To the "Unbeliever" ... What is it about Christianity that Interests You ?

[TillICollapse]

This question is mostly geared towards the unbelievers, or those who would not identify themselves as "Christian". Perhaps you believe in other things, but not the main aspects of Christianity in general. Maybe you're an adherent to another religious tradition.

I'm curious what is it about Christianity that interests you ? Discussing it, aspects of it, the focus of many of it's beliefs, etc and so forth. What's the draw, what's the pull ? Is it a passing interest, or a serious type of "fandom" almost ? Perhaps it's something that you are still dealing with in terms of trying to work through getting over it ... or considering going back to it ? Is it entertaining ? I'm not asking, "Why are you here ?" ... rather I'm asking what your specific interest or curiosity is about it. Why does it have your attention, or why do you give it your attention ? And on a scale of 1-10, 1 being not at all, 10 being obsession ... how important is it to you ? How much of your thoughts and focus does it consume ? Are the type that can't read enough, can't discuss it enough ... are is it something you are musing over for the moment ?

Thanks in advance, hopefully I've presented my query clearly

 

[bhsmte]

This question is mostly geared towards the unbelievers, or those who would not identify themselves as "Christian". Perhaps you believe in other things, but not the main aspects of Christianity in general. Maybe you're an adherent to another religious tradition.

I'm curious what is it about Christianity that interests you ? Discussing it, aspects of it, the focus of many of it's beliefs, etc and so forth. What's the draw, what's the pull ? Is it a passing interest, or a serious type of "fandom" almost ? Perhaps it's something that you are still dealing with in terms of trying to work through getting over it ... or considering going back to it ? Is it entertaining ? I'm not asking, "Why are you here ?" ... rather I'm asking what your specific interest or curiosity is about it. Why does it have your attention, or why do you give it your attention ? And on a scale of 1-10, 1 being not at all, 10 being obsession ... how important is it to you ? How much of your thoughts and focus does it consume ? Are the type that can't read enough, can't discuss it enough ... are is it something you are musing over for the moment ?

Thanks in advance, hopefully I've presented my query clearly

I was a Christian for 40 years and have studied the NT quite a bit, so I understand the concepts of Christianity and understand the comforting impact it can have if you believe in it.

With that said, what interests me most about interacting on these boards, is not so much what someone believes or doesn't believe, but how they justify their position, what may motivate them to have the position they do and how it impacts how they view the realities in the world we live in.

 

[TillICollapse]

I was a Christian for 40 years and have studied the NT quite a bit, so I understand the concepts of Christianity and understand the comforting impact it can have if you believe in it.

With that said, what interests me most about interacting on these boards, is not so much what someone believes or doesn't believe, but how they justify their position, what may motivate them to have the position they do and how it impacts how they view the realities in the world we live in.

I see ... so why are you interested in how people justify their position ? "What's in it for you ?" I suppose I could ask.

 

[bhsmte]

I see ... so why are you interested in how people justify their position ? "What's in it for you ?" I suppose I could ask.

How people think and what motivates that thinking intrigues me. You could say psychology in general intrigues me and I happen to believe what we believe (or don't believe) is heavily driven by our personal psychology.

 

[TillICollapse]

How people think and what motivates that thinking intrigues me. You could say psychology in general intrigues me and I happen to believe what we believe (or don't believe) is heavily driven by our personal psychology.

Hmm, I gotcha.

Not to derail my own thread lol, but for conversation sake I may actually start another thread on this very topic: I actually believe that psychology and belief play a very small role in our day to day choices and actions (I realize you didn't bring up choice and action). I think our beliefs do indeed often reflect psychological influences (for better or worse), however I tend to view "the heart" ... whatever that is ... as underlying the psyche and basically being the trump card. And I would consider "the heart" to be irrational, however I would also consider it to be need based. I think it's those needs that drive us, and how we get those needs which our "heart" attempts to get met combined with influences from our environment then shape our psychological state, and our beliefs often reflect that outer shell, if you will.

Might make for an interesting conversation in a new thread, or might not lol.

 

[bhsmte]

Hmm, I gotcha.

Not to derail my own thread lol, but for conversation sake I may actually start another thread on this very topic: I actually believe that psychology and belief play a very small role in our day to day choices and actions (I realize you didn't bring up choice and action). I think our beliefs do indeed often reflect psychological influences (for better or worse), however I tend to view "the heart" ... whatever that is ... as underlying the psyche and basically being the trump card. And I would consider "the heart" to be irrational, however I would also consider it to be need based. I think it's those needs that drive us, and how we get those needs which our "heart" attempts to get met combined with influences from our environment then shape our psychological state, and our beliefs often reflect that outer shell, if you will.

Might make for an interesting conversation in a new thread, or might not lol.

Well, we all develop "personal" psychological needs and we typically work to feed these needs. How that work happens in each person interests me. I find it intriguing and even sometimes entertaining to watch in action.

Lots of interesting work has been done on the "psychology of belief".

 

[TillICollapse]

Well, we all develop "personal" psychological needs and we typically work to feed these needs.

Indeed ... I would probably say that those psychological needs are developed based on something more foundational however, an underlying influence (not necessarily external, i.e. "the heart").

How that work happens in each person interests me. I find it intriguing and even sometimes entertaining to watch in action.

Lots of interesting work has been done on the "psychology of belief".

Yup yup

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Well, we all develop "personal" psychological needs and we typically work to feed these needs. How that work happens in each person interests me. I find it intriguing and even sometimes entertaining to watch in action.

Lots of interesting work has been done on the "psychology of belief".

