Christianity

The Christian religion, like all other religions has its strengths and

weaknesses in our modern society. Perhaps the strengths out weight the

weaknesses as this is one of the largest religions in the world. Hundreds

of people follow the Catholic/Christian religion yet still a greater number

follow yet other religions. Perhaps this is because they see the

weaknesses or perhaps it is simply because their parents have taught them

that it is a sin to follow this religion.

The Christian religions do however present much more of an appealing

atmosphere than such other religions which are as large as the Christian.

The Christian religion is one of few religions where punishments for sins

are not severe. In the Christian religion, even if you have lived a life

of sin, so long as you repent in the end, you will be saved and given

eternal life. This is not so in other religions. Such religions as

Hinduism for instance do not believe this. For everything you do wrong you

will be punished. For every action, there is an equal and opposite

reaction, if not in this life, then the next. Hindu's also believe that

punishing the body is part of the path to salvation. Christianity is

nothing like this. Many Christians live in high©class society.

Christianity is one of the most appealing in that any sins may easily be

corrected and that Christians may live comfortable, if not wealthy lives

without guilt.

Christianity, like other religions though, has many weaknesses.

Although as time goes on, Christianity is slowly evolving and trying to

become even more appealing to society, there are still many downfalls. One

thing with Christianity is that from day one we are given a guilt trip. We

are born evil. We are born with "the original sin". We are at the mercy

of God. If we beg forgiveness however, it shall be granted. My

grandmother for instance has been a firm believer in the Roman Catholic

faith. She, being taught in the old style, firmly believes in going to

confession weekly and begging for forgiveness. It has been taught to her

that man is born evil. All we can do is pray, beg and hope for

forgiveness. With such a guilt upon his sub©conscience, man can never be

truly happy.

Yet another strength with the Christian faith is that it is one of the

more flexible religions. Under the leadership of the pope(s), the Catholic

faith has evolved with modern society and become a more "reasonable" faith.

Such practices as not eating meat on Fridays, and so forth, have been

abolished as the Christian faith has bent to conform with modern society.

Some people may see this as a weakness. This is not so. The Christian

religion has modified its rituals yet the central beliefs have not been

altered since the very beginning of this religion. This is actually quite

a good thing. A religion should change as the modern society does and

conform to a more "acceptable" approach to continue its

teachings/practices. This is one great thing about the Christian faith.

A small, often overlooked draw back to the Christian faith is that

there is not any solid proof that Jesus existed. To the Christian faith,

Jesus is the central figure. A Christian will tell you that the Bible is

proof that Jesus existed. The Bible however was written much later, after

Jesus' death. Therefore the stories contained have been transferred by

word of mouth, which has certainly been distorted and exaggerated. The

Shroud of Turin used to be the Christian religion's artifact which was

believed to be the original shroud that Jesus was wrapped in when he was

buried and therefore solid proof he existed. Recently due to modern carbon

dating, this "artifact" has been proven to have been created with paint

approximately one thousand years after the day Christ died. To a

non©believer, this is a major drawback.

One very strong point about the Catholic/Christian religion is that

they strongly believe in correcting our corrupted world. Many missionaries

are sent yearly to third world countries where they help educate, feed and

provide moral support for a people who have nothing. With such a practice

in place, the Christian religion has put a smile on faces which normally

would never know anything more than tears. Probably one of the greatest

features of the Christian church which helps it survive in modern society

is the hierarchy system upon which this religion is based. Such strong

organization structure help this religion in well organized money

distribution, etc. In a modern society, such structure is necessary.

As one of the largest religions, the Catholic/Christian religion is one

of the great religions which stills lives strongly among us in our

increasingly modern society. Despite its many weaknesses, the Christian

faith has even more strengths upon which its survival is based. Times may

change, technology may advance, but essential beliefs never alter.