So that I play fair, I'd have to say some social movements, like abolition and the move against child labor, had a strong push from christianity.
What do you think?
2006-10-27 20:06:06 · 30 answers · asked by Black Parade Billie 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religious charity I suppose and a few other things like you mentioned.But when I put the deeds of faith throughout history into a scale, the bad deeds out way the good ones.
2006-10-27 20:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by EasterBunny 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's so hard separating what comes directly from Christianity and what comes from modern Western culture which has been heavily influenced by Christianity. It's also hard in some cases to say if the good that was created would have been as necessary if Christianity hadn't contributed to the problem. For example, my first thought was that Christians were the driving force behind the abolition of slavery but on further reflection it seems that the slave trade would not have flourished without the participation of Christians. That is not to say that Christians haven't done wonderful things. I'm just pointing out how difficult it is to sort through the issues over centuries.
I'm not sure that i can name just one single big BEST thing Christianity has given the world. I think that the best thing about Christianity is that Christians generally WANT to do the right thing and are motivated by true concern for others. They are willing to step up to the plate anywhere they feel they are needed. The majority will go to great lengths to protect an unbeliever because they do not want to see anyone have to go to hell. The good that Christians do is seen more often in the things they do as individuals although the charities do good works as well.
2006-10-28 03:29:43 · answer #2 · answered by Kuji 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, abolition may have had a push from an equitable number of Christians, but slavery itself was supported by many Christians. The move against child labor had likely an equitable amount of support from non-christians as well.
But to your point, the best thing, in my mind, that Christianity has brought to the world was the teachings of Christ himself in the first four books of the New Testament. Other than that, I don't think that the organization of christianity has helped anymore than it has hurt.
It's been a hindrance to science, the cause of wars, the cause of the destruction of races and civilizations. But that's only the organization, and not the words of it's namesake.
Jesus taught peace and spiritual cleanliness. He taught service, love and caring. The many Christians who follow Christ, rather than an institution bring much to this world.
2006-10-28 03:14:34 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For me, nothing good has come of it. If you're talking of the abolition of slavery, well, we all know what the OT has to say about that. Child labor? I'd have to look into that one, as far as the link between it and Christianity. Maybe the question should be, in what way is Christianity in the US today messing with your life?
2006-10-28 03:22:39 · answer #4 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think so. It's a historical fact that the abolition and the movement against child labour were the result of the economic convenience of those in charge of the business at the moment. Christianity has, at most, supported movements that were already in movement, and almost inevitably going to happen anyway. I don't see anything that Christianity has actually done on its own, or a fight it has started out of real humanitarian causes. Sorry, I wish I could think of something, but I can't.
2006-10-28 03:11:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
To be fair, certain Christian groups have had a huge impact on communities by feeding and clothing the poor people. Without many of these programs, a lot of people would starve, or freeze because they didn't have coats, or shoes or warm enough clothes. I can't judge a religion by what it's done in the past, only what it's doing now. I am not Christian by the way, but I do know if it weren't for these kinds of programs, many people would have gone without a hot meal, and a place to sleep.
2006-10-28 03:12:08 · answer #6 · answered by Becca 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Definitely abolition. Which is really cool because they were going against the popular belief to achieve something just.
2006-10-28 03:10:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would say encouraging sexual restraint, social work in developing countries, and the idea of brotherly love. Also, its disapproval of homosexuality, as long as it's not in a way that inspires the harassment of gays and lesbians. Most religious Christians here in Egypt are very peaceloving and respectful. One of my friends is a convert to the Protestant Church and it's also made her a wonderful person. Christianity does have certain elements that inspire good feelings and morality in people.
2006-10-28 05:34:55 · answer #8 · answered by Wanderer 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Catholics republicized and widely distributed the ideas of ancient Greeks and Romans through schools that educated a economic diversity of people. This was the foundation upon which science, the enlightenment, and modern western society were built.
2006-10-28 03:16:05 · answer #9 · answered by One & only bob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From an agnostic point of view, I can't say that it's caused any macrocosmic good change (not one I can think of anyway), but I have friends who have changed for the better because of it. So if Christianity is the way to go for them, I'm not stopping them. I gave it a try and realized it just wasn't for me.
But referring to your question, on a microcosm scale, I think it can better individual people.
2006-10-28 03:09:43 · answer #10 · answered by Steve-O 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