Why are some non-Christians so interested in Christianity?

[Trailblazer]

How about you when you decided to start this thread? This is quite a confrontation we’re having! Were you wanting to provoke confrontation or was it innocent?

Imo, I think that Vinayaka was just genuinely curious why people are constantly discussing Christianity and the Bible if they are not even Christians. I have wondered the same thing but I never thought of starting a thread to ask, and besides, I think I know some of the reasons since psychology is my field.

 

[Vinayaka]

A genuine question. What would your ideal RF environment be that you can personally benefit?

What do you walk away with when conversing on RF?

Something to pass the time, satisfy some curiousity, but often not much. I got on a roll today because I was sort of bored, and couldn't write much. Obviously I'd like more practical stuff, and most certainly more Hindus.

 

[sun rise]

I get the basics part. I've been in a few churches and all that, and I know some Christians. But what I meant more was studying it. (like in some bible threads on here, started by non-Christians) Do you interact with Christians? (I don't.)

I've spent time studying many religions including Christianity.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Imo, I think that Vinayaka was just genuinely curious why people are constantly discussing Christianity and the Bible if they are not even Christians. I have wondered the same thing but I never thought of starting a thread to ask, and besides, I think I know some of the reasons since psychology is my field.

My point was that its really easy to misconstrue the motivations of others and make assumptions based on preconceived ideas. But if you have some psychological insight please do share.

 

[74x12]

Atheists, Muslims, Bahai, etc. What gives? Why are you so interested in this religion? What is the value in studying it, or picking it apart?

Sorry, I don't get it. Help me out.

Personally I have enough time figuring out and becoming skilled at my own religion, let alone another one that doesn't suit me.

Probably because most users on this forum come from a Christian background or at least a country that is by and large of a Christian heritage. So of course they focus on it.

 

[danieldemol]

Atheists, Muslims, Bahai, etc. What gives? Why are you so interested in this religion? What is the value in studying it, or picking it apart?

Sorry, I don't get it. Help me out.

Personally I have enough time figuring out and becoming skilled at my own religion, let alone another one that doesn't suit me.

My interest is in picking apart more conservative literal interpretations because I see such things as homophobia, anti-science brainwashing, authoritarianism, blasphemy constraints etc as harmful to humanity, so it is my God-given duty to pick away at their foundation.

Liberal Christianity i don't see any harm in so I won't waste time trying to critically examine it.

 

[Vinayaka]

My interest is in picking apart more conservative literal interpretations because I see such things as homophobia, anti-science brainwashing, authoritarianism, blasphemy constraints etc as harmful to humanity, so it is my God-given duty to pick away at their foundation.

Liberal Christianity i don't see any harm in so I won't waste time trying to critically examine it.

That's a fairly valid reason, I think, and I occasionally argue about that, although I'm probably more interested in supporting the victims of such cruelty.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Atheists, Muslims, Bahai, etc. What gives? Why are you so interested in this religion? What is the value in studying it, or picking it apart?

Sorry, I don't get it. Help me out.

Personally I have enough time figuring out and becoming skilled at my own religion, let alone another one that doesn't suit me.

For me it is part of the whole.

Regards Tony

 

[Shadow Wolf]

A major part of the reason is when I encounter one who insists on preaching I can shoot down the preaching and kick it into a ditch.
I consider it a badge of honor when they send someone more knowledgeable to speak with me.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I certainly don't feel it's necessary to understand another person' faith just to get along with other people. A discussion about a mutual interest (sports, wine, music) would most likely do as well.

I see the big issue is, that a great proportion of the world does not have that luxury, that sport, wine, music and a safe place to talk.

That is why one needs to sort what is true and maybe not so true about the faith they practice.

Regards Tony

 

[Heyo]

Oh never discuss religion and politics with friends. Such topics are far too uncivilised.
Now the topic of which bourbon tastes better is a much better and enlightening subject, I find

Religion doesn't really phase me. I can discuss it for hours without losing a friend. But people who drink bourbon won't get invited when I'm serving whisky.

 

[SomeRandom]

Religion doesn't really phase me. I can discuss it for hours without losing a friend. But people who drink bourbon won't get invited when I'm serving whisky.

That’s fair. Lol
I can discuss religion in the context of “artsy sounding pretentious philosophy.” Usually whilst drinking admittedly. But also that’s how it was always framed in my household. As a born Hindu you’re supposed to discuss religion like one discusses art. The interpretation, the message, the appreciation of style or even how you came to your own conclusion based off the source material.
This doesn’t seem to translate well to my Abrahamic brethren though. Which kind of baffles me since most of the Christians I know also happen to have arts or literature degrees. And Christianity like all religions has inspired great works of art.
But maybe it’s a paradigm thing. I dunno. They are “people of the book” as dharmics like to say.
Where it’s treated more dogmatically. Scriptural battles rather than philosophy I suppose

(Please note I do not speak on behalf of all dharmics. This is just my personal experience)

 

[Heyo]

Atheists, Muslims, Bahai, etc. What gives? Why are you so interested in this religion? What is the value in studying it, or picking it apart?

