No fear

Timothy248 · 09-25-2012, 01:08 AM

For a long time I lived by the belief 'there is nothing to fear except fear itself', I believed that all suffering resulted from fear, and that to end suffering I simply needed to let go of all fear.
After a long time of enduring on this path I eventually reached breaking point and realized that although reaching the point of no fear is a great spiritual achievement, fear of suffering, or fear of god, is in fact amazingly helpful spiritually, and with this technique, I managed to overcome many spiritual obstacles in my life.
I'm writing this post because nowadays many people believe that religion is evil because it enforces fear on its followers, however fear of suffering is a force that can help to prevent suffering from entering our lives, and if one has to rely on the word of god to understand often complex source of suffering, that shouldn't be seen as a bad thing.

Fadl · 09-25-2012, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy248

For a long time I lived by the belief 'there is nothing to fear except fear itself', I believed that all suffering resulted from fear, and that to end suffering I simply needed to let go of all fear.
After a long time of enduring on this path I eventually reached breaking point and realized that although reaching the point of no fear is a great spiritual achievement, fear of suffering, or fear of god, is in fact amazingly helpful spiritually, and with this technique, I managed to overcome many spiritual obstacles in my life.
I'm writing this post because nowadays many people believe that religion is evil because it enforces fear on its followers, however fear of suffering is a force that can help to prevent suffering from entering our lives, and if one has to rely on the word of god to understand often complex source of suffering, that shouldn't be seen as a bad thing.

Interesting observations, Timothy!

I remember a while back when it is in vogue to wear 'no fear' T-shirts. I always though a better shirt would read 'know fear' ie the fear of God, since the fear of God is something far under rated in my way of thinking.

I'm glad you've made the switch from 'no fear' (denial) to 'knowing fear' (affirmation).

BruceDLimber · 09-25-2012, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy248

I'm writing this post because nowadays many people believe that religion is evil because it enforces fear on its followers....

Save that people who think that obviously haven't examined enough religions.

The Baha'i Faith, for example, does no such thing and is in fact very positive in its approach!

Peace, :-)

Bruce

Magi728 · 10-01-2012, 02:30 PM

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
--I John 4:18

Magi.......

Magi728 · 10-01-2012, 02:35 PM

When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.

Buddha

Religion Does not enforce Fear ...

People do..

Magi.......

Timothy248 · 10-01-2012, 10:05 PM

Lay not aside the fear of God ... Know thou for a certainty that whoso disbelieveth in God is neither trustworthy nor truthful. This, indeed, is the truth, the undoubted truth. He that acteth treacherously towards God will, also, act treacherously towards his king. Nothing whatever can deter such a man from evil, nothing can hinder him from betraying his neighbor, nothing can induce him to walk uprightly.

Bahá'u'lláh, Tablet to Sultán `Abdu'l-`Azíz

Admonish men to fear God. By God! This fear is the chief commander of the army of thy Lord. Its hosts are a praiseworthy character and goodly deeds. Through it have the cities of men’s hearts been opened throughout the ages and centuries, and the standards of ascendancy and triumph raised above all other standards.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 121)

Fear God, O followers of the Spirit, and walk not in the footsteps of every divine that hath gone far astray.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 10)

tonyfish58 · 10-02-2012, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magi728

When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.

Buddha

Religion Does not enforce Fear ...

People do..

Magi.......

Magi - This is an interesting topic that I thought a bit about some time ago. I now beleive that Fear used in the right context, is a positive thing.

There is a thread on this topic - Link - The Fear of God

Could it be that we Fear Fear because of how it is now portrayed in the media and on TV, rather than being used as a positive force for good?

Regards Tony

tonyfish58 · 10-02-2012, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy248

For a long time I lived by the belief 'there is nothing to fear except fear itself', I believed that all suffering resulted from fear, and that to end suffering I simply needed to let go of all fear.
After a long time of enduring on this path I eventually reached breaking point and realized that although reaching the point of no fear is a great spiritual achievement, fear of suffering, or fear of god, is in fact amazingly helpful spiritually, and with this technique, I managed to overcome many spiritual obstacles in my life.
I'm writing this post because nowadays many people believe that religion is evil because it enforces fear on its followers, however fear of suffering is a force that can help to prevent suffering from entering our lives, and if one has to rely on the word of god to understand often complex source of suffering, that shouldn't be seen as a bad thing.

Well observed

I agree

Regards Tony

09-25-2012, 01:08 AM	#1
Timothy248 Senior Member Joined: Sep 2012 From: New Zealand Posts: 100	No fear For a long time I lived by the belief 'there is nothing to fear except fear itself', I believed that all suffering resulted from fear, and that to end suffering I simply needed to let go of all fear. After a long time of enduring on this path I eventually reached breaking point and realized that although reaching the point of no fear is a great spiritual achievement, fear of suffering, or fear of god, is in fact amazingly helpful spiritually, and with this technique, I managed to overcome many spiritual obstacles in my life. I'm writing this post because nowadays many people believe that religion is evil because it enforces fear on its followers, however fear of suffering is a force that can help to prevent suffering from entering our lives, and if one has to rely on the word of god to understand often complex source of suffering, that shouldn't be seen as a bad thing. Last edited by Timothy248; 09-25-2012 at 01:13 AM.

10-01-2012, 02:30 PM	#4
Magi728 Senior Member Joined: Oct 2012 From: Clarksburg WV Posts: 101	Overcoming Fear There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. --I John 4:18 *Magi.......*

10-01-2012, 02:35 PM	#5
Magi728 Senior Member Joined: Oct 2012 From: Clarksburg WV Posts: 101	Fear When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear. Buddha Religion Does not enforce Fear ... People do.. *Magi.......*

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10-01-2012, 10:05 PM	#6
Timothy248 Senior Member Joined: Sep 2012 From: New Zealand Posts: 100	Lay not aside the fear of God ... Know thou for a certainty that whoso disbelieveth in God is neither trustworthy nor truthful. This, indeed, is the truth, the undoubted truth. He that acteth treacherously towards God will, also, act treacherously towards his king. Nothing whatever can deter such a man from evil, nothing can hinder him from betraying his neighbor, nothing can induce him to walk uprightly. Bahá'u'lláh, Tablet to Sultán `Abdu'l-`Azíz Admonish men to fear God. By God! This fear is the chief commander of the army of thy Lord. Its hosts are a praiseworthy character and goodly deeds. Through it have the cities of men’s hearts been opened throughout the ages and centuries, and the standards of ascendancy and triumph raised above all other standards. (Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 121) Fear God, O followers of the Spirit, and walk not in the footsteps of every divine that hath gone far astray. (Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 10)