Why do they believe something fake and without proof? Why is their belief so strong?
I agree that it's evil, and many people's interpretation of this religion and use of hell as a control method is lacking in anything remotely resembling the "love" that this higher being is supposed to embody.
this is just my experience, but i was raised being told about how hell was just waiting for me if I didn't stay "on the right path", and by "right" path, I mean the one society wants me on so I can be productive in making everyone around me happier despite my own misery. It's hard to get out of the mindset of being watched, or being judged for every single thing we do. I was taught that my body isn't mine, my feelings and questions are "the devil" and I should ignore everything except what would make this higher being (or, actually, the church) happy. They want money, blind faith and for people to give themselves, everything they own, and follow without question, despite the pain it brings them. Any questions are disregarded. Any desire for autonomy is considered evil. It's weird, because this higher being seems to choose some of the most backwards people to spread their message. Why not demonstrate the power of love and faith for those of us struggling?
It never made sense to me. I ran away as soon as i could. I didn't want to be like them. I don't want to be subject to an angry, vengeful, deity just to continue being miserable so they can watch me suffer in their name. I want to hope that there's a being of love out there that sees the way their image has been twisted by politics and religious zealots, and this being is eagerly waiting for all of us to arrive in order to show us that we never had to worry. It's complicated. Even knowing it doesn't make sense, I can't just stop feeling afraid. It's ingrained into my brain. I want to stop, but it's so hard to ignore an upbringing of being terrorized and put down. I feel too worthless to live, and too worthless for peace in death. I wish I had not been raised with any religion at all. It damaged me