Why do Christians seem to think?

Question

that it's so easy to "accept Jesus into your heart?" I was a Catholic for 20 years, and I'm finding it harder and harder to believe any one religion is 100% correct. But some people seem to think non-belief is a choice. If I asked you "Why can't you just believe in and accept that Allah is the one true God?" what would you say? Accepting Christ, or Allah, or Buddah, or whoever is easier said than done. Unless of course you were raised your whole life into thinking you're correct; then obviously EVERY OTHER religion will seem wrong. I think it's ridiculously arrogant for someone to say "I know the truth, I know I'm going to heaven..."

Answer 1

It's not arrogant to believe the words of Jesus. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." He claims to be God's Son and we believe that. He proved that He was all these things when He rose from the dead. You learned all that being Catholic.

Answer 2

I think someone claiming they are going to heaven isn't arrogant but steadfast in their beliefs. You need to seperate Christianity from Baptists, Catholic, Methodist and so on. Christianity is not a religion. Religion is man made to segregate ones self from other traditions surrounding ones beliefs and interrpretations. I agree, as you get older you start to see the world for what it is worth and it is easy to question your own beliefs. There is a quote I once heard that I think summons this up. If you don't stand for anything you will fall for everything! No matter what belief or religion you choose to be apart of you can't ride the fence. You need to choose and be willing to accept the consequences of that choice. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I don't think anyone thinks that following Christ and accepting him as your Savior is easy. It is a very hard road to follow.

I think you sound confused about your beliefs. Its healthy to learn about God and to question him, although you need to figure out where you want to stand and what you want to believe is true.

It is not arrogant for someone to think that they know the truth. The truth is in the eye of the beholder. Haven't you ever heard that saying?

As for going to heaven none of really know who will really go to heaven or not. There are Christians who will never go. All we can do is accept him in our hearts and try to have a relationship with him.

Answer 4

I agree completely with the overall point of your question. This is the main issue with Christianity. At the base of the religion, it is considered heretical to question your belief. It is considered to be Satan working within you, bringing up these doubts, and you are supposed to read the only book available to your faith to get rid of these doubts.

I think it is also the reason why Christianity spawns more atheist views than any other religion. If it were a part of the religion to encourage a spiritual quest, by comparing your belief to other beliefs, educating yourself on all the possibilities, and then making the right decision, I think it would be a different matter.

Information and education are the 'Satans' of religion, as they are what actually inspire these doubts. This is one of many aspects of the paradox of organized religion that led me to my beliefs today.

Answer 5

I'm sorry this is a bit lengthy, but have patience and read at your leisure.
The mistake you are making in your statement is in understanding the nature of our claim as Catholics. I will use Catholicism as the example to help you.
We (Catholics) say we are the true religion and have the fullness of Truth. Our religious practices may have failed and changed over the centuries, but this is not proof we are not the true religion and do not have the true faith. We are human in the body of Christ, the Church, and so we have faults within the Church on earth. However, people fail to realize that we continue to conform our beliefs and religious practices according to the full Truth we are given. However, be careful in how you understand this. We do not say we have the fullness of Truth because of arrogance or pride. We say so because Christ Jesus Himself, who is the head of the Catholic Church, is the fullness of Truth. The Church is instituted by Jesus the Word of God. How much fuller a Truth do we need if the Truth is God Himself? And it is Jesus who makes this claim and not us.
We have the fullness of Truth, but it is not our personal truth, claim, or an invention to overpower anyone else's religion. It is not an elitist claim, but a very humble one that is not ours to take credit for. It is a claim that comes from Christ Himself who established the Church.
Because of this we are like our elder brother and sister of the faith; the Jews. We are a chosen people as well. Now be careful of how you understand this title "a chosen people." The term itself in Hebrew is not elitist. The true translation is "a people called to task or labor." The claim is not to separate us from anyone, but to be at the service to everyone to know Christ Himself and the Father. Now understand this that it is we who are chosen we did not choose Him. Why? That is for God to say. But realize the seriousness of our labor. We are to teach the world that Christ is the fullness of Truth and that the fullness of Truth resides in the Catholic Church so all may have a place to come to and enter into relationship with Him. Ergo, the sacraments and doctrines of the Catholic Church. It is the sacraments and doctrines that help clarify another's cultural and religious practices.
In our history we have brought this teaching to other cultures (although at times imperfectly like the Crusades, Inquistion for example). But even when done imperfectly God's goodness arises from it. For example, in Ireland a lot of the Pagan worship temples and statues were destroyed, but the popes commanded that the altars be saved. Why? The reason why is that Christ clarifies a culture's religion. The Pagans understood finally that their religious practices were an obscure form of worshipping the One God. With Christianity the Pagans finally learned, "Oh. So that is what we were trying to worship." And soon they changed their ways and practices, which changed their worldview. No human was sacrificed again since it is Christ that is sacrificed upon their altars. And that is the task we have as Catholics.
And since it is Christ who chose us and is given to us, we teach this even when accused of pride, arrogance, and elitism. And yet, the claim is not ours. Still, our Lord has commanded it so and I will not let the opinions of man sway me from the Truth or His commands.
I know this may not answer your question, but I hope it does enlighten you as to the true purposes of the Catholic Church and her claims and labors. May the Lord bless and keep you. May the light of His face shine upon you.

God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john

Answer 6

I think it probably depends on whether or not you WANT to believe in someone. Reading the preaching of Jesus Christ, I can see religion from HIS point of view. However, I think anyone who claims total knowledge IS definately missing the point. Jesus tried to show the Pharisees that they were wrong... they would not accept that. Does anyone accept that they cannot fully comprehend anything?

Answer 7

friend you just prove that you don't know how to think on your own, I know many catholics that was raised die-hard catholics, But God began to deal with them & they got away from that system & are now walking in truth. Now I can say Yes I know the truth, Jesus said ye shall know the truth & the truth shall set you free, free indeed, & The bible also says that when the Holy Ghost which is the comforter, That when he comes into our lives, he will lead us into all truths. If someone claims to have a teacher in them & it is not teaching them truth, I won't give one penny for their teacher.

Answer 8

Simplistic, childlike minds need simplistic, childlike belief-systems. Pre-chewed if possible.

Quoth "yummygood": "It's not arrogant to believe the words of Jesus. He said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.'"

So I guess you're just acquiescing in Jesus' arrogance?

And by the way, there is nothing difficult about being a Christian. It's the default position in society. It's easier than falling off a log. I suppose it's difficult to sexually repress oneself in Jesus' name, but this is easily overcome by adopting a policy of hypocrisy, as practically all Christians do.

Answer 9

You make a good point. However, the whole point of the Christian faith is faith. "Hebrews 11:1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

We are taught that there is only one God "Ephesians 4:4-6 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Therefore, all other religions are false according to what we are supposed to believe from the Bible.

You may not agree, but at least you understand why we believe what we believe.

Answer 10

Because it was for them. That's one reason rational thinkers tend to seem arrogant to believers - we can't imagine surrendering our critical thinking facilities for "faith."