Is Christianity Taken Seriously? Rating Options

[fameONE]

-United Methodist
-African Methodist Episcopal
-Missionary Baptist
-Non-Denominational
-Church of Christ
-Church of God & Christ
-Lutheran
-Church of Zion
-Etc.

Christianity is pretty busy religion. Based on interpretation, it can be a strict lifestyle or a strict business. Compared to other religions, Christianity doesn't seem to be taken as seriously. Is it the society we live in, or the fallacies found within Biblical text?

Debate.

[superstitious]

It is a combination of both. I think that people have an inherent need to feel safe. Many in society, particularly in the west, feel that to not believe in god is a condemnation. The fear of hell overrides any rational thought.

The bible is full of contradictions, which continue to get ignored without any sense of reason or logic other than "faith."

I think that Thomas Payne put it best (and I'd recommend reading "The Age of Reason" if you get the opportunity) -

"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit."

The idea of believing in something, not because it is true, but because society mandates that people believe it is true lest they face eternal consequences can be conceived as a mockery of what faith should be.

All that aside, one could also say that religion has capitlized on the fear of individuals of society by enforcing the tithing, donation and/or other means of financial support in order to gain favor within the church or receive blessings for their charity.

[brooklyneast05]

i'm confused by whether the question is do people outside of the religion take it as a serious religion...or do you mean do christians take their religion as seriously as others do in their religion.

[superstitious]

Hrm, I interpreted it as why we might think Christianity isn't taken seriously.

[libertie]

I think it's the second option, at least that's my interpretation. It seems to me like some Christians don't follow the "rules" as strictly because there's the promise of forgiveness that they can fall back on. I can't say much else without getting too general, because I'll be honest and say I don't know much about other religions. From my perspective, though, it seems like followers of other religions are much more willing to fully align themselves with those lifestyles than many Christians are.

However, I will say for many who identify themselves as Christian that they take Christianity VERY seriously.

[DoubleJ]

i'm confused by whether the question is do people outside of the religion take it as a serious religion...or do you mean do christians take their religion as seriously as others do in their religion.

[fameONE]

Gomen. ^_^

'Do Christians Take their Religion Seriously?' would be more appropriate.

[Tung]

No they don't. The whole Christianity religion is a total joke.

[fameONE]

^Support your claim.

[Tung]

A good debater never reveal his sources.

[fameONE]

A good debater never reveal his sources.

You made no sense whatsoever. Whatever your stance is on any given issue, you should support your rebuttal with examples, text or any other reference you can get a hold of. A spiteful one-liner doesn't prove anything in a debate, it just makes you look like you don't know what you're talking about, or you're completely biased altogether.

[Tung]

Sorry, I just finished watching an episode of Smallville, and Lois Lane was talking about how good reporters never reveal their sources. I thought I'll give that line a try with Debate.

[DoubleJ]

I personally don't think that it is as much as it maybe should be. I know people on both sides of the spectrum.

On one hand, you have those who believe in God, but aren't your typical "bible thumper." They try to follow the bible to a certain extent, but don't try to let it dictate their lives as well. I consider myself to be apart of this group. I do believe in God, and pray every day, but that also doesn't mean that I am in church on Sundays, or going to different church functions and what not. I am content with knowing that God understands my level of devotion to him.

Then you have those who are heavily into Christianity, and live their lives according to the bible. I know one girl, who always chastises me, because while I claim to be a Christian and believe in God, she says that I am a phony. She feels that those who believe in God, don't smoke or drink, and don't partake in shady activities. They are in church every Sunday, and constantly have their heads in the bible. I actually find this a lot in my life, as my mom has recently become "saved," and now her whole life is devoted to her church.

I think that 95 percent of church goers are hypocrites. It is easy to put down those who have the flaws that you don't exhibit publicly, but there is always something going on behind the scenes. The girl I mentioned previously, has pre-marital sex all the time, but yet she comes down on me for downing a few beers every now and again. I just think that as a whole, Christianity has turned into something of a joke as of late.

[coconutter]

I all the time see Christians following SOME of their beliefs, but not others? Whaaaa?! I think this is caused by churches being masked machines of conservatism, which is defeating the point of going to church anyway.

Most commonly I see Christians judging people. Which, correct me if I'm wrong, is against their beliefs. So, it's okay to judge people but not okay to be gay? Or even vote against gay rights with no clue about the actual issue except for "a marriage should be between a man and a woman"? Who declared that? Did God tell you this? Should God control a country that doesn't always believe in God? Blindly voting could be another form of judgment The only answers they have for questions like these are: my pastor told me so, or some illogical excuse of the sort.

I don't think they depend on their faith to "get them through hard times". I think they believe in a false sense of comfort, created by socialism and people who wish to control other people by means of simple, but for those who are naive not recognizable, manipulation.

[fameONE]

I all the time see Christians following SOME of their beliefs, but not others? Whaaaa?! I think this is caused by churches being masked machines of conservatism, which is defeating the point of going to church anyway.

Most commonly I see Christians judging people. Which, correct me if I'm wrong, is against their beliefs. So, it's okay to judge people but not okay to be gay? Or even vote against gay rights with no clue about the actual issue except for "a marriage should be between a man and a woman"? Who declared that? Did God tell you this? Should God control a country that doesn't always believe in God? Blindly voting could be another form of judgment The only answers they have for questions like these are: my pastor told me so, or some illogical excuse of the sort.

