unfortunately, quite a few people are turned off by this behavior. people who use this approach say they are going by the Bible, but in fact the Bible starts with man being created in God's image - and this, according to God, was "very good." the Bible doesn't address sin until two chapters later. perhaps a more friendly approach would first view everyone as a child of God, created in His image. Jesus was known for befriending the sinful, and they trusted Him. why? because He did not judge them.

There are no statistics that I know of which would tell us the exact number of people turned away - only God himself would be able to tell you that. People use statements such as 'You're going to hell' for a number of different reasons. I can think of a few here; The desperation of many to convert others would lead them to give statements designed to manipulate (or 'guilt-trap'). Many enjoy judging others as this gives them some form of power over others (even though it might be specifically against the teachings of their beliefs). Some may simply be ignorant of God's teachings. 'Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.' Matthew 28 v19 (NLT) Note the distinct lack of 'spook all the non-believers about hell'. Christianity, in its base form, is a belief that all humans are equal; no human may judge another. Only God may judge.

People's behavior only moved me further away from people, not from God. "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mohandas Gandhi

I used to practice Christianity, but now I've lapsed because I got tired of people constantly asking me things like, "Why weren't you at church?" if I happened not to be there one night. If someone had actually cared about me as a person instead of whether I was giving money or following the laundry list of rules, I might have stayed around. Christianity is the only army that shoots its wounded. Rather than caring about someone's personal struggles, they just say things like, "Whoa, you're an alcoholic. You're going to hell. Away from me, sinner!" instead of caring for the person and trying to help them into a better emotional state. If you show compassion for others and let them know that someone cares, they'll be happier, and less likely to "sin" (although I don't believe in sin per se, I just think we should focus on not doing harm to others).

First, let me say that we should never underestimate the ability of human beings to corrupt and pervert what is good from God. That being said...If I were playing on the freeway as a kid, I would hope my parents would try to put some fear into me and tell me to stop playing on the freeway. So "fear" isn't always bad if its justified. If I really was going to hell, I hope I would be afraid of it. It really would be a loving thing for someone to give someone else a proper warning about hell. Now, being the humans that we are, MANY people take all semblance of love out of evangelism and witnessing and treat it as a negative, hateful, expression and version of the truth about hell. Jesus had no problem telling people they needed to change their behavior ("go and sin no more") and warning people about hell, but he established first that he loved and would accept them no matter what they've done. So I guess I'm saying, it is possible to love someone and warn them about the reality of hell at the same time. But being the humans that we are, MANY christians have skipped the love and acceptance part, and gone straight to the hell part. That's not the whole picture and people should be upset and turned off when they experience a Christian without love.

As a Christian, I answer questions with Scripture. If answering in such a manner causes fear, there's nothing I can do to prevent that. If people are turned away from God by speaking His Word, so be it. God tells it like it is in the Bible, and the Christian tells it like it is by using the Bible. I believe Scripture to be the inspired Word of God and the Truth. I can do no less than to present this Truth to whoever is searching for it. The Bible does say that whosoever rejects Jesus Christ and dies in their sins "will" end up in hell (Lake of Fire). Telling people of hell and telling them of the circumstances that will send them to hell is "not" judging anyone, rather it's a warning that can either be heeded or ignored. On the other hand, if I were to adamantly tell you that you are going to hell without explaining to you why, that "would" be judging because I don't know if you are going to hell. Only you and God know that. Warning someone of hell and telling someone that they are going to hell are two completely different things. In a case like that, judging is in the eye of the beholder. If a person doesn't want to hear the truth, then they shouldn't have asked in the first place. If they do want to hear the truth, no matter how frightening it is, and are then told this truth but then decide to reject it, it's upon their head, not the person speaking the truth. Scripture paints a very frightening picture of humanity and it's abominable sinfulness as it paints a very frightening picture of the consequences of this sin. Christians are to warn the unbeliever of this. We would be amiss if we didn't. Unfortunately, many see this warning as judging, as you obviously do. You aren't turned off by the individuals warning you of hell, rather you are turned off by the fact that there may very well be a hell and it scares you half to death. So please, don't use the cop out complaint that you have used in your question. You choose to turn away.

