What makes Christianity special?

[FireDragon76]

If Christianity is the one true religion of the one true God, and the perfect philosophy by which to lead one's life; then it should certainly contain a uniqueness that could not be found in other religions or a secular view of the universe.

The Cross. It's why the Cross is such a symbol for Christianity. Look up C.S. Lewis' "The Grand Miracle" if you want to know more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0VxljSppWk

Christianity is not a philosophy, it's primarily a narrative first, way of life second, and philosophy last. Contrary to perception, Christianity is not primarily a metaphysic.

A religion in which people are advised not to be nasty towards their neighbors? Easy, Buddhism and Ancient Greek and Roman polytheistic religions. Both emphasize not only being descent to other people you know, but also being charitable towards strangers.

Christianity actually has a higher ethic than the pagan religions that surrounded it. You are not merely be nice to your neighbors, you are to love the unlovable, love your enemies. Yes, it's a lofty ideal, which is why it was necessary that Jesus be a sacrifice for our sins, because we don't live up to that ideal all the time, thus creating a debt to God that we cannot pay. But the ideal of perfect love still exists and Christians believe, through the grace of the sacramental life of faith, we can become more loving and less selfish.

In the west, only the pagan philosophers like the Stoics came closest to the Christian ethos. Stoicism was very intellectual but in practice it lead to an ethic of compassion: many Stoic philosophers advocated adopting orphans. This was in a culture that routinely left children exposed to die when they were unwanted. Stoics also advocated a cosmopolitan and egalitarian ethic similar to the apostle Paul's ethos of love. Not coincidentally, Stoic concepts often were borrowed in the Church as an idiom of Christian values. But there are also distinct differences between Stoicism and Christianity: Christianity is primarily an ethos of the heart and imagination, not just the intellect and asceticism. Whereas Stoicism is much more cerebral and focused on self-discipline.

 

[Cearbhall]

Your first mistake is that you seem to think Christianity is about "what's in it for me".

Where do you see this in the original post? It's all about the moral principles that Christianity provides.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

If Christianity is the one true religion of the one true God, and the perfect philosophy by which to lead one's life; then it should certainly contain a uniqueness that could not be found in other religions or a secular view of the universe.

Can anyone name one moral precept, ethical statement, principle, or value that is not present in any other religion or secular worldview?

Is there anything that Christians do that non-Christians do not do that makes them a more moral individual?

Even more specifically, is Jesus credited with creating any moral precept that was not already thought to be important for humanity?

With that approach, we might as well ask what makes a 100 bill 'unique' among thousands of counterfeit 100 bills.

So, I take it that you're looking for that special 'watermark' that sets Christianity off from its imitators, and competitors, right? The 'watermark' of Christianity is that it carries the specific design, intent, and authority of its governing head, while the counterfeits do not.

Of course, the fact that you want to be privy to discerning and identifying the counterfeit from the 'real deal' is another issue altogether. Apparently, God has not yet given you that ability. Tough luck for you.

Just go rebel since that's what you're good at, right?

 

[alien444]

With that approach, we might as well ask what makes a 100 bill 'unique' among thousands of counterfeit 100 bills.

Well I think that question would be appropriate if someone made a claim that that one $100 bill had written on it unique secrets about the universe.

So, I take it that you're looking for that special 'watermark' that sets Christianity off from its imitators, and competitors, right? The 'watermark' of Christianity is that it carries the specific design, intent, and authority of its governing head, while the counterfeits do not.

That's funny, a Muslim just told me practically the same thing about Islam. I guess it is just your opinion against his.


Of course, the fact that you want to be privy to discerning and identifying the counterfeit from the 'real deal' is another issue altogether. Apparently, God has not yet given you that ability. Tough luck for you. Just go rebel since that's what you're good at, right?

Philo, buddy, pal, calm down. I am not rebelling against your God, any more than you are rebelling against Allah, Shiva, and Buddha. Your God is a non-factor in my life, what I am interested in in his followers and how they impact the country and world I live in--that's why I take such an interest in the affairs of Christianity and other religions. It is not from rebellion, it is a genuine concern about the dangers of religion (especially the big 3).

 

[Cearbhall]

They worship and adore The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

This doesn't make Christians unique. There are over a billion non-Christians who do this.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Philo, buddy, pal, calm down. I am not rebelling against your God, any more than you are rebelling against Allah, Shiva, and Buddha. Your God is a non-factor in my life, what I am interested in in his followers and how they impact the country and world I live in--that's why I take such an interest in the affairs of Christianity and other religions. It is not from rebellion, it is a genuine concern about the dangers of religion (especially the big 3).

