Why Does Christianity Exist?

[Llwellyn]

There are countless reasons why Christianity exists, each Christian supplies a unique set of reasons why Christianity exists for that Christian. Let's discuss some of the common reasons why Christianity exists. What reasons can you think of? What reasons did you have for maintaining Christianity by your thoughts and actions? Here is my first contributions:

 

1. It is natural for children to be afraid of the unknown. Nothing could be more unknown than what happens after you die. Christianity exists as a means for people to mitigate this fear of what happens after death.

 

2. Christianity exists because people hope that one day they will be reunited with those they love. If you have ever had a child or sibling die, you may hope that you will see them again, and that you will embrace and kiss. Christianity exists because humans have love in their hearts and want to be reunited with those they love.

 

3. Christianity exists because people like to have power over other to manipulate them. Parents can control their children, husbands and wives can manipulate each other, and leaders can manipulate their followers through Christianity. The weak can get some measure of protection relative to the strong. "God told me xyz," "God will doesn't like abc," "God will punish for 123," "God loves 456." These kinds of statements are often used to by people to alter the behavior of others.

 

4. Christianity exists because it unites others in community with each other. It allows for a common language of hopes, dreams and cooperation. It provides a common context for ritual, celebration, and marking the passage of time and life stages. This is closely related to #3 above.

 

5. Christianity exists because people have been introduced to the idea of Yahweh, an invisible and powerful supernatural being who will make you suffer if you don't worship him. The suggestion of his existence has been posed, and now 1 billion people have decided that the best way of mitigating this risk is to worship Yahweh. This is how Christianity is like a threatening chain letter. This is closely related to Reason #1 above.

 

6. Christianity exists because people have been introduced to the idea of Yahweh, who will reward an bless you if you worship him. He will give you joy and pleasure if you worship him. This is closely related to Reason #2 above.

[Mike D]

Because most people are sheep and need to be told what to do.

 

B'aaah.

[lunaticheathen]

Romans. An army will spread a religion faster than any vague concept will.

[Llwellyn]

Great answers! People hate to think for themselves or choose their own life. They would rather have others do thinking and choosing for them. Here are a few more:

 

 

Christianity exists because people like to prop up their egos and like to feel better than others. "God loves me but he doesn't love you." "I'm better than you because you do X and I do Y." "I must not be as bad as I feel because God said he loves me and things that I am worthy. I may be in jail, but I am better than my jailer."

 

Christianity exists because it helps people control their own behavior and helps them to be kind and modest. There are certain people for whom Christianity helps them to say sorry for what they've done and to do better next time. They like it because it helps them to not mistreat their neighbor, to not have an alcoholic binge, and it helps them to be kind to their wife.

 

Christianity exists because people like to think, and toy with ideas and history. By being Christians, they can interact with a lot of abstract ideas ("justification," "atonement," "repentance," "transubstantiation") and they can interact with a whole line of historical thinkers (St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Karl Barth).

 

Christianity exists because it puts the bread on the table for Missionaries, Pastors, Christian university professors. It's a way of making a living, saving for retirement, and making money to buy nice things for your daughters.

[Positivist]

Christianity exists in part because people need to feel they're in control of their lives. So, when the shit hits the fan, you can always think, "Well, God is in control". It's like a pacifier or soother.

[notaxtian]

This is my first time posting in this forum. I usually post in Rants and Replies. The first thing that came to my mind is that people can look forward to living in a world without suffering. Everyone suffers at some point in their lives. I think that for some, Christianity gives them hope that someday suffering will end.

[par4dcourse]

It's a club that even the average schmuck can belong to. Just a willingness to follow and help pay for the clubhouse and you're in.

[Destinyjesus3000]

if christianty existed to make us feel good about ourselves or to diminish the bad issues of life and to live in a peaceful state of mind then why does christianity say no sex before marriage? Who would create christianity to make us feel good yet christianity says no sex before marriage?

[BrotherJosh]

if christianty existed to make us feel good about ourselves or to diminish the bad issues of life and to live in a peaceful state of mind then why does christianity say no sex before marriage? Who would create christianity to make us feel good yet christianity says no sex before marriage?

 

Because it's based on an archaic set of rules written by mostly a illiterate and patriarchal culture. Christianity makes people feel good because it gives them the comfort of knowing the Truth ^TM. It's the not knowing that scares people. The Knowing makes people feel comfortable.

 

Also, care to respond to the OP, line by line?

[Llwellyn]

if christianty existed to make us feel good about ourselves or to diminish the bad issues of life and to live in a peaceful state of mind then why does christianity say no sex before marriage? Who would create christianity to make us feel good yet christianity says no sex before marriage?

