Has Christianity EVER made the world a better place?

[myotch]

Interesting, Nomo.

But, isn't the body of believers, or even an individual believer, called to be salt and light?

Isn't the body of believers, or the individual believer, going to produce fruit?

Ultimately, aren't salt, light, and fruit necessarily for the benefit of the world?

[JimE]

To wrap up all things Christian and call it Christianity is possible and then ask if the world is a better place? Sure, you can do that. But there is no definitive answer to this question. It is a "what if" question, comparing what happen to what might have happened if a different action was taken.

Breaking it down to the individual Christian, and isolating it down to a single decision is easier because there are less variables involved.

As an individual Christian I would say that the restraint my beliefs have on my behavior has made the life of those impacted my behavior better. This is my best guess, but it is only a guess.

[FmrMarine]

(08-20-2012 11:31 PM)IFB No More Wrote:  This might be a view not shared by most on SFL - but I believe "Christianity" does not make the world a "better" place. One may argue Christianity's tangible contributions - while I do not deny this - but I can easily say the same for other religions too. Numerous contributors to the arts and technology have been contributed by those from other religions or no religion (e.g. pagan Greek philosophers, medieval Islam's contribution to math). The point to be made is - while all the "good things" Christianity has done for the world are commendable and benefit one's neighbor (which is one of the Great commandments God gave) - they are NOT uniquely Christian.

But what does Christianity offer uniquely then? To quote St. Peter, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." To offer Christ - the God-Man and only begotten Son of God - crucified for us so that we may obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

And that is unique, how?

[FmrMarine]

(08-20-2012 11:31 PM)IFB No More Wrote:  This might be a view not shared by most on SFL - but I believe "Christianity" does not make the world a "better" place. One may argue Christianity's tangible contributions - while I do not deny this - but I can easily say the same for other religions too. Numerous contributors to the arts and technology have been contributed by those from other religions or no religion (e.g. pagan Greek philosophers, medieval Islam's contribution to math). The point to be made is - while all the "good things" Christianity has done for the world are commendable and benefit one's neighbor (which is one of the Great commandments God gave) - they are NOT uniquely Christian.

But what does Christianity offer uniquely then? To quote St. Peter, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." To offer Christ - the God-Man and only begotten Son of God - crucified for us so that we may obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

And that is unique, how?

[IFB No More]

(08-21-2012 10:10 AM)FmrMarine Wrote:  

(08-20-2012 11:31 PM)IFB No More Wrote:  This might be a view not shared by most on SFL - but I believe "Christianity" does not make the world a "better" place. One may argue Christianity's tangible contributions - while I do not deny this - but I can easily say the same for other religions too. Numerous contributors to the arts and technology have been contributed by those from other religions or no religion (e.g. pagan Greek philosophers, medieval Islam's contribution to math). The point to be made is - while all the "good things" Christianity has done for the world are commendable and benefit one's neighbor (which is one of the Great commandments God gave) - they are NOT uniquely Christian.

But what does Christianity offer uniquely then? To quote St. Peter, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." To offer Christ - the God-Man and only begotten Son of God - crucified for us so that we may obtain forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

And that is unique, how?

A Buddhist/Hindu/Jew/Muslim/Atheist etc. CAN help the poor, contribute to arts, sciences etc. like a Christian.
But they cannot offer Jesus Christ as the Son of God for forgiveness of sins (because they have their own way of "forgiveness of sins") and that is what makes Christianity "unique".