ChristianityThe Christian religion, like all other religions has its strengths andweaknesses in our modern society. Perhaps the strengths out weight theweaknesses as this is one of the largest religions in the world.
Hundreds ofpeople follow the Catholic/Christian religion yet still a greater number followyet other religions. Perhaps this is because they see the weaknesses or perhapsit is simply because their parents have taught them that it is a sin to followthis religion. The Christian religions do however present much more of an appealing atmospherethan such other religions which are as large as the Christian. The Christianreligion is one of few religions where punishments for sins are not severe. Inthe Christian religion, even if you have lived a life of sin, so long as yourepent in the end, you will be saved and given eternal life.
This is not so inother religions. Such religions as Hinduism for instance do not believe this. For everything you do wrong you will be punished. For every action, there is anequal and opposite reaction, if not in this life, then the next. Hindu’s alsobelieve that punishing the body is part of the path to salvation. Christianityis nothing like this.
Many Christians live in highclass society. Christianityis one of the most appealing in that any sins may easily be corrected and thatChristians may live comfortable, if not wealthy lives without guilt. Christianity, like other religions though, has many weaknesses. Although as timegoes on, Christianity is slowly evolving and trying to become even moreappealing to society, there are still many downfalls. One thing withChristianity is that from day one we are given a guilt trip.
We are born evil. We are born with “the original sin”. We are at the mercy of God. If we begforgiveness however, it shall be granted.
My grandmother for instance has been afirm believer in the Roman Catholic faith. She, being taught in the old style,firmly believes in going to confession weekly and begging for forgiveness. Ithas been taught to her that man is born evil. All we can do is pray, beg andhope for forgiveness. With such a guilt upon his subconscience, man can neverbe truly happy.
Yet another strength with the Christian faith is that it is one of the moreflexible religions. Under the leadership of the pope(s), the Catholic faith hasevolved with modern society and become a more “reasonable” faith. Such practicesas not eating meat on Fridays, and so forth, have been abolished as theChristian faith has bent to conform with modern society. Some people may seethis as a weakness.
This is not so. The Christian religion has modified itsrituals yet the central beliefs have not been altered since the very beginningof this religion. This is actually quite a good thing. A religion should changeas the modern society does and conform to a more “acceptable” approach tocontinue its teachings/practices. This is one great thing about the Christianfaith. A small, often overlooked draw back to the Christian faith is that there is notany solid proof that Jesus existed.
To the Christian faith, Jesus is the centralfigure. A Christian will tell you that the Bible is proof that Jesus existed. The Bible however was written much later, after Jesus’ death. Therefore thestories contained have been transferred by word of mouth, which has certainlybeen distorted and exaggerated. The Shroud of Turin used to be the Christianreligion’s artifact which was believed to be the original shroud that Jesus waswrapped in when he was buried and therefore solid proof he existed.
Recently dueto modern carbon dating, this “artifact” has been proven to have been createdwith paint approximately one thousand years after the day Christ died. To a non-believer, this is a major drawback. One very strong point about the Catholic/Christian religion is that theystrongly believe in correcting our corrupted world. Many missionaries are sentyearly to third world countries where they help educate, feed and provide moralsupport for a people who have nothing.
With such a practice in place, theChristian religion has put a smile on faces which normally would never knowanything more than tears. Probably one of the greatest features of the Christianchurch which helps it survive in modern society is the hierarchy system uponwhich this religion is based. Such strong organization structure help thisreligion in well organized money distribution, etc. In a