 

That's funny that you should ask, because I have already written in my notes to add something about sex here as a reason why Christianity exists. Christianity exists because sex is complicated and Christianity tells you what to do about sex. It solves the problem of ambiguity and danger with respect to sex.

 

Arguably the human is a promiscuous species by nature, and monogamous pair bondings are not nearly as human as group sex and promiscuity. (See the book "Sex at Dawn.") Humans are promiscous like the Bonobo rather than monogamous like the lizard.

 

But rather than manage the politics and adventure of promiscuous humanity, Christianity introduces sexual perversion as a means of providing a relatively easy and conflict-free lifestyle. Christianity sorts out sexuality by a simple cookie cutter solution -- monogamous heterosexual pair bonding. It may be perverted . . . but it works for Christians.

[Deva]

The reasons listed by the OP are accurate. I know at least one person who doesn't even believe all the doctrine, but attends church because of #4. I believe many people are just Christians going through the motions as far as the belief part goes.

 

It is a way to meet people, and in this society once you are out of school that is hard to do, especially for more introverted types.

 

If people really examined the beliefs and doctrines they would not be able to carry on so blithely.

 

Also in situations where we feel hopeless due to circumstances, to say "You are on my prayer list", gives a feeling of doing something instead of facing the facts.

[Destinyjesus3000]

christianity is not about forced rules obligations and expecatTions out of fear and manipulation and decIet, IF in fact, that is what you have experience, that may be the reason why you are on this site to expose a hurtful experience, Satan is the father of lies, and trickery, bribery and illusion are all lies from the devil, people use religious sentiments to get what they want to out of selfish desires, This....is what makes people stop being christians or make people not WANT to be a christian in the first place.....but there is a reason why ex christians come BACK to christianity and ther eis a reason why Unbeleiver,s unsaved COME to christianity, its becuase it is NOT what the world has made it out to be. We are living a biblical Prophecy as we speak, it specifically says people will fall from their faith and look what has happened here, you just fulfilled a bible prophecy, Hence the bible is truth. It talks about in the end times, where the Truth will turn into a lie and a lie will turn into truth

[Destinyjesus3000]

If you have a wife, a husband, a child or friend, that is a relationship, there are boundaires, rules and expectations, but they are done out of LOVE and because we WANT TO, our of personal Desire and Interest. Religion is about doing those same things but out of fear, scare tactics, manipulation, bribery, illusion and facades, and selfish gain, and force. That is NOT....what christianty is about. If you experience this, then i hope that in any way shape or form i can show you a new way

[Galien]

Christianity exists in part because people need to feel they're in control of their lives. So, when the shit hits the fan, you can always think, "Well, God is in control". It's like a pacifier or soother.

 

This concept never worked for me because it clearly isn't true. When the christians around me would use that particular platitude I wanted to scream at them are you people fucking deaf, dumb and blind? For me the whole thing was stupid, because I thought christianity was about the truth, but not even christians wanted to tell it.

[Galien]

christianity is not about forced rules obligations and expecatTions out of fear and manipulation and decIet, IF in fact, that is what you have experience, that may be the reason why you are on this site to expose a hurtful experience, Satan is the father of lies, and trickery, bribery and illusion are all lies from the devil, people use religious sentiments to get what they want to out of selfish desires, This....is what makes people stop being christians or make people not WANT to be a christian in the first place.....but there is a reason why ex christians come BACK to christianity and ther eis a reason why Unbeleiver,s unsaved COME to christianity, its becuase it is NOT what the world has made it out to be. We are living a biblical Prophecy as we speak, it specifically says people will fall from their faith and look what has happened here, you just fulfilled a bible prophecy, Hence the bible is truth. It talks about in the end times, where the Truth will turn into a lie and a lie will turn into truth

 

Maybe there is nothing prophetic happening. Maybe we just got sick of asshole christians Has nothing to do with the devil, people are assholes because it suits their purposes. If only christians would learn to blame their douchbaggery on their own ego and pride they may be halfway towards solving the problem. Many things stop people from being christians. For most of us, just means we finally grew up.

[oddbird1963]

If you have a wife, a husband, a child or friend, that is a relationship, there are boundaires, rules and expectations, but they are done out of LOVE and because we WANT TO, our of personal Desire and Interest. Religion is about doing those same things but out of fear, scare tactics, manipulation, bribery, illusion and facades, and selfish gain, and force. That is NOT....what christianty is about. If you experience this, then i hope that in any way shape or form i can show you a new way

 

I think you religionists would serve the world better if you just practice your faith to yourselves and leave everyone else alone. That would be a GREAT boundary to establish.

