What are your reasons for believing whatever you may believe about Christianity?

[bumblebee]

Personally I believe that Christianity is a cash grab, just look at their schools and how their stuff costs quite a lot of money.

Say what you will about my early posts, but that was when I was like 9 and had no idea what I was doing.

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[Nizza Deutchsen Man]

Personally I believe that Christianity is a cash grab, just look at their schools and how their stuff costs quite a lot of money.

Say what you will about my early posts, but that was when I was like 9 and had no idea what I was doing.

okay sure, but that goes to an actual education for students, it isnt some extortion scheme...

I have a question that is unanswerable, but say in the 1800s or even today, some isolated tribe in Africa or in the unknown pacific that have never heard of christ and his teachings, what would happen to them in the afterlife? Would they go to heaven for not knowing of the teachings due to the forces of nature, or would they go to hell for the same? Or possibly be stuck in a purgatory-like limbo?

[Machaty]

okay sure, but that goes to an actual education for students, it isnt some extortion scheme...

I have a question that is unanswerable, but say in the 1800s or even today, some isolated tribe in Africa or in the unknown pacific that have never heard of christ and his teachings, what would happen to them in the afterlife? Would they go to heaven for not knowing of the teachings due to the forces of nature, or would they go to hell for the same? Or possibly be stuck in a purgatory-like limbo?

According to the bible they would go to hell, as they don't believe in Jesus. That's honestly one of my biggest problems with religion. It seems weird that God would engineer a punishment for those that couldn't possibly know about his religion. Or even if they did know of it and chose not to believe it. Why would God have us believe in him on bad evidence?

[Zloff]

Personally I believe that Christianity is a cash grab, just look at their schools and how their stuff costs quite a lot of money.

...christan schools don't receive funding from the government

[Darryl McKoy]

...christan schools don't receive funding from the government

They do in Australia and it's a matter of significant debate

[ABlockOfCheese]

They do in Australia and it's a matter of significant debate

I'm a Christian and I don't agree with this

Then again I don't really like federal funding for most things in the first place sooo

[Clone v.117]

I grew up in a Christian household and went to church every Sunday (plus some after school stuff) until I was about 15.
That was enough time for me to get a good grip on the identity of Christianity and decide for myself that I don't believe it.
I have had many experiences that I am infinitely glad for because of my parents religion and have met many people whose lives have been majorly influenced by their religion.
I've met people a woman who is still being chased by her family and their relations and lives in secrecy across multiple islands in the Philippines as her family attempt to track her down and execute her for bringing shame upon them (father is a village chief + muslim af) and others that have been sold in to love slavery and escaped through the help of such organisations as I spent time with.
I feel I've learnt enough about the religion and its impacts on people to believe that it isn't real but it is still incredibly important to people despite whether it holds any weight personally, and that trying to dismiss, diminish or ridicule people for their beliefs is loving stupid.

[SlayerZ99]

This is the craziest topic for me

All I've ever known growing up was religion. I went to a private Christian school until 8th grade and then I went to my local highschool.

Sadly, I didn't really notice, maybe because I didn't want too how much brainwashing religion really is. Its absolutely ridiculous and almost sickening. COME ON we make songs that children sing in sunday school and they don't even know what they're singing about they just sing these songs.

My parent's are really religious and thats okay. I love them a lot and I think they're values are good. I'd consider them good people and religion is one of the reasons why my parents are still together today. I'm almost afraid to tell them that I couldn't really consider myself a Christian anymore and I don't buy into it anymore.

To be honest, if there is a God, he doesn't seem to be with me. I don't feel him here with me even and I haven't ever seen him or his works really. And it also baffles me how a lot of religious people deny basic, proven things such as climate change. You're denying something that is not only gonna destroy you, but all the generations to come. Its sad to see basic scientific evidence denied and its gonna get you.

Sorry if this isn't detailed or anything because I'm tryna write this paper for class in 15 minutes.

