christians - this is why your religion doesn't appeal to me, what do you think about it (it's not mean)

Question

here are 2 different ways of looking at life - christianity and paganism

Christians are naturally evil (born sinners) and have to spend most of their time fighting it. Pagans, at least those that i know, are naturally good, and "sinning" is an atrocity and something that we generally don't do.

i don't think you can argue those 2 points. my question is, can you see how different those outlooks are and can you understand why people might turn to paganism instead of christianity, when christianity seems so negative?

most of you are proving my point by saying that "we're all born in sin" i believe i was NOT born in sin, because that is a christian belief.

for the people who are saying that there is only one truth, well, guess what, none of us will find out what that "truth" is until we die. belief is only a belief, no matter what your belief is.

Answer 1

* . . . oh ye godhs and ancestors . . . *

Wow . . . just wow. Have you READ your answers yet, Riegan?

Riegan: we don't believe in sin.
<><'s: everyone's a sinner.
Riegan: xians believe they're born sinners. Pagans don't.
<><'s: everyone's born a sinner. You'll see when you're DEAD! Then you'll be sorry!
Riegan: Pagans believe people are naturally good.
<><'s: Everyone's a sinner! SINNER!! SINNER!!!
Riegan: Pagans don't BELIEVE in the xian doctrine of original sin! YOUR religious beliefs don't apply to US!
<><'s: Lalalalalalalalallalalallalalalalalalalalalalaah! NOT LISTENING!!! LALALALALALALALALALALALALALA!!

o_O

Answer 2

The problem with your arguments is that you are basing them on your belief system. "Pagans are naturally good.", what is your classification of good? There may be things that a pagan would do, that a Christian would see as a sin, "Thou shalt not worship any graven images." So to a Christian you are also a sinner.

I understand your point, pagans, or Wiccans which I believe you are talking about talk about loving the earth and yourself, harmony and all of that good stuff. But do they have pre-marital sex? Is it good or bad? It depends on whose eyes you are looking at it from. Maybe no, from the eyes of a Pagan, but yes from a Christian.

It is hard to draw the lines of what is/isn't a sin when you are comparing religions. As a christian, I am born to sin. I do not fight it everyday. I have made mistakes in the past, I feel guilt and repent for them. Then I try to do better with myself. It is not an atrocity to sin, it is an atrocity to sin and not understand where I made a mistake and wish forgiveness for it, not only from God, but also from those I may have hurt in the act.

I think people are not turning to paganism. I think people, especially young people, see paganism as a way to break free from the values they fought against when younger. It is an alternative. And yes because of the way you describe it, it is very alluring. When I was younger I read lots of books on this type of thing. In the end, however, are they really that different? I believe in God, I do the best I can not to hurt others and to bring happiness into the life of my family and loved ones. I sacrifices sometimes to do this. Is this not the same goal a pagan would have?

We just express ourselves to the world differently.

Peace be with you, and God bless.

Answer 3

One thing I don't like about Christianity is the marketing. Christianity is heavily marketed and, as any product that undergoes marketing, it will be changed to be more pallitable to a mass-audience, so as to reach the most people. But ANYTHING that tries to please everyone will be inherently untruthful. The truth, real truth, doesn't need advertizing, missionary work- or to be spread. The real Truth isn't handed person to person, it's a mountain you find after a lot of searching. And when you find it, you are all alone, you and this Truth you've found.

I know I didn't really address your question, but I seem to recognize some of it anyway. :) What is surprising is how far from answering the question most of these Christians went. Some of these answers don't have anything to do with what you asked. Sheesh!

Answer 4

It is hard to understand that you say pagans are naturally good? everyone sins and is born with a sin nature. MOst all christians agree that sin is an atrocity however if /when we do it we do not have to deal with the guilt that comes with it or try to work it off. as a christian we are forgiven and guilt is not neccessary and you have great support group plus God to help you through hard times. Remember everyone sins and does wrong some is just more obvious than others.

Answer 5

Christians believe that God created all to be good. All that is seen and all that is unseen was created good. Is all that is seen good? No, Christians know that it is not. This is reality. Christians see people doing things that are not good. They see themselves doing evil. Is all that is unseen good? No, Christians that are observant of the spiritual realm, know that it is not. There are spiritual forces in this world that are not good.

