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But the existence of fear, is that not concerning? It seems not to you, but can you elaborate on the fear?I see my relationship with God as a parental one of love. I do "fear" the lord, but not in the sense that I am actually scared of what will happen to me. I am a subservient believer, yet I do not feel enslaved. At least to me, if you have an established relationship with God, then it shouldn't feel like slavery. I'd understand if you didn't believe in God and were forced to be religious, and I'd see why that would feel wrong. But as a person in a relationship with God, you want to strive to serve and do your best to live Christ like.
As for slavery, one does not have to feel enslaved to be one, as brainwashing exists. But yes even being subservient is a choice, but typically in nature it is irregular since most creatures are free and desire freedom.
And, why strive to be the best for Christ? Why not yourself? Why does one strive to serve in a religious relation? Why would an omniscient, omnipotent being want their creation to worship and serve it?
For society running well, it is typically referring to Golden Ages. These are typically short-lived and uncommon in history. I don't see much correlation with religion.As for society running better, I was speaking in more recent terms such as in the last 100 years or so, religious decline and the state of modern societal values and community seems to be correlated.
Periods of decent peace, economic prosperity, political stability, social justices, and cultural flourishing (artistic and intellectual). Example: Golden Age of Athens.
We see religion consistently throughout the ages, with or without a Golden Age. While it is a weapon in war and union, it doesn't need to be the sole reason, and is not always beneficial and leads to prosperity.
In fact, in Greece, we get many great philosophers, showing the flourishing; Socrates, Platos, Aristotle: so many. Socrates, Xenophas, Protogoras challenged religion, and even though Athens was Hellenic polytheistic, it was greatly built on logic and aesthetics.
The Italian Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment are also examples of brief Golden Ages; many new thought-forms and beauty was born out of it.
In almost all Golden Ages, you see the birth or revival of many diverse thought-forms and challenges to existing ones.