Two known evils

There are two know evils

That are destroying the world I live in

The first one is judgment

And the second one is punishment

But only one is after the fact

People teach their children to fear these evils

Then the children grow up to teach their children

And the cycle of evil is complete

And the world becomes trapped in fear

Of being judged

Of being punished.

Sorry stabbo, I understand your point but you are summing up your two points in a conveniently negative light. There are grounds to fear incorrect behaviour, for the repercussions are invariable for both the theist & atheist alike. Becoming an alcoholic is something to fear, having homicidal tendencies is something to curb for the consequences are irreparable. Promiscuity is something to avoid for it destroys good character. Wisdom teaches that there is a universal law that reacts negatively towards, discord, anger, violence, etc... In other words, there are many things to fear, ...or if you prefer, avoid, dismiss, desist, diffuse, alleviate. Only a fool believes that all things are permissible, and that all things are non-consequential. If one does not believe that God will intervene and exact justice or correction, then trust unequivocally that nature will. Go out, and do whatever you want, let's see if you return unscathed?

Thankfully these things of judgment and punishment belong in the Hands of the Lord God ...and we know Him because we know Christ (the express image of His Person) and we can have confidence that His judgments and punishments will all be based on Christ Jesus and be done in Gods righteousness.

...sorry, i wanted to add but ran out of editing time...
If some have over-emphasized the fear and punishment aspect of life, it does not negate its veracity.
Again, i feel that you have conveniently addressed only two elements of a much larger, and real issue that all beings are faced with, ...whatever we do in life has ramifications both either positive or negative.

I totally agree with your statement...the 'two evils' is simply an opinion, unasked.

It is an opinion, but since it was posed on a Christian chat room, and that it appears to be alluding to 'medieval' Christian approaches to inciting people to believe in God and Christ, I assume that he's expecting a comment or rebuttal?
And, if i've understood stabbo's position from previous threads, he's an atheist, therefore, if part of his aversion towards Christianity is due to his experience with over-austere preachers, then i think that it is not a valid Christian accusation, or a ground to reject the Gospel, as the the Word of God is multi-faceted. Fear, prohibition and restraint are part of the Gospel only because they are undeniable facts. Love, joy, compassion and mercy are also part of the same Gospel as any comprehensive and systematic theology must have all these elements and more...

I'm not an atheist, but they do have some good ideas.

This is like saying "I am not a Satanist but I like what they are doing..." You are either for or against God. There is no grey areas. If you are looking for the grey areas you are against God.

Everyone has some good ideas, even you guys.

Typical mix and match religion...

No, I mean you have good ideas about lots of things. Things which help people and benefit each one of us.

I understand that but if we pick and choose what we want to believe in, it is a mix and match religion. In the end you will start believing in Buddha, Ra etc because they all have some good in them.

People who pick and choose what then want to believe never mature as adults.

What is the point?

The point is, that picking and choosing what you want to believe has serious consequences in this life.

Agreed, that is why we have to believe in the Bible and only the Bible

I don't have anything to add to that, now over to you.

There are two know evils

that are destroying the world I live in.

The first one is consuming fatal substances.

The second one is death.

But only one is after the fact.

People teach their children to fear these evils.

Then the children grow up to teach their children.

And the cycle of evil is complete.

And the world becomes trapped in fear.

Of consuming fatal substances.

Of dying.

And the alternative would be?

I dont understand the question.

The alternative to fearing the consumption of fatal substances

would be not to fear their consumption and, therefore, to consume them,

causing death.

I am saying that fear of the truth about some things is beneficial.

I am saying that fear of the consequences of such truth is beneficial.