Quote Originally Posted by qwick
Mankind as a whole fears death, and religion presents a way of negating death. According to the bible if you follow the 10 commandments your final reward is eternal life in heaven free of suffering and pain, the alternative to not following the commandment is still eternal life only this time you are doomed to suffer.



So in other words,



If your good and follow the “rules” you will live happily ever after, break the “rules” and you shall be severely punished.



It all seems to be a way of controlling people.
No offense man, but thats not at all what the Bible says. It states that if you believe in Jesus and believe he is God's Son and our Messiah. Then You will have eternal life.

The Ten Commandments are just a list of rules to follow to keep your life in line. Most governments are based off these rules. Plus its not that hard to follow them. Dont murder, dont steal, dont commit adultry, and dont have any false gods before the one true God. I dont think this is a way of controling people. These are really just good basic rules to live by in any society. But it also states that our God is a forgiving God. Not like a magical Genie, but if you truely repent of your sins, then God will forgive you no matter what.