Hi brett,

>>>"God-fearing" is a phrase that has deeper meaning than the way you interpret it. Yes we'll probably never agree, but that does not mean we cannot have interesting discussions. Thanks for the back and forths.
>>
>>Okay, let's discuss it a little bit further then. :)
>>
>>As I see it, there is a difference of doing what your father says, either because you fear him, or because you respect him. Fear is not the same as respect.
>
>When you were young your father told you not to do things. You did not understand why (mostly for your own good) you could not do certain things, but you obeyed because you knew that disobeying would bring down punishment from your father.

Not really describing my situation. First of all, my father did not tell me what I could or could not do, it was my mother. Second as far as I can remember I alway was told why I could not do something. Fear was never a part of it. If I look at my own two young kids, and I'm trying to do my best to raise them well, there is one thing I find: Using fear does not work. Little kids don't look at the future, but at present. They live from minute to minute.

>You did not want that so you obeyed out of the fear of what would happen otherwise. As you grew you started to know that your father had your best interests at heart and you started to understand why he did not want you to do certain things. You also did not want to do anything that would make your father be disappointed with you.

Not really anything applies to me personally. I was raised with certain morality. I really do what I want, but the morality my parents passed to me will ensure I will not disappoint them. I don't live in fear. I won't let fear rule my life. It is terrible to live in fear.

>Well God is the same way. I do not do certain things because I know that I will have to face him one day for those things I have done. I also do not wish to have God be disappointed in my behavior here on Earth.

This is a dangerous motiviation if you ask me. Maybe you're frigthened enough to keep in line, but some individuals will take the chance and do things that are out of line.

>The phrase God-Fearing can been described as respecting him, realizing how great He is, fearing to go against him because you know it's wrong.

.. BTW, I'm not religious, but I'll do my best as I'm raised as a catholic. ..

A terrible situation and I feel sorry for those who really live by this. You should not live by fear of god. You should have received the love from your parents who raised you well and thereby have received the morality that will make you a person loved by god.

E.g.: Do you know what the prase "Tho shal respect your parents" mean (excuse me if the translation is not entirely correct) ?

The ones who were not that lucky they received the sense of morality, intelligence, mental health or love from their parents, don't have to fear god (nor jesus christ), they will be taken care of: not in hell, but in heaven to receive the peace they never found during life.

It is stunning what people religiously describe is really the total opposite of what Jesus christ really meant. It is a sign that religion has more been used by people with wrong intentions, explaining the history scattered with religious conflicts.

>You also have to understand the role Jesus Christ plays, as that is very important when dealing with life’s disappointments.

Sure, I know a few people who find a lot of comfort in Jesus christ in difficult situations, but really this do have very little to do with morality.

Walter,