Argumentum ad Consequentiam

An appeal to consequences occurs when the writer focuses on the consequences of a belief rather than its merit. The problem with this is that the consequences of a belief have no bearing on whether the belief is true or false. This fallacy appears in six ways: 

1. The belief is true because if people did not accept it as true there would be negative consequences.
2. The belief is false because if people did not accept it as false there would be negative consequences.
3. The belief is true because accepting it as true has positive consequences.
4. The belief is false because accepting it as false has positive consequences.
5. I wish that the belief is true, therefore it is true. (known as wishful thinking)
6. I wish that the belief is false, therefore it is false. (known as wishful thinking)

Examples:

Our team is the best, but if everyone doesn't support it, we will lose the tournament. (The team could win regardless)

The quarterback denied using steroids, but if we don't believe him, it will be bad for the team. (Even if he does use them?)

I really hope our team wins this year because I am betting everything on it. (Don't bet more than you can afford to lose!) 

Strategy: Identify the belief and the alleged consequences and argue that the consequences do not have anything to do with the merit of the belief.