Is the existence of Christianity better for this world

[SimonPeter111]

Today I watched the final episode of Family Guy Season 22, which explores whether the presence of religion is beneficial to the world. Actually, I don't think I should be serious about a cartoon, but when I think about it, I do doubt the positive impact of Christianity in today's world, and my textbooks are telling me that Christianity hindered human progress during the Renaissance, and I would like to see more debate on that

Since I am not good at English, I decided to simply write down the two questions I asked to make it easier for you to understand：
1 What role does Christianity play in the world today.2 Does Christianity hinder social progress?

 

[Neogaia777]

Today I watched the final episode of Family Guy Season 22, which explores whether the presence of religion is beneficial to the world. Actually, I don't think I should be serious about a cartoon, but when I think about it, I do doubt the positive impact of Christianity in today's world, and my textbooks are telling me that Christianity hindered human progress during the Renaissance, and I would like to see more debate on that

Since I am not good at English, I decided to simply write down the two questions I asked to make it easier for you to understand：
1 What role does Christianity play in the world today.2 Does Christianity hinder social progress?

First let's answer your questions.

1. Christianity does a lot of practical and financial and tangible and material good in the world still, regardless of some of the greediness of some pastors, preachers, and teachers and religious leaders that probably would not exist without the Christian religion, etc. And this is besides the hope of an afterlife or eternal life that they offer, etc.

2. Christianity paved the way for a lot of social progress in the past, especially shortly after Jesus, etc, but it also has hindered it sometimes when it became corrupt, or got corrupted, and that is still sometimes true today, etc.

3. To answer your basic question of are religions good for the world, etc, then you only have to try and imagine a world that doesn't have anybody with any kind of spiritual beliefs whatsoever, and discern what would follow that to find your answer, etc. In my opinion an entire world with no kinds of beliefs in any kind of God or gods or and afterlife whatsoever would not only be very, very depressing, but would also very, very quickly become very, very totalitarian, and it's government's most especially, would become very, very oppressive very, very quickly, or overnight, etc, and many of the rights and freedoms that you/me/we enjoy right now currently, would be gone in an instant, or in a heartbeat, or overnight, etc.

But you look around, and sure, sometimes some religions can seem to hinder certain things, like, for example, nowadays sometimes social evolution and progress sometimes, etc, but I 100% guarantee that without it, or without any of them, etc, then the world would very quickly become an absolute nightmare, or would be or become something like out of a very bad science fiction film as to what our future (or our present) would very quickly become like, etc. Having religious beliefs is a source of freedom, even if sometimes, it doesn't seem like it sometimes, etc.

God Bless.

 

[Neogaia777]

First let's answer your questions.

1. Christianity does a lot of practical and financial and tangible and material good in the world still, regardless of some of the greediness of some pastors, preachers, and teachers and religious leaders that probably would not exist without the Christian religion, etc. And this is besides the hope of an afterlife or eternal life that they offer, etc.

2. Christianity paved the way for a lot of social progress in the past, especially shortly after Jesus, etc, but it also has hindered it sometimes when it became corrupt, or got corrupted, and that is still sometimes true today, etc.

3. To answer your basic question of are religions good for the world, etc, then you only have to try and imagine a world that doesn't have anybody with any kind of spiritual beliefs whatsoever, and discern what would follow that to find your answer, etc. In my opinion an entire world with no kinds of beliefs in any kind of God or gods or and afterlife whatsoever would not only be very, very depressing, but would also very, very quickly become very, very totalitarian, and it's government's most especially, would become very, very oppressive very, very quickly, or overnight, etc, and many of the rights and freedoms that you/me/we enjoy right now currently, would be gone in an instant, or in a heartbeat, or overnight, etc.

But you look around, and sure, sometimes some religions can seem to hinder certain things, like, for example, nowadays sometimes social evolution and progress sometimes, etc, but I 100% guarantee that without it, or without any of them, etc, then the world would very quickly become an absolute nightmare, or would be or become something like out of a very bad science fiction film as to what our future (or our present) would very quickly become like, etc. Having religious beliefs is a source of freedom, even if sometimes, it doesn't seem like it sometimes, etc.

God Bless.

For example, there wouldn't be a Family Guy if the Family Guy was speaking out against the State, or what the State has instituted, and that's just only one very, very minor, extremely, extremely small example of what would be different, etc.

