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Post by rizdek on Mar 18, 2023 13:50:17 GMT
Maybe not...it might mean it is the easiest religion to be part of...or more precisely to claim you're a part of. It is really easy to be a Christian...think about it. There are virtually no universal requirements. All one has to do is say in their mind that they believe in Jesus and think that they accept his gift of salvation and that's pretty much it. Botta bing, botta boom, they're a Christian. Oh sure, individual denominations may have some stringent requirements...going to church...paying tithe...doing so much in the church or community, witnessing, yadda yadda yadda. But anyone can just 'say' they're a Christian and they don't really need to DO anything or change anything they're doing. They don't even have to go to any church at all. And when pollsters call they can affirm they are, indeed, Christian and Pew Research and other polling companies will happily include them in their tally...no questions asked. In fact most Christians are happy with this arrangement...that virtually ANYONE can 'claim' to be Christian because even if those Christians might not agree with much of...or anything any other Christian believes, the fact that these people SAY they are Christians makes all Christians feel better and gives them the sense that...well if so many say they're Christian, it's more likely that it's true.. Just like you might have been suggesting...ie that the more people claiming to be Christian might be proof/evidence of it's validity. Not necessarily. Depends entirely upon the Christian denomination. The process can sometimes take as long & tedious a time, as it can be if you convert to Judaism. As I pointed out in my post, individual denominations may place stringent requirements on their adherents, but one does NOT have to be part of THAT denomination...or any denomination to refer to themselves as 'Christian.' |
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Post by general313 on Mar 18, 2023 14:52:53 GMT
You do know that there are Christians who convert to other religions right? And that there are people of other religions, that convert to other religions that are not Christianty right? I bet it stings some Christians when other Christians convert to Judaism. Muhammad Ali was raised as a Baptist. Can you imagine how MAGAts would react if he converted to Islam these days? |
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Post by paulslaugh on Mar 18, 2023 15:30:40 GMT
I bet it stings some Christians when other Christians convert to Judaism. Muhammad Ali was raised as a Baptist. Can you imagine how MAGAts would react if he converted to Islam these days? The Right reacted bad enough back then. |
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Post by ShadowSouL: Padawan of Yoda on Mar 19, 2023 1:56:12 GMT
And especially when they convert to religions other than Judaism. But Judaism requires a total rejection of Jesus, while Islam and other faiths don't. True, but they're halfway there, unlike the other religions, aren't they? Thus easier to reach as opposed to the others, no? I mean, how many Jews for Jesus are there as opposed to Buddhists for Jesus, Hindus for Jesus, and Muslims for Jesus? |
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Post by paulslaugh on Mar 19, 2023 2:19:55 GMT
But Judaism requires a total rejection of Jesus, while Islam and other faiths don't. True, but they're halfway there, unlike the other religions, aren't they? Thus easier to reach as opposed to the others, no? I mean, how many Jews for Jesus are there as opposed to Buddhists for Jesus, Hindus for Jesus, and Muslims for Jesus? Jews for Jesus is a mostly Christian run organization. And Jews have had their own religious nutjobs. Sabbatai Zevi was one of them. Some of the current Hasidic Jews have cults built around a particular rabbi who, like some Christian preachers, will tell their congregations all kinds of wild interpretations from Bible. |
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Post by rizdek on Mar 19, 2023 15:31:10 GMT
True, but they're halfway there, unlike the other religions, aren't they? Thus easier to reach as opposed to the others, no? I mean, how many Jews for Jesus are there as opposed to Buddhists for Jesus, Hindus for Jesus, and Muslims for Jesus? Jews for Jesus is a mostly Christian run organization. And Jews have had their own religious nutjobs. Sabbatai Zevi was one of them. Some of the current Hasidic Jews have cults built around a particular rabbi who, like some Christian preachers, will tell their congregations all kinds of wild interpretations from Bible. I believe there may be a tragic element of the "Jews for Jesus" movement...a form of cultural selection. Given the absolutely horrendous kind of things done to Jews by Christian throughout history perhaps based on Jesus' claims that they are the spawn of Satan and the words of the NT that had the Jews of the day saying something to the effect of 'may his blood be on our heads and the heads of our children,' one MIGHT think that it would steel their resolve to NEVER make the crossover and 'accept' that Christ was any more than a false prophet. But IF the tendency to attack and kill Jews was selectively focused on individuals who were more outspoken against Christianity, then THOSE kinds of Jews were weeded out and what was left, culturally, were those less fervently against accepting Christ as the Messiah. So what have today are groups descended from less resistant to the gospel of Christianity.
