Why Is Christianity So Influential?

Question

What is it about Christianity that gives it so much strength, so much of a grip on our hearts and minds, so much empowerment and pull on our mental state?

9 times out of 10 an Atheist simply doesn't disbelieve in God, he has a rebuttal for specific facets of Christianity, he pins himself in a specific convictional-arena in relation to where Christianity is.

Is it the Devil vs. God sentiment, is it the frightening concept of Hell, is it the after-life scenarios? It is Jesus Christ? What is it? Why does this religion "Christianity" have so much influence on this earth.

It's arguably evident that the majority of non-Christians aren't simply going on about their lives as non-Christians, they are harboring convictions that specifically express opposition to Christianity. Meaning, those who aren't Christians, ponder Christianity. They're on the other side of the axis, not just mentally free from the concepts the religion presents.

You can deny Christianity if you want, but there's no denying Christianity is one of the most influential entities and doctrinations on the face of this earth. The question is, why?

In the real world, it's the strong opposers that keep the church in business.

Answer 1

It's definatly losing alot of influence,to say the least.

Answer 2

Christianity is so influential due to the early Christians and their child-like quality of being so gullible. They believed anything and were very easily influenced because they were threatened with damnation to hell if they didn't comply. It wasn't the religious icons that effected the early Christians but more so the many threats to their lives and their family's lives that made the impression. It surely wasn't the fact that they were devoted but constantly threatened. No religious icon would have tolerated it if they new what was going on behind closed doors, so to speak. As for the devil, there is no such thing. Just people who act that way. No hell either. That too was brought about to threaten the people with to get respect through fear and get their cooperation. As a matter of fact I believe organized religions are just a tool to manipulate people to behave, just as in the past in Christ's day.

Answer 3

Over the past few hundred years, Christianity has spread around the world through the Europeans who had empires all over the world. That is probably why Christianity is the most dominant religion in the world.
Atheists generally have more knowledge about Christianity than any other religion. Many atheists would have read the Bible. There is more information about Christianity on the Internet than any other religion. While some atheists would have read religious books pertaining to other religions, they would be outnumbered by atheists who be more familiar with Christianity than any other religion.

Answer 4

It's related to Darwin's "survival of the fittest" theory, only with memes and cultures. The religion that can convert the most people around it survives. This is how the religion of the Old Testament survived and conquered. Religion also has the power to answer many questions about reality that people are curious about. True, the answers are absolutely wrong, but they can still be comforting. Christianity is so influential because it has been ingrained in our culture and lifestyle over centuries. It's very unfortunate.

Answer 5

My answer is also: Because it is true. Why does believing and taking to heart the our Heavenly Father produce so much strength, hope, love, and everything else that we humans need (and even though alot of us doubt it) want? Because it is true. Many non-christians are looking so hard and yet not wanting to believe what has been shown to us in plain light. That is...the Light. God. Jesus' sacrifice. They look around and see what "some imaginative being" has done in the lives of "those gullible Christians." Call it what you want, but non-Christians can't help but let this "religion" seep into their lives. They are still attracted (even though disbelieving and rejecting) to what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. But even though all this is going on, we can still trust that the Ancient of Days is (and always will be) in control :)

Answer 6

Christianity is the 800 pound gorilla of western civilization.
Every aspect of life has been saturated. Just as someone living in the Middle East is hammered by Monotheism. No one from a non-Western culture cared about Christianity until Christians come along and make themselves to big of an obstacle to avoid.

Think! How many of you think of yourselves as Heterosexuals now? It's because of your awareness of Homosexuality. Otherwise you'd be ignorant of the term.

Many people are defining themselves as Christian or non-Christian because there's no choice.

I never define myself as a non-Muslim because they haven't managed to become a big enough pain in the but+ to care yet.

There is no good or bad publicity, there's only publicity.
No need to hate it. It is what it is.



Blessed Be!

Answer 7

it isn't influential.....most people can't understand how people that claim to have brains can believe that a kind loving parent could or would burn their children forever....most people can't understand how it is christians could believe that a smart god could only come up with a plan that involved Adam and eves kids to commit incest to populate the planet. Most people don't understand how christians could believe in a talking snake or that a woman came from a mans rib or that women are second class citizains.
Most people can't understand how any resonably sound person could believe in christianity.
For most people feel sorry for christians and pray for them to wake up and smell the coffee!

Answer 8

Christianity is influential because it is truth. In the end truth always prevails. Not to mention that a lot of what is foretold in the Holy Bible as the "End of Days" is coming to light today.

I have worked around a lot of Funerals in my life dealing with many kinds of religious beliefs. Atheists, in my experiences, have the hardest time with loss. Because Death to them is FINAL. There is nothing left for them. Christianity offers hope that one day we will be reunited with that loved one. I guess what im trying to say is that Faith, Hope, & Love are all gifts from God that true Christians embrace, and ultimately the death & resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ has offered EVERYONE Salvation. All you have to do is CHOOSE TRUTH.

Answer 9

It is the fact the Holy Spirit is in the world and within the body of believers. It is the Holy Spirit that restrains the evil of the world.

The world is wholly against Jesus and his followers. The world will accept Mohammad, Allah, Krishna, Buddha and even “God”. Jesus Christ is such a divisive figure that it is only his name that is forbidden to be spoken in the Indiana State Congress and on the US Senate floor.

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30

Answer 10

How about the simple truth of a loving, living God touching the hearts and changing the lives of people. Come and see for yourself firsthand. We love Him because He loves us. How else can the life of one person, Jesus Christ, affect millions for thousands of years? It is more than a religion or a set of philosophies... It is a Spiritual relationship with God.
Love is the reason for our free will and existence. It is the yearning and void within our hearts and souls. Christ makes us whole and restores our relationship with God.

Answer 11

Once the Creator takes hold of His creation there's no letting go. That's how Christianity has such strength and empowerment. It's pure love.