Are people into religion for the promise of reward or the threat of punishment?

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   Theresa Coxposted 11 years ago

   Are people into religion for the promise of reward or the threat of punishment?
   
   If religion weren't so profitable and "righteous" people weren't offered great rewards or threatened with great punishments, do you think that religion would decline in popularity?

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   nightwork4posted 11 years ago

   it would end or at least become rare in a very short time. fear, death and rewards is what religion is about. you don't need to believe in god to be a good person.

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   forallposted 11 years ago

   Neither this nor that, talking about myself. I am into religion because these are my convictions. Even if there will be no reward nor punishment, I will still follow what I am following. I am convinced what I do is right and this is sufficient to me
   
   "Do you think that religion would decline in popularity?" Objectively, what I see nowadays is that some religions are getting more popular. Maybe it is just a flip flop between religions without touching the theist/atheist proportions, but with the actual  data, religion looks to be far away from being declined in popularity.

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   backporchstoriesposted 11 years ago

   It was fear that drove me away from church when I was a teenager.  During that churchless period, a void began to grow in my heart.  Today, I claim to be spiritual, but not a big supporter of churches.  I try to walk like Jesus and honor his teachings, which I consider very valuabe.  But I do believe this way, because it helps fill the void, not because I am getter closer to my demise.  The profits of the churches are what makes me keep my distance.  Seems like money ruins everything!  So what would happen to religion with no fear or rewards?  Maybe, instead of the fearful being followers, we would eventually see those who truly believe in their faith that completely fills their insides with joy...not fear and not hopes of rewards!

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   whonunuwhoposted 11 years ago

   Reward and punishment are certainly both a part of many religions, yet the basis or root of strong religions is much more. The goodness of life and purity that it provides to all, as well as belief in a creator and the fact that we are given the greatest gift of all, that of life, itself, is part of most religious beliefs.The punishment of the wicked and unbelievers, as well as the great reward of living in the spirit in heaven, as in the Christian religion, are definitely major facets of its makeup.A "Higher Power" has always existed among civilizations around the world. The defeat of evil forces by an all powerful and benevolent God, and a God of forgiveness of man kinds' wrongful acts, is evident in Christian faith. The gift of choice in following precepts in a religion make it more, in its definition, and the abundant life of goodness, as opposed to the poor and suffering, caused by living outside religious bounds, serves as proof that it is vital and beneficial in all cultures.The way we think and act are all governed by religion and provided by our creator, so that we may enjoy this life that we are so given.

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