Alien,444...I was being a bit rhetorical in that last question. I know that you're not really an evil genius bent on taking down the Big 3.

What you're looking for in Christianity is some kind of evidence of a 'smoking gun,' something to demonstrate Christianity is evidently beyond the typicality of the world's religions. Part of the problem with your approach is that an entities' state of uniqueness has little or nothing to do with with its authenticity; unique ≠ authentic.

The way I see it, the authentic religion will not so much demonstrate uniqueness, but rather a social 'pull' on the world. The full demonstration of that 'pull' has not yet come about, but I think it is evident from world history that Christianity is a leading contender.

 

[FireDragon76]

, it is a genuine concern about the dangers of religion (especially the big 3).

That's funny, I'm worried about the dangers of denying the only ultimate source of truth, goodness, and beauty ,and replacing it with a utilitarian, hedonistic ethic.

 

[PsychoSarah]

One follows from the other, but I still don't believe your claim.

The subject is the distinctions. If you disagree with the OP then you should bring it up with him.

I demonstrate the distinction here.

Ha, funny, you think that Christianity is somehow made especially unique because belief is more important than actions (which not all denominations agree with, I might add).

I don't care if you don't believe that other religions teach the same values as Christianity (though not usually all of them in one religion), it doesn't stop it from being true. I can even explain the reasonings they had for treating their neighbors well if you like.

 

[Ana the Ist]

If Christianity is the one true religion of the one true God, and the perfect philosophy by which to lead one's life; then it should certainly contain a uniqueness that could not be found in other religions or a secular view of the universe.

Can anyone name one moral precept, ethical statement, principle, or value that is not present in any other religion or secular worldview?

Is there anything that Christians do that non-Christians do not do that makes them a more moral individual?

Even more specifically, is Jesus credited with creating any moral precept that was not already thought to be important for humanity?

From my perspective, the christian beliefs tied to it's view of the end of the world make it unique. There is an almost twisted desire for persecution that seems unique to christianity, and this belief seems tied to beliefs of salvation and being part of a unique group that will ascend to paradise while the rest of an evil world descends into torment.

Again, to me, it seems a rather obvious ploy to create an "in-group" mentality whereby the in-group feels at constant conflict with everyone else. Other religions have methods for creating a similar in-group mentality...but christianity is the only one that comes to mind that creates this mentality by judging the out-group as some wicked persecutors of the in-group.

Other than that I don't see a whole lot of originality in the christian religion.

 

[juvenissun]

Well, I guess that settles it.

Could dinosaurs be used to plow the field?

The answer found in Christianity says: no.

 

[alien444]

Could dinosaurs be used to plow the field?

The answer found in Christianity says: no.

It's a silly idea isn't. Unfortunately, Ken Hamm (who is becoming one of the most recognizable Christians in America) has a museum 2 hours from my house that teaches children that dinosaurs and humans did in fact live together. I guess in that way, Christianity does offer something not available in other religions or the secular worldview, The Flintstones as Science.

 

[bhsmte]

It's a silly idea isn't. Unfortunately, Ken Hamm (who is becoming one of the most recognizable Christians in America) has a museum 2 hours from my house that teaches children that dinosaurs and humans did in fact live together. I guess in that way, Christianity does offer something not available in other religions or the secular worldview, The Flintstones as Science.

That Barney Rubble, what an actor!

 

[stevevw]

Christianity has many unique differences that can only be attributed to it.

As to the first issue, other forms of religion subscribe to a system of works—those we should do and those we should avoid—which will make us “good enough” to please God and merit His favor. Christianity, on the other hand, is based on the biblical principle that we can never be good enough to be in the presence of a perfect, holy God. The Mosaic Law was given to mankind to prove to us that we can’t keep it.
But rather than condemning us as law-breakers and leaving it at that, God provided a substitute—Jesus Christ—who obeyed the Law perfectly for us. By faith in Him and accepting His work on our behalf, we are justified and made righteous. Here is the crucial difference between Christianity and all other religions.

As to the second point, Christianity is not a religious system, but a relationship with God, one that He initiated and maintains. Christians believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all men from Him.
Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ walked this earth, fully God, and yet fully man (Philippians 2:6-11), and died on the cross to restore the relationship that was broken by sin. After His death on the cross, Christ was buried, He rose again, and now lives at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for believers forever (Hebrews 7:25).

