In your opinion what causes christians to believe in Jesus

[John 6IX Breezy]

While it is true that religious and philosophical ideas try to compensate people for their suffering, Christians sell another problem (original sin) before they sell the solution (belief in Jesus).

Sure, I agree that Christianity is concerned with solving spiritual problems, like sin and hell. But given that these are spiritual problems, internal to Christianity, you already have to believe in Christianity to some degree to accept them. I'm sure most atheists don't go around thinking about original sin in their daily lives.

In other words, these are not the reasons why people come to believe in Christianity, these are things that follow once there is such a beliefs.

[Alan V]

While it is true that religious and philosophical ideas try to compensate people for their suffering, Christians sell another problem (original sin) before they sell the solution (belief in Jesus).

Sure, I agree that Christianity is concerned with solving spiritual problems, like sin and hell. But given that these are spiritual problems, internal to Christianity, you already have to believe in Christianity to some degree to accept them. I'm sure most atheists don't go around thinking about original sin in their daily lives.

In other words, these are not the reasons why people come to believe in Christianity, these are things that follow once there is such a beliefs.

So back to social pressures then, or socialization if you prefer.

Let me ask you: Do you actually believe in original sin?  Isn't evolution a better explanation for many of our default tendencies than any fall of man?

[John 6IX Breezy]

Let me ask you: Do you actually believe in original sin?  Isn't evolution a better explanation for many of our default tendencies than any fall of man?

I never learned about original sin, my guess is it's mostly taught within Catholicism, or Calvinism.

[Alan V]

Let me ask you: Do you actually believe in original sin?  Isn't evolution a better explanation for many of our default tendencies than any fall of man?

I never learned about original sin, my guess is it's mostly taught within Catholicism, or Calvinism.

That's interesting.  I thought most varieties of Christianity depended on the idea of original sin to justify the sacrifice of Jesus to redeem mankind.

What sense do other varieties of Christianity make of the death of Jesus?

[The Grand Nudger]

Catholicism, protestantism, and orthodox christianity all posit original sin. My guess is John will say any old stupid thing.

[John 6IX Breezy]

What sense do other varieties of Christianity make of the death of Jesus?

I don't know too much about original sin theology, but the difference might be something like nature vs nurture. In the former mankind is collectively fallen do to Adam's sins, but in the latter you are individually fallen due to your own sins.

So, both get to the same end, which is the need of a savior, but perhaps differ on where the blame is placed.

[John 6IX Breezy]

Catholicism, protestantism, and orthodox christianity all posit original sin. My guess is John will say any old stupid thing.

According to copilot:

"Seventh-day Adventists generally do not affirm the traditional doctrine of original sin as taught in Catholicism or Reformed theology. Instead, their understanding of sin is shaped by their emphasis on personal responsibility and free will."

[Angrboda]

Catholicism, protestantism, and orthodox christianity all posit original sin.  My guess is John will say any old stupid thing.

According to copilot:

"Seventh-day Adventists generally do not affirm the traditional doctrine of original sin as taught in Catholicism or Reformed theology. Instead, their understanding of sin is shaped by their emphasis on personal responsibility and free will."

Are you a Seventh-day Adventist?

[The Grand Nudger]

Seventh day adventists also believe that man has a sinful tendency due to the fall. You'd have to go further afield. Mormons. Maybe just stop bullshiting us about stupid things?

[Alan V]

What sense do other varieties of Christianity make of the death of Jesus?

I don't know too much about original sin theology, but the difference might be something like nature vs nurture. In the former mankind is collectively fallen do to Adam's sins, but in the latter you are individually fallen due to your own sins.

So, both get to the same end, which is the need of a savior, but perhaps differ on where the blame is placed.

I understand the need for guidance in life, though I personally prefer insights about human psychology over ancient wisdom traditions.

However, that wasn't exactly my question.  Jesus died rather miserably, even though most Christians believe he was God incarnate.  How do other Christian traditions explain that scenario, if not as a sacrifice for humanity?  

It seems to me that a God would have some over-arching plan, instead of it being an arbitrary death for some trivial reason.  Did Jesus simply annoy the Roman authorities with his teachings when he should have known better?  That makes no sense within the over-arching concept of an all-knowing, all-powerful, perfectly-good deity.  God should have had a better plan unless such a death was required for some purpose.