Christian answering questions too!

[drfuzzy]

I don't understand why people are Christians.

I understand why they believe the religion is true, but I don't understand why they then choose to be a part of it. (Disregarding peer pressure and abuse from society and such.)

Is it just to get rewards and to avoid punishments? Is that fundamentally the reason? I don't think I've ever heard anything sensible beyond this. If the rewards and punishments were removed, how many Christians would be left?

They want to worship the being that is threatening them with punishment? I really don't get it. If I thought it was real, I'd tell that being to fuck out of out of it.

For most of us it's either early brainwashing or habit.  What I can't figure is why anyone who was not raised xtian would ever embrace xtianity.

[abaris]

For most of us it's either early brainwashing or habit.  What I can't figure is why anyone who was not raised xtian would ever embrace xtianity.

First, it very much depends on the kind of christianity. There are very benign and inclusive forms and there are vile, hateful and exclusive versions. As I always say, for many it may be the feeling of security, to belong and to be taken by the hand. For others fear might be a reason or their own prejudices, seemingly justified by a higher authority.

We have a little bit of everything on this board, with the hateful version being the most prominent or most outspoken. That's also the reason why I asked OP for his believes, since I like to know what I'm dealing with before engaging in any discussion.

[Whateverist]

What I can't figure is why anyone who was not raised xtian would ever embrace xtianity.

My pet theory is that god belief fits the human psyche in a way that clicks for some. Sadly, for many it never occurs to them that that there are choices between there is no god and god is a mega-omni cosmic watchmaker. At the very least, in the mind there can be the sense of internal otherness with helpful insights. If the only alternative is to believe we are meat based computers entirely on our own, that might tempt some toward accepting a literal god to make sense of their subjective experience.

I remain convinced that the phenomenon of god belief is a good entry point for udnerstanding the psyche. Both believers and nonbelievers can benefit from eschewing simplistic, literal beliefs about complex and difficult to understand things.

[Huggy Bear]

I also asked myself this question with regard to the Levitical laws found in the Old Testament, I think there are over 600 of them.  Many of which would be considered dated, and in some cases absurd by todays standards.  The straight answer is I think there are many parts that would not be relevant or observed today.  I view the Old Testament partly as a historical document and partly as instructions for the Hebrew people.  A lot of the practices were rendered obsolete, done away with, or changed with the new covenant.

Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 
For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

You guys always trot this one out despite the fact that it's been explained to you multiple times.

Which has more authority, the law or a pardon?

[Edwardo Piet]

PETE ROSE is an anagram of TERSE POE.


Coincidence?

LOBSTER LOVER is an anagram of VERBOSE TROLL.

Coincidence?

Those damn pesky lobster-loving trollish wordsmiths.

[ApeNotKillApe]

Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 
For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

You guys always trot this one out despite the fact that it's been explained to you multiple times.

Which has more authority, the law or a pardon?

Well that question doesn't make sense, pardoning is an element of a legal system.

[TheRocketSurgeon]

It certainly doesn't make sense if the Judge (or whatever) involved in the pardon is also the one who made the rules, made most of them too fuzzy to accurately interpret and also contradictory to several elements of known science, gave them to one desert tribal people, had them copied into other cultures in other languages, and then said "Well I'll pardon you from what I was going to do to you based on my laws if you simply obey and worship me."

Not a pardon. That's called blackmail.

[abaris]

LOBSTER LOVER is an anagram of VERBOSE TROLL.

Coincidence?

Those damn pesky lobster-loving trollish wordsmiths.

Truth is, I'm not sure about this one. Could be a Poe or a sock. Something doesn't quite smell right with that persona.

[Edwardo Piet]

LOBSTER LOVER is an anagram of VERBOSE TROLL.

Coincidence?

Those damn pesky lobster-loving trollish wordsmiths.

Truth is, I'm not sure about this one. Could be a Poe or a sock. Something doesn't quite smell right with that persona.

Hmmm.

Well if he sees my post, steals my idea and decides to become a  lobster lover and so he changes his name to LOBSTER_LOVER and gives himself this avatar:



Then I think we can safely say something's up...

And not even just because LOBSTER_LOVER is an anagram of VERBOSE_TROLL

[LastPoet]

Which has more authority, the law or a pardon?

You can always spin that the way you want. What have we done that needs pardon? The things I did wrong in my life need pardon from... Myself. I know I did wrong. I can only try to not do again. If the law makes me pay, so be it. Alot of time to spend reading.