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Why does it matter if a person doesn't go to heaven?

99percenter

99percenter

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Is there some kind of incentive program to get others in heaven? It seems like Christians oppose things like contraception and gay marriage because they believe it is the sin, but why does it matter if they aren't the ones committing? Why spend so much time and energy trying to get others to go to heaven if that is not what they want?
 
If heaven is real, then not going there is a pretty big deal.
 
Despite everything religious people say, even the most ardent ones pick and choose what they want to believe. A lot of it is just giving them an excuse to enforce their own prejudices. In the examples in the OP, it's just an excuse to enforce their patriarchal power structure. Sadly, it also reinforces it. Almost no one behaves as if they rationally believe in an afterlife or the rules for getting there.
 
99percenter said:
Is there some kind of incentive program to get others in heaven? It seems like Christians oppose things like contraception and gay marriage because they believe it is the sin, but why does it matter if they aren't the ones committing? Why spend so much time and energy trying to get others to go to heaven if that is not what they want?
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Good question.
 
99percenter said:
Is there some kind of incentive program to get others in heaven? It seems like Christians oppose things like contraception and gay marriage because they believe it is the sin, but why does it matter if they aren't the ones committing? Why spend so much time and energy trying to get others to go to heaven if that is not what they want?
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It's their job to pester everyone else. It says so in the bible. Instead of calling it 'pester' they called it 'witnessed' - and it's for the good of mankind.
 
Paschendale said:
Despite everything religious people say, even the most ardent ones pick and choose what they want to believe. A lot of it is just giving them an excuse to enforce their own prejudices. In the examples in the OP, it's just an excuse to enforce their patriarchal power structure. Sadly, it also reinforces it. Almost no one behaves as if they rationally believe in an afterlife or the rules for getting there.
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That's true, it was a while ago, but I saw this thing where a guy tried to live according to the Old Testament ... He got stuck on the part of adulterers must be stoned, so he threw pebbles.

It's really not possible to be a hard core bible thumping literalist and not be destined for jail, I suppose one could argue that thus would be persecution for following the word of god.
 
ecofarm said:
If heaven is real, then not going there is a pretty big deal.
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But since there's no reason to think that's the case, what difference does it make? It's about as important as going to Valhalla.
 
99percenter said:
Is there some kind of incentive program to get others in heaven? It seems like Christians oppose things like contraception and gay marriage because they believe it is the sin, but why does it matter if they aren't the ones committing? Why spend so much time and energy trying to get others to go to heaven if that is not what they want?
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the kindest reason is they don't want people to suffer or cease to exist

it maters to me if a person tells me the god they believe in will hurt people or build them to cease existing for not obeying their god, because I can tell if the god they believe in is evil or not, and that tells me if those people believe something I find incredibly evil ( in this case endless torture or murder) is good or evil
 
Paschendale said:
Despite everything religious people say, even the most ardent ones pick and choose what they want to believe. A lot of it is just giving them an excuse to enforce their own prejudices. In the examples in the OP, it's just an excuse to enforce their patriarchal power structure. Sadly, it also reinforces it. Almost no one behaves as if they rationally believe in an afterlife or the rules for getting there.
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Have you checked on everyone?
 
99percenter said:
Is there some kind of incentive program to get others in heaven? It seems like Christians oppose things like contraception and gay marriage because they believe it is the sin, but why does it matter if they aren't the ones committing? Why spend so much time and energy trying to get others to go to heaven if that is not what they want?
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I believe it says somewhere in the bible (I've never actually read the bible my religious views are loose) that we should help others in this regard. Or perhaps that came from the church. I know I've heard something about it.

But, of course, this argument is always invalid. Whether it is a sin or not is of no concern to law. Tattoos and shellfish are legal. Besides, writing laws on purely religious ground is directly against the First Amendememt. Last time I checked, I don't have to ask if my actions fit into anybody else's religion or views
 
99percenter said:
Is there some kind of incentive program to get others in heaven? It seems like Christians oppose things like contraception and gay marriage because they believe it is the sin, but why does it matter if they aren't the ones committing? Why spend so much time and energy trying to get others to go to heaven if that is not what they want?
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1. Christians are bound by divine command to desire the good of others, if they did not they would not be saved.

2. No one will be forced into Heaven, as sin is in the will (a person is morally guilty if he desires to commit a sin, even if he is physically impeded), nevertheless legal and cultural norms influence the will, and thus opposing social evil increases the number of people who will choose Heaven.
 
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