It is not my intent to defend or an act in a manner that would discredit Christianity. My question is merely speculative, and all opinions are welcomed.
Let us imagine that Jesus was never worshiped, and Christianity was non existent. What do you think the state of our world would be in today. This also effects a variety of other religions, even Islam as Jesus played a large factor in their beliefs. The question I ask is of course vague, this is the reason I ask it because I haven't a clue what we would be like. Do you think that Christianity has served as a means towards the advancement of all societies, or a degradation of all societies?
2007-08-30 20:58:35 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
First, one has to look at the historical record:
1) There were a couple points on our timeline where it was almost thown over like many faiths that are now termed 'cults'. A simple circumstance could have made it fade into history.
2) Jesus wasn't worshipped as being devine until some 400 years after his death. There also was no idea of the Trinity until then.
On the whole Christianity has done far more harm than good. One only has to look at the 1000 years it retarded human science and commerce from roughly 650 through 1700. People of faith will argue but there are literally millions of examples (see the references).
Think about this idea the next time that you say that you cannot imagine a world without Christianity: Of the world's population, less than 22% is Christian. And that number is declining. Of that number, less than 70% worldwide are actively practicing Christians. Most say that they are 'spiritual'.
What would the world look like without Christianity-and the two other major monotheisms? It would look a lot like it does now except everyone would learn a little more math and science.
2007-08-30 21:18:15 · answer #1 · answered by swimeveryday 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Much of the science that was lost in the destruction of the Library of Alexandria due to Christian arsonists would have been preserved. So on a scientific basis, we would probably have made a lot more progress.
I do not see that MORALLY we would be any worse off than we are now as Christian or not, we would still have the same blend of those who (1) believe in AND practise a religion/faith -- including those who do not have any religion (2) those who just pay "lip service" but are generally not bad people (3) people who are hypocrites by professing one thing and doing the opposite and (4) those who are criminal with no apology.
As with any religion, it could be argued both ways about Christianity. There are some EXTREMELY NICE Christians that I have had the pleasure of knowing, and there are the extremists who I would like to see suffer the torment they wish upon others........
2007-08-30 21:12:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be pretty much the same it is now. No wars have been fought because of Jesus, they used religion as an excuse. All wars that people consider religious wars were about land and greed, not Jesus. If they didnt have religion to rally their cause behind, they would have found something else, probably patriotism of some kind. Humans are naturally curious beings so technological advancements would pretty much stayed at pace. The big reason for technological boom was the US Constitution and a gvt and economy that allowed people to profit from their inventions. US gvt very much encouraged technological advancement in a way no other gvt had before. It protected patents which gave incentives to others to create more and more. It was really a great boost to inventions and technology.
I think humans need to find meaning and purpose to their lives regardless of whether or not they have heard of Jesus. We are social creatures that want to identify and feel accepted and needed. Whether christianity existed or not, something else would have taken its place. We would have still created rules by which society can function and we would have still created moral boundaries.
I really doubt the world would be that much diff without christianity.
2007-08-30 21:05:58 · answer #3 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think Christianity has served toward the advancement of society in general however Christianity has also been responsible for destruction and death within the history of man as well.
Just as a gun or vehicle in the wrong hands can end up as a weapon of death as to is the Christian doctrine as has been shown and continues to be shown throughout many cultures.
Jesus said to love one another! As a Christian I am to achieve this as best I can! Claiming I'm a Christian does not make me any better or any worse then any other human. I'm not perfect!
2007-08-30 21:16:19 · answer #4 · answered by Kiwi 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What year would this be?
Actually, I don't think it s possible to even try to answer. Christianity has effected millions of lives for 2000 years. People have done great things and terrible things in the name of Christianity.
In answer to your last question, I believe true Christianity never degrades any human being or any society.
2007-08-30 21:11:01 · answer #5 · answered by out of the grey 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Had Adam & Eve not Sinned, who knows.But we cannot Deal with the " what if's". What is real is that this Planet is in Desperate need of Fixing. The Problems we face on a daily basis from contending with Sickness to loss of Hope and despair is enough for many a person to throw up their arms and say " Thats enough". Yet God has a Plan to Undo the works of the Devil. What we need more than ever is Faith & Hope.
Christ pointed the way to Salvation, and was willing to lay down his life for it. A World without Christianity is a Dead World.
2007-08-30 21:07:37 · answer #6 · answered by conundrum 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christians would be worshipping other gods. Atheists would remain the same. Non christians would not be affected coz they do not worship Jesus. There are countries where christianity is a minority and they turned out alright. I guess the advancement of all non-christian societies would still remain the same.
2007-08-30 21:05:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A world without Christianity? Okay. First, tear down the hospitals all over the world that were put in place by Christians. Take out all the Christian orphanages, homes for the elderly, and homeless shelters. Take back the billions of dollars spent by Christians on disaster relief worldwide. Almost every city has Christian soup kitchens for the poor, so those will have to go. The schools, academies and universities founded by Christians will also go on the scrapheap. Just the loss of these institutions alone are a sign that a world without Christianity would be a very different world than the one we presently know.
Christianity has had many faults historically. Nobody's denying that. But it has also made some worthwhile achievements.
2007-08-30 21:05:30 · answer #8 · answered by solarius 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋
I. like you, have no clue as to what we would be like, but religion still would exist in other forms. It was here before christianity, and will be here after christianity.
For some reason (I believe it has something to do with serotonin levels) some people need a religion. I really must research this one!!
An atheist
2007-08-30 21:05:59 · answer #9 · answered by Grotty Bodkin is not dead!!! 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i can't really say but i believe that technologically we wouldn't be much different but I'm sure that the borders of virtually every country would be different and that Judaism and Hinduism would be the largest religions. i believe there would be more free-thinking individuals out there which could go either way to advance or degrade society.
2007-08-30 21:05:48 · answer #10 · answered by hades 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