How can you justify Christianity?
342042
Oh goodness. You might get some none-too-nice responses to this one! Heh. :) \n\nI don't think that the lack of originality takes away from it. I don't think that a good lot of people who follow that faith even know about that, frankly. \n\nI think that for some people..it's easier to be mired into something that doesn't require you to ask questions. You're told what is right and what is wrong. And they follow these rules, and believe that since they follow them then they're set. So they don't have to worry. I think that is how they might justify it. Just a guess, though. I've never claimed to understand it myself.
813373
Christianity of 200 years ago was propagated by preaching, not by the sword. Christians don't cut your head off if you refuse to become Christian.
45045
Well, the Bible says:\nTherefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: \nSo there you have it.
856032
One Hundred Fifty Reasons I'm Catholic\nAnd You Should Be Too!\n\nthe top ten are listed, the rest are here:\nhttp://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/reasons.html\n\n1. Best One-Sentence Summary: I am convinced that the Catholic Church conforms much more closely to all of the biblical data, offers the only coherent view of the history of Christianity (i.e., Christian, apostolic Tradition), and possesses the most profound and sublime Christian morality, spirituality, social ethic, and philosophy. \n\n2. Alternate: I am a Catholic because I sincerely believe, by virtue of much cumulative evidence, that Catholicism is true, and that the Catholic Church is the visible Church divinely-established by our Lord Jesus, against which the gates of hell cannot and will not prevail (Mt 16:18), thereby possessing an authority to which I feel bound in Christian duty to submit. \n\n3. 2nd Alternate: I left Protestantism because it was seriously deficient in its interpretation of the Bible (e.g., "faith alone" and many other "Catholic" doctrines - see evidences below), inconsistently selective in its espousal of various Catholic Traditions (e.g., the Canon of the Bible), inadequate in its ecclesiology, lacking a sensible view of Christian history (e.g., "Scripture alone"), compromised morally (e.g., contraception, divorce), and unbiblically schismatic, anarchical, and relativistic. I don't therefore believe that Protestantism is all bad (not by a long shot), but these are some of the major deficiencies I eventually saw as fatal to the "theory" of Protestantism, over against Catholicism. All Catholics must regard baptized, Nicene, Chalcedonian Protestants as Christians. \n\n4. Catholicism isn't formally divided and sectarian (Jn 17:20-23; Rom 16:17; 1 Cor 1:10-13). \n\n5. Catholic unity makes Christianity and Jesus more believable to the world (Jn 17:23). \n\n6. Catholicism, because of its unified, complete, fully supernatural Christian vision, mitigates against secularization and humanism. \n\n7. Catholicism avoids an unbiblical individualism which undermines Christian community (e.g., 1 Cor 12:25-26). \n\n8. Catholicism avoids theological relativism, by means of dogmatic certainty and the centrality of the papacy. \n\n9. Catholicism avoids ecclesiological anarchism - one cannot merely jump to another denomination when some disciplinary measure or censure is called for. \n\n10. Catholicism formally prevents the theological relativism which leads to the uncertainties within the Protestant system among laypeople.
441133
I believe in Christianity.  An excellent link follows that elaborates more on these 10 points.\n\n1. The Credibility Of Its Founder \n2. The Reliability Of Its Book \n3. Its Explanations For Life \n4. Its Continuity With The Past \n5. Its Foundational Claim \n6. Its Power To Change Lives \n7. Its Analysis Of Human Nature \n8. Its View Of Human Achievement \n9. Its Impact On Society \n10.Its Offer Of Salvation
741758
This is very true. The problem is people using religion to justify their actions. It is very easy to say that I did what I did because God wanted that way; include a few bible verses that are compatible with your actions, and you are good to go. How can anybody that believes in God try to argue?\n\nBy the way, you see this all over the bible. God said attack and kill all. God said keep the virgins. God said to kill a bunch of kids. Some of the most terrible things in history were based on religious grounds. \n\nWe do not want to go back to those days, because then everyone will have a reason to go against everyone.
