History ParanoiaFuel / ReligionAndMythology

** It is also possible to get a command from a god that, if you follow it, would anger another god, but if you don't follow it would anger the god that gave the command.

** There's also the idea that [[BigBrotherIsWatching God can see everything you do]], '''[[UpToEleven including your own thoughts]].'''

** And anyone who acts like TheFundamentalist might be under Archon control. Just how many people do you know who act that way?
** Along with anyone who acts like a HollywoodAtheist, too. The bugger's playing both sides.

** There's also the idea that [[BigBrotherIsWatching God can see everything you do]] [[UpToEleven '''including your own thoughts'''.]]

** Along with anyone who acta like a HollywoodAtheist, too. The bugger's playing both sides.
* There's the Maori legend where the woman got banished to the moon just for insulting it (in the same vein as saying, "Stupid phone!" when it glitches out).

*** It should be noted that, in the Christianity-based religions at least, that God does not determine where you are going in the afterlife from birth. He merely knows what's going to happen, as one's own actions determine their place after death. Though in Calvinism--also known as double predestination, as in God predestines those to be saved ''and'' those not to be saved--and several traditions do state he does so, based on several biblical quotes that imply that.

** This idea is also why many atheists and skeptics write off such an idea as preposterous.

** And anyone who acts like TheFundamentalist might be under Archon control. Just how many people do you know who act that way?

*** It should be noted that, in the Christianity-based religions at least, that God does not determine where you are going in the afterlife from birth. He merely knows what's going to happen, as one's own actions determine their place after death. Though in Calvinism---also known as double predestination, as in God predestines those to be saved ''and'' those not to be saved---and several traditions do state he does so, based on several biblical quotes that imply that.

* According to Myth/ClassicalMythology, the world is ruled by a pantheon of JerkassGods who will utterly screw over mortals [[DisproportionateRetribution for the most petty of reasons,]] or no reason at all. Yes, yes, if you managed to piss off the gods knowingly[[note]]Although let's face it, if you were [[TooDumbToLive stupid enough]] to ''knowingly'' anger a God, you probably deserve whatever punishment they dish out. It happened to Tantalus...[[/note]] or unknowingly, get ready for a very hard life, [[FateWorseThanDeath if not worse]]. Being ProperlyParanoid won't even help: there's a reason why cruel {{Irony}} is a major theme in Greek drama. Oh, and by the way, [[YouCantFightFate destiny rules everything and you have no control over your life]]. As a bonus: The ancient Greek word for "safe" translates to English as "free from fear". Their word for "safe" meant that they weren't in danger. It's a negative. To them, the default state of existence was "not safe". The Greeks basically lived in this trope.
** σῶς, the most common Greek word meaning "[[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dsw%3Ds1 safe]]," means pretty much the same thing the English word does and it is a root word ("savior" σωτήρ is based on this root word) with no overt connotation. There is a word meaning "[[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Da)phmosu%2Fnh free from harm]]," but not very frequently used.

** There's also the idea that [[BigBrotherIsWatching God can see everything you do]] [[UpToEleven including your own thoughts.]]

*** This is the idea behind the Calvinist and Islamic concept of [[YouCantFightFate predestination]]. Meaning that God has decreed your final depository beforehand and you can do absolutely nothing for it.

** This idea is also why many atheists, skeptics, and less dogmatic believers write off such an idea as preposterous.

** Also from Greek mythology, there's the Hydra. You know, the one that Heracles killed? Except... one of the heads was immortal, so he had to [[SealedEvilInACan trap it under a rock]]. All it would take for an undying, poison-spewing monster to be released is for some unsuspecting builder to dig up the wrong rock.

** And anyone who acts like TheFundamentalist might be under Archon control.

** And how can you tell if someone's under Archon control? They act like TheFundamentalist.

* UsefulNotes/{{Gnosticism}} makes it even more horrifying. Your entire existence is pretty much to be food for an evil god and his angels, unless you adhere to exceedingly ascetic rituals and ways of life that may or may not allow you to escape from physical reality. And sometimes, the god and his angels do not feel like waiting for you to die.

* UsefulNotes/{{Gnosticism}} laughs at the two examples above and makes it more horrifying. Your entire existence is pretty much to be food for an evil lion-headed god and his angels, unless you adhere to exceedingly ascetic rituals and ways of life that may or may not allow you to escape from physical reality. And sometimes, the archons don't feel like waiting for you to die.
** And how can you tell if someone's under Archon control? They act like TheFundamentalist. Just how many people do you know who act that way?

** And how can you tell if someone's under Archon control? They act like TheFundamentalist. How many people do you know who act that way?

* The paranoia fuel is part of what makes the concept of {{Hell}} so potent, by playing on the fear of what comes after death. Just because you transgressed this one small rule, you are condemned into ''[[AndIMustScream eternal punishment]]''. And you don't even know [[DeathsHourglass when you will die]] or be able to repent.

** There's also the notion that since it seems since God is all knowing, he can actually see the future, including if you are going to Hell or Heaven. Meaning all those stuff about how you have to choose your own destiny is all lies. Happy living, everyone.

** This idea is also why many atheists, skeptics, and less dogmatic believers write off such an idea as preposterous.

** There's also the fact that even if you do everything right, follow every rule, go to church every Sunday, save puppies from fires on the weekends- there's still a significant chance that your beliefs are the wrong religion, or even the wrong church, and you're going to hell anyway. You can be the kindest person, but if Creator/JackChick was right, you're screwed.

** There's also the fact that even if you do everything right, follow every rule, go to church every Sunday, save puppies from fires on the weekends- there's still a significant chance that your beliefs are the wrong religion, or even the wrong church, and you're going to hell anyway. You can be the kindest person, but if JackChick was right, you're screwed.

* The paranoia fuel is part of what makes the concept of {{Hell}} so potent, by playing on the fear of what comes after death. Just because you transgressed this one small rule, you are condemned into ''[[AndIMustScream eternal punishment]]''. And you don't even know when you will die or be able to repent.

** [[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dsw%3Ds1 σῶς]], the most common Greek word meaning "safe," means pretty much the same thing the English word does and it is a root word ("savior" σωτήρ is based on this root word) with no overt connotation. There is a word meaning "[[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Da)phmosu%2Fnh free from harm]]," but not very frequently used.

*** It should be noted that, in the Christianity-based religions at least, that God does not determine where you are going in the afterlife from birth. He merely knows what's going to happen, as one's own actions determine their place after death. Though in Calvinism and several traditions do state he does so, based on several biblical quotes that imply that.