How can you believe in Christianity.?

Question

Apart from blind belief how can you believe in Christianity when it contains so many errors, contradictions and states facts that have been proven wrong beyond all doubt! (Such as saying that the earth began in 4004b.c. when we can prove that it is much older). Then this book is used as an excuse for war and atrocities, such as the crusades and the holocaust. Then it oppreses the people in expressing themselves in a way to be happy, such as the homosexuals and women (It may state that men and women are equal but woman priests only existed in the last quater centuary). After all the pain and suffering that Christianity (and other religions) has caused can you still stay firm in your belief!

I have read all your arguments and I like what you said. I think that is is brilliant that people can have such faith and whilst some of your contradictions and arguments I don't believe I can still think that there must be something more to this religion for so many people, including politicians, scientists and thinkers to still believe in it. My favorite answers are those that say that they dont see the bible as a solid truth but more of a way to God.

Answer 1

Just because people do evil while screaming that they believe in Christianity, it doesn't make them Christians. If a group of atheists are baby-eating psychos, does that in turn mean all atheists are the same? Of course not! Also, not all Christian faiths believe the Earth began in 4000BC (in fact the largest Christian faiths all look upon this as obvious nonsense). These same elder Christian faiths largely profess the Bible as a tool to knowing God and not always a source of fact but sometimes a source of metaphor and parable that leads to realization of Truth.

Of course, you're just looking for a witch hunt so really there's no point in trying to illuminate you further.

Edit: I just wanted to add that I feel somewhat dirty by inadvertently defending some of the fellow answerers here who also claim to be "Christian" but to be honest I think people that stupid don't truly qualify to know *what* they really are.

Answer 2

You obviously don't understand what a Christain is do you? Everything you have mentioned has nothing to with Christianity at all. Now before you get all annoyed and think I'm wrong you just sit there and keep your mouth and you hands away from your keyboard.
Who told you that the earth was created in 4004bc? Buut then again who told you it wasn't. Either way their isn't enough prove. Don't say that scientist have the prove. No they have computers and other equipment that's not real prove. What book? Are you talking about the Bible? Because if you are then you again don't know what you are talking about. Nowhere inthe Bible does it say anything about the crusades and holocausts. I could explain why their are killings in the bible and still justify God's love but you wouldnever accept it. If you want to know then contact me. You won't like the answer though.
The crusades where in the name of Christianity. But they were not sent by Christ. Nowhere in the New Testament will you find that Jesus wants anybody to kill. When he was arrested Peter drew out his sword and cut of a guards ear. What did Jesus do? He told him to put away his sword. Why would he say that if he wants people to fight for him? Jesus doesn't want anybody to fight for his case, just stand up for him that's all.
Why do you think God doesn't agree with the homosexual act? Because he didn't create it in the first place. Its immoral its part of the down fall of mankind. Of cause they may be happy, but so is everybody that sins. Doesn't make it right though does it? A muderer might love killing, does it make it right. A child rapest might find pleasure in his perversion, does it make him right? A theif might enjoy stealing, does it make him right. the same goes for homosexuality. What you said about women is actually quiet pathetic. You can only pick up that women have been priests since the past few years. So what? Most women wouldn't actually want to be a priest or some other minister of religion.
The next time you want to ask a question, make sure you know what you are saying before you ask.
Oh and for your information the above isn't why I'm a Christian. Do you want to know why I can stay firm in my belief? Then contact me and I'll tell you what you obviously don't actually know or understand.
Peace to you

Answer 3

Times change. People change. It's easy to look back and laugh at such inaccuracies - but even 100 years ago they said you couldn't travel by train because you'd asphyxiate. We're all so knowledgeable now.

No, I don't believe in the Bible stories as fact although I do of course abide by some of it's lessons and, for want of a better word, "standards". Religion is a very personal thing - in that I know what I believe, be it right or wrong. I wouldn't knock anyone for their beliefs so long as they get solace from it - but like all religions Christianity has its extremists. I would never state that "if you do something wrong God will punish you" or that somehow I am better than you because I might "believe" and you don't.

Factual blind belief? Without doubt. But that doesn't mean that religion, of whatever kind, may not make you a better or understanding person.

Answer 4

How can you prove that the earth is much older? Actually the carbon dating system used to date fossils and rocks are flawed if you check the details about it. The earth is about 6000 yrs old according to the Bible history when you work it out.