Sorry, I don't get it. Help me out.

Personally I have enough time figuring out and becoming skilled at my own religion, let alone another one that doesn't suit me.

I grew up surrounded by Christianity and naturally it was my first target but I soon learned that I wasn't an a-Christian. I was an atheist then and I didn't need to know the details of a faith to reject it. I very recently learned that I wasn't an atheist either.
I think the most productive discussions are when the communalities are established and the debate starts at the point of difference.
Christians can have productive debates with other Christian denominations about the NT. Christians can have productive debates with Jews about the OT.
I'm not interested in your personal interpretation of a piece of scripture. I don't care whether you are mono- heno- or polytheist. I am even beyond atheism.

 

[Hockeycowboy]

The following statistic has always intrigued me:

Currently, there are around 50-60 movements, ie., differences of opinion, in Judaism. In Islam, it’s 73, I think.
But of different groups professing Christianity, there are 33,000!!

That’s something to talk about!

(I think I understand why, but many would disagree with my explanation. It is fascinating! Almost like some anti-Christian, influential force has messed with it.)

 

[Brian2]

Do you still study it, or have you moved on to Buddhism?
(I was never Christian, and any interest I may have ever gotten was lost really quickly.)

What made you lose interest in Christianity very quickly?

 

[Brian2]

I sometimes do, though from a secular place of textual or source criticism of the Bible, or the history of the religion. I spent so many years wrapped up in it, I think it'll always interest me on some level.

However, I've also "moved on" to Buddhism as well.

I've found that the secular place of textual and source criticism ignores evidence for the sake of the assumption that the supernatural parts aren't true. So the conclusions they reach reflect that assumption.
Part of non secular criticism does to a certain extent, do the same unfortunately, but we have to be "scientific" it seems even if the science is wrong from a faith perspective.
The more fundamental faith criticism could be said to be biased in the other direction, but at least they are not ignoring the textual and other evidence for the sake of their assumptions.

 

[Brian2]

The following statistic has always intrigued me:

Currently, there are around 50-60 movements, ie., differences of opinion, in Judaism. In Islam, it’s 73, I think.
But of different groups professing Christianity, there are 33,000!!

That’s something to talk about!

(I think I understand why, but many would disagree with my explanation. It is fascinating! Almost like some anti-Christian, influential force has messed with it.)

It is a bit like that. I don't know about other religions, but there have and are attacks on the Bible and Christianity from every angle and they still come. In a way it reinforces that I am on the right path.
No doubt I also disagree with many of the interpretations of my fellow Christians.
Do you consider yourself and your group to be part of the 33,000?

 

[Hockeycowboy]

Do you consider yourself and your group to be part of the 33,000?

You know, Brian, that’s a good question!
I did say , “groups professing Christianity,” and we do profess Christianity.
But if I had worded it, “groups of Christendom,” and you had asked me...I’d have said, “no way”!!

Lol.

Isn’t that funny?!

I know....of “groups of Christendom “ there’s 33,000. But of “groups professing Christianity,” there’s 33,001! How about that?

Just adding some levity.
Take care.

 

[Marcion]

Atheists, Muslims, Bahai, etc. What gives? Why are you so interested in this religion? What is the value in studying it, or picking it apart?

Sorry, I don't get it. Help me out.

Personally I have enough time figuring out and becoming skilled at my own religion, let alone another one that doesn't suit me.

As a tantra practitioner I am not very interested in religious practices.
So Christianity also interests me very little..
However the central (much neglected) core of Christianity is the life and teachings of the tantric Jesus.
So reconstructing and getting to know that core does interest me a lot.

 

[firedragon]

Atheists, Muslims, Bahai, etc. What gives? Why are you so interested in this religion? What is the value in studying it, or picking it apart?

Christianity marks a history of 2,000 years. It also worships a man who is considered one of the most influential people to have ever lived. Christianity shaped the renaissance, and one could never ever calculate the immense influence it had on the planet earth. Some of the most prominent emperors, Constantine was a pivotal figure in the 4th century Christianity, while also being the emperor of probably the most feared and strongest empire of the time that spread its wings far and wide. His capital was in Turkey. Bible is probably the most sold book in the world.

Thats just a few reasons why.