God Bless

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Today I watched the final episode of Family Guy Season 22, which explores whether the presence of religion is beneficial to the world. Actually, I don't think I should be serious about a cartoon, but when I think about it, I do doubt the positive impact of Christianity in today's world, and my textbooks are telling me that Christianity hindered human progress during the Renaissance, and I would like to see more debate on that

Since I am not good at English, I decided to simply write down the two questions I asked to make it easier for you to understand：
1 What role does Christianity play in the world today.2 Does Christianity hinder social progress?

What do we specifically mean by "Christianity"? What do we mean by "Progress"? These are important questions to answer in order to fully address the OP, but I'll leave these to the side for now.

For my part, and in looking at Christianity through various historical lenses, it seems to me that what has hindered human progress are Christians who are too dogmatic and literal in their interpretation of the Bible. It's their peculiar process of interpreting that has been the problem for the most part.

In other words, it's not the Christian faith itself that hinders the world's progress, rather it's the hindrance caused by some Christians who over assert an anti-intellectual mindset, refusing to learn anything outside the scope of an ultra literal adherence to a favored paradigm of understanding---whether that paradigm is drawn from the Bible alone or some past thinker like Aristotle or Karl Marx. It is this state of anti-intellectual stasis which contributes to the hindrance of beneficent progress, and almost anyone can suffer from this deficient state of mind, not just Christians.

Obviously, it's difficult to see that Jesus would approve of everything Christians do or have done with the truths of the Christian faith over the last 2,000 years.

 

[Neogaia777]

What do we specifically mean by "Christianity"? What do we man by "Progress"? These are important questions to answer in order to fully address the OP, but I'll leave these to the side for now.

For my part, and in looking at Christianity through various historical lenses, it seems to me that what has hindered human progress are Christians who are too dogmatic and literal in their interpretation of the Bible. It's their peculiar process of interpreting that has been the problem for the most part.

In other words, it's not the Christian faith itself that hinders the world's progress, rather it's the hindrance caused by some Christians who over assert an anti-intellectual mindset, refusing to learn anything outside the scope of an ultra literal adherence to a favored paradigm of understanding---whether that paradigm is drawn from the Bible alone or some past thinker like Aristotle or Karl Marx. It is this state of anti-intellectual stasis which contributes to the hindrance of beneficent progress, and almost anyone can suffer from this deficient state of mind, not just Christians.

Obviously, it's difficult to see that Jesus would approve of everything Christians do or have done with the truths of the Christian faith over the last 2,000 years.

So, in your opinion or your view, we can't have people that are too much against learning, and intellectualism, and we also can't have people that are too stuck in their ways, or too stuck in just only their own point of view, or paradigm, and who are also completely unwilling to question them, or change them, when and where they maybe would, or probably should maybe? And also maybe that they really need to maybe really and truly genuinely "listen" to others more, and others points of view as well, etc, and be willing to modify or change their own accordingly maybe, etc?

Because I would very, very much agree that this, or a lack of this, always, always hinders progress very much greatly, etc.

God Bless.

 

[Astrid]

Today I watched the final episode of Family Guy Season 22, which explores whether the presence of religion is beneficial to the world. Actually, I don't think I should be serious about a cartoon, but when I think about it, I do doubt the positive impact of Christianity in today's world, and my textbooks are telling me that Christianity hindered human progress during the Renaissance, and I would like to see more debate on that

Since I am not good at English, I decided to simply write down the two questions I asked to make it easier for you to understand：
1 What role does Christianity play in the world today.2 Does Christianity hinder social progress?

It’s a very mixed bag.
Some sects are strongly in the negative.
There’s a whole spectrum.
Some may be mostly beneficial

Then there’s, “is this the way to heaven”.

But you asked about ”this world”.

Try this: if everyone knew and accepted that there is no
no God, no afterlife-
Would they keep going to church,
or might something more meaningful take the
place meeting and preaching?

 

[Neogaia777]

or might something more meaningful take the
place meeting and preaching?

What do you think would be more meaningful that would take it's place?

 

[Astrid]

First let's answer your questions.

1. Christianity does a lot of practical and financial and tangible and material good in the world still, regardless of some of the greediness of some pastors, preachers, and teachers and religious leaders that probably would not exist without the Christian religion, etc. And this is besides the hope of an afterlife or eternal life that they offer, etc.

