Yesterday when the news of the Pope denying the teaching of the hell fire broke, lots of persons here expressed there disappointment in the news although it was later said to be fake news.
Many who where disappointed expressed fear that the alleged denial by the Pope of the existence of hell fire would encourage people to sin.
But the question is, is hell fire really a deterrent to SINNING?

Well some historians and scholars have it that hell fire doctrine has as one of its major goals, deterring people from committing sin for fear of eternal torment. But has this fear really prevented people from SINNING? Far from it.

It would Interest you to note that the hell fire doctrine is a doctrine held by not just Christians, but even Muslims, and many other religions around the World, but rather than this popular doctrine and belief making the world sin free, the world as we all can attest has become a more dangerous place; sin abounds world over. In fact as 2Timothy 3:13 says, "wicked men and impostors have advanced from bad to worse". Suffice to say this wicked men and women are persons belonging to one of the many religions who believe in hell fire reward for evil committed.

Worthy of note and indeed amazingly, Jehovah's witnesses do not believe this doctrine. There reason? You can find out on your own from there members or there publications, but what Interests me is that in spite of not having this fear of eternal torment, they strive to live as much as possible by Bible principles. Off Course they are not perfect, but they closely follow in the footsteps of Christ and his teachings. Many around the world have even said about them that if everybody on earth where Jehovah's witnesses, there would be no need for as many policemen as we have today, that the world would be a more peaceful place to live.

It's also worth noting that many who do not believe in the existence of God let alone any eternal place of torment, have shown themselves to be fair in there dealings with fellow man and even nature. They have recognised the value of Charity rather than taking away from the poor as seen in many religious organizations.
They believe in no God, fear no eternal torment after death, yet they do good.

In conclusion, there are many who believe the hell fire doctrine and yet they they fear God and do what is Good, yes! As there are many who believe in the hell fire doctrine and yet by there way of life, they show a lack of the fear of God in there lives or even the fear of any hell fire.

Therefore, it is clear that, what motivates a person to do what is good and hate what is bad is love for God and not the fear of some eternal punishment in a fiery hell.
(psalms 97:10).

Yes, it is.

Its not a deterrent as far as Christianity is concerned as one can do anything and get away with it even if hell exists so long one asks for forgiveness before dying or before the dead son of a Jewish carpenter rides his horse down to earth from heaven

I would even argue that Christian version of hell makes people worse than they would've been without it. If all you wanted to do was sin, then being a Christian is PERFECT for that. Sin all you like! Ask for forgiveness. Never have to really take personal responsibility because it was Satan and demons that made you do it or the effects of a generational curse passed down to you because once upon a time, in a garden far, far, away, two people ate from a forbidden magical fruit tree.