Can you at least understand that Christianity might seem like a bunch of superstitions?

Question

I’m not asking for you to agree but I’m curious if Christians can even understand how their religion might seem like a bunch of superstitions to someone who is rather empiricistic.

Answer 1

Absolutely! If I were to use my mind only in judging the Bible and Christianity, I would feel exactly the way you do. Much of it does not make sense from a scientific viewpoint and is not provable by scientific means (although their has been some new interpretations of scientific data that may change that). I don't blame people who do not believe. You have been brought up in a world that depends on man's mind rather than depending on God's spirit. Until such time that you are able to allow yourself to open your heart to the possibility of God, you will not see what we believers see. I used to be you.

Now I have a personal relationship with God/Jesus. I am not talking about any specific "religion" but in that personal relationship which can come about regardless of the denomination. Since accepting Christ as my Savior and God as my creator, my life has become filled with power and peace. I would gladly give my life up to keep that relationship. It is truely awesome.

Answer 2

Superstition = a belief founded upon irrational feelings, esp fear; characterized by the use of charms, omens, signs and things supernatural.

1. IF Jesus was not resurrected, where is the body? And how could the apostles go from impotent despair to enthusiastic proselytizing? Why didn't Josephus (or the like) report the execution of the guards, for letting the disciples steal His body?

2. Jesus said, "this generation wants a sign and no sign shall be given to it; except for the daily business like at the time of Noah".

3. Abram walked 3,300 miles to beginning the tribe of Israel.

4. As Einstein said: 'anyone who reads of Jesus in the gospels, can feel His presence and realness'...I would add and, if they know anything about archetypes: they can discern His numinosity.

5. My belief is NOT based on fear: and, quite frankly, I think it is an ignoble rationale to 'come to Jesus or invite Him' in order to escape hell (whatever that is). I can appreciate and thank a Good and Gracious God that He will take us on those terms.

6. Go find the book 'Shattered Symbols' which concludes that ALL of our Christian symbols have been weakened, corrupted or made passe: except the Eucharist !!

And the black mass makes a mockery of even that.

Therefore your argument is null and void. And, as someone pointed out, an 'empiricist' has to trust and believe in his/her own perceptions. Wake up call !!! Our (humans)perceptions are more corrupted, passe, and inaccurate than any of the archetypal teachings that come to via the Word of God.

Try again.

Answer 3

you're only rollin' this nighttime, are not you? i think of that non-Christians think of that they understand Christianity extra efficient than they actually do. in maximum circumstances, yet not all. and to not attack them in any respect -- this is only a count of actively being far flung from something. In 1991-1996, i'd desire to recite the entire Atlanta Braves commencing lineup, their 5 starters, and the closer. Now, i'm nevertheless what i might call a puzzling center fan, yet i will not be able to try this anymore. With an entire-time job, a spouse, and this blinkin' Yahoo ingredient, i don't provide as lots time to baseball as I did. Ex-Christians (or non-Christians), comparable ingredient. i think of that our ideals are misrepresented very oftentimes at here. yet, in many circumstances, it fairly is being completed via youthful (faithwise) Christians and/or trolls. And, we ourselves do not continually understand each thing completely. this is a less than perfect worldwide -- we see via a glass darkly. to not make an excuse for our blunders, straightforward blunders, notwithstanding that's what that's. i'd desire to stand to learn so lots extra, yet I answer as maximum suitable i will with what i understand to be genuine and what i've got confidence to be genuine. If I learn in any different case, from the Scriptures or a distinctive interpretation that follows the Scriptures, i might of direction regulate my place. Have a large nighttime!

Answer 4

I'm not a Christian. I do not "believe" Jesus actually rose physically to heaven after his death. After a great deal of research into biblical history, I have found that conquering death was an important concept to 1st Century Mediterranian thinking.

Many people, especially the rich, powerful, or royal seriously searched for the key to immortality.

Along comes Jesus, a man of great intelligence and wisdom. But he's saying things that were quite radical for his time. Loving one's enemy was not popular in a setting where "an eye for an eye" was considered the norm.

The Jewish priests didn't like him. The Romans didn't like anyone who drew crowds because they may be plotting against Rome. And, his fellow Jews thought he was crazy.