I don't think they depend on their faith to "get them through hard times". I think they believe in a false sense of comfort, created by socialism and people who wish to control other people by means of simple, but for those who are naive not recognizable, manipulation.

Someone needs to disagree with you. I'm waiting for the religious zealots of CB to invade this thread.

[MissFits]

Christianity is not taken as seriously as it was in the past, both by Christians and Non-Believers.
I can't tell you why everyone else takes it so lightly these days, but I find it hard to have faith in something that's money hungry, laced with contradictions, and driven by fear. I went to church as a child and they were always trying to scare me into acting the way "God wanted me to act", since they know exactly who God wants me to be. We would watch videos every Sunday about terrible things that happen to sinners. Our pastor would yell about eternal damnation for the tiniest of sins. Have you ever watched TBN or any other Christian network? They try to scare you into donating money. Does God need my money more than me? Does He need a touchdown jesus more than I need food? Does He need solid gold offering plates more than I need to pay my rent? I don't think so, but the church sure does.
I live in Ohio, here in Ohio we have a semi-famous church Called the solid rock church. Now, this church is not famous for an amazing preacher, it's not famous for how it helps our community, Do you want to know what it's famous for? This:

click to enlarge

It's shit like this that doesn't make sense to me. You spent all that money on that big ass statue of Jesus, while the whole time "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God".

[mipadi]

It is as Nietzsche said: "God is dead. And we have killed him."

[sixfive]

Yes and no. It's not taken very seriously on a day to day basis, but should Christianity fall under attack, things would be a completely different story. I, personally, hate organized religion. I hate the idea of having to congregate to worship, hate how all these different denominations of Christianity all push different beliefs on you. I've actually taken interest in my class "The Bible in Western Culture," and we've started reading the gospels, learning about old Christian texts, the histories, etc. Wow I always go off on a tangent.

Anyway, I think the two billion Christians revere their religion, but don't necessarily feel they need to maintain it's sanctity. Because of that, plenty of people have figured out ways to profit from people feeling obligated to partake in religious actions, i.e. buying bibles, religious paraphernalia, anything to make you seem tolerant and understanding in this age of hypocrisy.

[fameONE]

General question:

So how would you contrast Christianity and it's different sects to Islamic beliefs and the various interpretations of the Qu'aran?

[sixfive]

I don't know enough to answer that. I think the only other religion I've in which I've interacted with many different sects of is Judaism. I've not discussed religion with any others, really.

[fameONE]

General question:

So how would you contrast Christianity and it's different sects to Islamic beliefs and the various interpretations of the Qu'aran?

[Comptine]

General question:

So how would you contrast Christianity and it's different sects to Islamic beliefs and the various interpretations of the Qu'aran?

I don't see that much difference between the varying sects of Christianity and the different Islamic sects. You have those who have "the good type" of faith (i.e., they try to live a virtuous life or use religion for good). You have those who don't really observe in any defined/approved way.

Then, you have the crazy extremists who think everyone but their sect is bound to go to hell and deserves to die.

I think at some level Christianity is taken too seriously. Despite what our government says about separation from church and state, the Christians and similar sects have such a hold on our government that things that legally are not suppose to be influenced by them are.

I also think religion in general is taken too seriously. How many wars were waged and how many lives were slaughtered in the name of some God?

[saintsaens]

-United Methodist
-African Methodist Episcopal
-Missionary Baptist
-Non-Denominational
-Church of Christ
-Church of God & Christ
-Lutheran
-Church of Zion
-Etc.

Christianity is pretty busy religion. Based on interpretation, it can be a strict lifestyle or a strict business. Compared to other religions, Christianity doesn't seem to be taken as seriously. Is it the society we live in, or the fallacies found within Biblical text?

Debate.

It's American Christianity that's failing. Not society, nor fallacies. The increasing secularization of America is our fault, not the Atheists who push for it.

American Christianity could be equated to Jewish-Legalistic-Hypocritical-South-Baptists. (I just made that up right now.)

Christians are not being taken seriously because of our own mistakes.

Also, there's nothing necessarily strict about Christianity. We don't have to necessarily pray once a day to get into heaven. That's legalism. Legalism is bad.

[saintsaens]

General question:

So how would you contrast Christianity and it's different sects to Islamic beliefs and the various interpretations of the Qu'aran?

Islamic belief is that Jesus Christ was a prophet, but not the Messiah. That itself is grounds for most Christians to stay away.

I think the dangerous thing about Islam is that people say it's quite similar to Christianity, but it's pretty different when we talk about the core doctrines.

Also, Islamic belief is that we all go to hell, pay for our sins, and get into heaven.

Christians believe that it is through Jesus Christ and only through his unending mercy he showers upon humanity.

Personally me, knowing I'm a pretty messed up person, I'd rather Christianity.

[fameONE]

Islamic belief is that Jesus Christ was a prophet, but not the Messiah. That itself is grounds for most Christians to stay away.

I think the dangerous thing about Islam is that people say it's quite similar to Christianity, but it's pretty different when we talk about the core doctrines.

Also, Islamic belief is that we all go to hell, pay for our sins, and get into heaven.

Christians believe that it is through Jesus Christ and only through his unending mercy he showers upon humanity.

Personally me, knowing I'm a pretty messed up person, I'd rather Christianity.

I notice a strange parallel between the two religions. After being around Iraqis, and speaking to the Muslim friends I've made since being here, I will admit that I have an extreme respect for their religion. I admire the devotion that cuh a large body of people can equally share, and still feel as though they're free.