Christianity

Founder: Jesus of Nazareth (central figure); early leaders include Peter and Paul

Time & Place of Origin: 1st century CE, Roman Judea

Approximate Number of Followers: 2.3 billion

Core Texts:

  • The Bible

    • Old Testament (shared with Judaism, in Christian form)

    • New Testament (Gospels, Acts, Revelation)

Core Beliefs (General)

  • God exits and is the creator of the universe

  • Jesus is the Messiah; most Christians believe he is Devine

  • Jesus was crucified and resurrected

  • Salvation is possible though Jesus

  • Moral authority is grounded in God’s will as revealed though scripture

    *Note: Christianity is internally diverse. These beliefs represent broad consensus, not universal agreement.

Origin Story

Christianity began as a Jewish movement centered on Jesus of Nazareth, a Galilean preacher who proclaimed the coming of the “Kingdom of God.” After his crucifixion by Roman authorities (c.30 - 33 CE), followers claimed he rose from the dead. These resurrection claims became the foundation of religion.

Early Christianity spread though missionary activity, especially by Paul of Tarsus, and gradually separated from second Temple Judaism.

Major Schisms & Denominations

  • Great Schism (1054): Split between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy

  • Protestant Reformation (16th century): Emergence of Protestant traditions rejecting papal authority

  • Today includes thousands of denominations with differing doctrines on authority, salvation, sacraments, and scripture

Key Historical Moments

  • 313 CE: Legalization of Christianity under Constantine

  • 325 CE: Council of Nicaea (Trinity doctrine formalized)

  • 380 CE: Christianity becomes Roman state religion

  • 16th century: Protestant Reformation

  • Modern era: Global spread, secularization in the West, growth in the Global South

 

Core Practices

  • Worship Style

    • Corporate worship (church services)

    • Prayer, singing, scripture reading

    • Sermons and teachings

  • Rituals

    • Baptism: Initiation into the faith

    • Communion / Eucharist: Commemoration of Jesus’ death

    • Other rituals vary widely by denomination

  • Moral / Ethical Framework

    • Love of neighbor

    • Forgiveness

    • Charity

    • Sexual ethics vary widely

    • Emphasis on humility and obedience to God

  • Major Holidays

    • Christmas: Birth of Jesus

    • Easter: Resurrection of Jesus

    • Good Friday: Crucifixion

    • Pentecost: Descent of the Holy Spirit

Reasons People Believe Christianity

(Arguments, not established facts)

 

  • Philosophical Arguments

    • Cosmological arguments: God as first cause of the universe

    • Moral realism: Objective moral values grounded in God

    • Meaning & purpose: Christianity offers an ultimate explanation for suffering and existence

  • Historical Claims

    • Early sources attest to Jesus’ existence and crucifixion

    • Disciples’ willingness to suffer persecution is taken by believers as evidence of sincerity

    • Empty tomb narratives and early resurrection creeds (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15)

  • Personal & Spiritual Experiences

    • Conversion experiences

    • Perceived answered prayers

    • Sense of forgiveness, transformation, or divine presence

  • Moral & Existential Appeal

    • Emphasis on grace rather than earned worth

    • Redemption after failure

    • Universal human value

  • Community & Tradition

    • Strong communal identity

    • Cultural continuity across generations

    • Institutional support (charity, education, healthcare)

Reasons People Do Not Believe Christianity

(philosophical, historical, and ethical critiques)

 

  • Logical / Philosophical Critiques

    • Problem of Evil: An all-powerful, all-good God allowing extreme suffering

    • Trinity: Seen by critics as incoherent or contradictory

    • Salvation exclusivity: Moral concern over eternal punishment for disbelief

  • Scientific Objections

    • Miracles conflict with known physical laws

    • Creation narratives conflict with evolutionary biology and cosmology

    • No empirical evidence for supernatural claims

  • Historical Critiques

    • Gospels written decades after Jesus’ death

    • Contradictions between resurrection accounts

    • Lack of contemporary Roman documentation for miracles

    • Doctrinal development over time (e.g., divinity of Jesus formalized later)

  • Moral Criticism

    • Violence and genocide attributed to God in the Old Testament

    • Treatment of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and outsiders in some traditions

    • Historical abuses by Christian institutions (e.g., Crusades, Inquisition, colonialism)

  • Internal Inconsistencies

    • Thousands of denominations claiming incompatible doctrines

    • Disagreement on core issues (salvation, authority, morality)

    • Selective biblical interpretation

Common Misconceptions

  • “Christians all interpret the Bible literally”

    • Many denominations use metaphorical, historical, or literary interpretations.

  • “Christianity has always believed the same thing”

    • Core doctrines developed over centuries through debate and councils.

  • “Christian morality is unique”

    • Many ethical principles overlap with secular and other religious moral systems.

 

Suggested Thread Prompts for Discussion

  • “Strongest historical argument for the resurrection”

  • “Best version of the problem of evil”

  • “Is Christianity internally coherent?”

  • “Can Christian morality stand without God?”