to not understand why Christians think Jesus died for our sins?

[switcheroooo]

If Jesus died for everyone's sins, does that mean people are not accountable for their actions? You can kill people, steal and lie but have a protected status because Jesus died for your sins.

How does this work? Why are people not responsible for their own sins? Where is the justice?

It’s just more stuff that doesn’t make sense. If Jesus is god then he didn’t die, he can’t die, it was just performative (or another one of those metaphors).

The thing I can’t get my head round is that God let them kill his son. Free will or not if someone was whacking your child up on a cross and you were omnipotent you’d be sending down a lot of lightning bolts.

I think Jesus is one aspect of God. Like you can be yourself, a mother and a lawyer. They are all aspects of you.

Holy Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit is one God in Christianity. So, basically, God himself died on the cross.

IMO God isn't a person and doesn't behave like one.

He loves us so he died? He is God but God did not die? I don't understand.

Jesus is one aspect of God, when he was made man. It was God the man who died.

He loves us so he died for our sins. In the form of Jesus.

Well I never said I was Christian 😉

And actually there is some debate about the Trinity isn't there, not all denominations believe in it (the Unitarians, famously).

Thirdly, if you believe one cannot be Christian without believing these main tenets of the established Church then what about Christians who experience doubt? Doubt, after all, is common when following Christianity - even vicars and priests will admit to it (and Jesus himself of course). Does a person experiencing doubt cease to be a Christian until the doubt is resolved in favour of the established teachings?

I would also argue that no one should blindly follow a faith, so doubt is integral to leading a faithful life.

Finally, in response to your post, I suggest that surely what really matters in Christianity are the teachings of Jesus himself?

God came to earth in the form of a man, Jesus. He suffered and died as a man would on the cross. He accepted the suffering and death as punishment for our sins. Even if he was a God and could have avoided this.

Which sins? What about the sins people commit after his death? If God is the Almighty, why would he change form into a man and make himself die for sins if others?

I do not have doubt. I came to Christianity late in life and I accept its teachings. I'm Orthodox Christian.

at any other time of year I might engage with this and try to answer. I’m not even going to read the thread because it will be full of people insulting my religion and me for believing what is believe. These threads always are.

did it even occur to you the tone you use in the op and how that might come across to Christians? How others will pile on and insult a group of people when they really are not interested in the answers to your questions as they have decided Christianity is stupid. Google could have answered you. It’s our most special time, normally I’d not react but honestly what are you trying to achieve here?

Can't one believe in God without the complicated Jesus part?

I think the doubt point is a red herring.
A mother loves her child, but sometimes she doubts her love for the child eg if the child has a tantrum. But that's just a normal blip and the same goes for religious doubt IMO.

@localnotail but you haven't answered my questions

I'm not posing them to challenge your beliefs - please don't misunderstand and think I am being adversarial.

If you are a believer who wants to know more, speak to your spiritual father/ priest. If you dont believe, why bother?

It’s great that you are asking questions so please speak to your local priest or find an Alpha course or something

To be fair to Jesus, in the story, he came back to life which is pretty special and godly. Sadly he popped up to heaven so quickly that only a few people realised he was risen and most people at the time assumed he stayed dead like a normal human would. Pity that.

I was raised in quite a devout Christian family and tried to believe lots of times as I wanted to join in, but it's like I physically can't. Belief doesn't feel like a choice to me. God apparently knows my true heart so no matter how hard I try, he'll know that I just can't. I have a very logical brain and it just doesn't click for me. I go to church with mum at Christmas and easter these days but have given up the rest of the time. Ultimately, I feel, if there is a God, he doesn't want me.

Feel free to report the post if you are not happy with the tone and how it comes across to Christians.

Many Christians here have been more than helpful in their explanations and I have had a look at parts of the Bible as a result.

Do you care if people think Christianity is stupid? Be firm in your faith and don't let people's opinions bother you.

I am finding it helpful here but thank you.

Well yes but then you are not a Christian.

I am an atheist but was raised a catholic. Respectfully, you don’t seem to be trying all that hard to understand. If you really want to understand then you need to do some basic research - if you are just wishing to make the point that you don’t agree with Christianity… well ok.

He was back again by Sunday, so he didn’t so much die as give up a weekend for us ;)

You can do what you like but ultimately you can't be a Christian really without a belief in Jesus, However ,it's not complicated. Jesus is there to interpret God for us and show us the way to a good life. I think that's what defines Christianity.
I guess you ca make up your own God and believe in him/her and presume that's what millions do when they say they are 'spiritual but not religious' but IMO it's a bit inward looking and ultimately rather pointless and self-serving. Christianity is meant to draw you outwards towards an understanding of your fellow human being.IMO it's a form of idolatry to worship your own subjective prejudices and preferences.

Where’s the Eid rude thread?