Pagans, Witches, and all non-Christians: what, in your opinion, is the main reason Christians hang onto.....?

Question

...their belifs in such a preposterous and illogical religion?
Is it:

a) fear of death

b) thinking independently requires too much work

c) mommy and daddy are never wrong

d) they are brainwashed

e) they really don't see the huge flaws in it

f) they are genuinely stupid

g) other

It is such a puzzlement to me, maybe you have some ideas....

Answer 1

Due to evolution from the purtitanical times, and a very famous sermon by jonathon edwards called "Sinners in the hands of an Angery God"
There is a part in the sermon I remember from literature class that states we should all be afraid of God. For we are all sinners and god is just sitting up there swinging us over the pits of hell, hanging by nothing more then a spider web. If we piss him off, he lets us drop.

Kinda out there i know, but if you think about it logically, christianity evolving from something of that nature, breeds not love and tolerance, but fear and ignorance.
I have noticed that most christians i know or hear from, follow the bible to be able to quote when it is necessary. However, in todays society, it is up to us the parents, to teach our children that there are more then one way to believe and to respect all beliefs.
But it is also our responsibility to make sure that they do not end up brainwashed by people who come around our homes and houses...places that are supposed to be safe for our children, and lure them into vacation bible school, etc...with money and candy and the likes.
Most of these people are victims of conditioned response that has been past down from generation to generation....

All I can say, is bless them all.....

Blessed Be Sis
)o(
Trinity

Answer 2

It's completely understandable and respectable to have someone say that but I think it's not true. Anything you don't know or that you aren't ready for is evil because you failed at it. That's what happens to people who say that. maybe it could also have been someone who was told to say that to encourage others to feel the same way, you know as trying to set an examples. Many Christians usually do that. I'm sorry but those who do that are fundies that believe that all that matter is what they think and that they own the ultimate truth. The ultimate force, higher power or whatever you want to name it that's gonna keep you sober is your will and that's why you were given it. You'll do nothing if you don't want to. When a person's mind's made up there's nothing you can do or say to change it. We are free will beings, it sucks sometimes but that's the way it is and that's the only way in which we can laern from our rights and wrongs.

Answer 3

While i am christian, I must admit that all progress has come from radical free thought. Some is harmful and some progressive. I think if you grow up with dogma you have a template that you are unwilling to let go of for fear that the world you understand is not really as you envision it. A slightly egocentric view. Christians are not stupid, but I think the church would have the congregation wear blinders so the money keeps rolling in to the coffers. So it isn't brainwashing, but something more akin to what the government does to us...they control the info the congregation has to ensure a lasting flock.

There are many things written in the bible that have nothing to do with churh ritual, but that is what Christians are raised on these days...not the bible but whatever the church leaders say...

just my two cents...

Answer 4

We all need that private space within that we can hold on to. It doesn't have to make sense to anyone else. No matter what external expression or definition is put to it, This is what we grasp to give us strength and our lives meaning. Some find similar minded people or a religion helps them to express/define to the world what they are feeling. Unfortunately it has been perverted, abused and exploited by opportunists to the point that religion has almost become a dirty word. But it is the abuse of power or extremism not the basic philosophy of a particular religion that is at fault Don't denigrate someone for trying to express their spiritual beliefs. For the record I am not affiliated with any religious organisation. I carry no labels.

Answer 5

a) fear of death

if not for fear of death, there would be no religion, including the Pagan ones.

b) thinking independently requires too much work

with the multitude of branches of the christian church someone is thinking independently.

c) mommy and daddy are never wrong

most die hard Christians come into it after having fairly liberal parents.

d) they are brainwashed

i would think that any "Washing" would remove the crud, not cause more build up

e) they really don't see the huge flaws in it

i think that they see them but choose to ignore them.

f) they are genuinely stupid

i would not say that. everyone needs something to believe in.

g) other

so my answer is "Other" as it is a little bit from each of the above choices. and each individual is subject to different interpritation.

Answer 6

If I had to choose one I would say e., they don't see the flaws. Speaking for myself, neither did I, until I found the strength and courage to think objectivly for myself. I also stepped outside the "box" of what is acceptable reading material for Christians---censorship does a lot toward keeping Christian believers in the dark! I know this from personal experience! I have lived it!>> I was once told by a minister not to read a certain book, "A History of World Religions", because (I am quoting)"too much learning isn't good for your faith." I have been reading and learning ever since---Blessings!

Answer 7

Brainwashed. If they weren't so brainwashed they wouldn't fear death. They would be able to think independently. It's why they think mommy and daddy are never wrong. It's why they don't see the huge flaws. It's why they act stupid. Brainwashing is the reason for all the other options.

Answer 8

Complex times compel simple answers.

The world is vast, intricate, and interrelated. Its problems are huge and seemingly insolvable, and the scale of commerce, governance, technology and warfare is crushingly inhuman. People shrink to insignifcance in the face of it all.

A simple answer, one that says YOU, you right there, YOU are special and important and God has a perfect plan just for YOU . . . can be very attractive.

Xianity wasn't always like this, and much of it still isn't. But many of the fundamentalist responders on here *do* remind me of Charity Mae Stovall's tirade in Parke Godwin's brilliant novel, "Waiting for the Galactic Bus":

"Why shouldn't we want a Jesus with sword and fire? If He's got no sword and fire when he comes, by God, we'll give him ours. We got lots of that."

Answer 9

You're hardly being respectful.

Many of them are really just Christians out of socialization. Some of them have had legitimate spiritual experiences that affirm their beliefs. Same as any religion, really.

But, yes, I am confused why they aren't converting to Paganism, when we're so much cooler. Cakes and ale, dancing, acceptance, drum circles. They don't know what they're missing!

Answer 10

Most do not realize that their bible was not in fact written by god, it is an interpretation by man. man interpreted gods word into the bible, therefor making it mans word. The bible is flawed. The Christian's that always say "God's word is the bible" or "all your answers and in the bible" may not realize that the bible itself was never written by god, and their beliefs are completely based on what someone thought it meant.
I agree that thinking independent is to much of a task for them.. every time Ive asked a question and specifically stated "do not quote the bible" they still sit and quote it word for word.