Zone1 What makes Christianity different from other religions?

[Dragonlady]

Thank you — that’s kind of you to say. But I have to push back a little on the idea that I’m saying something unique. This line of thought is pretty common — maybe just phrased a little more clearly than usual.

As for why religious people don’t see it — I think the answer’s baked into the psychology of belief. Religion gives many people a sense of meaning, order, and protection. Questioning that isn’t just intellectual — it threatens their emotional stability. If I’m comfortable saying “I don’t know,” a religious person, almost by definition, can’t be. That discomfort is what the belief is designed to suppress.

So no, it’s not that they’re stupid or blind. It’s that for a lot of people, religion isn’t optional — it’s a psychological scaffold. Take it away, and the world starts to look unbearable.

There are a lot of people who lack the knowledge, skills, or self confidence to make their own decisions, so if it’s God’s will they’re willing to surrender to that notion.

If their religious leaders are telling them that God has chosen Donald Trump to lead them then yes they’re going to believe that and act upon it as if it were fact.

During this last campaign, and especially after the assassination attempts, Trump has been pushing this notion that he is “God’s chosen one”. God has protected him.

Throughout all of his campaigns, Trump has used, conspiracy theories, lies, and anything to promote the idea that his presidency is both just and inevitable.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Christianity was Weaponized by European government starting with the Romans in order to subjugate the masses, with promises of riches in rewards in heaven, for suffering and obedience on earth. Kings ruled by God’s will under a “divine right” granted to them on earth.

This is the same lie Donald Trump is using today as “God’s chosen one”.

I am (I think) a rare breed in that I am a staunch conservative and an agnostic atheist. Tribal memes passed down in humans' genes make it so that if one identifies as a conservative he is expected to be Christian, as were my parents and family and so on back to the days that Christianity was invented. I get frowns and sometimes even anger and loss of friends when I disparage religious beliefs.

This bit about Trump being saved by ":God" is ridiculous and shows that even highly intelligent and educated people can and do hold preposterous beliefs. If that is true, what did God do to make Trump look at the chart? Or did he change the trajectory of the bullet. This is tribal thinking going back to the Jews thinking God chose them. To think that God CAN change all known laws of physics and violates the very laws of physics he created to save Donald Trump begs the question of why he can't cure cancer in kids or heal amputees,

 

[ding]

Thank you — that’s kind of you to say. But I have to push back a little on the idea that I’m saying something unique. This line of thought is pretty common — maybe just phrased a little more clearly than usual.

As for why religious people don’t see it — I think the answer’s baked into the psychology of belief. Religion gives many people a sense of meaning, order, and protection. Questioning that isn’t just intellectual — it threatens their emotional stability. If I’m comfortable saying “I don’t know,” a religious person, almost by definition, can’t be. That discomfort is what the belief is designed to suppress.

So no, it’s not that they’re stupid or blind. It’s that for a lot of people, religion isn’t optional — it’s a psychological scaffold. Take it away, and the world starts to look unbearable.

I’m comfortable with you saying you don’t know or don’t believe. How do you explain that?

 

[ding]

I am (I think) a rare breed in that I am a staunch conservative and an agnostic atheist. Tribal memes passed down in humans' genes make it so that if one identifies as a conservative he is expected to be Christian, as were my parents and family and so on back to the days that Christianity was invented. I get frowns and sometimes even anger and loss of friends when I disparage religious beliefs.

This bit about Trump being saved by ":God" is ridiculous and shows that even highly intelligent and educated people can and do hold preposterous beliefs. If that is true, what did God do to make Trump look at the chart? Or did he change the trajectory of the bullet. This is tribal thinking going back to the Jews thinking God chose them. To think that God CAN change all known laws of physics and violates the very laws of physics he created to save Donald Trump begs the question of why he can't cure cancer in kids or heal amputees,

You misspelled militant atheist.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Thank you — that’s kind of you to say. But I have to push back a little on the idea that I’m saying something unique. This line of thought is pretty common — maybe just phrased a little more clearly than usual.

As for why religious people don’t see it — I think the answer’s baked into the psychology of belief. Religion gives many people a sense of meaning, order, and protection. Questioning that isn’t just intellectual — it threatens their emotional stability. If I’m comfortable saying “I don’t know,” a religious person, almost by definition, can’t be. That discomfort is what the belief is designed to suppress.

So no, it’s not that they’re stupid or blind. It’s that for a lot of people, religion isn’t optional — it’s a psychological scaffold. Take it away, and the world starts to look unbearable.

Another winner post. In a certain Hispanic family I know, the mother was a devout Christian and chagrined that her husband was an agnostic and browbeat him into submission to accept her belief that there is a God and most certainly the Christian one. She did the same with their two children. Took them to bible studies and immersed them into prayer and belief. She made the boy go to religious camps. He is now 18 and an agnostic, and his father reverted to agnosticism. The daughter is still a believer but less so.

If both parents were firm believers, as were mine, I have little question that their kids would have stayed as firm believers. The mother being Hispanic was a Christian, as are her parents and so on down the line. What is happening in America today is that many people are questioning, and it is no longer mandatory that you be a Christian, as was the case in the 50s.

You are correct in all you say again, and it is refreshing that humans are chipping away at joining the psychological, parental and societal club of belief. As that group grows, the ostracization and community guilt trips for a nonbelief are fading.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

There are a lot of people who lack the knowledge, skills, or self confidence to make their own decisions, so if it’s God’s will they’re willing to surrender to that notion.

If their religious leaders are telling them that God has chosen Donald Trump to lead them then yes they’re going to believe that and act upon it as if it were fact.

