According to revealed writings, why is there a need to entice humanity into godly service?

Religion is all about control. 

I've never seen any evidence to convince me otherwise. 

John, I most wholeheartedly agree.  I also believe that religion divides, especially all revealed religion. Even in this arena, I appreciate that fact that you have allowed a "degree" of tolerance here. Religion, as a personal matter to me, is over.  I must say that I will probably never become an atheist, but even here, one must have a respect for any peace loving person, no matter what they may believe. Some of the principles of deism draw me to this forum. For these, as well as for many other reasons, I will never join any religious organization again!  As I said before, while I am personally opposed to religion, I still love people, and that, for me, will never change.

Thank you John, for allowing us to be freethinkers. We can respect others, but we do not have to be "controlled" by religion and its dogma, as you have so rightly indicated. Today, there is much confusion in the world.  Perhaps forums like yours, as well as others that are similar to it, will grow.

May God's gift of reason light our way!  Thanks!

"My thought is that the writers and keepers of the bible love to have people under their control mentally and spirituially-religiously."

Hmmmm.... Well, the authors and originators may very well have been on a power trip, and there's no doubt that today there are some involved in religion that are on a power trip.

However, I'm one who grew up in the church, became heavily invloved in it as an adult, and did not begin to question it until I was 29 (six years ago). I was a Sunday school teacher for a few years, and I was not on a power trip or trying to have control over others at all, and none of the other Christians I was associated with showed any signs of trying to control others. We simply believed and wanted to help each other along in the faith.

That being said, over the past few years I have realized how bankrupt the Bible and the Christian faith are, and I am now an agnostic. I see the faith as a big fat lie that people have swallowed hook, line and sinker. But many of those swallowing, and even many of those hooking others, are actually decent, honest people who are not on any power trip.

I guess my point is this: Just because religion can be a powerful tool for some, don't assume that all involved are on a power trip, trying to keep others under their control. Undoubtedly some are, but others are simply sincere believers, albeit sincerely wrong.

Good day....