To top it off, after starting a movement that went contrary to every one else's thinking, he was executed with common criminals.

Soooooooo, how to justify the death of a leader that is alledgedly the "son of god?" IN WALKS SAUL/PAUL who was struck by lightening and had a near death experience that changed his life (as so many do.) Paul then goes around preaching wildly about Jesus' resurrection----Jesus had conquered death! His public image now fit a ficticious image as someone who did the impossible. Except the masses didn't find it ficticious. They believed it.

In a time when magical thinking was also the norm, the "sheep," prone to follow without thinking, jumped on the "Jesus bandwagon" and started believing any thing that was written about him.

As there was no scientific study of his claims at that time, people could say any thing they wanted about Jesus and if it was written down and chosen to be included in the first set of gospels, by golly it must be TRUE!

No matter that other religions of the time had mythology and magical thinking included in their beliefs too, Jesus' teachings DID provide hope for an impoverished society. One didn't need money to buy his/her way into heaven.

And to the masses, if part of the bible is true, every single word must be.

Benjamin Franklin, as in one of America's founding fathers had this to say: "To follow by faith alone is to follow blindly."
Thomas Jefferson was also quite verbal on the subject. The founding fathers of this country were NOT all Christians!

Answer 5

I'm a Christian who is also a biological scientist by profession, so I understand your viewpoint since I use the empirical method constantly. However, there is more empirical evidence (historical and archaeological) that supports that the bible is accurate and truthful, and there is more evidence to support the bible than other documents that are widely accepted in academia as accurate and truthful from the same time period.

If you want empirical evidence then you need to get two books (volumes 1 and 2) by Josh McDowell named "Evidence That Demands A Verdict." He summarizes the empirical evidence for the bible and thoroughly cites sources for the evidence that he presents.

The empirical evidence exists other than a direct encounter with Jesus. It is really a matter of whether you are serious about seeking and knowing the empirical evidence or you are just looking for an excuse not to find the empirical evidence.

Answer 6

Not only can I understand it, but I can also relate to it.
I spend most of my life without Jesus Christ as anything more than a parallel to mythology. In fact, I even wrote a piece in high-school about the similarities to biblical stories and greek mythology. I was raised in a small town and chastised for my belief that God was not real. Trust me, I get it... it's not completely the most logical turn of events to believe.
However, now I believe with all my mind and all my heart.
I have a long story to tell that I don't have time for on here, but just know that if you ask, if you truly open your heart to the truth and just continue to ask... I think you will get shivers and be blown away... just like I was, and just like many others. Just like the apostles who saw Jesus walking on water outside their boat.

Answer 7

Reportbot should be banned from this board.
He just runs around reporting people.
That's lame.
He probably doesn't realize he is abusing the system and risking messing it up for everyone because of his own selfish short sighted needs. Typical behavior.


To answer the question - Christianity is more than just superstition - it is straight up forest magic, complete with blood rituals and necromancy!


For the people that want examples for some reason (as if they couldn't think of these on their own...) Here is a few:

Baptism (peculiar little ritual huh?)
Communion (Drinking the blood of Christ)
Exorcisms (Hey its' a big part of your religion)
Kneeling (reduce yourself to slave when addressing the lord!)
Dont eat meat on Friday
Lent
Numerology (i.e. 666 bad - 777 good)

stuff like no black cats, spilling salt, blessing after a sneeze, all that jazz comes from the christians wacky little religion also..

Answer 8

Sure. But then, so does any belief that someone doesn't happen to share. Naturalism seems like a superstitious crock, if you don't share it. So does every other religion, every other philosophy, and every other belief system of any kind. Even empirical logic requires faith that it will yield true answers. You could never prove that fact- you just accept it.

Answer 9

I suppose. Without faith, then you are lost to the truth. I know that before I became a believer in Christ I thought that it all sounded like a bunch of rubbish. Like anyone could have sat down and made this stuff up. But then I came to faith and it all makes a whole lot of sense! If people can believe in reincarnation and that sin is okay, surely they can believe in the Lord!

Answer 10

I don't think this question is insulting, it's thought provoking. I think some things in the Bible are taken literally when they were not meant to be. When this happens, I can see how other non-Christians may view this as superstitious.