Christians accept that they are weak and prone to sin. They are weakened from birth by Original Sin. Original Sin is a weakness, not a personal sin. Babies are innocent and good. They are born into the Original Sin of the world that has been present since Adam and Eve. This is a world of sin that affects the baby's thoughts and behavior. It is not their personal sin. Because people are born into a world of sinful people, since the beginning, people are weak and prone to sin. Do Christians believe that given this sin that all will sin, no. In fact, there is one who was born into the world of sin that was born perfect. Her name is Mary and she is the Mother of Jesus. She never sinned. Could this happen again? Of course it can. God can do anything.

Do Christians fight sin? Of course they do. Sin is sickness. Sin is loneliness. Sin is an ATROCITY against our neighbors and against God. Sin is death. Christians fight sin, a personal battle, in order to better serve their Lord, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is a grave, personal battle. The consequences are stiff. The consequences are Heaven or Hell.

As far as Heaven and Hell are concerned, no one can tell anyone else whether they will go to either place. This is not a decision made between mere mortals. Christians believe in these places. For some, these places dictate their thoughts and behavior. In Christianity, to be dictated by whether one goes to Heaven or Hell is not the best reason for being a sinless Christian.

Christians are to join all of their thoughts and behavior with the sufferings of Christ in order to save the world. A sinless Christian is a very powerful person. She can, through her thoughts, prayers and behavior, influence great deeds in the world in order to save it for eternity. This is the ultimate goal in Christianity. Christians are to love and save the world from the death caused by sin.

Yours in Christ Jesus, Grace

Answer 6

so if sinning is not wrong, what's the harm in insulting the thousands of pagan deities? can you honestly say that is not "wrong"?

we are not born evil. we are born with the potential to do good, and the potential to do evil. we have that natural inclination to do evil, as humanity generally seeks the "easy way out", isn't always patient, and comes with a lot of negative mindsets. evil is just easier and more pleasurable. hence, we have to fight it.

I have yet to meet a person who meets my standard of "naturally good". even infants tend to be inclined to be unpleasant. how many children learn to share automatically?

Answer 7

My only problem with your question is the statement, "sinning" is an atrocity and something that we generally don't do."

Forgive me, but it sounds like a pagan would be claiming that in general, pagans occasionally commit sin, but the rest of the time they don't which would therefore imply occasional states of perfection. Sorry, but it doesn't add up.

Answer 8

*chuckles* I don't think the Christians are even getting what you are asking.


The doctrine of original sin basically states that we are all born imperfect -- that we are by nature dirty and sick creatures, who are incapable of being "good" in our natural state. Our best-laid plans will go to waste, and all our good intentions will turn to rot and dust. In essence, you are telling a people that they are born worthless. There is, however, a way for the them to 'redeem' themselves and become something 'good' -- by accepting the additional guilt that Jesus was mutilated and killed because they're only human, because they (like all humans) has strengths and weaknesses, good points and bad points. But instead of accepting this -- that humans are naturally both good and bad -- it is emphasized that all humans are bad and will never amount to anything unless they have an innocent man suffer for them. This, I cannot see as anything but psychologically and emotionally damaging.

Answer 9

Those who love the truth seek and find the truth. God is not a popularity contest he is who he is and those who love him find him. If I were to create a god in my idea I might be of some other sort of religion. The fact is I know God therefore I know my need for a savior. Christianity is not a about striving for perfection but accepting that we all sin and accepting God's atonement. It is a positive thing to accept God's righteousness and the changes he makes.

Edit Reagan whether or not you accept the truth does not change the truth. All men sin and all men die. It isnt simply a belief but an absolute truth. I can't imagine anyone even arguing the point.

Answer 10

It's a matter of giving in to 'feelings'. Honestly, people don't like to hear that they are sinners, so they tend to choose something that feels better. Just like some Christians will choose a church that only preaches the "feel good" parts of the bible, instead of one that preaches the entire word of God in a balanced way. They only want to hear about the love and forgiveness - not the sin / hell-fire & brimstone / repentance parts. Not me.....I'd rather have a few "ouch! Hallelujahs!" thrown at me - I want the WHOLE truth...not just the parts that make me "feel good".

It is not comfortable for me to hear / know that I am a sinner; it is even LESS comfortable for me to know what Jesus willingly suffered for MY sins....but there is MUCH comfort in the love He has for me and the forgiveness He offers through His blood. We don't do the "fighting" - the Holy Spirit does it through us IF we give God control of every area of our lives. We are not equipped to fight the battle against sin on our own. I thank God that He sent His son to pay the price for my sin, and His Holy Spirit to help convict me to stay on the right path and to pick me up when I stumble or fall.

I'm sorry if that seems negative to you, but there is no other choice in life for me. NOBODY loves any of us as much as God does.