Am I just naturally not compatible with Christianity? Why?

Question

In an attempt to study Christianity I've gone to pro-Christian (non-extreme) websites. I've read the Bible. I've occasionally gone to churches for the sake of interest. I've read about Jesus and about Christianity, all from a Christian perspective, I've chatted with priests and religious people...

but I still don't buy it or think Jesus is anything more than a normal human from 2,000 years ago. I just cannot see myself ever believing what Christianity is or doing what Christians do. So why have I not turned to Christianity when so many have done so?

I'm firmly set in my current beliefs and have had them all my life from childhood to adulthood. I'm not closed-minded and I approached my researching of Chirstianity with an open mind.

PS: This isn't meant to be an insulting question. This is a serious question. Thanks.

I'm not looking to be "saved" though. I feel I gave Christianity a good enough chance.

Angry Moogle: I am an atheist. I grew up as one, never had religion or atheism forced on me. I chose it freely.

And more of a PS here: occasionally I can seem to be a closed-minded jerk on here and pretty mean to non-Atheists but I do occasionally go overboard with anything against my views.

And 1 more thing: I don't feel like there is an empty hole in my life needing to be filled up with religion. I'm very happy with my life and wouldn't change it at all.

Answer 1

I think that some people no matter what just do not believe.

I was raised a Baptist and I never believed what I was being told. I embarrassed my mother by not going up in front of the church and accept Jesus of Nazareth, whom I've always believed to be just a normal human, to be lord and savior. I walked out of my own baptism at the age of 12 because I felt it was just for show. I finally walked away at the age of 15 when I was told I was going to be nothing more than a sinner all my life because I had the nerve to question what was being told to me.

I think it just comes down to the individual.

Answer 2

May I ask what your current beliefs are?

I will then edit my post.



Edit:

Ah, gotcha. I was much the same for a long time.
I think it has to do with the mindset in which atheists (and I was one for a long time ... I know that seems stupid to mention, but just hear me out) aproach questions as opposed to the way that people of faith do.

As an atheist, or someone with a scientifically based mindset, we attack problems logically, with the scientific method.
We form a hypothesis.
We then test that hypothesis, and it becomes theory
If the theory passes all possible available tests, it becomes a paradigm
A paradigm, if ascends testings methods becomes an axiom.
An axiom is something like 1+1=2. 1+1 will always equal 2. It is a universal constant.

Faith, however, is not something we can learn or test. We can try and understand christianity, or Judism, or Islam, or Hinduism better from a historical and sociallogical stand-point ... but we cannot learn faith.

Faith requires something that is very hard for us (I say us, despite the fact that I am a believer, because I have alway had a hard time with this, and it causes me many doubts) to do or understand. It requires us to accept something based completely off its own merrits, without much - or any in some cases - corroberative data.

In the case of christianity, for instance, you have to believe that Jesus christ was crucified and died, and then was ressurected three days later.

Someone could take you through all the prophysies in the old testament. They could try to explain to you how it is impossible that christ wasn't ressurected, you could read the bible a zillion and a half times.

In the end however, it would take an event or situation that makes you abandon the way in which you learn things ... if only for a moment ... in order to grasp something that seems impossible.

For me, it took a time when my grandmother (my family member who I was closest to) dieing of cancer, my sister being commited to a mental institution after attempting suicide, and getting kicked out of my moms house. This caused a mental distress that I couldn't really comprehend. And I reached out for something I didn't believe, but wanted to.

I'm not trying to convert you with that story or anything, I was just telling you what I went through. Was it an emotional choice ... yes, I won't deny that. Was it illogical ... yes.
Christ once said, "You say show us, and then we will believe. I say believe, and then you will see."
As impossible as it sounds, that is how it starts. Or at least it did for me.

Now, I think of myself as a logical person, save for my faith. And so I do have doubts about things. I also do not accept somethings that fundementalists would have you believe.
For instance, I do not think that genesis is a litteral book. I think it is largely metaphorical - but at the same time, I do believe that God created the universe and molded it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the first step is completely illogical, and thus hard for a purely scientific mind to grasp. But once that step is made, you come into a quick understanding of why.


I don't know if this answers your question. I know it probably creates new ones - but I hope I at least made a little sense.

