Jesus Christ is the most polarizing figure in the history ofthe World.

Jesus once proclaimed “You search the Scriptures because youthink that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witnessabout me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (Jn. 5:39, 40).

Read this article by Wayne Jackson … Why do people refuse to come to Jesus?

The article I think explores several interesting reasons why Jesus is rejected. What do you think about Mr Jackson's assertions? I'd love to hear your opinions on the question posed. I would especially like to hear the opinions of any of you out there who are one of those who have rejected Jesus. Not so that you can be attacked or berated, just simply so that I can better understand your point of view and hopefully we can have an open discussion about it.

I would say that this is the overwhelming reason why Christ is not accepted :

 

Some will not come to Jesus because they are unwilling to pay the price he requires.

 

While this is also very prevalent :

 

Some do not come to the Lord because, due to false teaching, they have concluded that they are already associated with him.

 

What I find most fascinating is that Jesus's own disciples, who witnessed his miracles first hand, rejected him. They were not asked to believe in him on faith, but were given witness to acts that could only point to the one true God. And they still rejected him until given proof of his resurrection.

I've always felt that pride is at the top of this list. Either too much pride to admit a need for a Savior. Or too much pride to submit to the Lordship of Jesus. People simply want to live how they want to live. They want to be their own lord.

I think a lot of it has to do with His representatives here on the mortal coil.

Can't you only come to believe thru Grace? If so, then it is not their choice to not believe.

I have a very good friend that told me that he was more spiritual than just about anybody, but he wasn't ready to live the life of a Christian. Some day he would be ready to change his life but it seems he wants to live however he wants now and hopes he lives long enough not to regret it.

I think people are unable to grasp the entire concept of faith in a religious sense; that and they believe that postponing their professions of Jesus as the son of God is okay to do as long as it eventually gets done during their lifetime. However, they fail to acknowledge that they are not invincible and that death can come at any moment. The most common statement is "show me that God exists." Outside of the Bible, people will refuse to acknowledge the existence of answered prayers and instances of God showing his grace on man. I myself have difficulty grasping the concept of eternal life, it keeps me up some nights for hours.

 

I also think that many believes, including myself, are uneducated about a lot of the things the Bible teaches. I've been making an effort to get more acquainted recently in order to address any questions that one may have about Christianity or just the Bible in general.

To answer your question because many people are free thinkers that were not brainwashed from an early age to believe this particular brand of fiction.

 

I did a quick search and found the following but in short about 20% of Americans are non-believers and among Americans under 30 it rises to almost a 1/3 of Americans are non-believers. Here is the info from the article:

 

Back in July, some readers might have been surprised when TheBlaze reported that one in five Americans now consider themselves atheists, agnostics or “nones.” While some may have dismissed the figure then or questioned its accuracy, a new analysis from the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life confirms a growth in secular world-views — and a decline in religious adherence — among U.S. adults.

 

This morning, Pew announced its new findings that show a rapid increase in individuals who claim they are unaffiliated with a faith or religious structure. While approximately 20 percent of the nation’s adults fall into this category (19.6 percent, to be exact), the new proportions also show a startling result among America’s young people: One-third of those individuals under the age of 30 are unaffiliated.

 

 

Pew: 20% of Americans Are Now Atheist, Agnostic or Unaffiliated With a Religion | TheBlaze.com

I wasn't "brainwashed" at an early age. On the contrary, I wasn't churched at all. However, I was already out of college, out of professional school and had bought my first home before I ever started to attend church at all. There was an inherent void that I couldn't fill. It's not cliche', it's truth. And as I searched for truth, there were simply things I couldn't explain away.

I think a lot of it has to do with His representatives here on the mortal coil.

 

We sometimes don't help the cause.

G, could you be more specific regarding "brand of fiction?"

I wasn't "brainwashed" at an early age. On the contrary, I wasn't churched at all. However, I was already out of college, out of professional school and had bought my first home before I ever started to attend church at all. There was an inherent void that I couldn't fill. It's not cliche', it's truth. And as I searched for truth, there were simply things I couldn't explain away.

 

You are a rare bird my friend,I feel you...

G, could you be more specific regarding "brand of fiction?"

 

Watusi has presented one extreme so I presented the other extreme to answer Watusi's original question.

I've changed my thinking several times over the years but I fall under the title as a "freethinker". I just think all religions are a result of geography and culture. If one is born and lives in an area that is mostly Christian, and their parents are Christian, then there's a high likelihood that they will follow that faith. If one is born in a Muslim region they will be Muslim. Same with Buddhist, Hindu, and hundreds of other religions and beliefs. It has been natural for humans to invent religions as far back as pre-historic man, to answer three basic questions: (1) How did it all begin; where did humans and everything else come from (2) How are we suppose to behave and live while we are here. (3) Where do we go after we die.

Religions originated in all cultures to answer these 3 questions. In ancient times when scientific thought was not as prevalent as in later centuries many unknown answers to questions of the natural world were supplied by using supernatural means. Religions served the purpose.