2006-09-06 10:01:57 · 12 answers · asked by sshhmmee2000 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Despite what all the "Nay-sayers" tell you ( if any happen to comment on your question) it is not us that has helped the Church survive. It is not an "aspect" of Christianity that has allowed it to weather all storms, but a Person who has allowed it to survive all storms. That person is God's Holy Spirit, who is the Advocate given by the Father and promised by the Son to His Body (the Church). The Holy Spirit who is the love of the Father and the Son and gathers us and sustains us in Christ. There is no merit of ours that has made Christianity "cheerful in all weathers". What love we have only begins and ends in God. As John the Evangelist teaches, "It is not because we love Him, but because He loved us first." And so, it is love of God that allows Christianity to weather all storms.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john
2006-09-06 10:23:33 · answer #1 · answered by som 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The easy, Faith answer is "God's Grace."
However, if you're looking for something other than the idea that God is actively engaged in and looking after His message, there are probably a good many social and historical reasons that Christianity is still around.
1) It was able to reach out beyond cultural and racial boundaries very early in it's history. Every person on earth is eligible to receive the message of Salvation preached by Christianity - not just a specific racial, ethnic, or politically connected peoples.
2) It offers hope of a better life in the here-after, along with the call to behave in an altruistic way in the hear-and-now. It could be argued that many rulers (kings, potentates, princes, etc) have had their behavior mollified by their Christian Faith - as opposed to the Hitlers, Stalins, Maos, Pol-Pots, etc..., who rejected all such "mythological nonsense" and proceeded to murder millions.
3) Even through the Church's unfortunate phase in the Middle Ages, where it became evident that men were still men even when dressed as Saints, the basic message - that we can all be saved, still shown through. It's the same message that comes today - Universal Brotherhood for all who accept it.
2006-09-06 17:11:52 · answer #2 · answered by jbtascam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christanity is based in both the old and new Testiment. This means that Christians are adopted Jews for all intent and purpose. Jesus state that he did not come to change the law and not one dot or title would pass away. Non Jews could become as Christians are tody before the time of Jesus. Read the old law. Christians have remained strong through history because they gave honor to God. This ia also the reason the United States became strong. The ability of Christians to adapt is not their strength. It is their weakness. Christians are always weakened by compromise. The same is true of the Nation that was founded honoring God. God is the strength of a Christian. Failure to honor God is like a cancor and weakens the Christian.
2006-09-06 17:20:03 · answer #3 · answered by Ray l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason it lasted the first thousand or so years is that it tended to adapt and absorb the various religions it encountered. Since the reformation the various subsects of christianity have splintered into special interest groupings. It was also easier to herd everyone around one god rather then confusing them with multiple entities. Unfortunately the various subsects of christianity, along with catholism is becoming evermore absolutist and rigid regarding doctrine. This will be detrimental in the long run.
2006-09-06 17:07:23 · answer #4 · answered by Dane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weather the storm? What storm? Judaism is here longer, Islam almost as long, Hindhu longer.
2006-09-06 17:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Inquisition
2006-09-06 17:03:50 · answer #6 · answered by goldmedaldiver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blind faith and mass following. The gang at Jones Town didn't get it....eliminate the opposition not yourself. Think Inquisition.
2006-09-06 17:08:30 · answer #7 · answered by justwondering 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, it is the only religion that has a savior who rose from the dead, and, those who believe in the holy trinity,
will have eternal life..
2006-09-06 17:08:15 · answer #8 · answered by LorHod36 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Punishing disbelievers and crusading/mission work toward the uneducated, poor, and vulnerable?
2006-09-06 17:03:50 · answer #9 · answered by N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance and a desire to escape from reality
2006-09-06 17:11:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