Some thoughts about Christianity

I wrote this at a time of crisis in my life. I will reply to my own questions/issues after the original note.


January 4, 2010 FB

I’ve been thinking about Christianity from viewing it at a distance and it’s easy to see what seem to be inconsistencies, not in its coherence, but in its correlation to reality. I don’t actually believe these things, but I can see how they would trouble the atheist because they also trouble me.

1) First, is the fact the Christians believe that some man who lived 2000 years ago is able to bring them to heaven. This seems to be science fiction. I mean, think about it; “regeneration” is something connected with Dr. Who, and the Borg. How could a person who lives in reality right now, be joined together with an ancient teacher who is long gone? What a great way to situate a belief system since there is no tangible evidence of a person being “regenerated.” It’s all spiritual so there is no need for physical evidence. Convenient, isn’t it?

2) Second, there is the guilt trip aspect to evangelism. If you make someone feel guilty enough they will do anything. Preachers attempt to lay a guilt trip on people to try to get them to “give their life to Christ.” This is pointless if it doesn’t cohere to reality. I mean, what is the point of telling someone that they are a good-for-nothing, rotting corpse spiritually, and it’s all because you are a damned sinner. “Now if you don’t want God to be mad at you anymore just give your life to Jesus.” I could do the same thing with any mythical person.

3) Third, Christians believe that some ancient book magically gives them what they need for life. More sci-fi here. Remember that movie “The Never-Ending Story” where the kid actually goes into the story? For Christians the Bible is like some magic genie that provides for their needs. “Oh if I just believe what these words say hard enough and ask God then it will come to pass.” Sorry but believing something doesn’t make it true, and it doesn’t make it work. A belief or idea in your mind doesn’t come into reality unless YOU make it happen. Let me further this a little bit with an illustration. It like someone holds out their empty hands to you and says "Here is a box for you that has a million bucks in it. Just reach in and get your money." But this person does not have a box or anything else but empty hands. They want you to believe them based solely on their word, but you can see for yourself that there is nothing actually there. That's what Christians say the Bible is like. "You already have all these spiritual tools to help you live life. You just gotta use them." Oh yeah? How is that different from any other form of self-induced belief? Or, why is that different from any other self-discipline? To repeat; a belief or idea in your mind doesn’t come into reality unless YOU make it happen.

4) Fourth, there is the use-God-to-get-an-emotional-orgasm mentality. Christians get themselves aroused over something they’ve never seen. This seems to be just an excuse to get high on something other than drugs. God is just a drug to make you get off. Think about it, what kind of belief is that where the only reason they believe God exists is so that they can use him for their own pleasure. “Christian” concerts? “Christian” award shows? “Christian” comedians? “Christian” support groups? “Christian” night clubs? Come on, it's obvious that no one is really goes to those places for God now do they? FYI that was a very serious statement, not a sarcastic one. No one really goes to those places for God.

5) Fifth, there is no tangible evidence for Christianity in this reality of time. If Christianity were true then where is the tangible evidence in the lives of those who believe in it? In other words, if this God loves his followers so much then 1) why do the majority of them not have good health and living circumstances, or 2) live “godly” lives?
(A)-If God was really there then he would provide for his followers, but there is seemingly no tangible evidence in this reality of time to differentiate between the “righteous” and the “wicked.” God should give his followers what they need in order to live right now in this reality of time, but there is no actual difference between a God-follower and a non-God-follower.
(B)-If God really cared about getting rid of sin in the lives of his followers, then he would make them so sinless that there would be a noticeable difference between ALL believers and non-believers. What good is God if he doesn’t deal with sin right here and now? Instead, YOU have to be the one to purify yourself. God doesn’t do it. Preachers just lay more guilt trips on you to force you to act right, but it never really works.

There are other things I’ve noticed but these five will suffice. I can also answer them fairly well, but an apologetic does no good unless there is a tangible reality right here in this space and time to back it up. And unfortunately our modern form of Christianity, along with the lives we lead, are very destructive to the truth of the evidence. If Jesus Christ does not make any actual difference in our lives right here and now then there is no reason to believe or follow Him.
“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30)

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EVALUATION

1) Yes, It is convenient that the beliefs are mainly spiritual in nature. However, that does not automatically mean they are false. The Holy Spirit unites a sinner to Jesus (Rom. 6:1-10). Remember what the Lord says: "Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too difficult for me?"

2) A guilt trip would only be wrong if a person were not guilty. Bet we all are guilty of sin (Rom. 3:9-18, 23). Honestly, these kind of thoughts are evidence that the egomaniacal flesh is ruler of the mind. No one wants to be told that there is something wrong with them. But a good doctor would never hide the truth just to keep his patient from pain. In the same way, it is never wrong to speak the truth to someone about the spiritual condition.

3) The Bible is not just some religious book. There are several reasons why it isn't a normal book. First is archeology. The Bible is accurate when it records names of places in geographical locations. Modern archeologists often dig up ancient cities that are mentioned in the Bible, exactly where the Bible says they will be. Second is history. The Bible corresponds to actual history. It mentions people, places, and events that actually happened in history. Third is fulfilled prophecy. The Bible made/makes predictions about the future. Many of the predictions have already come to pass exactly the way they were predicted with astonishing accuracy. These and many other reasons give good reason to believe that what the Bible says is accurate, trustworthy and extraordinary.

4) This is a correct observation and very serious issue to consider. However, to say that Christianity is not true because of how people use it is to commit the logically fallacy of irrelevant appeal. Logically, an improper/negative effect does not necessitate/demand a false cause. So just because people misuse the Lord Jesus does not mean that He is not real.

5) Both of the two aspects illustrating the lack of tangible evidence in people's lives show a lack of understanding of God's character. The first point fails to understand the wisdom of God in deciding how to work in people's lives. Many times it is God's sovereign will for His children to suffer. There are several reasons including character building, faith testing, and future blessings for others. Even if all the tangible evidence says otherwise, God never abandons His children. He is always faithful to His own "for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Tim. 2:13). The second point fails to understand the patience of God. Remember, not everyone who says they are a Christian is truly saved. So their lack of holiness could be due to them not being saved. Those who are saved and continue in sin will not get by with it. God will discipline His children, even to the point of taking them out of this world to stop them from sinning (1 John 5:16).

Summary
It is obvious I was not "seeking things that are above where Christ is" (Col. 3:1). The answer to all these problems is to "set your mind on the things above, where Christ is" (Col. 3:2). 
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."