Answer 3

What you're doing is analyzing and not just jumping into blind faith. I'm proud of you :-). Something interesting to note is that holidays like Christmas and Easter fall on calendar dates that allow them to dwarf Pagan holidays such as Yule or the Spring Equinox. What does coloring eggs have to do with a crucifixion, really now.
The thing about religion is that it is mostly faith based, this means that it's ruled not by science but by the heart, that's why religious individuals usually overlook statements made by atheist zealots about how the universe was created by scientific means.
It isn't necessarily bad that you disagree with Christianity despite what many people would tell you. It's a religion that's quickly causing cultures to be wiped out. Despite the claim that it's a religion of love it promotes hate for those who practice lifestlyes that contradict the literal teachings of the bible.
In the case of the bible, which bible? How can a book that was cut down by King James be considered a full religious text? There are gospels that tell us that church is evil and should be avoided. Translations vary. How can we tell that this is really the word of God?
There are infinitely many questions you can use to pick apart Christianity but a true Christian would not be shaken by them, call them zealots but I call them faithful. People who believe something so fully that logic cannot bring doubt into their minds.
Naturally not compatible? No, you're probably just not into following blindly into a questionable religion.
Hope I helped

Answer 4

Normal? There aren't too many people from 2000 years ago that lived such a humble existence and yet managed to grow a following that has drastically effected billions of people.

If you take away 'religion' and look at what Jesus said and did while here on Earth, you will find a simple but life changing message. Try it without all of the 'man-made' additions to His word.

Answer 5

It'll help if you could tell us what part of Christianity turns you off intellectually. If you find your intellect getting in the way, here's a good, solid plain-English book that sets out the philosophical grounds for God, called Mere Christianity and written by C.S. Lewis. Try it, read it, and believe.

Christianity may console you, fill up empty holes in your spiritual life, but that's not the point. The point is, God exists and expects us to follow the Bible.

By the way, Leon, I saw your answer and have to point out that in order to gain salvation, you must acknowledge God/Jesus as your Savior and sincerely believe it, too. So, sorry. There's no easy way in to Heaven by way of only good works.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 6

Your honesty is refreshing. Your search for truth, seems genuine. You say you are totally satisfied with your life as it is. That is a bit unusual, but not out of the realm of possibility.
Jesus said He did not come for those who are well, but for the sick.
You might consider these two sights. www.sidroth.org and www.megashift.org
I stop in here occasionally. Always open to talk about reality, but have no need to argue.
Strange, but I've found that every answer leads to at least two more questions. The same Creator who hid the gold and diamonds under the mountains, has put His Kingdom at hand, but just out of sight.

Answer 7

I am very happy you asked this question. It shows me that God is calling you to Him otherwise you would not be asking. First, you are doing research like you are on a science project. Instead of just using your mind, try allowing your heart to open up to God. Just talk to Him, then be still and listen. In due time, He will answer and you will know.

Satan will use every trick in his arsenal to prevent you from coming to Christ but God also has the ability to put desires in your heart and I would suggest that is exactly what He has done. It may not be today or tomorrow, but eventually, I believe you will come to know Him. I will pray for you to protect you from Satan's deceptions. Thank you so much for asking about this. You've made my day.

Answer 8

...You must not be studying Jesus very diligently, because if you did, you find out some things, i.e., He claimed to be God and the only way to God. Now either He is a liar, a lunatic, a legend, or the Lord, as He said. To say He is a normal human is to ignore His incredible statements about Himself - He doesn't leave you the choice of calling Him a normal human, a good man, a good moral teacher - He claimed to be God, and you must deal with it.
...None of us in and of ourselves embrace Christianity - it is an act of God's grace that we believe.
...When you do believe, God will change your desires. I found that I wanted read the Bible, and then I understand it; I wanted to pray, to witness, and to be with other Christians.
...I urge you to cry out to God and ask Him to give you the faith to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, so you can be saved."
(Acts 16:31). There is no other way - you must be born from above.
...Whosoever will, may come.

Answer 9

Have you rejected Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Have you rejected the Lamb of God without blemish? Have rejected the Resurrection & the Life?

Faith comes by hearing & hearing a word about Christ / God.

When you accept (have faith in) the Truth about Jesus Christ, then you become born of God and are then compatible with Christianity.


If the Good News of Gods Redeeming Grace is presented to you correctly and you sense the love of God, then reject Christ, that is when you have rejected God. That is a decision to go through the wide gate that leads to destruction/ death. Jesus is the straight & narrow gate that leads to life.

What are you going to choose? Life or death?

Answer 10

If you have looked into the claims of Christ..and rejected them, for whatever reason, that is up to you.

I feel moved to tell you though...there is no salvation outside of faith in Jesus Christ. I respect that you just don't believe the bible. But since this truth will depend on your eternal destination......pray to God for Him to open your eyes. Don't rely on your "opinion" alone...this is too important an answer to walk away from.