|
Welcome to the International Skeptics Forum, where we discuss skepticism, critical thinking, the paranormal and science in a friendly but lively way. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest, which means you are missing out on discussing matters that are of interest to you. Please consider registering so you can gain full use of the forum features and interact with other Members. Registration is simple, fast and free! Click here to register today. |
23rd May 2013, 07:41 AM | #1 |
Graduate Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Right about... here.
Posts: 1,854
|
Why "God fearing"?
I'm an atheist who is fairly ignorant of the various facets of religion, and there's one thing that's puzzles me. Why do religious folks speak of 'God fearing Christians" and such? For instance, there's this quote in a letter to the editor:
"With the magazines full of filthy stories, with immoral conditions in the schools and a thousand temptations previous generations never knew, it is only by the grace of God a child can grow up in the fear of the Lord."Why must a child grow up in fear of the Lord? What's the purpose behind being afraid of the being you're worshiping? Or is there another meaning here I'm not getting? |
__________________
"So, they laugh at my boner, will they? I'll show them! I'll show them how many boners the Joker can make!" -- The Joker, Batman #66 |
|
23rd May 2013, 07:45 AM | #2 |
NWO Litter Technician
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Looks like Finland. Smells like Finland. Quacks like Finland. Where the hell am I?
Posts: 15,161
|
|
__________________
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips
|
|
23rd May 2013, 07:47 AM | #3 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 23,064
|
because their god is a mean monster that is claimed to have caused mass genocide. he is claimed to punish people for eternety for the slightest sins. its a wicked monster, when one believes he exist, one better fears that monster.
|
23rd May 2013, 07:49 AM | #4 |
Merchant of Doom
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not in Hell, but I can see it from here on a clear day...
Posts: 15,112
|
It's meant as fear in the sense of awe (the original, not the awesome connotation of modern times). From dictionary.com:
4. reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God. Synonyms: awe, respect, reverence, veneration. All part of the modern Christian teachings that we're basically pathetic, worthless scumbags, and only recognizing the complete and total power of God (and our own absolute hopelessness on our own) can save us. Basically, it reinforces the idea that we should cringe on the floor before the master, and be grateful for the crumbs. Bitter? Why do you ask? |
23rd May 2013, 07:52 AM | #5 |
Piggish
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Blandings Castle
Posts: 2,210
|
They're using the word "fear" in the sense of "awe" or "reverence". So "God-fearing" would be a person that understands the majesty of God. Of course, Christians worship Yahweh, so considering he's an evil bastard who will smite anyone for any perceived slight and once drowned everything and everyone for whatever reason he made up, being afraid of him seems like a reasonable response.
|
__________________
One prefers, of course, on all occasions to be stainless and above reproach, but, failing that, the next best thing is unquestionably to have got rid of the body. ― P.G. Wodehouse |
|
23rd May 2013, 07:59 AM | #6 |
121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 42,180
|
Because if you don't fear the god or gods you might not obey the parasitic priesthood, perhaps going so far as to question if they're actually doing anything at all. That would be bad for the fat friars. So "hell and damnation" is the "stick" here.
|
__________________
Guns that are instantly available for use are instantly available for misuse. World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Buying conspiracy books is a voluntary tax on stupid. |
|
23rd May 2013, 08:14 AM | #7 |
Muse
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 623
|
In the KJV, God says to Abraham (when he is in the process of sacrificing Isaac, at God's request), "Now I know that thou fearest God." Many more modern translations use "respect," "obey," or some other word to translate the Hebrew.
This is just one example; it's all over the Bible. Since many fundamentalists use the KJV, they use the "fear" term instead of one of the others. |
23rd May 2013, 08:22 AM | #8 |
Master Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,608
|
I generally took it to mean fear that God will send you to hell if you don't behave.
Therefore, someone who fears God will act morally so they can go to heaven. |
23rd May 2013, 08:26 AM | #9 |
Merchant of Doom
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not in Hell, but I can see it from here on a clear day...
Posts: 15,112
|
There's some of that in there, but that's not the way the church would generally put it.