2. Christianity paved the way for a lot of social progress in the past, especially shortly after Jesus, etc, but it also has hindered it sometimes when it became corrupt, or got corrupted, and that is still sometimes true today, etc.

3. To answer your basic question of are religions good for the world, etc, then you only have to try and imagine a world that doesn't have anybody with any kind of spiritual beliefs whatsoever, and discern what would follow that to find your answer, etc. In my opinion an entire world with no kinds of beliefs in any kind of God or gods or and afterlife whatsoever would not only be very, very depressing, but would also very, very quickly become very, very totalitarian, and it's government's most especially, would become very, very oppressive very, very quickly, or overnight, etc, and many of the rights and freedoms that you/me/we enjoy right now currently, would be gone in an instant, or in a heartbeat, or overnight, etc.

But you look around, and sure, sometimes some religions can seem to hinder certain things, like, for example, nowadays sometimes social evolution and progress sometimes, etc, but I 100% guarantee that without it, or without any of them, etc, then the world would very quickly become an absolute nightmare, or would be or become something like out of a very bad science fiction film as to what our future (or our present) would very quickly become like, etc. Having religious beliefs is a source of freedom, even if sometimes, it doesn't seem like it sometimes, etc.

God Bless.

First let's answer your questions.

1. Christianity does a lot of practical and financial and tangible and material good in the world still, regardless of some of the greediness of some pastors, preachers, and teachers and religious leaders that probably would not exist without the Christian religion, etc. And this is besides the hope of an afterlife or eternal life that they offer, etc.

2. Christianity paved the way for a lot of social progress in the past, especially shortly after Jesus, etc, but it also has hindered it sometimes when it became corrupt, or got corrupted, and that is still sometimes true today, etc.

3. To answer your basic question of are religions good for the world, etc, then you only have to try and imagine a world that doesn't have anybody with any kind of spiritual beliefs whatsoever, and discern what would follow that to find your answer, etc. In my opinion an entire world with no kinds of beliefs in any kind of God or gods or and afterlife whatsoever would not only be very, very depressing, but would also very, very quickly become very, very totalitarian, and it's government's most especially, would become very, very oppressive very, very quickly, or overnight, etc, and many of the rights and freedoms that you/me/we enjoy right now currently, would be gone in an instant, or in a heartbeat, or overnight, etc.

But you look around, and sure, sometimes some religions can seem to hinder certain things, like, for example, nowadays sometimes social evolution and progress sometimes, etc, but I 100% guarantee that without it, or without any of them, etc, then the world would very quickly become an absolute nightmare, or would be or become something like out of a very bad science fiction film as to what our future (or our present) would very quickly become like, etc. Having religious beliefs is a source of freedom, even if sometimes, it doesn't seem like it sometimes, etc.

God Bless.

Not that anyone agrees with what “ spiritual”
is even supposed to mean, or that you can cite
anything but your personal opinion that Christianity
as put into practice has been anything
resembling an overall positive impact on
human rights, happiness, or social progress.

An observation, though, is that when anyone claims
100% certain predictive guarantees, talks absolutes
based on their - blatantly biased, and lacking any
evidence outside personal feelings-
only a fool would take their word seriously, far less act on it

edited to add

I’m not favourably impressed by insincerity, either

 

[JEBofChristTheLord]

1 What role does Christianity play in the world today.

There are many christianities. Some of them, which ignore many or most of the things Christ the Lord has said, are great defenders, promoters, and investors into this world and its future.

2 Does Christianity hinder social progress?

Depends on what we call "social progress", and which christianity we are talking about. Some of them do encourage perversion and lawless evil, such as those demanding the encouragement of fornication and the defunding of police. But if "social progress" is defined as "devotion to the improvement and glorification of this world", then only those not devoted to that which Christ the Lord has said, done, and discussed, are involved.

 

[BCP1928]

What do you think would be more meaningful that would take it's place?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

 

[Neogaia777]

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

So, your problem with not believing in the Gospel, or God, or Jesus Christ, or Christianity as a religion, is all the people who call themselves Christian, or different Christain denominational sects, that are not doing it then?

I have that problem as well, but I don't want to have to tell God on Judgement Day that that's why I didn't believe Him, or His Son, or Christianity as a religion, or didn't have any faith/believe in Him or His Son, and didn't accept His or His Son's sacrifice, or all that They both did for me, etc.

God Bless.

