[QUOTE=Thorne;873630]Yes, but this belief came much later than the Roman persecution of the Christians.
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Interesting. So who invented Hell??

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Yes, and in some cases it's necessary to beat them to death.

Gods!!
I do not believe that this is religion, unless the people were insane from fear of hell! If not, I think they were just insane.

I'm not sure why anyone would be surprised by this. It's far easier to control people through fear than through contentment. Fear of death, fear of eternal damnation, fear of social exile. Most religious leaders learned long ago about the power of fear to keep their flocks in line.
I grew up in an almost non-religious society, but the religion I did hear about had no hell or damnation in it. I was very old before I realised that you could be afraid of god.

I think keeping people content is also a very good manipulator, and much used!