It's used in the sense of awe and reverence, but with actual fear in there too. It implies that along with the awe is the understanding that this being could utterly destroy you for eternity (and the rest of my mini-rant above ). A recognition of power. Understanding who holds the whip and who picks the cotton. |
23rd May 2013, 04:19 PM | #10 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,548
|
|
__________________
Racism, sexism, ignorance, homophobia, intolerance, extremism, authoritarianism, environmental disasters, politically correct crap, violence at sport stadiums, slavery, poverty, wars, people who disagree with me: Together we can find the cure Oh, and together we can find a cure to religion too… |
|
23rd May 2013, 08:17 PM | #11 |
I lost an avatar bet.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 28,781
|
Also Psalm 110: 9-10
He sent redemption to his people: he has commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is His name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endures for ever. |
__________________
I lost an avatar bet to Doghouse Reilly. |
|
23rd May 2013, 08:25 PM | #12 |
I lost an avatar bet.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 28,781
|
don't forget Deuteronomy 5:9 ...for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
............ The awe definition does fit very well into the context in the original letter referenced in the OP. On the other hand, I would love to ask that particular writer what he meant by fear. Other evidence for the awe definition is that when the Bible mentions "fearsome" the word "awesome" fits just as well. |
__________________
I lost an avatar bet to Doghouse Reilly. |
|
24th May 2013, 05:13 AM | #13 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: As far away from casebro as possible.
Posts: 7,070
|
Or even the gospel according to his Bobness.
Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son" Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on" God say, "No." Abe say, "What ?" God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but The next time you see me comin' you better run" Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done ?" God says. "Out on Highway 61". |
__________________
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda |
|
26th May 2013, 12:55 PM | #14 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Adirondacks, NY - with Magrat!
Posts: 8,750
|
|
28th May 2013, 07:25 AM | #15 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,189
|
His Flock
To be able to read and understand His messages and then follow His path is to be Divine in His eyes. To be closer to what your true path is to be.
|
28th May 2013, 07:34 AM | #16 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 15,892
|
Carrot ain't enough. Gotta have stick too.
|
28th May 2013, 07:39 AM | #17 |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 35,398
|
|
28th May 2013, 09:33 AM | #18 |
121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 42,180
|
|
__________________
Guns that are instantly available for use are instantly available for misuse. World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Buying conspiracy books is a voluntary tax on stupid. |
|
28th May 2013, 09:39 AM | #19 |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 35,398
|
|
28th May 2013, 09:46 AM | #20 |
121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 42,180
|
|
__________________
Guns that are instantly available for use are instantly available for misuse. World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Buying conspiracy books is a voluntary tax on stupid. |
|
29th May 2013, 06:32 AM | #21 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sweden
Posts: 7,706
|
In the abrahamic tradition God is a vindictive, abusive, totalitarian ***hole. As such good people (i.e Christians, Jews, Muslims and their mutations) are very afraid of being punished by said vindictive, abusive, totalitarian ***hole.
|
__________________
We would be a lot safer if the Government would take its money out of science and put it into astrology and the reading of palms. Only in superstition is there hope. - Kurt Vonnegut Jr And no, Cuba is not a brutal and corrupt dictatorship, and it's definitely less so than Sweden. - dann |
|
30th May 2013, 07:21 PM | #22 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hollywood East
Posts: 10,889
|
|
30th May 2013, 08:11 PM | #23 |
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 275
|
Just two sentences, and there it is. A long history of trickery and terror, in order to maintain their grip of power, and it works.
This brings me to a question of my own. What do you think motivates people going into the priesthood ( using the generic term to include all religions ) today? The ones I have known personally, or heard about from friends seem to be good people motivated by sincere intentions to do good for others, and I honestly believe the vast majority fit that mold. So what happens? Where do all the child molesting priests, and the Swaggerts and Bakers come from? Do they start out with the idea of exploiting people or does something happen along the way? We all change our views as we go through life. Do they stop believing at some point, and suddenly realize they chose the wrong career? |
1st June 2013, 07:23 AM | #24 |
This title intentionally left blank
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,126
|
In the Old Testament, God is always smiting people. What's not to fear?
|
1st June 2013, 07:50 AM | #25 |
121.92-meter mutant fire-breathing lizard-thingy
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northern St. Louis County, Missouri.
Posts: 42,180
|
There would definitely be some who sign up for good reasons, and some who sign up because they drool at the thought of choir practice. It's not either/or, it's both.
Quote:
|
__________________
Guns that are instantly available for use are instantly available for misuse. World War II Diplomatic and Political Resources Hyperwar, WWII Military History Buying conspiracy books is a voluntary tax on stupid. |
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|