Arrowman

As we know, fundies constantly deny that they use hell as a "threat" to win followers. And with a bit of spin doctoring you can almost get away with this clam. Almost.

But check this out

While searching Answers in Genesis (AiG) for something else, I came across this little gem:

<a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2002/0121testimony.asp" target="_blank">http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2002/0121testimony.asp</a>

It shows a letter from a little North Carolina boy, who writes: AiG goes on to say

AiG refers to "A is for Adam" as a "charming children's book".

[ October 23, 2002: Message edited by: Arrowman ]</p>

RJS

If I had a nickel for every time an atheist here just "happened to be browsing" a fundie site and came up with something to complain about, I would be a rich man.

Why do you guys spend so much time searching this stuff out - chick tracks, baptistboard, other less traveled sites? It really is amazing.

Arrowman

I take it, RJS, that you are accusing me of lying about how I found this little gem? For what it's worth, I was actually looking for something - I was looking for a citation to use in my post in this thread:
<a href="http://iidb.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=58&t=001581&p=2" target="_blank">http://iidb.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=58&t=001581&p=2</a>

Apart from that, I browse those sites for the same reason I occasionally watch Jerry Springer.

RJS

Really didn't mean to imply you were lying. It was just a thought that came to mind after reviewing a few threads here. Just that your was last

Generally speaking, however, I do wonder about the motives. Again, not your specific one here, just generally.

bltl6

I was "saved" at 7 because I didn't want to go to Hell. I follow Christ for other reasons now, but I guess I was glad I heard that message of Hell. As an adult, I wouldn't use that message to get people to be Christians. For one, I don't know if a litteral Hell even exsists. Second, there are too many imature Christians already. The message shouldn't be "pray this prayer to escape Hell", but "commit your whole life to God as Christianity is a journey that should be leading you closer and closer (spiritually) with Christ every day." Sorry about the rant.

KnightWhoSaysNi

Grrr, I wish I had a scanner!

I have a photograph of a kids' poster entitled "What is Hell like?" It's one of the most hilarious and saddest (or should I say 'sadist') things I've ever seen. The poster shows a person getting his head chopped off by an axe, another burning in flames, a guy getting shot by a machine gun, a 'hangman' drawing, and phrases like "Beep off!" and "Your are lost!"

I'll get it scanned sometime. Maybe I'll do it at the university on the weekend. You'll either laugh or cry (or both) when you see it!

Chicken Girl

I've been known to watch 7th Heaven from time to time. *ducks flying fruit* *catches myself an apple 'cause I'm hungry*

In one very special episode, Simon and Ruthie (kids #4 and 5 of 7) are telling their parents that they are afraid they will go to Hell because they didn't tell their parents about one of Mary's (2nd oldest kid) phone conversations that they overheard (while eavesdropping over a baby monitor) about some enigmatic thing that later turned out to be plans to vandalize the school gym (which Mary then committed and got arrested for)

anyway, Ruthie doesn't want to say "Hell" so she describes it in these terms:

"You know how you have fun toasting s'mores over a fire, but it's not so much fun when you're the s'more?"

I just can't understand how anyone can put a sick, sadistic idea like that into a kid's head. (and I know that wasn't a particularly gruesome description, but the look on her face and the tone of her voice when she says it gets me every time. )

Arrowman

Fair 'nuff.

But what's to wonder about? There are zillions of reasons atheists browse Christian sites, ranging from genuine interest and self-education through to "point and laugh". So what?

I know that I have heard some Christians say that they think atheists visit Christian sites, and particularly message boards, because they are "seeking" or "sensing something is missing from their life" or "God has led them there". As though normal human curiosity, and interest in learning more (rarely demonstrated by the Christians in question, who wouldn't dream of laying eyes on an atheist site) or whatever, isn't enough.

With respect, RJR, you need to come up with something better and more specific than 'I wonder about the motives' if you want to make a serious point.

Queen of Swords

Originally posted by RJS:
<strong>Generally speaking, however, I do wonder about the motives. Again, not your specific one here, just generally.</strong>

I browse Christian sites in order to

1. show just how very strange, intolerant or ludicrous fundamentalism can be
2. make people laugh.

Now you need wonder no more about my motives.

Brother Daniel

For me, it was embarrassingly late in life that I was able to begin questioning my evangelical faith. I was essentially inoculated against deep thinking by the notion (absorbed in early childhood) that "correct belief" is the standard for determining which way you "go" after you die. Any heretical thought that started to burble up from my subconscious mind would be zapped by an overactive immune system before it reached my conscious mind. The fear of hell is indeed a powerful force.

Some of those evangelicals who claim not to use hell to manipulate children are probably telling the truth. Unfortunately, they apparently haven't stopped to think about the fact that the children in question are immersed in an environment (Sunday school, Christian summer camps, etc.) where other people ARE manipulating those children in exactly this way. A child typically will meet many adults that influence her/his thinking, and it doesn't take very many hell-using scaremongers to do a lot of damage.