If Christianity is a Giant Hoax

[Godlovesmetwo]

In my atheistic moments, I have thoughts like this. Do you?
But look at all the people now in the past who have supposedly been "misled" by Christianity. Whole nations. Chesterton said, if Jesus didn't die for our sins, then Christianity is the biggest scam ever perpetrated.
History would have giant holes in it. Look at all those martyrs. Christian heroes. All for nought?
My life would be hollow if Christianity isn't true. Meaningless.
No, Christianity is not a hoax. That is why we need to wake up and repent daily.

 

[Strathos]

I have generally found that the more elaborate and grandiose a conspiracy theory is, the less like it is to be true.

Christianity being a hoax would be the mother of all conspiracies.

 

[Xeena]

I found this because of a Buddhism discussion, but it is great historical evidence outside the Bible corroborating the life and crucifixion. His followers and feats are also mentioned.

Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources

 

[ananda]

It has certainly proven unimaginably profitable, in terms of power and wealth, to those at the top.

(On a related note, I actually found greater peace and meaning in my life - after leaving Christianity. There was a ~5-year period of intense anxiety & turmoil which immediately began after I started entertaining doubts about Christianity; but, in the end, after cutting all my mental ties, I found that peace and meaning.)

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

On a related note, I actually found greater peace and meaning in my life - after leaving Christianity.

I can believe that. maybe you would've been more suited to the Christian monastic tradition of contemplative prayer. I think going to a mainstream Church doesn't suit everyone. You can meet the wrong people. I'm not a fan of emotionalism for example and using Praise language all the time. Christianity caters for all types. I'm just concerned you left for the wrong reasons.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

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[jacknife]

In my atheistic moments, I have thoughts like this. Do you?
But look at all the people now in the past who have supposedly been "misled" by Christianity. Whole nations. Chesterton said, if Jesus didn't die for our sins, then Christianity is the biggest scam ever perpetrated.
History would have giant holes in it. Look at all those martyrs. Christian heroes. All for nought?
My life would be hollow if Christianity isn't true. Meaningless.
No, Christianity is not a hoax. That is why we need to wake up and repent daily.

You could probably use this same exact argument for any religion though, look at the Hindu heroes throughout the ages, look at the Buddhist throughout history. What makes this argument isn't unique to Christianity, (although i would like some clarification to what you mean by "hoax" in regards to Christianity.)

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

"hoax"

con job, scam. Just to benefit those in power.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Christianity, 2 billion followers, comes in first
Top Ten Religions in the World

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

where's just a believing guy ?

 

[ananda]

I can believe that. maybe you would've been more suited to the Christian monastic tradition of contemplative prayer. I think going to a mainstream Church doesn't suit everyone. You can meet the wrong people. I'm not a fan of emotionalism for example and using Praise language all the time. Christianity caters for all types. I'm just concerned you left for the wrong reasons.

Wrong reasons?

I'm aware of Christian contemplative prayer traditions ... I find them to be functionally equivalent to the preliminary Buddhist practices of Brahma-vihara, mindfulness, and the first jhana. They are certainly excellent goals to achieve by the beginner meditator, but they are not the most sublime, highest, or final goals according to Buddhism. (No offence meant).

 

[bekkilyn]

It has certainly proven unimaginably profitable, in terms of power and wealth, to those at the top.

(On a related note, I actually found greater peace and meaning in my life - after leaving Christianity. There was a ~5-year period of intense anxiety & turmoil which immediately began after I started entertaining doubts about Christianity; but, in the end, after cutting all my mental ties, I found that peace and meaning.)

There's also the possibility that Satan no longer feels any need to tempt or give you trouble anymore because he has achieved his goal in separating you from Christ, so hence the peace.

It's unfortunate that there's been quite a lot of harm done in the name of Christianity too. False Christianity would also cause a lot of anxiety and turmoil.

 

[ananda]

There's also the possibility that Satan no longer feels any need to tempt or give you trouble anymore because he has achieved his goal in separating you from Christ, so hence the peace.

It's a possibility, but I doubt it, as I cannot say I've ever had direct knowledge of or experience with a real intelligence named "Satan".

It's unfortunate that there's been quite a lot of harm done in the name of Christianity too. False Christianity would also cause a lot of anxiety and turmoil.

I believe my anxiety and turmoil came with the struggle against ingrained thoughts of blasphemy, denial of "the Lord", hell, etc.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Wrong reasons?

I'm aware of Christian contemplative prayer traditions ... I find them to be functionally equivalent to the preliminary Buddhist practices of Brahma-vihara, mindfulness, and the first jhana. They are certainly excellent goals to achieve by the beginner meditator, but they are not the most sublime, highest, or final goals according to Buddhism. (No offence meant).

If this was a Buddhist site, I might ask for more information. I think it is healthy to have awareness of other faiths and philosophies. Christians can get too fearful of thinking outside the Bible paradigm or their interpretation of it. We need to chill and realise there is at least some truth in other paths.

 

[timewerx]

In my atheistic moments, I have thoughts like this. Do you?
But look at all the people now in the past who have supposedly been "misled" by Christianity. Whole nations. Chesterton said, if Jesus didn't die for our sins, then Christianity is the biggest scam ever perpetrated.
History would have giant holes in it. Look at all those martyrs. Christian heroes. All for nought?
My life would be hollow if Christianity isn't true. Meaningless.
No, Christianity is not a hoax. That is why we need to wake up and repent daily.

Something to think about. Jesus said "only few will find it".

But now we have nearly half of the world population as Christians. Christianity is majority religion in the world today, even way more than Muslims.

That is not few. You could keep guessing what happened why Christianity became the majority religion. In addition, you can ask yourself why Jesus said only few will find it and if what He said applies today.

And Jesus would indeed turn away many (who claims to be Christians) in the day of judgement is in the Bible too.

All these correlates to one thing.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

They are certainly excellent goals to achieve by the beginner meditator, but they are not the most sublime, highest, or final goals according to Buddhism. (No offence meant).

No offence taken but it does sound a bit elitist.
Beginner Christians have just as much chance of reaching Heaven as veterans do.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

I have generally found that the more elaborate and grandiose a conspiracy theory is, the less like it is to be true.

Christianity being a hoax would be the mother of all conspiracies.

But yet every other religion would have to be hoaxes if Christianity is the true parh...a lot of other conspiracies

 

[ananda]

If this was a Buddhist site, I might ask for more information. I think it is healthy to have awareness of other faiths and philosophies. Christians can get too fearful of thinking outside the Bible paradigm or their interpretation of it. We need to chill and realise there is at least some truth in other paths.

No offence taken but it does sound a bit elitist.
Beginner Christians have just as much chance of reaching Heaven as veterans do.

I see it this way: even if Christianity (in its details) is a hoax, if a Christian practices the generosity & loving-kindness as taught in the interpretation of modern day Christianity, then it is indeed a great gain (according to the Buddhist way).

Such a Christian would be considered a great Buddhist, and advance even beyond the majority of Buddhists, IMO.

 

[Strathos]

But yet every other religion would have to be hoaxes if Christianity is the true parh...a lot of other conspiracies

Not necessarily. Many of them are just heretical interpretations of Christianity.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

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