The intimacy of this relationship is revealed in two poignant pictures. Now no longer seen as law-breakers, we have been adopted into God’s own family as His children (Ephesians 1:5). Even more intimately, believers are the very “body of Christ” of which He is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23), having been purchased by His blood (Hebrews 9:12). No other religion makes assertions that even begin to approximate this incredible truth.

Another thing that makes Christianity unique is its source of information. All religions have some sort of basis of information that outlines its beliefs and practices, but none have one source of information that makes the claims Christianity does about the Bible—it is the written Word of God, and it is infallible and inerrant and all that is necessary for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16). Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired—literally “God-breathed”—Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Though there are other religions that use prophecy, none are 100% accurate, as are those in the Bible, and none of them point to someone like Jesus who made incredible claims and performed incredible deeds.

Read more: What makes Christianity unique?
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Perhaps the most defining principle of Christianity that makes it truly unique in every way and provides its fundamental basis is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Within Christianity, the resurrection is vitally important, for without it, Christianity does not exist, and our faith is useless (1 Corinthians 15:14).

No other religious leader has died in full view of trained executioners, had a guarded tomb, and then rose three days later to appear to many people. The resurrection is proof of who Jesus is and that He did accomplish what He set out to do: provide the only means of redemption for mankind. Buddha did not rise from the dead. Muhammad did not rise from the dead. Confucius did not rise from the dead. Krishna did not rise from the dead. Only Jesus has physically risen from the dead, walked on water, claimed to be God, and raised others from the dead. He has conquered death. Only in Christianity do we have the person of Christ who claimed to be God, performed many miracles to prove His claim of divinity, died and rose from the dead, and claimed that He alone is “the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6) and that no one comes to the Father except through Him.

Read more: What makes Christianity unique?
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[Cearbhall]

As to the second point, Christianity is not a religious system, but a relationship with God, one that He initiated and maintains. Christians believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all men from Him.

And consisting of such beliefs makes it a religion like any other.

Religion isn't a degrading term. It's actually quite loose. A religion doesn't even have to include belief in a divine being.

 

[stevevw]

And consisting of such beliefs makes it a religion like any other.

Religion isn't a degrading term. It's actually quite loose. A religion doesn't even have to include belief in a divine being.

I thought the OP was asking what Difference Christianity had to other religions not that it was a religion like others.

 

[BL2KTN]

... it is the written Word of God, and it is infallible and inerrant and all that is necessary for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16). Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired—literally “God-breathed”—Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

"Happy is he who takes your little ones
and dashes them against the rocks." -- Psalms 137:9

Infanticide is God-breathed...

 

[stevevw]

"Happy is he who takes your little ones
and dashes them against the rocks." -- Psalms 137:9

Infanticide is God-breathed...

I thought the OP was about what makes Christianity different to other religions not bagging it. What has that got to do with the OP. That is more to do with doctrine than differences between religions. That has already been addressed in another forum and should be left for that one.

 

[Cearbhall]

I thought the OP was asking what Difference Christianity had to other religions not that it was a religion like others.

You're suggesting that the difference between Christianity and other religions is that Christianity isn't a religion. This isn't so, and it's certainly not the only religion that focuses on having a relationship with a divine being.

 

[Gadarene]

An ofter heard answer to such a question:
"Christianity is the only faith where God reaches out to humans instead of vice versa. In Christianity, you don't have to do anything to be saved, God saves you."

...usually followed by the list of thing to do in order to be saved.

 

[stevevw]

You're suggesting that the difference between Christianity and other religions is that Christianity isn't a religion. This isn't so, and it's certainly not the only religion that focuses on having a relationship with a divine being.

I meant that you were drawing a similarity by saying it was just a religion which is obvious. I think the OP wanted something more specific.

I think if you look at the post there was a lot more to it then just the one point you have pulled out about having a relationship with God. It wasn't just any relationship either. It was a specific relationship that applies only to Christianity if you check. You would have to post some support for the other religions that have the same for me to view as I havnt seen any the same. But you would expect some religions to have differences to each other.

There is also the point that God says he is the only God and there are no others before Him. Jesus says that he is the way the truth and the life and no one can come to God except through him. So God and Jesus are being clear that there is no other God or way. I think most other religions dont say that and allow other Gods and some have many Gods within their own religion like Hindu.