A group of atheists have banded together, raised some money, and have paid for advertisements on public buses in London encouraging people to deny the existence of God.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7813812.stm
Apparently, they cite Albert Einstein in one of their ads. Which is ironic, since he held that the existence of a personal God interacting in natural events could not be refuted. Einstein held a wonderment for the laws of nature, that had to have come from somewhere. Einstein was agnostic, not atheist.
Anyways, I think the real shame in this is to be found in the Christians who caused this group of people to go forward with this campaign. Apparently, "evangelical" advertisements encouraged viewers to go to a website, where they were then told "that those who rejected God were to face an eternity of torment in hell." That may be the case, but that judgement is for God to decide, not to be used as a threat passed on by those claiming to act in Christ's interests.
Christ's kingdom is a kingdom of love, and not fear.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:16-18 NIV)
Using fear to encourage people to come to Christ is, I think, flat wrong, and quite opposite of Jesus' example.
If we, as Christ followers, desire to share the incredible joy and Peace that Jesus brings to a life, it will positively be accomplished through a spirit of love and actions of service. Not fear. Ugh!
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