How can you believe evolution when we have so many species and creatures. It has been proven time time again by scientists that life cannot start from no life or a non living thing - its plain impossible.

About mutations and natural selection - almost all mutations are deadly to an organism, like cancers, tumors etc. Even if it worked, say like an albino snake or croc it would not survive because of the nature it would naturally be selected by hunters easily and probably its own kind.

Gradually mutations is impossible an cannot be proven either - flies mutating and some species of birds mutate but they are still flies and birds they don't mutate into something different.

The facts mount up against evolution and plainly it takes more faith to believe it than belief in God.

Answer 5

i think there is a difference between the old testament and the new. i think the old testament describes the relationship a nomadic and primitive people had with god, and that a people on the move must have harsher laws to survive as a community. The new testament seems to be the fruition of this, where people are settled and have basic needs met in a semi stable environment they can afford to be more magnanamous towards wrong doers. Society has moved further since these books were originally penned, and further since the emperor put them all together to "govern" a populace that followed a different god.
Stripping it down to the bare commandments, they are a good and wise moral compass that people try to measure up to and in doing so, in the main, creates a stable society. Governments etc have always twisted the beliefs of its citizens to its own ends and the bible or even the koran cannot be held responsible for the actions of human beings.

Answer 6

I can understand where you are coming from with your argument and question: but I can revert it to you, and ask you: How can you not? And put your trust and ‘Blind Belief) in the word, and knowledge of man: LOL!!

I would rather trust and put my faith in God than any man, or for that matter: woman... any day of the week!! So far: God has never let me down: where as man has: many, many times!!

If you want to argue contradictions: errors: & hypocrisy: the history & science world are full of them both to: not just the Bible!!!

How can you prove the world is much older than the Christians/Bible make it out to be? Because a bloke in a white coat told you... how the heck does he 'KNOW'?? Was he there at the beginning!?

Religion (which (as far as I am concerned) is from the pit of Hell, caused to create such divisions, anger, bitterness, intolerance, hate, war, etc, etc, etc): People: and the ‘Scientists’ who created and developed the weaponry: are the main causes for war, injury & death>>> Not the 'True' followers of Christ Jesus!!

As for what the bible teaches in the other subjects you have mentioned: and a 101 you have not.

We as Christians can not ‘Pick and Choose’ what we do or do not believe, or accept from the word of God (The Bible): we can not hold onto all the good stuff, what we like, and makes us feel comfortable: and then just disregard the things we are not comfortable or happy with!! It would be fantastic and make life and living far much easier and less complicated if we could: and would increase our numbers no end I bet!! But we have to take it as a 'Whole'!!

Yes: some of what is written is difficult and hard to understand or accept: but that's when love, trust and faith come in... which is what Christianity is all about!!

e.g.: on the question of Homosexuality: -

I may disagree with the practice (the sin), but I love the person (the sinner): and still have close friends, both male and female who are gay!! Just as I have friends who are Atheists: Agnostic: Muslim: Buddhist: even a witch… I may not agree with their beliefs or practices: but I love them and care for them just the same as I do any one of my Christian friends, no different: as I do with evolutionists and scientologists to: lol!!

It’s not always easy, and there are many, many times I have questions and doubts: stress, anxiety, and fear… I may be a Christian, but that does not make me anymore less a human!! God never said it would be an easy ride … but yes I can stay firm to my faith and beliefs: and trust in my God… I have to… because ‘Man’ does not have the answer for this world and its problems: and never will!!

Unless you are a believer: and have experienced yourself the things of God: it is virtually impossible to impart on another how we can have such blind faith and trust in a being many say does not exist!!

God Bless you!!

Answer 7

My faith is not blind. I have spent ten years studying the bible in depth, and because of all the time, and thought, and experience I have put into that study, and gained from it, I believe it is what it claims to be: by inspiration of God.

The bible doesn't say how old the earth is. Certain people, counting genealogies in the bible, have made that assumption.

Don't confuse what people may do, using God's name, for what God would truly have us do.

God does not oppress anyone; Jesus came to set the captives free. But there is a thing called sin, and that is what going against God's word is: sin. A person can get very angry about that, but all the same, God is God, we are not.

Christianity does not cause pain and suffering; people do. Believing in Jesus Christ, and living a righteous life, frees people.

