Turn or burn, a choice?

One of the mantras I heard over and over and over again within my church culture was, "God has given us free will."  This mantra was often used in reference to choosing salvation or damnation.  Not uncommonly it was used to assuage our guilt over those who were "choosing" damnation.

However, I'd like to clarify something.  "Turn or burn" is not a choice.  No matter how much you dress it up, twist it, or neatly place it between platitudes.  That's like saying the child being abused by a trusted adult has a choice.  

Many I know disagree, but I'd challenge you to consider how to bring people to Christ without hanging hell over their heads.  Try to comment on this blog without hanging it over mine.  If you have to drop the "H" bomb while sharing your faith, or the "You don't know what happens after you die" line, all it shows me is that your particular brand of faith is founded on fear.  Your "god" doesn't have anything better to offer than a veiled threat.

I love faith.  I LOVE people of faith.  But it seems to me, there's a version of "Christianity" in America today that has substituted the character of Christ with the character of the devil, and called it good.

"Do this or burn forever" is not a choice.  Love wouldn't insist it is.