 

[BCP1928]

So, your problem with not believing in the Gospel, or God, or Jesus Christ, or Christianity as a religion, is all the people who call themselves Christian, or different Christain denominational sects, that are not doing it then?

I have that problem as well, but I don't want to have to tell God on Judgement Day that that's why I didn't believe Him, or His Son, or Christianity as a religion, or didn't have any faith/believe in Him or His Son, and didn't accept His or His Son's sacrifice, or all that They both did for me, etc.

God Bless.

No, just Christianity as a religion. Believing in the Gospel is enough to put anybody off Christianity as a religion. Who needs it? Matt 18:20

 

[Neogaia777]

No, just Christianity as a religion. Believing in the Gospel is enough to put anybody off Christianity as a religion.

I can use a different word if you like, I know that word has been dirtied over the last few centuries, or maybe even from before that, etc. But when I just used the word just now, I meant as your own personal beliefs, etc. Which can be the same thing as having the Gospel that is found in the Bible as something you 100% fully believe in, and has a great, great deal to do with what personally guides you and drives you in your own personal life, etc. Or having Christianity as your own personal "religion" IOW's, etc. But personally, or as for your own self, and not having so much to do with others who only call themselves Christian, but have many in them/among them who don't practice it, etc.

Not believing because of what others do, or have did/done, etc, is not something I want to have to personally tell God as to why I didn't believe in Him or His Son while I was here in the afterlife, etc.

God Bless.

 

[Neogaia777]

No, just Christianity as a religion. Believing in the Gospel is enough to put anybody off Christianity as a religion. Who needs it? Matt 18:20

I would only go/do go now because I think they need me, etc.

Can I ask you what is the Gospel to you, or what do you think it is maybe? Because the Gospel can be the same thing as your "religion", etc, and they are in fact supposed to be one in the same, when it gets down to just you as an individual personally, and is what a lot of other people are missing, etc.

God Bless.

 

[partinobodycular]

Not believing because of what others do, or have did/done, etc, is not something I want to have to personally tell God as to why I didn't believe in Him or His Son while I was here in the afterlife, etc.

Why? I would think that God would be an ardent supporter of honesty. In fact didn't He have a rather low regard for the church in His day as well? So in that regard He and I, and perhaps you, and even @BCP1928 aren't in all that dissimilar of positions.

In fact, I highly encourage others to join us.

 

[Aaron112]

In fact didn't He have a rather low regard for the church in His day as well?

No. There was no thought of the church while Jesus was alive, nor really for decades after His resurrection.

 

[Aaron112]

and I would like to see more debate on that

I haven't seen debate help anyone on this forum ever. There's no standard of honesty and truth; so everything at best is mush; or perhaps quicksand not to be stood upon nor built upon.

Since I am not good at English, I decided to simply write down the two questions I asked to make it easier for you to understand：
1 What role does Christianity play in the world today.2 Does Christianity hinder social progress?

It seems religion including so-called (worldly) christianity is in God's Plan and Word to fill up wickednesses throughout the world and nations of people , for final utter judgment.

As social progress, what is that ?

 

[Neogaia777]

Why? I would think that God would be an ardent supporter of honesty. In fact didn't He have a rather low regard for the church in His day as well? So in that regard He and I, and perhaps you, and even @BCP1928 aren't in all that dissimilar of positions.

In fact, I highly encourage others to join us.

Oh, if He wants to know my opinion of His Church in the Judgement, then I'd be more than happy to tell Him, or to provide, etc, but only if He asks, etc.

But, I don't know, I just don't think I'd have the heart to tell Him that that is why I didn't adopt the Gospel of Jesus Christ as my own personal beliefs/guiding/driving force in my life, etc. It wouldn't be true if I did anyway. I just feel very, very much compelled to believe in Him, and His Son, and graciously accept all of what They both did for me, both in the past, and what They have done for me now in my current life.

But, yeah, anyway...

Take Care/God Bless.

 

[Neogaia777]

In fact, I highly encourage others to join us.

They really should though.

Maybe they'd just maybe adopt a much more pure form of their own religion, etc.

God Bless.

 

[partinobodycular]

I just don't think I'd have the heart to tell Him that that is why I didn't adopt the Gospel of Jesus Christ as my own personal beliefs/guiding/driving force in my life, etc.

Personally, I consider Christ, and the churches that claim to speak in His name to be completely different things. As for the driving force in my life... it's always been Christ... it doesn't matter what some 'Profile' says.