[Badger]

I have better reasons for my beliefs but Pascal's wager is always something nice to be there whenever you're unsure on something and don't know what to say/do

honestly being Christian doesn't impede my life at all in anyway, if I was to die what would I lose by being Christian ?  The only thing I could think of is being regarded as dumb by other people who argued on evolution.

it's not that big a price to pay for a security at the end of your life,  I love my Christian group of friends and even the messages at church - it really made me into a better person along with providing help for certain times in my life.

[Ipquarx]

okay sure, but that goes to an actual education for students, it isnt some extortion scheme...

I have a question that is unanswerable, but say in the 1800s or even today, some isolated tribe in Africa or in the unknown pacific that have never heard of christ and his teachings, what would happen to them in the afterlife? Would they go to heaven for not knowing of the teachings due to the forces of nature, or would they go to hell for the same? Or possibly be stuck in a purgatory-like limbo?

You see there's a bit of a silly thing here. Most religious people would tell you "No they wouldn't go to hell" since they obviously never had the chance to "find god." however if that's the case then never telling anyone about christ or gods at all is the best option because then they're guaranteed at least a chance to be saved in the afterlife, but if you say they WILL go to hell then you're being a richard to old dead people

[Wesley Williams]

You see there's a bit of a silly thing here. Most religious people would tell you "No they wouldn't go to hell" since they obviously never had the chance to "find god." however if that's the case then never telling anyone about christ or gods at all is the best option because then they're guaranteed at least a chance to be saved in the afterlife, but if you say they WILL go to hell then you're being a richard to old dead people

Some Christians argue that you always have a chance to find God, even in an isolated place. General revelation (the world around us) is the main way God reveals himself aside from Biblical revelation. I'm not well versed in the subject but I'd assume tribes in Africa usually worship some sort of higher power? They may not quite know what it is but at least they acknowledge it.

[shamester]

Okay, before you read this, please note that this may not be grammatical.
Anyway, I believe that we are all here for a reason and everything happens for a reason.  People ask, why does a loving and good God allow all this to happen, for example, CIA, Riddler, raidforums, etc.  The explanation is that he is allowing it to happen through freewill, but this is a different discussion.  Anyway, people do things and go places and die because it is part of something bigger.  For example, 9/11 happened, and your asking "why would God allow such a thing" and the answer is that who ever is watching us and allowing these events to happen did it so we could improve our security.  Why would society allow Gay marriage, this contradicts what Christianity believes in?  The answer is that the external force watching over us wanted us to sort of experiment with things, and if it goes wrong, we fix it.  Going back to the 9/11 example, our security was flawed and look what happened, we then fixed it.  If gay marriage goes wrong, we fix it.  All these things happene because it is all part of something bigger.  In the Nicene Creed  (regardless if you believe in it) it states

He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

This is stating that, Jesus will come again in the future and judge us based on who is good and who is bad.  If you want to hear more about the apocalypse, read the book of revelation.  But, anyway, maybe Jesus is waiting for us to find eternal happiness, and maybe he is waiting until the time is right, a time where everyone has equal free rights and a time where everyone is safe.  When this time comes, maybe then he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

[Wesley Williams]

All these things happene because it is all part of something bigger.

Yes but never assume you know why God has done something.

[Ipquarx]

Some Christians argue that you always have a chance to find God, even in an isolated place. General revelation (the world around us) is the main way God reveals himself aside from Biblical revelation. I'm not well versed in the subject but I'd assume tribes in Africa usually worship some sort of higher power? They may not quite know what it is but at least they acknowledge it.

There's always a possibility, but how do you tell if it should be considered to be the one and only christian god in specific, and not the jewish god or any number of other similar gods and religions. If someone thinks to themselves "Hmm, well something must have made all of this" is that referring to a god? Again, if so, how do you tell which one? Or does it make them a Deist? These things are not easy to classify.

[Wesley Williams]

There's no way I or anyone can know the answer to those questions, just as there is no way I or anyone can truly comprehend the complex nature of God. Personally, I'd assume if someone has no way of hearing about Christ, acknowledging the existence of a creator and praising him for one's life would be fine.