From: "Robert Comer" 

> No offence, but I think that's a naive POV.

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't agree.  There are some
that do it for power, I agree, but there's a lot fewer of them than the
"real" variety in my experience.

>If you want to maintain a power based on promises and threats then you need
>an enemy to demonise.

Most Christian denominations gave up on the threats part long ago, I
haven't heard a fire and brimstone sermon since I was a kid.  There are
still some that do it, but they tend to be the outside fringe.

Demonizing those outside isn't the goal any more, it's more spreading the
word, saving others and such.  (be fruitful and multiply as it were...)

> Put the fear of God into your followers and they'll do whatever you want.

Fear of God is another term I haven't heard in very long time.

> Are you a determinist then?

Pretty close. (not 100%)

--
Bob Comer


"Tony Williams"  wrote in message
news:43ab1294$1{at}w3.nls.net...
> Robert Comer wrote:
>>>I'm afraid I don't buy that.
>>
>> Suit yourself.
>>
>
> Ok.
>
>>>That might be your faith, but have you ever listened to a
>>>fire-and-brimstone preacher gleefully threatening all the non-believers
>>>with eternal torment?
>>
>>
>> Yep, but it's not because he wants unbelievers to not be saved -- quite
>> the opposite.
>
> No offence, but I think that's a naive POV. If you want to maintain a
> power based on promises and threats then you need an enemy to demonise.
> Put the fear of God into your followers and they'll do whatever you want.
>
>>
>>>They're based on the notion of the Rapture as a kind of prequel to
>>>Revelations. I understand that the Rapture is a fairly recent notion and
>>>isn't widely accepted.
>>
>>
>> Rapture isn't all that new, but anyway, there is some debate as to when
>> that's supposed to happen. (in relation to other events)
>>
>>
>>>Regardless, I meant "fantasy" in the same sense that
any story set in the
>>>future is fantasy.
>>
>>
>> As I said, it's not fantasy.
>>
>
> Are you a determinist then? I was using the word in the sense of
> "speculation", not as a perjorative.
>
> --
> Tony

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