The following article is part five of a six-part
series written in response to Bertrand Russell's
"Why I Am Not a Christian."
For reference, I have included a link to his essay
at the bottom of each article.
Mr. Russell’s final argument—that Christianity is a religion of fear, that puts an unnecessary burden of misery on its followers—is just as preposterous as the rest of his lecture.
Of course if you do not believe in Hell, as most atheists do, then the message of Christianity looks like fear mongering.
However, if Hell is real then the fear mongering instantly becomes a dire warning. So it all depends on whether or not Hell exists.
If it doesn’t, then there was no reason for Jesus to die in the place of all humanity. And if Jesus didn’t die, then he most certainly did not rise from the dead three days later. And if Jesus was not raised from the dead, then there is nothing to worry about. Christianity is a farce, just like all other religions. Which is exactly what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:14-25
But if Hell does exist, then Christians aren’t trying to scare people into converting. They’re trying to rescue people from a very real—albeit unseen—danger. And as we all know, it’s often the hidden dangers that cause the most harm. You don’t know its there until it’s too late.
Let me put it this way: if someone knew you were about to step on a land mine, wouldn’t you want them to warn you before you stepped on it? I know I would.
Furthermore, the example Mr. Russell gave of the syphilitic man and his wife being forbidden from using birth control, and therefore resigned to a life of misery and celibacy on account of religion, is based on his own opinion and not biblical fact.
Granted, some churches do teach a doctrine against the use of birth control. But this is not something found in the Bible. In fact, the verse that is most often used to promote this belief (Genesis 38:9-10) isn’t even about birth control at all. It’s about an ancient, cultural practice that required the brother of a dead man to marry his brother's wife in order to preserve the dead brother’s bloodline. So in reality, Onan—the man mentioned in this passage of scripture—was punished not because he used a form of birth control, but because he showed contempt for brother by refusing to father a child who would be his brother’s heir.
All this is a bit beside the point however, when we ask the obvious question of how Russell's hypothetical man contracted syphilis in the first place. If the man in question was truly concerned with biblical teachings about sex, then it is likely that he would not have contracted the disease. In this regard the fate of this man and his wife is a life of celibacy resulting from medical necessity, not religious oppression. If the man had not engaged in sexual promiscuity he would not have contracted syphilis and would not be required to abstain from sexual intercourse.
Another key point that I want to mention here is that according to the Bible, Hell was never meant for people. It was meant for Satan and the fallen angels allied with him.
All this is a bit beside the point however, when we ask the obvious question of how Russell's hypothetical man contracted syphilis in the first place. If the man in question was truly concerned with biblical teachings about sex, then it is likely that he would not have contracted the disease. In this regard the fate of this man and his wife is a life of celibacy resulting from medical necessity, not religious oppression. If the man had not engaged in sexual promiscuity he would not have contracted syphilis and would not be required to abstain from sexual intercourse.
Another key point that I want to mention here is that according to the Bible, Hell was never meant for people. It was meant for Satan and the fallen angels allied with him.
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.’”
~Matthew 25:41 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
~Matthew 25:41 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
God loves people; even those who hate Him.
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
~Romans 5:8 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
~Romans 5:8 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell.
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
~2 Peter 3:9 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
~2 Peter 3:9 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
Satan is the one who wants people to go to Hell.
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
~1 Peter 5:8 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
~1 Peter 5:8 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
But Jesus came to save us from that fate.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
~Luke 19:10 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
~Luke 19:10 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My (Jesus') purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
~John 10:10 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
~John 10:10 New Living Translation (NLT) [Emphasis Added]
Essentially, Satan’s attitude is that of a hostage-taker hiding behind a human shield. He knows he’s going to die, but he is determined to take as many people down with him as he can.
Satan knows God loves humanity so much that He died to save them, and so he’s trying to hurt God by dragging as many people to Hell as he can; by lying to them about God, tricking them into worshiping other things, or by simply making them apathetic to religion in general; lulling them into a false sense of security based on their own “goodness.” Even though the Bible says that we are all sinners and are guilty before God. (Romans 3:23)
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