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Post by Sarge on Mar 20, 2023 6:44:24 GMT
Is that proof that Christianity is the one and only true religion? Maybe not...it might mean it is the easiest religion to be part of...or more precisely to claim you're a part of. It is really easy to be a Christian...think about it. There are virtually no universal requirements. All one has to do is say in their mind that they believe in Jesus and think that they accept his gift of salvation and that's pretty much it. Botta bing, botta boom, they're a Christian. Oh sure, individual denominations may have some stringent requirements...going to church...paying tithe...doing so much in the church or community, witnessing, yadda yadda yadda. But anyone can just 'say' they're a Christian and they don't really need to DO anything or change anything they're doing. They don't even have to go to any church at all. And when pollsters call they can affirm they are, indeed, Christian and Pew Research and other polling companies will happily include them in their tally...no questions asked. In fact most Christians are happy with this arrangement...that virtually ANYONE can 'claim' to be Christian because even if those Christians might not agree with much of...or anything any other Christian believes, the fact that these people SAY they are Christians makes all Christians feel better and gives them the sense that...well if so many say they're Christian, it's more likely that it's true.. Just like you might have been suggesting...ie that the more people claiming to be Christian might be proof/evidence of it's validity. Basically this. I've watched quite a few scholarly conversations about why Christianity became popular, but they never mention that it is super easy compared to pagan religions. And it comes with a get out of hell free card. Pretend you believe in Jesus. Don't worship other gods. If you sin, ask Jesus for forgiveness. Done. Where is the mystery? |
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Post by paulslaugh on Mar 20, 2023 10:04:14 GMT
Maybe not...it might mean it is the easiest religion to be part of...or more precisely to claim you're a part of. It is really easy to be a Christian...think about it. There are virtually no universal requirements. All one has to do is say in their mind that they believe in Jesus and think that they accept his gift of salvation and that's pretty much it. Botta bing, botta boom, they're a Christian. Oh sure, individual denominations may have some stringent requirements...going to church...paying tithe...doing so much in the church or community, witnessing, yadda yadda yadda. But anyone can just 'say' they're a Christian and they don't really need to DO anything or change anything they're doing. They don't even have to go to any church at all. And when pollsters call they can affirm they are, indeed, Christian and Pew Research and other polling companies will happily include them in their tally...no questions asked. In fact most Christians are happy with this arrangement...that virtually ANYONE can 'claim' to be Christian because even if those Christians might not agree with much of...or anything any other Christian believes, the fact that these people SAY they are Christians makes all Christians feel better and gives them the sense that...well if so many say they're Christian, it's more likely that it's true.. Just like you might have been suggesting...ie that the more people claiming to be Christian might be proof/evidence of it's validity. Basically this. I've watched quite a few scholarly conversations about why Christianity became popular, but they never mention that it is super easy compared to pagan religions. And it comes with a get out of hell free card. Pretend you believe in Jesus. Don't worship other gods. If you sin, ask Jesus for forgiveness. Done. Where is the mystery? I think being a Christian was cheaper with a lot less necessary social engagement. |
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Post by Sarge on Mar 20, 2023 21:19:27 GMT
Basically this. I've watched quite a few scholarly conversations about why Christianity became popular, but they never mention that it is super easy compared to pagan religions. And it comes with a get out of hell free card. Pretend you believe in Jesus. Don't worship other gods. If you sin, ask Jesus for forgiveness. Done. Where is the mystery? I think being a Christian was cheaper with a lot less necessary social engagement. Arguable since Christians ask for 10% of your income although it wasn't compelled like sacrifices. However, only Jews were exempted from Roman sacrifices which probably worked to the favor of early Jewish Christians but certainly caused problems once Paul started converting Gentiles and eventually led to persecution by Decius. |