Sorry you are so upset about all these things. You are also very confused. I hope some of these answers help you.

Answer 8

Your view is INCREDIBLY judgemental and narrow-minded. Do you drive? How could you possibly do such a thing? After all, the motor car has caused more deaths, more pain and suffering, than any other man made construction despite its relatively short history ... do you take my point?

Probably not. My point is this - Christianity is complex - the book has many pages. Not all Christians take the fundamentalist view you describe, many people call themselves Christians simply by virtue of subscribing to the axiom "Love others as I have loved you" or some similar benevolent belief.

It sounds to me that your dismissal of the benefits of Christianity in such a one-eyed manner is perhaps even more prejudicial than the beliefs of the fundamentalist Christians you describe.

And as a final thought, please don't assume from my answer that I am a Christian. I don't necessarily believe in the divinity of Christ although I certainly respect many of the teachings. But I certainly wouldn't be fool enough to reject something so absolutely that has given comfort and solace to so many.

Answer 9

You are obviously not that familiar with the Bible or you would not claim it has so many errors and contradictions. Probably all alleged errors and contradictions have been dealt with since the begining of Christianity. I am sure you can find those answers if you wanted to. As for facts proved wrong beyond all doubt, well I wonder what truths you are thinking of and what basis they are built on. If you are using science for a main basis of truth you are already on faulty ground because there is so much bad science these days. There are about two dozen scientific barameters that point to the earth being less than 10,000 years old while there are really only 2 that are used to get dates more than that old; radiometric dating-which is unreliable and is often used to match up dates from the imaginary geological column which was made up in the 1850's before radiometric dating was invented. Then there is starlight which involves the speed of light; It is now known that the speed of light has been slowing down since records of that happening have been kept for about 100 years back. If 20 people witnessed an accident and gave similar details while only two other witnesses both gave different details you would have to go with the majority as being more credible. The biblical geneologies from Jesus to Adam plus about another 2,000 years to now, put man's history at no more than 7,000 years allowing for a coulpe of missing geneologies in that record.
Homosexuality is naturaly abnormal because only men and women are compatible to reproduce and is often found to be in larger segments of society where materailism abounds. For the sake of having order, God has designated men to be the spiritual leaders. To this day even most societies still have the man as the head of a household and the wife takes on his name. If you ever read the whole Bible, you will find that it teaches believers to not be agressors toward others (defense can be allowed). There are always people in all walks of life who do not always follow there convictions. The heart of Christianity is to love God and then your neighbor as yourself. Who can disagree with that? Thats two reasons to be a Christian right there and a third is to get forgiveness for your sins which everone needs because we all do wrong at one time or another.

Answer 10

How can you.

All religions were formed on a philosophical basis to instruct people how to live a moral life and as a system of passing on experience. Unfortunately, over time these basic rules for living have been twisted by people and institutions who have found they could gain incredible power and wealth by mystifying these principles in a doctrine of 'pious religion'.

It is understandable that in ancient times with the absence of criminal law and any effective policing that moral instruction and the fear of damnation could possibly be a good carrot and stick combination to keep the masses under control, however, unless the global village population wakes up to the fact humanitarianism and respect are the only way forward then the stick of religion will stir up more trouble.

I still find it incredible that some religions still need to have a 'holy man' to slaughter their animals on grounds of faith and cannot understand that in ages past he was probably just someone who knew what he was doing. Or not eating bacon in places like the UK - Pigs were not eaten when these 'religions' were formed because of the heat and lack of hygienic storage etc. etc. etc.

Answer 11

The earth did not begin in 4004bc thats just the days of Noah when God wiped out humankind to try and restore good amongst man. If you don't believe in God then you must prescribe to the evolution theory, well I don't know about you but I am sure that I did not 'come from' a rock or a 'soup'. We are led to believe that dinosaurs lived millions and millions of years ago, They only got the name dinosaurs in about 1851 prior to that they were called dragons and in the bible dragons are mentioned a plenty. I agree that some churches have not done Christianity good, but don't get the two confused, churches are run by men but Christianity is belief in God, and the Son of God who died on the cross for mans sins. Without Christianity the world is doomed, just take a look a lawless societies. True Christians are not perfect, we know that, but we are trying to lead good lives, how can that be wrong? Would it be better that I was robbing old grannies of their pensions or committing disgusting crimes against children?