Summarized very well in the Bible in the Parable of the Sower:

 

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.

After taking college level religious studies and philosophy classes, I came to believe some of these ideas, and it weakened my faith to a frightening extent. But what if found, eventually, was that the answers are really bigger than that. The questions are unanswerable. That's why we must rely on faith, and faith has no use for explanations anymore than science has use for faith.

 

Faith isn't something you capture from reading books, or that your mama teaches you, or your culture drills into your head. It's a quiet, small voice that comes from a place deep down inside your soul. It's a truth you can understand only when you sit still long enough -- and quietly enough -- to hear it. I can't explain faith...certainly not my own. But I feel it, just like the unseen wind brushes across my face. I can't see it nor hold it, nor dissect its workings. I just know it is there.

 

My particular faith is a beautiful thing in my eyes, but I believe (much to some people's chagrin) that there are many paths to God. I think he created the world to be a tapestry of light and dark, with each of us being a thread and each faith forming a part of the picture.

 

But that's just me.

People are Lazy...that's why!!!

 

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.

 

I do agree with you that mankind is almost "wired" to believe in a higher being to answer questions hence all of the pagan religions of the past and some in third world countries today. Where I think Judiasm and its fulfillment being Christianity has "proven" itself is through its durability over time and its drawing members of other faiths. The Judiac faith started several thousand years BC and Christianity around 6 AD but in reality you could say Christianity started with Judiasm since both believe in the same God, Christianity just believes God revealed Himself in three persons with one who incarnated Himself and Jews of today do not accept that revelation and continue the older view of God. Such durabilty over the thousands of years compared to other faiths does lead to some credence of truth. Also, how so many millions of people abandoned their homeland faiths for Christianity when apostles/disciples from Israel spread the faith to the surrounding areas and eventually over took the dominant Greek/Roman religion of Zeus and the other gods of Olympia despite approximately three centuries of persecution and then Roman missionaries spread the faith throughout Europe and European missionaries throughout the world. Were there some conversions by the sword, yes, but in so many more cases conversion occured due to those hearing the Word feeling touched by the Word and continuing to pass that down for centuries. That too is how I feel Christianity in my opinion stands up as a true faith.

I would say another thing that doesn't help when it comes to getting people to accept Christianity is that Christians themselves cannot come to agreement was to what is the true faith. That leads to confusion among those not "churched" and such confusion can lead to doubt which can lead to non acceptance.

I would say another thing that doesn't help when it comes to getting people to accept Christianity is that Christians themselves cannot come to agreement was to what is the true faith. That leads to confusion among those not "churched" and such confusion can lead to doubt which can lead to non acceptance.

 

^ This. I love when WASPs talk about "the one true church" while ignoring that there are 50 million different stripes of Protestantism out there. Well, which is it? Old Regular Baptist? Freewill Baptist? Missouri Synod? Church of God of Prophesy?

I would say another thing that doesn't help when it comes to getting people to accept Christianity is that Christians themselves cannot come to agreement was to what is the true faith. That leads to confusion among those not "churched" and such confusion can lead to doubt which can lead to non acceptance.

 

From the beginning of Christianity there has been disagreement.

I do agree with you that mankind is almost "wired" to believe in a higher being to answer questions hence all of the pagan religions of the past and some in third world countries today. Where I think Judiasm and its fulfillment being Christianity has "proven" itself is through its durability over time and its drawing members of other faiths. The Judiac faith started several thousand years BC and Christianity around 6 AD but in reality you could say Christianity started with Judiasm since both believe in the same God, Christianity just believes God revealed Himself in three persons with one who incarnated Himself and Jews of today do not accept that revelation and continue the older view of God. Such durabilty over the thousands of years compared to other faiths does lead to some credence of truth. Also, how so many millions of people abandoned their homeland faiths for Christianity when apostles/disciples from Israel spread the faith to the surrounding areas and eventually over took the dominant Greek/Roman religion of Zeus and the other gods of Olympia despite approximately three centuries of persecution and then Roman missionaries spread the faith throughout Europe and European missionaries throughout the world. Were there some conversions by the sword, yes, but in so many more cases conversion occured due to those hearing the Word feeling touched by the Word and continuing to pass that down for centuries. That too is how I feel Christianity in my opinion stands up as a true faith.