Maybe we also need a thread on the "psychological motivation of analysis."

 

[TillICollapse]

Maybe we also need a thread on the "psychological motivation of analysis."

I could see that potentially being a one word answer thread: "understanding".

Maybe we could start a thread on the motivation to use wink emoticons.

 

[bhsmte]

Maybe we also need a thread on the "psychological motivation of analysis."

Yes, I have a psychological need to understand and this need has strengthened over time.

Some people are more "wired" to be analytical thinkers and I tend to be more analytical than intuitive, but these needs can also develop over time, depending on one's life's experiences and other variables.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Yes, I have a psychological need to understand and this need has strengthened over time.

Some people are more "wired" to be analytical thinkers and I tend to be more analytical than intuitive, but these needs can also develop over time, depending on one's life's experiences and other variables.

I'm on the same page as you on this. The only thing I would add is that while you and I have the ability to recognize our own motivation for understanding (via analysis), can we, and do we, at the same time recognize our human limits and/or what the contours and boundaries of these studies actually are? If not, then we may need to raise further questions about ourselves in the process of analyzing.

 

[dogs4thewin]

This question is mostly geared towards the unbelievers, or those who would not identify themselves as "Christian". Perhaps you believe in other things, but not the main aspects of Christianity in general. Maybe you're an adherent to another religious tradition.

I'm curious what is it about Christianity that interests you ? Discussing it, aspects of it, the focus of many of it's beliefs, etc and so forth. What's the draw, what's the pull ? Is it a passing interest, or a serious type of "fandom" almost ? Perhaps it's something that you are still dealing with in terms of trying to work through getting over it ... or considering going back to it ? Is it entertaining ? I'm not asking, "Why are you here ?" ... rather I'm asking what your specific interest or curiosity is about it. Why does it have your attention, or why do you give it your attention ? And on a scale of 1-10, 1 being not at all, 10 being obsession ... how important is it to you ? How much of your thoughts and focus does it consume ? Are the type that can't read enough, can't discuss it enough ... are is it something you are musing over for the moment ?

Thanks in advance, hopefully I've presented my query clearly

I have considered myself a Christian on and off for several years. At first it was my stubborn that just would not let my freewill go NOW HOWEVER it has to do with the fact that I do see how a relationship with Jesus changes anything ( I still attend church, however. As things stand now, though I KNOW I NEED something if you want more on that you will need to PM me, so I am once again thinking a lt about Christ.

 

[bhsmte]

I'm on the same page as you on this. The only thing I would add is that while you and I have the ability to recognize our own motivation for understanding (via analysis), can we, and do we, at the same time recognize our human limits and/or what the contours and boundaries of these studies actually are? If not, then we may need to raise further questions about ourselves in the process of analyzing.

We all have limits of understanding correctly and one of those limits, are when our psychological needs and our deeply held personal bias, get in the way of being able to understand and distinguish, between objective reality and what we may be perceiving as reality, but are wrong because of how we filter information.

With this said, when you look at the difference between say; believers and non believers, they are likely thinking a bit differently, and they likely have different psychological needs, etc..

I am also not claiming that one is better than the other, because we are all individuals for a reason and not robots. No reason someone can't live a good life as a believer or a good life as a non believer.

 

[Euler]

Like bhsmte, I have an interest in studying how people form their beliefs, in particular the manner in which beliefs can be formed in the absence of any evidence.

But I add another ingredient. I also have a concern over the manner in which religious thought seeks to impinge upon the lives of people who may or may not share that thought. The influence on our children's school studies, the influence on women's reproductive rights, social justice issues, etc.

 

[Paradoxum]

Well I was a committed Christian for most of my life, so it's a significant part of my past.

I think Christianity tends to influence society and law to be unjust and oppressive, so that gives me reason to take an interest in it.

Not that I think it's all bad. The Bible has some inspiring and meaningful bits in it.

Also, some of the ideas are philosophically interesting to consider.

I'd say my interest is around a 7.

I'm curious what is it about Christianity that interests you ? Discussing it, aspects of it, the focus of many of it's beliefs, etc and so forth. What's the draw, what's the pull ? Is it a passing interest, or a serious type of "fandom" almost ? Perhaps it's something that you are still dealing with in terms of trying to work through getting over it ... or considering going back to it ? Is it entertaining ? I'm not asking, "Why are you here ?" ... rather I'm asking what your specific interest or curiosity is about it. Why does it have your attention, or why do you give it your attention ? And on a scale of 1-10, 1 being not at all, 10 being obsession ... how important is it to you ? How much of your thoughts and focus does it consume ? Are the type that can't read enough, can't discuss it enough ... are is it something you are musing over for the moment ?

Thanks in advance, hopefully I've presented my query clearly

 

[essentialsaltes]

What's the draw, what's the pull ?

Mainly because I'm surrounded by it. 90% of the people around me buy into it. It's worthwhile to know where you are coming from.

 

[MehGuy]

S/m themes.

I belong to a few s/m Christian forums. It's a real thing, lol.

 

[TillICollapse]

Mainly because I'm surrounded by it. 90% of the people around me buy into it. It's worthwhile to know where you are coming from.

You're surrounded by it because of your personal circumstances (family, job, etc), or your general cultural location (i.e. "the Bible Belt", etc) ?

 

[TillICollapse]

S/m themes.

I belong to a few s/m Christian forums. It's a real thing, lol.

Well of course it is lol.

 

[MehGuy]

Well of course it is lol.

Well I guess it's in the mainstream media a little bit. But horrendously portrayed. It can be quite a beautiful thing.

Most are not Albert Fish types, lol.