I saw some interesting answers in here, most mixed with alittle ignorance (is'nt it funny how when you say ignorant...it kinda sounds offensive but yet it's simply a word to describe a void of knowledge?). There is something that I would like clarify front the start and that is hell. Alot of people have been tricked into thinking that there is a real place where the devil has been left in charge in a fiery furnace to flip everyone's body over so they get cooked on both sides evenly. lol...this is not true...there is no such place. I will give you scripture that supports this. Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. If this was true that there were a place of torment...would that not be eternal life??? But God said that the wicked and evil would NOT inherit eternal life! Not only that but Him doing so for the devil...would that not be sharing His power with him? "God forbid!" Then there are good hearted people that think that the "lake of fire and brimstone" will last forever and "there worm shall never die". A lake of fire and brimstone...I believe that cause the Bible says so, however...with the previous point I made and that this lake will burn forever...really? hmm...why did God then say this... Isa 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it. Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Another thing to consider is this...God is a loving God! Too many people have misunderstood Him! If there is a place of torment...then this would not be a good description of His character and would not be in harmony with this scripture...Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Now up to this point...I have only pointed out the err in the belief that there is a hell mind you. So what is hell? Where is it? The answer is in the Bible... Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. If there were a hell then why in the world did King David go there??? Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (note: the word "leave"). Hell is nothing more than the grave! The eternal hell that the Bible teaches about is this....lifelessness. Think about it...what is the worst thing you could think of that could happen? Going to sleep and NEVER ever waking up again! Just close your eyes and imagine that. Never, ever ever waking up again! Ceasing to exist for eternity. God would have no joy in torment...that is cruelty! When a person does good...he reaps good. When a person does bad...he reaps bad. Plain and simple. However, when it comes to going to such a wonderful place that is full of pure LOVE, having things that has been prepared for us that has never crossed our minds, being with God that has "everlasting life in one hand and everlasting pleasures in the other"...in order to get there...you have GOT to obey God! It is in our best interest! It's not like He is putting His finger in your face! I'll give you an example...I am telling you right now, thou shall never put a flame to your finger! Why does that sound s bad?? Do it and you get burnt! lol It's the same thing...God is the engineer of the working of our bodies and knows...how it ticks. He could change the way things work but why change something that is made perfect to start with?? As long as you read and obey the instructions...everything will be just fine! ;) There is nothing wrong with warning someone and in fact, God told us that if we did'nt, then their blood would He require at our hand! However...there are specific instructions when doing this...1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. Tit 3:10 A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Luk 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 2Ti 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. As His children...we are NOT to condemn them! I have told people about their conditions! There is nothing wrong with that! But the minute they give me the feeling that they disagree...I change the subject ASAP. Whatever I do...I pray to God to change the subject! Mat 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. When it comes to judging someone to hell...that is very very bad! We are not to judge a man's eternal fate however, if I were to hear a man claim that he is gay...I can tell you right now that I know my Father and how He feels about it and what He is going to do with that man! I will be nice to him and help him anyway I can and the first time he shows that he is confused and hurting...I will talk to him as gentle as I can! Even a person that says, "you are going to Heaven!" is in just as much hot water as the other man! I hope that this has shed some light on the subject! God Bless! foundthisone@yahoo.com p.s. I'm sorry my answers are so long! I just want to make sure I don't come accross the wrong way and I get exactly what I am trying to say out to the best of my ability!

Because all of their memorised speech testimonials have proven to be completely ineffective, and they're usually stunned as a result. Thus they feel the need to lash out in an effort to keep the evil non-member at bay to avoid being infected. Unknown. But undoubtedly quite a few.

Please flag. Entered comment as question. Moderators, please delete.

The Sermon on the Mount was about how we have to change and become better people. If Christianity was real, it would provide a way to change and be non-judgemental. So your question suggests that what poses as Christianity these days is not the real thing. The problem is that the Kingdom Gospel Jesus preached is being ignored and has been replaced by a different "gospel". All the problems we see in Christianity these days could be corrected by simply returning to the Original Kingdom Gospel Jesus preached. This will explain the original gospel (and how it changes people) and also explain the vast difference between the Kingdom Gospel and the gospel we hear these days: http://gospelenigma.com