 

If you think you have some mandate to preach "the truth" to the world, then please produce supportable evidence that what you say is true. But that's not what typically happens. I'll bet you use manipulation, scare tactics and bald, unsupported and invalid assertions when you talk to people about your "faith."

 

EDIT: The most surly comment was removed by the writer of this post. My apologies.

[oddbird1963]

There are countless reasons why Christianity exists, each Christian supplies a unique set of reasons why Christianity exists for that Christian. Let's discuss some of the common reasons why Christianity exists. What reasons can you think of? What reasons did you have for maintaining Christianity by your thoughts and actions? Here is my first contributions:

 

1. It is natural for children to be afraid of the unknown. Nothing could be more unknown than what happens after you die. Christianity exists as a means for people to mitigate this fear of what happens after death.

 

2. Christianity exists because people hope that one day they will be reunited with those they love. If you have ever had a child or sibling die, you may hope that you will see them again, and that you will embrace and kiss. Christianity exists because humans have love in their hearts and want to be reunited with those they love.

 

3. Christianity exists because people like to have power over other to manipulate them. Parents can control their children, husbands and wives can manipulate each other, and leaders can manipulate their followers through Christianity. The weak can get some measure of protection relative to the strong. "God told me xyz," "God will doesn't like abc," "God will punish for 123," "God loves 456." These kinds of statements are often used to by people to alter the behavior of others.

 

4. Christianity exists because it unites others in community with each other. It allows for a common language of hopes, dreams and cooperation. It provides a common context for ritual, celebration, and marking the passage of time and life stages. This is closely related to #3 above.

 

5. Christianity exists because people have been introduced to the idea of Yahweh, an invisible and powerful supernatural being who will make you suffer if you don't worship him. The suggestion of his existence has been posed, and now 1 billion people have decided that the best way of mitigating this risk is to worship Yahweh. This is how Christianity is like a threatening chain letter. This is closely related to Reason #1 above.

 

6. Christianity exists because people have been introduced to the idea of Yahweh, who will reward an bless you if you worship him. He will give you joy and pleasure if you worship him. This is closely related to Reason #2 above.

 

Now, to answer the well written OP. I think enduring religions take many forms and continue to exist for a number of complex reasons. Most of those reasons fall under the realm of sociology, psychology and economics in some way.

 

For me, I just wanted to be a decent person, realize the promises of God's love and florish in a community of good-hearted decent folks.

 

The problem is, I came to realize there was no god behind the bible or the religion. Nice intentions, bold speeches, great music and elaborate art work, the fruits of all religions, cannot make a god exist. I finally had to face the fact.

 

But those reasons I noted above kept me from seeing the truth for far too long. I always want to pound my head on the desk when I think of how gullible and uncritical I was.

[par4dcourse]

Maybe there is nothing prophetic happening. Maybe we just got sick of asshole christians Has nothing to do with the devil, people are assholes because it suits their purposes. If only christians would learn to blame their douchbaggery on their own ego and pride they may be halfway towards solving the problem. Many things stop people from being christians. For most of us, just means we finally grew up.

 

But "the debble made me buy this dress" has been a standard cop out for ages. The poor xian didn't do anything wrong, the DEVIL did it, and of course big daddy will forgive. Apologies to Flip Wilson.

Excellent thread, Llwellyn.

[lunaticheathen]

Standard wanking about how none of us experienced TRUE christardanity.

 

Shove it up your ass sideways. Been there, done that, got the emotional scars to prove it. Some physical ones too. Keep your Abrahamic zombie man-god to yourself, we're obviously not buying here. If you're arrogant enough to think you can change our minds about this, well, prepare to be verbally gutted, idiot.

[Deva]

christianity is not about forced rules obligations and expecatTions out of fear and manipulation and decIet, IF in fact, that is what you have experience, that may be the reason why you are on this site to expose a hurtful experience, Satan is the father of lies, and trickery, bribery and illusion are all lies from the devil, people use religious sentiments to get what they want to out of selfish desires, This....is what makes people stop being christians or make people not WANT to be a christian in the first place.....but there is a reason why ex christians come BACK to christianity and ther eis a reason why Unbeleiver,s unsaved COME to christianity, its becuase it is NOT what the world has made it out to be. We are living a biblical Prophecy as we speak, it specifically says people will fall from their faith and look what has happened here, you just fulfilled a bible prophecy, Hence the bible is truth. It talks about in the end times, where the Truth will turn into a lie and a lie will turn into truth

 

 

Go peddle this crazy elsewhere, we aren't buying here, Mods this is ex-c Life. What say you toss this in the trash where it belongs?

