What exactly does "god-fearing" mean, and why is that a desirable attribute?
481543
I have often wondered about that "term" myself. I do have a belief in God, but I don't follow any religion. I was raised to believe that God was all forgiving, so I see no reason to "fear" God. I agree that we do not need a God to be told what is good and what is bad. We all know within ourselves if something is right or wrong. I do my best to follow what I believe to be right and I try to avoid anything that I know is wrong.  Great Question! \n\nA.H.
887176
Let me give you a little inside information about God. God likes to watch. He's a prankster. Think about it. He gives man instincts. He gives you this extraordinary gift, and then what does He do, I swear for His own amusement, his own private, cosmic gag reel, He sets the rules in opposition. It's the goof of all time. Look but don't touch. Touch, but don't taste. Taste, don't swallow. Ahaha. And while you're jumpin' from one foot to the next, what is he doing? He's laughin' His sick, fu ck in' a off! He's a tight-as ! He's a SADIST! He's an absentee landlord! Worship that? NEVER!
171432
Awesome! I respect you, alot, because of this statement. I agree that God should not be brought into alot of things. Alot of these people make such statements blindly as they've yet to receive any ACTUAL experience in the type of situation of which the person you're talking to has gone through, but they feel it necessary to enforce (selfishly, I might add.) that they are a Christian and that by saying this they gain points with God. It doesnt. Why would god want to enstill so much trauma on a person? Common sense doesnt react well with fear, and in this case it is the fear that God is abit shakey about their loyalty to him (Which if they were a true Christian then they would probably come to the conclusion that as long as you build good karma selflessly, then their diety would be happy.).\n\nNow the subject about people preaching their beliefs and then sinning out their asses, I believe you're right. In the Bible, it says that God'll cleanse your sins (NOTE: I am an Athiest and do not believe this, but this is for the sake of argument) but that doesnt mean you should rack up as much negative points while you can. A quote from an AWESOME Scream Christian Band (Hardcore True Christians, mind you.)-\n\n"...Christ is not a Fashion..." - Memphis Will Be Layed To Waste by Norma Jean.
936490
I don't really know why people say to "fear" God. There's nothing to be afraid of really. But I think what they mean is to be respectful of your maker. Show respect and humbleness towards the one who created you. To fear is to admire and praise and to show reverance. Hope that helps!
840398
I think it would be more appropriate to call that person an agnostic, one who is not certain that God exists but is open to the moral code of the faith.  Tradition, theology, ideas and behavior are different things.  One may find value in one but not another.
598474
No!!\nIf they really fear the implications of the existence of God, they would believe in God to avoid the implications!
471097
Fear is the absence of love. The Devil is just a symbol that man uses to project the "demons of the ego." It is the ego of man that does not want to let go and let God. \n\nSo if someone is still fearful of the Devil, regardless of claiming to be "born again of Light", obviously he/she still does not feel enough Love within. It's easy to say one thing and not really feel it. \n\nPlus Christianity places too much emphasis on the fear of the Devil which is ridiculous, BUT sometimes people need that fear in order to "behave" like model citizens like a child would be afraid of a parent's punishment. So it works both ways. For some it is unnecessary, but for some it is necessary.\n\nI have no fear in my life. Anytime you believe in something, you give it life. Therefore I believe in no such illusion, then it does not exist in my reality.\n\nI heard this in a dream recently:\n\n"I asked Fear, 'What do you fear? Have you faced your fears?' "
333840
There are still many people that fear God.  \nThere has always been people that DIDN'T fear God.\nI guess it depends on who you are talking to.
495261
A natural fear of the Lord is something that everyone has to a certain degree. \nWe all fall so short of HIS GLORY, that it causes us concern.\nWhen you read the Bible you have two choices and two choices only.\nEither it is all Words of GOD and therefore correct;\nOr its all a bunch of trash.\nYou can not pick and choose.
1058949
God is not a BIG MAN IN THE SKY WHO LOVES AND HATES AND LETS BAD THINGS HAPPEN. God is Spirit, Love, and Truth. In the Bible it says He is of "purer eyes than to behold iniquity," meaning that God neither sees nor made evil. So what is evil? It ISN'T...it is illusion, like the puddle of water in the desert. It needs to be denied. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
124151
God-fearing parents have the responsibility to bring up their children in the faith. This isn't hard to figure out; if you're a parent and your religion teaches that only Christians go to heaven, why would you want your kids to go to hell? Would you insist that their "right to choose their own religion" was MORE important than where they will spend eternity?\n\nI was not given a chance to choose ANY religion when I was little. I grew up without the values and certainty and comfort of knowing God is there and what He has done for me and what He expects of me. I don't intend to leave my own children in the same sort of vacuum.\n\nIncluding one's children in the household religion is something that has been lost, it seems to me. "Religion is a STRICTLY PERSONAL THING," we are told. And by that if we mean that every one of us is personally ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD for how we've lived, it's true. But we are ALSO accountable to Him for how we have raised our children. Why would we let them die in their sins by not raising them in the nurture and admonition of the Christian faith?
675684
God fearing,honesty,open,romantic and understanding
175131
one cant, at least THIS one cant.  When something terrible happens and you question gods "wisdom" a religious person will most often come back with god has a plan we just don't know what it is.  Well my point is if there is a god and this god is omnipotent then this god allows all of this terrible stuff to happen.  Now if this god has a plan that lets these things happen FOR WHATEVER REASON then it is not something I would want in my life.  If a person stands idly by and lets pain and suffering befall his fellow man when it is in his/her ability to stop the suffering then they are as much at fault as whatever is causing the suffering.  If a "god" dose the same thing, well its just a perverse sort of thing to put your faith in.
385633
God to me...and many other people...means love!but there are some people who look to God as a being that people worship so they would feel all secure!\nbut i love God...and i live and am placed here to serve Him!but as i understand your question...we are not perfect!true it's wrong to hurt someone in anyway...and true..God will do anything for me..He even gave his only son for me so that i maybe free of my debts[sins]!but God loves me nomatter what!once you give your life to God..He will love you and protect you with all his heart!and even if you do wrong...He will always forgive you!belive in what you believe!believe in God!coz he is the greatest!and if what you believe makes you happy....then simply keep beliveing and loving and serving the Almighty!
123498
God bless you .\n\nIf you have a HOLY BIBLE can you read the book of (PROVERBS\n\nChapter 9 vers 10,}\n \nIt says, THE FEAR OF GOD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM, \n\nAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY ONE IS UNDERSTANDING.\n\n PLS read againg (Provebs chapter 8 vers 13) SAY'S \n\nTO FEAR THE LORD IS TO HATE EVIL,  I HATE PRIDE AND\n\n ARROGANCE  SAY'S THE LORD ALMIGHTY. \n                          GOD LOVES YOU, Remain bless in JESUS NAME AMEN.
220764
Dear: Love    GOD is LOVE.They are afraid of the TRUTH.Mans Heart is far away from GOD.Jesus said if you follow me you will also be persecuted,your reward will be in HEAVEN.Be of good cheer for GOD never sleeps,and sees our works.      GOD BLESS
626568
basically FEAR>>>>scared that they might not be RIGHT...\n\nand then there Are those who take their religion seriously and heavy WITHOUT condemning others....those are my kind of people.\n\nlive for the joy and peace...:)