During this last campaign, and especially after the assassination attempts, Trump has been pushing this notion that he is “God’s chosen one”. God has protected him.

Throughout all of his campaigns, Trump has used, conspiracy theories, lies, and anything to promote the idea that his presidency is both just and inevitable.

Emperors and kings of the past have also claimed divine authority. But I cringe when I see Trump suggesting this.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

You misspelled militant atheist.

Thanks for pointing out that I forgot to put "militant" before Christian. I'll be more watchful next time.

 

[ding]

Thanks for pointing out that I forgot to put "militant" before Christian. I'll be more watchful next time.

Except you don’t see me condemning respect for atheists or stating atheism should be banned.

 

[ding]

I am a staunch conservative

Staunch conservatives don’t believe in violating the first amendment.

 

[forkup]

I’m comfortable with you saying you don’t know or don’t believe. How do you explain that?

Simple. My beliefs don’t threaten yours — if anything, I suspect they give you a quiet sense of superiority. Something like, “I know the truth and this guy doesn’t.”
The real discomfort isn’t that I don’t know — it’s the possibility that you don’t. And that’s my point. That’s why belief feels necessary — not because it’s proven, but because doubt feels intolerable.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Except you don’t see me condemning respect for atheists or stating atheism should be banned.

Banning atheism would be like torturing people for not believing high priests.

Oh, damn. They already did that.

 

[forkup]

Another winner post. In a certain Hispanic family I know, the mother was a devout Christian and chagrined that her husband was an agnostic and browbeat him into submission to accept her belief that there is a God and most certainly the Christian one. She did the same with their two children. Took them to bible studies and immersed them into prayer and belief. She made the boy go to religious camps. He is now 18 and an agnostic, and his father reverted to agnosticism. The daughter is still a believer but less so.

If both parents were firm believers, as were mine, I have little question that their kids would have stayed as firm believers. The mother being Hispanic was a Christian, as are her parents and so on down the line. What is happening in America today is that many people are questioning, and it is no longer mandatory that you be a Christian, as was the case in the 50s.

You are correct in all you say again, and it is refreshing that humans are chipping away at joining the psychological, parental and societal club of belief. As that group grows, the ostracization and community guilt trips for a nonbelief are fading.

I'm European. Both my parents were Roman Catholic. I was baptized and confirmed, and we had optional religious studies in school — which I actually took until I was fifteen.

Now, our religious education here isn't like the more dogmatic version often seen in the U.S. It’s more allegorical — mostly using the Bible to teach moral reflection, less focused on literal belief. But still, it’s rooted in Christian tradition.

What put me on the road to atheism was a simple question.

I asked my religious teacher:
"If I reject the miracles but still think the life of Christ is worth aspiring to — does that make me religious?"
This kind, thoughtful man looked at me and said plainly:
“No.”

And that answer stuck with me.

He was right. You can’t call yourself religious if you reject the dogma. Once I saw that clearly, I didn’t look back.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

Staunch conservatives don’t believe in violating the first amendment.

They are also not (usually) agnostic atheists. So?

 

[ding]

Simple. My beliefs don’t threaten yours — if anything, I suspect they give you a quiet sense of superiority. Something like, “I know the truth and this guy doesn’t.”
The real discomfort isn’t that I don’t know — it’s the possibility that you don’t. And that’s my point. That’s why belief feels necessary — not because it’s proven, but because doubt feels intolerable.

I can only assume you are projecting your beliefs upon me. Yes, opposing beliefs do not threaten me. No, it’s not because I believe I am superior. It’s because we have free will and your free will has nothing to do with my free will.

 

[ding]

They are also not (usually) agnostic atheists. So?

I don’t accept that all. In fact, many so called believers who claim to be conservatives behave as if they are agnostic up to and including atheist. Conceptual belief amounts to lip service and offers little value for growth in Christian maturity.

 

[ding]

So?

So your claim of conservatism is lip service.

You are no conservative.

 

[ding]

Banning atheism would be like torturing people for not believing high priests.

Oh, damn. They already did that.

Actually banning religion or banning atheism is a violation of the first amendment and no real conservative would even contemplate it let alone promote it as you have done. Ergo you are no conservative.

 

[ding]

Banning atheism would be like torturing people for not believing high priests.

Oh, damn. They already did that.

So what you are saying is that you are just like them?

 

[Dragonlady]

I am (I think) a rare breed in that I am a staunch conservative and an agnostic atheist. Tribal memes passed down in humans' genes make it so that if one identifies as a conservative he is expected to be Christian, as were my parents and family and so on back to the days that Christianity was invented. I get frowns and sometimes even anger and loss of friends when I disparage religious beliefs.

This bit about Trump being saved by ":God" is ridiculous and shows that even highly intelligent and educated people can and do hold preposterous beliefs. If that is true, what did God do to make Trump look at the chart? Or did he change the trajectory of the bullet. This is tribal thinking going back to the Jews thinking God chose them. To think that God CAN change all known laws of physics and violates the very laws of physics he created to save Donald Trump begs the question of why he can't cure cancer in kids or heal amputees,

I certainly don’t expect members of either party to be a part of any particular religion. 70% of Democrats identify as Christian, although you’d never know that to hear MAGA talk.

If God exists, why doesn’t he stop the horrors. Or the rape and abuse of innocents, or the genocides and progroms against his Chosen People, etc.

 

[Paradoxical#1]

So your claim of conservatism is lip service.

You are no conservative.

You're a guy who wants to label others because you want to pigeonhole beliefs and nonbeliefs because you are rigid and won't change a belief you have because your own beliefs give you solace and comfort.