people who have never seen the catechism, don't know what the CC teaches, and people who've never set foot in a Catholic parish. That's where all the weird stuff about "worshipping statues" and what not comes from.\n\nOf course, some people have a bad opinion of the Catholic church because they are Catholics who were badly served by the church itself. There have been too many bishops too quick to protect their priests and their diocese, and did not care enough about their flock to protect them. I'm thinking of the abuse crisis.\n\nWhere that matter is concerned, I think it will be to us, the laity, to take matters into our hands and make the church listen to us.
293655
This is something I've wondered about for a long time.  To me it makes so much sense that everyones spiritual path is unique to them, that there is no such thing as a "one True" way.  Everyone sees a different face of the divine.... \n\nThe reasons why people are afraid are simple though - they are uncertain.   Any act of faith makes people feel vulnerable - it should!  Faith is an act of belief without any tangible proof, of course people can get touchy/defensive about it.  Faith makes people feel good, but any challenge to that (such as the existance of multiple religions) means that there may be something else that they haven't considered.   They are insecure.
458034
i am catholic but i believe most of what you said especially the end part. people trust catholicism for the same reason they trust any other religion (i don't know why i follow the religion i am just guided) people use religion because they have weak minds and hearts. there is nothing wrong with this but religion gives them somethin to hold onto. someone in history i believe it was Marx or Stalin said the church was the "opiate of the masses"
683199
I would think it's because we HAVE to believe in something, it's the way we were created, God wants us to believe in him, but Satan has power too and people find it easier, they think, not to believe in God.
1092019
What you've written is what organized "theocracies" have perpetrated since the dawn of recorded history. While the Catholic Pontiffs of yesteryear have acted particularly egregiously, they are not the only examples of how "Cows, Pigs, Wars, & Witches" (- the title of an anti-religious anthology of anthropolgical, cross-cultural studies, written in the 1970's) have come to be enlisted to create fear in the masses and exact control over protracted periods of time. Look at what the "Religious Right" want to do in this country. I suggest you read a book by Kevin Phillips entitled "American Theocracy." In there you can derive the sense that even a country such as ours is vulnerable to these age-old tactics... for example, think on just how effective the "culture of fear" trumped up by the present administration has been in creating an effecient "smokescreen" or deversionary force to escape the public's otherwise probing eyes.
322987
People harden their hearts to God...they choose not to believe because if He exists they have to make a decision. It is much easier to call Christians crazy.
1037610
If you look deeply into what the christian religion is, you'll find its a means of controlling, through fear of damnation, the general public.  the best way of controlling  people is convince them that they have a common enemy,  the devil.  Its motivates people to do things they wouldn't normaly do like kill other humans or give all their money to a church.  Anyone who doesn't believe in the church degrades the churches power over people and therefore must be hated.  This includes pagans.  That's a very very condensed version and I hope it still made sense.
802578
A lot of people get touchy when they are trying to show you their truth and you make a valid or logical point that doesn't fall in line with their beliefs. They are too stubborn or too afraid to admit there may be other possibilities because they have been conditioned to believe that you are damned to hell if you question any part of their particular religious doctrine. Therefore, if you don't take their word for it even if they can't show or prove they are right, the only way they can fight you is to shut you up or get rid of you so you would have less chances to influence anyone else to question what they deem to be the ultimate truth.
540395
Cuz christians are scared of people like us... ;-)
417454
Christianity has since it's inception, been designed to manipulate, force, and control others through fear. It is very difficult for a Christian, who has been brainwashed since birth, to comprehend that their god does not exist. \n\nWe can not blame Christians for their fear-inspired reactions in reverance to their god, this is what fuels them, and gives their lives purpose. It is safer for them to pretend that atheists do not exist, than to look at the facts about their flawed religion, and very flawed, anti-human biblegod.\n\nLet them pray to the open air, as their god does nothing to protect them from danger, tragedy, or their enemies. Let them blindly turn up their nose to science. Let them celebrate holidays that are pagan in origin (like today).