text: i don't have belief in a god or fiery damnation, i freely choose not to harm others, what about you? i have no qualms about criticising others when i think it might be constructive to do so, however i would do nobody any harm on purpose, it goes against my personal sense of morality. do you think some people need an extra threat of supernatural hell-fire to make them think twice about actions that might harm others, why do you think they so lack an innate sense of treat others as you would have them treat you? it's a question of maturity.  if your are spiritually mature enough to take responsibility for your actions you don't need hell and damnation to have a good outlook to life wher you see others as partners in life.  some people are not as mature and need (in fact they need it so much they feel everyone should need it too) the carrot and stick approach to be productive human beings.