The mentality that endorses a philosophy of rewards and punishments, heaven or hell, is one with no faith in the goodness and benevolence of God.
These individuals, who have dominated the religions of the world, believe that humankind is basically wicked and depraved and in need of stern punishments to keep them on the straight and narrow path.
Hell is the ultimate deterrent.
Those of us who believe that humankind is basically good, however, have more faith in the benevolence and mercy of God.
Many are now challenging the traditional belief in hell, stating that it is incompatible with the God of Love that we believe in.
To do this circumvents the convoluted arguments which try to reconcile evil with God.
Evil is the result of a decision to rebel against God because of negative images put out by the Church. The rest is merely the ignorant actions of people with free will which is usually the result of deep-set fears.
So to believe in a good and benevolent God we no longer need the deterrent of hell.
Humankind can find God through Love.
Photo Credit: Philerooski via Compfight cc
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