91757
That's a strange thing to ask.  I mean, believing in God, or Jesus, or anything like that isn't about logic, it's about faith, and if you're trying to reduce it to a question of proof, then it suggests to me that you don't understand a lot about your own beliefs.  \n\nIf you believe that Jesus was the Son of God, then it's because that belief resonates with you on some level.  Whether that's a deep spiritual resonance or just because it's comforting for you, that's not for me to say, but either way, it's presumably something your heart clings to tightly, and it's unlikely that any logical argument, on its own, is going to change that.  In that sense, the answer to your question appears to be no, because any evidence can be explained away or reinterpreted one way or another.\n\nPersonally, I don't believe that Jesus was the son of God, not in the way you seem to mean it, and I think Jesus himself would have been upset with the idea that he was.  That said, though, I know some very good people who are very serious about their belief that Jesus was the Son of God.  Some say that it's their faith that gives them strength to do what's right, and I sure can't prove them wrong--though I can say from experience that not all good people are Christians and not all Christians seem to be good people.  But for the ones I've met who are both--that is, Christian and good, or good people of any religion--it's not about proving that what you believe is right; it's about doing what's right because of what you believe, or in accordance with what you believe.  \n\nYou and I could argue all we want about whether Jesus was or was not the begotten son of God, or a child of God as we all are, or a son of God in the sense that it appears to have been meant by his contemporaries (ie, a wise teacher), but arguing the logic and the semantics won't bring us any closer to knowing God, or understanding God, or serving God.  \n\nI enjoy a good debate, and if you do to, then there's nothing wrong with that.  But if you want to prove the goodness of God, then do it by going out there and doing good on God's behalf, not by posting illogical questions on Yahoo!
844107
Foremost, quote the book and scripture from which you are referring.  There are a myraid of things that may be wrong with your argument that may not come to light unless you are honest in asking a question.  Honesty in asking includes citing your source.\n\nSecondly, this was a question proposed by Saint Augustine during the Fall of the Roman Empire.\n\nThe real question is - "So, we know the right way to live.  Great!  Why don't we do it?"\n\nThe answer is that we still have sin on our souls.  As sinners, we are given over to minor bouts of gluttony where we wish to eat things that taste good rather that what is best for our body.\n\nIt is not easy for anyone, let alone the whole of the Christain world (read Western Society), to break completely from this sin.\n\nIf you are so enlightened as to what Christains should eat, tell me, how do you purge your soul of minor bouts of gluttony?\n\nIt seems you ask your questions more to discredit Christains than to help them.
788140
As a Christian I would like to answer your question by saying...\n\nThere is not justification.  God alone is judge... as well as Savior\n\nYou just can't judge a person by the category they fall under.  Each interpersonal relationship makes a difference, wouldn't you think?\n\nAnd even though I've been called ignorant, despicable, stupid, and a few other negative things today by some folks here on Yahoo Answers (gosh, could that be considered 'being slandered'), I want you to know that I love you all.  \n\nBy the way, I don't think I've ever met any of the folks who have said those negative things about me and other Christians.  I wonder how it is they stamp those labels on my head without ever having met me.  You really ought to get to know me more before you call me those things.  You know... I'm feeling rather JUDGED right now, and not by any Christians.  :)  That's ok though, because Jesus told me not to take up any offenses.
