I hate it when ppl say Christians are weak and that we use our religion as a crutch or "feel-good" tool.
My cousin recently passed away. He was NOT a Christian, and I don't believe he went to heaven (although I can't really pass judgement). This belief does not make me feel better about the afterlife. I would much prefer him to just cease to exist or float into the cosmos than be punished in hell.
Becoming a Christian means admitting you are not perfect- and that an innocent Christ took the punishment for your sins. This isn't an easy admission. It is a very painful concept to believe.
2006-10-01 15:19:08 · 25 answers · asked by ashcatash 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There was once a bishop that gave a sermon at the funeral of an unbaptised, unchurched great-aunt of a parishioner (member of one of his churches). He was typically a fire-and-brimstone preacher, but he knew the woman who had died, knew that she had done many good things for the community, etc. He stated in his sermon that he was certain that she was with God/Jesus now because she would have chosen to be with God after she saw him. The point of the sermon was essentially that human death is not the last chance for a person to become a follower of Christ. If we believe that death is the absolute end, then we are limiting God's ability to act on the human soul.
As for the short answer to your intended question, western society is philosophically framed by writers such as Marx, Weber, and Freud-- all of whom saw religion (no matter what type) as an "opiate of the masses" or a step in an evolutionary ladder that science would overcome. This perception is augmented by very public examples of Christians who (without appearing to seek medical or psychological help) cling to Christianity as the cure for all sorts of diseases and social ills -- often claiming that they are absolved of their sin without stopping the action of harming their family/community.
2006-10-01 16:17:12 · answer #1 · answered by S B 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't think anyone here has actually answered the question. Allow me to give it a shot.
I get along fine through life without needing to appeal to or appease any deity. When tragedy strikes, I take the blow, eventually pick myself up, and keep right on going. I don't feel the need to pray to a deity for strength or comfort, nor do I demand answers from something I have no reason to believe is listening.
As far as I can tell, the die-hard belief in an afterlife is wishful thinking for people who fear death...an understandable anxiety. I don't particularly like the idea of simply vanishing forever myself. However, once someone decides that there is an afterlife, the next question becomes "what is it like?"
Religions provide answers that are most advantagous to keeping their followers in line. The truth is that no one knows for certain what happens after death...neither the priests nor the atheists. It's all speculation and wishful thinking, wrapped up in a whole lot of revenge fantasies. If someone tells you they know what lies beyond death, they are either trying to sell you somthing or are trying to slip a slave collar around your neck (or wallet).
2006-10-01 22:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by Scott M 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You can’t really know your cousin’s innermost thoughts, or the mind of God, so I wouldn’t dwell on this.
As for Christianity being a crutch, nothing could be farther from the truth. Once we accept Christ he expects us to work at improving ourselves continually. My life would be much simpler if I hadn’t accepted Christ. Not nearly so rewarding, but definitely less demanding.
I have found that living as a servant of Christ means living for others much more than for myself. To do this, I have to overcome weaknesses, let go of all the old crutches that limited true growth as a person. Christ wants each one of us to reach our full potential as a person and as a Christian.
2006-10-01 23:01:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I believe people are allowed to have their own opinion about religion. Whether that means they believe in Christ or whether they believe organized religion is a crutch, that is what being an American is all about. Come to think of it....what a great right we have just to be able to debate religion, and participate in a website that allows differing opinions to be expressed.
2006-10-01 22:24:46 · answer #4 · answered by KCH 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Unbelievers say that Christ is a crutch because they don't see themselves as needing a savior. They see themselves as self-sufficient. Some see pleasure as a pursuit which Christ would not tollerate, so they refuse to give it up.
Perhaps they have counted the cost and have forgotten what Jesus said in Matthew 16:26
And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?
2006-10-01 22:30:29 · answer #5 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I'm sorry about your cousin, truly. People who do not understand about sin, who are not able to look at themselves honestly, are very threatened by the need for a savior. It's very convicting, that message. Pride keeps many people from coming to a forgiving and merciful God.
Don't worry about what they say, remember no one is born knowing about Jesus...some will come to know the truth, and some never will.
2006-10-01 22:53:45 · answer #6 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
...Well, Christians are weak in and of themselves, but strong in Him .
...2 Corinthians 12 - "And He said, "My grace is sufficient for Thee."
...Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens Me."
...People probably say Christianity is a crutch to try and put you and your faith down, trying to puff themselves up, not knowing that "pride goeth before a fall".
...Christianity is more than a crutch - it is a whole life-support system. Since man becomes dependent on all kinds of things, those who mock us are themselves given to something, such as tobacco, drunkenness, drug abuse, fornication, perversion, etc - all these are harmful, and will put you in an early grave.
...And in times of sorrow and distress, what do our critics do - who do they lean on, where do they get comfort, who can they trust in, what friend do they have who will "never leave them nor forsake them"?
...God saves us, gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us to live for Him, we have His word so we can learn His ways and principles, He has promised to meet all our needs, and if we die, so what? - our destination is Heaven and secured by Jesus Christ. And we have many, many wonderful Christian friends who would give us the shirts off their backs. Where is there a better deal than being a Christian?
...RE your cousin - my sympathies...sounds like the Lord has given you a compassion for the lost. I have a dear stepmother who has died, and I never heard that she trusted in Jesus as her savior - and this reminds us to ask God's help to win others for Jesus, while we can.
...I do wish you all blessed eternity; I urge all to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as savior.
2006-10-01 23:07:59 · answer #7 · answered by carson123 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Christianity is a crutch because it keeps you from thinking. It just lets you take things at face value without questioning it.
2006-10-01 22:35:19 · answer #8 · answered by young one 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They call it a crutch, because they haven`t had the pleasure of feeling God in their life, They are jealous, Christians are not weak, they are STRONG, they are very strong, that is why they are so jealous, Because unlike them Christians have a GOD that is able to remove any obsticle in their way, and they don`t have to march with signs in their hands, all they have to do is pray, and it don`t take hundreds, or thousands, it just takes one, when that one KNOWS GOD.
2006-10-01 22:27:08 · answer #9 · answered by theladylooking 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
First off,read your Bible...Jesus took the keys to Hell. It's close until Judgment day. When you die you rest in the grave. Jesus said this 3 times in the Bible.
2006-10-01 22:30:46 · answer #10 · answered by whataboutme 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