[florduh]

...becuase it is NOT what the world has made it out to be.

Moron - we are not the "world" here. We were Christians, believing, praying, studying, teaching and preaching it - some for decades. We know what it is from the inside, and it ain't pretty - if you're willing to take an honest look, think, and study a little history.

 

 

Anyway...it seems Christianity became established through political expediency and the sword. It persists because people are still easily ruled by fear, and that's what Christianity peddles.

[Margee]

That is NOT....what christianty is about. If you experience this, then i hope that in any way shape or form i can show you a new way

you will show me a new way, my friend? You must own a very different bible than what we studied?? Or will you cherry pick all your favorite verses like most of them do?

 

I am waiting for the new way...............................

[Suzy]

Great topic. It's undeniable that Christianity is a good meme among religions, since it has the most followers - at least for now. So what makes it such a strong meme?

 

I like the list in the OP by Llwellyn and his/her follow-up. Christianity both has promises and threats playing on people's desires (to live forever, to see dead relatives and friends etc.) and fears (of dying, of uncertainties etc.) alike. I think people generally are more comfortable with a black and white type of worldview than with shades of grey (that life really is). And Christianity provides them with this simplicistic black and white world view in that they can take comfort.

 

As for why it has strict rules on sex? Well, that's all about control (like the whole of Christianity is). Sex is natural and 90% of people will do things like masturbation, lustful thoughts, doing something else than missionary position etc. etc. and then Christianity will tell them that something that is natural and that virtually everybody does is a "sin" and they need to feel guilty about it. Once they manage to get people feel guilty then they can start selling them their product: Jesus's salvation from their "sin".

[stryper]

1) Destiny --- you obviously have not studied church history. Read up on that then try to say what you have. Also your prophetic times call for all unbelievers to be thrown into a lake of fire to roast for eternity. That is coercion and fear based religion. Abrahamic religions are not religions of peace and love as they have been practiced.

 

2) Florduh, touched on it. It exists because some guy maybe or maybe not wandered around Judea preached against the status quo and was maybe or maybe not executed for it. Then a century later people who didn't live at the time wrote down the stories that very closely resemble Greek myths. Then Paul spearheads spreading the word in a very schizophrenic fashion. Some Rome emperor had a religious dream and wins a battle because he put a combination of Greek letters up as standard or on his solider's shields. He then converts. So the empire converts with him

 

After the fall of the Western Roman empire, the church was the unifying force in the west. The eastern roman empire did their own thing. However each was christian and each was differently christian. However, both realized that by changing the rules of Christianity they could get fabulously wealthy. So they did. Regularly.

 

Then Luther comes along and says "Ein minute a bitten! Je suis a problemo avec des religionois". This led to Calvin saying everybody is a sinner and must repent which eventually led to your Destiny, charismatic Pentecostalism religiously prophetic blasphamey. In the eyes of some.

 

3) Christianity has remained a force in the US largely due to its resurgence in the 1970 with all the baby boomers regretting everything they did in the 1960's. It was in the 1970's that the anti-abortion movement was created and the very generic term "Christian". It then came with all kinds of rules the further down the rabbit hole you go. To the point that what most people consider "Christian" now is very similar to fundamentalist Muslim doctrine. Even to the point of taking legal action against people who speak out against Christianity.

 

The reason it is so powerful is because it doesn't require you to make any decisions about life. You aren't in charge. God is. So everything that happens is God's doing not yours. You have no responsibility in life other then to have blind faith in a skydaddy who from all indications doesn't give two shits about anybody. Because he's not there.

 

That is the ultimate poison in religions. The purpose of life is to live. And to live is to make choices. And making choices means accepting responsibility for those choices. When your world view is black and white with no room for grey, then you have made a choice to not choose. However, things still happen even when not choosing. But it's not my fault, God decided for me. But you must not question God or his messengers because God put them there.

 

I could go on but this reply brought my headache back.

[marmot]

 

3) Christianity has remained a force in the US largely due to its resurgence in the 1970 with all the baby boomers regretting everything they did in the 1960's. It was in the 1970's that the anti-abortion movement was created and the very generic term "Christian". It then came with all kinds of rules the further down the rabbit hole you go. To the point that what most people consider "Christian" now is very similar to fundamentalist Muslim doctrine. Even to the point of taking legal action against people who speak out against Christianity.

 

 

This is what scares me. On one hand, I feel like the US is making a lot of progress towards secularism. Seeing our nation relapse into faith in the 1970's is proof that anything can happen in the future. I'm counting on science to stop that from happening.