808530
Read Romans Chapter 4 and follow Paul's argument about Abraham being counted righteous/justified by believing God/faith BEFORE he did anything good.  Good works are a RESULT of salvation, not a prerequisite.\n\nAlso, check out some good Reformed commentaries and websites (www.desiringGod.org, www.ligonier.org, www.aomin.org are all excellent)
859783
The following link has a very good illustration of the Salvation Message.\n\nhttp://www.navigators.org/us/resources/illustrations/items/bridge\n\nAnd, you do not have to "check your brains in at the door" in order to be a Christian. Jesus Christ claimed to be God, and proved himself by predicting his own death and resurrection. This is not an intellectual argument, it is spiritual. Their have been many atheists who have set out to prove the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be nothing more than fairy tales, only to find that the evidence for Jesus was overwhelming, and they became followers of Jesus (Christians) because of their studies. C.S. Lewis was one such person. Visit the link above for a good picture of what Christ did for you (and all of the world). \n\nA great book to start you out on your walk with Jesus is "More Than A Carpenter" by Josh McDowell (another athiest turned Christian). \n\nAnd lastly, find a good church. Not a church filled with legalism, but a church that understands Jesus Christ came to set man free. Colossians 3:20-23 says \n\nTherefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.\n\nBasically, man's religion is empty and has no power to change you from the inside. So, find a support group that can encourage you in your new life, not with rules and regulations, but with love and support.\n\nMay God Bless you in your new life with Him!
848791
"If there’s no absolute standard for “good”, then who’s to say what’s good and what’s bad?"\nIf you need guidance from an imaginary friend to prevent you from becoming a serial rapist, then do us all a favor and keep going to church.\n\nMorals are relative. They are dictated by society. They stem from the human need to continue the species and avoid as much unnecessary harm as possible. We didn't need Christianity or your hypocritical God to tell us that stealing, killing, and rape is wrong. A very simple question of "would I want that done to me" is all that is necessary to determine if the action is "moral" or not.\n\n"Sure, “good” might exist in a temporary sense, such as this society or civilization, or even the propagation of this species. While I’m alive."\nYou answered your own question, but you keep going.\n\n"But after I’m dead, if there’s no judgement or next life, what do I care what happens here when I'm gone?"\nWhy do you feel the need to be judged? Has Christianity really seeped that far into your thought processes? \n\n"Logically, it seems foolish for me to care."\nBut you asked the question.\n\n"And if there’s no harm to me and my life gets better, then why should I feel bad?"\nYou shouldn't. Are you considering the questions you're asking? Truly considering them? Or are you just asking them for the sake of argument? You would feel bad if you are harming others... that is, unless, you see nothing wrong with harming others.\n\n"After all, I only have one life, and who’s to say that I shouldn’t make the most of it for myself? I can choose to not feel bad because it wouldn’t make sense for me to feel bad."\nThat's the beauty of it! MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LIFE. Decide what is ethical and what is moral by doing what makes YOU feel good while doing what makes OTHERS feel good... because when you make others feel good or you prevent or reduce unnecessary harm, I can guarantee you that you will feel good. You don't need a god or religion to tell you that.
398295
I am not a Christian, nor a pre-Christian.  What I would like to say however is that there is no "one sentence" that you can write to convert thinking people to Christianity.  You have to give proper evidence of your claims, and that would most likely take a lot more than one sentence.
417454
Christianity has since it's inception, been designed to manipulate, force, and control others through fear. It is very difficult for a Christian, who has been brainwashed since birth, to comprehend that their god does not exist. \n\nWe can not blame Christians for their fear-inspired reactions in reverance to their god, this is what fuels them, and gives their lives purpose. It is safer for them to pretend that atheists do not exist, than to look at the facts about their flawed religion, and very flawed, anti-human biblegod.\n\nLet them pray to the open air, as their god does nothing to protect them from danger, tragedy, or their enemies. Let them blindly turn up their nose to science. Let them celebrate holidays that are pagan in origin (like today).
356879
Your argument doesn't hold water. For it to be a good argument all the facts need to be true and provable. Jesus wasn't even killed on a cross he was hung.And almost nothing else you said is provable.
465580
"Are you saying you can choose what you like from the bible and disregard what you don't like."\n\nThat is the basis of Christianity.
1028596
All you have to do is believe that Jesus died for your (and the whole world's) sins and you are good for a ticket to heaven.\n\nA person can't redeem himself, only God can do it.   And he HAS done that through belief in Christ.