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Post by paulslaugh on Mar 20, 2023 22:19:58 GMT
I think being a Christian was cheaper with a lot less necessary social engagement. Arguable since Christians ask for 10% of your income although it wasn't compelled like sacrifices. However, only Jews were exempted from Roman sacrifices which probably worked to the favor of early Jewish Christians but certainly caused problems once Paul started converting Gentiles and eventually led to persecution by Decius. Keep in mind there were several versions of “Christianity” in the Empire. We tend to think the church was a seamless garment but not all Christians agreed with how to live in with the locals or who to worship. Some Christians groups sacrificed to Rome, others didn’t. Also, some regions the pagans may have tolerated Christians, others didn’t. |
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Post by Sarge on Mar 21, 2023 2:56:51 GMT
Arguable since Christians ask for 10% of your income although it wasn't compelled like sacrifices. However, only Jews were exempted from Roman sacrifices which probably worked to the favor of early Jewish Christians but certainly caused problems once Paul started converting Gentiles and eventually led to persecution by Decius. Keep in mind there were several versions of “Christianity” in the Empire. We tend to think the church was a seamless garment but not all Christians agreed with how to live in with the locals or who to worship. Some Christians groups sacrificed to Rome, others didn’t. Also, some regions the pagans may have tolerated Christians, others didn’t. Some did sacrifice and it created friction between groups, much like in Ireland between those who took the soup and became Anglican and those who remained faithful to Catholicism and starved. But all of Christianity, just like Judaism and nearly every other religion around world asks for tithes so it's arguable whether Christianity was cheaper. If you had to pay tithes and make sacrifices, it might have been more expensive. I studied some Roman history in college, but we never talked about Christianity. It would be a good question for the Mythvision Podcast. |
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Post by ShadowSouL: Padawan of Yoda on Mar 21, 2023 5:10:41 GMT
I think being a Christian was cheaper with a lot less necessary social engagement. Arguable since Christians ask for 10% of your income although it wasn't compelled like sacrifices. However, only Jews were exempted from Roman sacrifices which probably worked to the favor of early Jewish Christians but certainly caused problems once Paul started converting Gentiles and eventually led to persecution by Decius. I read once on Pat Robertson's website years ago that tithing should be pre-tax. I think Unitarian Universalism is the cheapest because, at least as of about 20 years ago, they only ask for 2%. |
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Post by Sarge on Mar 21, 2023 6:48:49 GMT
Arguable since Christians ask for 10% of your income although it wasn't compelled like sacrifices. However, only Jews were exempted from Roman sacrifices which probably worked to the favor of early Jewish Christians but certainly caused problems once Paul started converting Gentiles and eventually led to persecution by Decius. I read once on Pat Robertson's website years ago that tithing should be pre-tax. It wouldn't surprise me. Growing up I knew people who could barely make ends meet and still gave 10% to the church, suckers. I guess it's better than drugs and hookers, but not as fun. |
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Post by ShadowSouL: Padawan of Yoda on Mar 21, 2023 6:52:41 GMT
I read once on Pat Robertson's website years ago that tithing should be pre-tax. It wouldn't surprise me. Growing up I knew people who could barely make ends meet and still gave 10% to the church, suckers. I guess it's better than drugs and hookers, but not as fun. I don't think all of religion is entirely false, but a lot of people certainly do use it as a confidence game. |
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