 

Jesus was not the fulfillment of Judiasm he was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Judiasm is the combination of Old Testament and the oral teachings and interpretations handed down for generations and later put into writing in the Talmud and Midrash. At least that is how I understand it.

^ This. I love when WASPs talk about "the one true church" while ignoring that there are 50 million different stripes of Protestantism out there. Well, which is it? Old Regular Baptist? Freewill Baptist? Missouri Synod? Church of God of Prophesy?

Fair question. I would answer that Christ founded one church. Any divisions from that point have been man made, including the addition of every church name imaginable.

 

As for me, I am not seeking the label of Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentacostal, etc., I am only interested in being a follower of Jesus Christ and as such the only moniker that matters to me is "Christian".

Jesus was not the fulfillment of Judiasm he was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Judiasm is the combination of Old Testament and the oral teachings and interpretations handed down for generations and later put into writing in the Talmud and Midrash. At least that is how I understand it.

You are right; however, the coming of Jesus did fulfill a great number of Old Testament prophesies. By doing so (in our belief), it superseded the old law and the old ways. It left behind a God who was bent on anger and punishment of his "chosen people," and showed us a God filled with love and forgiveness for all of His people.

Fair question. I would answer that Christ founded one church. Any divisions from that point have been man made, including the addition of every church name imaginable.

 

As for me, I am not seeking the label of Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentacostal, etc., I am only interested in being a follower of Jesus Christ and as such the only moniker that matters to me is "Christian".

 

That being said, why do you feel anyone should listen when those Christians talk about their way being the "one true path," yet they can't even agree on what that path is? I mean, let's not kid ourselves, most folks who call themselves Christians don't all go to the same church, and most identify themselves as one of the different Protestant stripes.

Are some Christian taking a different path than this?

 

Admit you are a sinner and turn away from your sin.

Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.

Come to him by faith.

Are some Christian taking a different path than this?

 

Admit you are a sinner and turn away from your sin.

Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.

Come to him by faith.

 

If it were only so simple. However, the devil is in the details (pun somewhat intended) in that none of them can agree on what constitutes a sin, and how you go about coming to Jesus. And we wonder why people are confused …

That being said, why do you feel anyone should listen when those Christians talk about their way being the "one true path," yet they can't even agree on what that path is? I mean, let's not kid ourselves, most folks who call themselves Christians don't all go to the same church, and most identify themselves as one of the different Protestant stripes.

 

If it were only so simple. However, the devil is in the details (pun somewhat intended) in that none of them can agree on what constitutes a sin, and how you go about coming to Jesus. And we wonder why people are confused …

 

The only answer I can give is to not put your faith in humans or what they tell you. As a people, we have shown a knack for screwing things up, even when our intentions are good.

 

If we want to follow God/Jesus, then we need to first establish what the authority is for learning how. I believe with my every being that the Bible is that authority, that it is the inspired word of God, and that is has been preserved for us in perpetuity. So, if I am seeking truth, then my source is God's word, and that will be my guide. I may seek advice, help in understanding and counsel from others, but I have to see that for what it is, another man's understanding. If I wan't to know the truth then I must read His word, follow what is taught and seek His will for me. The answers are in there.

If it were only so simple. However, the devil is in the details (pun somewhat intended) in that none of them can agree on what constitutes a sin, and how you go about coming to Jesus. And we wonder why people are confused …

I think one of the biggest changes in Christianity over the years and ages is the acceptance of different sins. There in lies most of the division in Christianity.

 

I look at the differences between Christians to be like if we were all trying to climb a mountain. All of us would not take the same path, some would go with nothing but a canteen of water and a walking stick while others would use the latest mountain climbing gear and technology available. But regardless of the path chosen or the method used we all have the same destination and will all end up reaching the top of the mountain. Who am I to tell the other guy that he climbed the mountain wrong, if he arrived at the same place I did?