A Lesson from Religion or not????

Yes, there is a thin line between a religion and a cult. Perhaps instead of placing so much value on Beliefs, one should value Truth and Facts above all else. I think it is easier to use pain in an attempt to control others. It seems to be all over the world. There are better ways. They just take more work and intelligence.

Christians of different denominations have killed *each other* throughout the centuries.

@Bluedoll What does Love mean....... He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. The meaning of Chasteneth is : to correct by punishment or suffering : discipline; : to correct by punishment or suffering : discipline; Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die."

God has no rules. Each decides for themselves what is right and what is wrong. Yes, there are consequences with our every choice. Many blindly choose based on rules and laws of society, based on customs, traditions and habits, based on selfishness and greed, however choices will return to teach us what our choices really mean. This happens regardless of the rules,laws,customs,traditions,habits or beliefs. You see, God does not care about beliefs. God is going to want you to KNOW! The knowledge comes to us all until our intelligence brings understanding to the best choice. Now, one can choose to hit their children in an attempt to alter their actions, but what are you really teaching your children? It's not good. Let's take an example from God. God does not come down and inflict pain to alter anyone's actions. You see, it's not about Control as with mankind. With God, it's about education. Society does put people in prison in an attempt to alter the actions of others through pain. How is that working? What are they teaching criminals? Aren't they simply trying to sweep the real problems under the carpet? Do they really care about anyone? Now, I can see the need to protect society from some violent people. On the other hand, nothing is solved until the real problems are addressed. Does mankind make any effort to determine the underlying causes. Perhaps it takes more work than simply sweeping it under the carpet then in anger making hateful judgment calls of how bad everybody in the world is. Once again, how many violent crimes would never happen if the real problems would be addressed? In the end, fixing the real problems would be cheaper than overtaxing the system we have today of lock them away then throw the key away. Hell is a creation of Mankind in an attempt to control through fear and intimidation. It does not exist in God's system. It only exists in the minds of mankind. Think about it. What are they really teaching with it? Unconditional Love could never exist teaching, preaching or wanting others to go to Hell. Reexamine those choices. Is that what you really want for the world and yourself? You would be much happier to stop trying to control everyone's actions to fit in your box of beliefs. Relax, God has a system by which everyone will be ok. Everyone will learn and grow toward where they need to be. Perhaps, instead of judging and condemning people, you trying loving them Unconditionally. There are better ways than trying to control the actions of others with the use of pain.

@Bluedoll Yes, it is all about Unconditional Love. Mistakes and errors are made, however that is part of the learning process and are expected. Through all the learning, each walks toward God regardless of the level of understanding they are at. In time, through all our lessons, our intelligence will come to realize there really is only one answer and that is Unconditional Love. You are right. We will be like God then. You are right. God is not a punisher. It is mankind who wants that.

Yes, it is all around us.

Seconded!

But isn't even the concept of Hell using the threat of inflicted pain to alter the actions of others? Further, if religion does not teach this are they really teaching people not to do it?

@bird123 Learning and teaching are the perspectives..... One can only tell some thing... learning from that depends on the person who listens/watches that something.... for example...in my opinion hell and heaven both lies on earth itself... I would define hell as the troubles I face...and Heaven as the comforts.... that's what hell and heaven consists right.... Even to put it in a logical way....every action has a equal and opposite reaction.... So when we do try to harm others even we get harm...and vice versa.... that's what I believe in