I'm not referring to Christ's attonement, which would have to be the ultimite. I'm interested in what you perceive as the societal advantages obtained through or because of Christianity, either directly or indirectly.
2006-10-07 05:51:53 · 21 answers · asked by Debra N 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not a christian so, you can be assured of an unbiased point of view here :)
I think Christians in general have had a great sense of art and beauty.
The architecture, the paintings, the music.... beautiful! Very creative and devoted people indeed.
Also, they have a love life-live life attitude. Most christians accomplish more things in life than others. They are very experimenting by nature.
I won't say they are the best of philosophers and spiritual leaders though but, they excel in philosophy with some borrowed and some original thoughts. They teach people to be flexible, daring and open-to-all.
2006-10-07 15:56:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their are many things you could point to. The preservation of knowledge by christian monastaries during the Middle Ages for instance. One could also talk about all the christian organizations devoted to aiding the poor and so forth.
One could argue, however, that all these things would have still been done if those people belonged to a different faith, or indeed had no faith at all.
In addition, you look at the Crusades, the Inquisition, witch hunts, religious wars throughout history, and you'll see that christianity indeed has a lot to answer for.
2006-10-07 12:59:12 · answer #2 · answered by Skippy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a positive answer from a non-Christian. Christianity has made at least three major contributions to the world. The first is the idea that a proper relationship with God is avavilable to everyone regardless of race or nationality. Before Christ, religions were resticted to local groups. There are good and bad effects that idea has had, but the idea itself is a good one. Secondly, there is the concept of forgiveness of sin. Before Christ, people had to carry the burden of guilt around all the time. Again, people have used the concept of forgiveness in better and in worse ways, but it is an important idea nonetheless. For a third thing (even though it is probably more of a first thing) Christ stressed the importance of love. He preached love for our neighbors, even love for our enemies and he gave us the idea that love is more important than anything else. I don't have a rebuttal for that idea at all, except to say that not everyone sees as much importance in it as I think it deserves.
2006-10-07 13:06:16 · answer #3 · answered by anyone 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Western Civilization is the greatest gift.
Without Christ to give a blueprint of proper society we would never have gotten past being a fueding mass.
The instructions given on The Sermon On The Mount are a good example.
It is a treatise on how to treat other people.It makes for a stable society wherein we can predict the future of events.
No one is going to build in the midst of civil war.
2006-10-07 13:03:26 · answer #4 · answered by Den 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Let's use the process of elimination... It's not...
The Spanish Inquisition
The Crusades
Salem Witch Trials
Inaction during WWII Genocide
Murders of abortion Doctors
Jim Baker
Pedopheliac priests
Laremie
KKK
I guess the greatest contribution is being intellectual fodder for the rest of us.
2006-10-07 13:00:42 · answer #5 · answered by joeiacovino 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the most important contribution that Christianity has made,is giving people hope,to let them know that there is a better way through Christ Jesus,to let them know they are loved and valued,and that God has a plan for all of our lives.
2006-10-07 12:58:51 · answer #6 · answered by donangelo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Crusades
The Inquisition
Jonestown
The ruin of Mayan and Aztec civilizations
The American Indians destruction
And, I could go on and on.
It shows us that Christianity---for all their talk of peace and love---is a very blood thirsty religion to those who do not believe as they do.
2006-10-07 13:16:39 · answer #7 · answered by Shossi 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The advancement of literacy, distributed literature, and recording of literature through the printing press. Which, while I would concede wasn't directly from Christianity, was greatly influenced by the Bible's translation into English.
2006-10-07 12:54:25 · answer #8 · answered by angk 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Christ's teachings did a ton of good for women's rights. Think about everything he taught, and all the women He respected.
2006-10-07 12:57:13 · answer #9 · answered by Summer V 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Taking care of the needy worldwide regardless of race, culture, and religion. As in sending food, clothing, medical supplies, doctors/nurses, setting up shelters, for disaster folks. Building hospitals, orphanages, schools, and the like.
"Love" one another.
If you do it for the least of these, then you also have done it for Me, said Jesus.
2006-10-07 13:07:02 · answer #10 · answered by MilkWeed 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