Fear of armagedon = Fear of hell. Are these two the same?

by jambon1 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  jambon1

  It amazed me at first that the JW`s taught that hell was a man made doctrine. Actually, I quite agreed with it. It is a repugnant doctrine.

  As the few years rolled on though, it always nagged me that the fear of dying an abrupt, horrific & violent death at armagedon was basically the same thing. It is a man made doctrine which the JW religion uses to keep its members in check.

  I mean, so many people got baptised just prior to 1975. Would they have done so if there was no 'imminent' armaggedon threat. I think many would have not even considered it if such a threat were not in place at the time.

  Since then, the r/f are kinda getting a bit fed up and yet they still stay just in case the big A comes.

  Thoughts?
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  Warlock

  The main reason I got baptized was to save my own ass at Armaggedon. I never, and still do not, believe in hell.

  Warlock
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  Mary

  The only difference is that when Jehovah strikes your sorry ass dead at the Big A, it'll only hurt for a minute.......If you're burning in Hell, according to Revelation it's gonna hurt for a lettle bet longer.
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  LongHairGal

  They seem about the same to me.
  
  I also feel their "new system" belief is akin to other religions belief they are going to heaven for their reward.
  
  
  LHG
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  fullofdoubtnow

  I don't believe in armageddon or hell, but I always thought that going to hell would be a crueller fate than dying instantly at armageddon.
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  jaguarbass

  I mean, so many people got baptised just prior to 1975. Would they have done so if there was no 'imminent' armaggedon threat. I think many would have not even considered it if such a threat were not in place at the time.

  In my case you are correct.
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  DanTheMan

  From a marketing standpoint, it's very much the same:

  Join our special groupthink club! The only one sanctioned by the invisible skydad! It's the best club in the world! All the members are so happy! How could anybody not want to join it?? What? You don't want to join? Oh that's too bad, because something very very bad is going to happen to everybody that doesn't join our special skydad-sanctioned groupthink club!

  It's the same collective narcissism that drives both teachings.