I've never seen this in any other western country, and so I'm curious as to why this is. Even on social media it seems that most of these types of posts seem to originate in the US. (I have no official statistics to back up my claims or theories, and I'm speaking only from personal experience.) I've met many US citizens who would directly ask if I believed in God, and then tell me that I'll burn in hell if I was hesitant to answer that question, or tell me that they would pray for my soul....
Why is it that so many US citizens feel that they have to proclaim that they are good Christians?
- Posted:
- 3+ months ago by VikingAnc...
- Topics:
- christian
Details:
Answers (3)
Well you haven't been to other countries. My country is New Zealand, and Christians do exactly the same here. What you don't need to believe is the bit about Hell. There's no such place.These ' Bible-bashers' do it to frighten you. Most intellectual people will tell you there is neither a Heaven or a Hell. When we die we become an Universal Spirit.
In the 19th century Americans started moving west and three institutions went with them. There was vaudeville, traveling entertainment. There was lyceum, traveling education and culture. And there was the itinerant preacher, offering a new style of preaching called "hell fire and brim stone". It was very entertaining, only loosely based on scripture, and pastors didn't even try to compete. Instead they switched to preaching public morality and philosophy. Eventually an entire generation grew up not knowing the first thing about the religion they claimed to believe. That is why most Christian churches don't teach doctrines, and most members don't know what they are supposed to believe. They know there is something important, but they don't know what it is or where to learn about it.
Is it Christianity , or is it Christendom?
By “Christendom” we refer to the realm of sectarian activity dominated by religions that claim to be Christian. Whereas “Christianity” refers to the original form of worship and access to God taught by Jesus Christ.
Most people would claim to be Christians but, in fact, rather than follow the path of Christianity, take the route of Christendom. This way there is no responsibility for what they do.
This would apply to almost all the so called Christian countries.
Well actually I have been to other countries. I live in Denmark, and no one here (apart from the occasional Inner Mission door knocker) has ever asked me that - ever... here religion is a very private thing, and not something you speak of, unless you are very close with the person you are talking to.