AMANDA: What fear?  I've confronted all my inherited sin and have cut it off from myself in Jesus' Name.  If anybody is a Christian out of fear and not because they believe whole-heartedly that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Saviour, then they really aren't a Christian at all and may as well not be.  Christianity is not about fear, and if you believe that then no wonder you turned your back on it because you were being taught a lie.

BRUCE: Well, then, if "fear" is not a divine stipulation "from God" then why does it say it is in the Bible?

[Luke 12:5]  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  NRSV (my emphasis)

And who is the "him" that has the "authority" to cast you into hell?  Why, "God alone" has that authority!  And in this passage it is Jesus himself that demands his subjects to "fear" God!  Are you calling Jesus a liar, Amanda?

[Psalm 111:4-5]   He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. NRSV  (my emphasis)

I guess all those starving children in third world countries would receive "manna from heaven" if only they would believe in the one true God of the Bible, and "fear him"?

[Jeremiah 32:39]  I [Yahweh, i.e., Jesus] will give them [my chosen people] one heart and one way, that they may fear me for all time, for their own good and the good of their children after them. NRSV (my emphasis)

"Fear him for all time"?  Sounds like fear is not just a suggestion, but a mandate from the almighty spook himself!  There are many more quotes I could cite, Amanda.  Perhaps you would like to change your tune on the no fear stance?

Bruce:  The old Mafia adage, "I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse!" holds a lot of psychological power, but it has nothing to do with kindness, love and reward; no, the strongest emotion is, by far, fear, and that is what Christianity is primarily based on.

AMANDA: I rest my case (see above answer).

BRUCE:  I wouldn't get too comfortable if I were you.  Your case is poorly argued and poorly supported.

Bruce:  You do not offer a "free gift of life from Jesus" because if it were "free" then one could either take it or leave it, but Christianity says that if you fail to take it then there is a penalty assessed against you-

AMANDA: You contradict yourself a bit here.  You say that that the offer of  "a free gift of life from Jesus" is not actually "free" because then one could either take it or leave it.  Well that is exactly true - people who are in hell are there because they CHOSE it!  How much more free could that be?  Choosing Jesus as Lord and Saviour isn't a trick - why do you feel so pressured about choosing to go to heaven?  There will be no hurt, pain, sickness, hatred and evil;  only love, joy and warmth of the living Saviour - there's no burden or hidden agenda in choosing that.

BRUCE:  Well then, Amanda, if this logic holds any water at all, then you must also agree that should you die and suddenly find yourself suffering for all eternity with no possibility of reprieve in the fires of the MUSLIM HELL, then it will have been because you "CHOSE it!"  After all, you have been duly informed (warned) that this WILL BE the "consequence" of your "failure" to accept "the one true God, Allah," and the "one true religion, Islam"!  "Choosing Allah and His last prophet, Muhammad, isn't a trick - why do you feel so pressured about choosing to go to heaven?"  Don't you know, Amanda, that in heaven (with Allah) "there will be no hurt, pain, sickness, hatred and evil; only love, joy and warmth of the living God - there's no burden or hidden agenda in choosing that."  Allah is offering you a "free gift of life," because He loves you!  You're breaking Allah's heart, Amanda, because He wants you to accept him "on faith"; it is not His will that you should suffer in Hell, but He will still send you there if you don't stop turning your back to Him, and mocking Him through your worship of false gods, false religions, and idolotry.  

Do you see the problem, Amanda?  No, I don't suppose you do. 

Bruce Monson