Breaking away from Christianity and trying to imagine that it is all wrong is terrifying. On the other side of that fear, however, is a place for people to think freely, to care for others deeply and to wonder at the world in a new and beautiful way. Today I want to talk about the problems with Christianity.
Many people, including lots I know, admire and love have decided to stay in Christianity. In fact, they have never considered leaving. Why is that? Christianity is easy, comfortable, it comforts you when you’re distressed, promises safety and security both now and forever, gives purpose, hope and gives a place of belonging with like-minded people. It offers a personal God who speaks to you, guides you, and offers you rules and control over your behaviour and emotions. Best of all, you know that no matter what happens, God is in control and you can trust him.
Those people who stay on in Christianity have not likely looked at their faith with a critical or even curious minds. I am guessing that few of them have read from progressive Christian authors, atheists, agnostics or others who think differently. Chances are they haven’t listened to podcasts that challenge their beliefs with a mind open to learning. When you surround yourself with people who agree, there is no need to consider leaving.
There was not a single happening or moment that brought about my change of view but a lot of moments of doubts, questions and confusion that led me to look at Christianity in a deeper way. Today I’m going to attempt to list 12 problems with Christianity that led me to leaving. It is is not exhaustive or listed in any particular order of importance. Entire books have been written on many of these points, but I can only briefly offer a few thoughts on each.
1. The problem with Scripture.
The Bible contains many discrepancies and errors. Some can be explained away, some cannot. Take the resurrection story for example. Four Gospel writers and Acts have accounts that contradict in both detail and timing. If they are all describing the same event, why so much discrepancy?
There are issues with morality in the Bible such as ‘thou shalt not murder’ and God both killing and commanding the killing of multitudes of people.
There is the problem of how opposing viewpoints can be proven Scripturally so easily? (Calvinism and Arminianism, end-times views, women in ministry, etc)
Is the Bible's historicity really proven as we were taught or is it questionable? An interesting book that discusses this is Godless by Dan Barker, a former pastor.
2. The problem with God.
If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and all benevolent, then how can I be apart from him? How can he create a hell where he is not present? He can not be all present if he is not in hell.
If he is all these things, how can there be evil? Can a good God create evil? If not where did it come from, an error in his creation?
How can this perfect God be wrathful or jealous, how can he sacrifice his son? He is said to be above our understanding, but that reason does not answer these questions satisfactorily, but is rather a way of saying don't bother asking, we don't have an answer that makes sense.
3. The problem with the death of Jesus for our sins.
If a man murders a bunch of people at a mall and is arrested and sentenced to death or even in prison, and I say I will take his place, how is that justice? The man may be grateful and praise and worship me or he may go out and kill another bunch of people. No court would allow me to take anyone’s place. Yet we are to understand Jesus dying for us takes away all sins, that he took our punishment. Does that make sense?
But let’s just say the justice somehow works. Jesus died on the cross. Painful. Yes, but not the worst death ever. Being tortured for weeks and slowly burned to death is arguably more painful. He is then sent to hell for three days. Ok. Hell is horrible, but people are going to survive for a eternity there. How bad can three days be. Then he is in heaven with a new body and all the praise and worship. How does his death then three bad days make everything right? I’m just saying maybe the story is told very dramatically but if we just pull back a layer or two we can see some glaring issues with the whole death and atonement theory.
If I accept that Jesus died for me, I am filled with gratitude. I give all time and effort to please him and tell others about how to do the same. If I don’t live up to that, I feel guilty. I’m responsible to help keep others from hell.
4. The problem with God moments.
Why is it people of different religions and no religion at all also have spiritual experiences? Hearing a “voice”, feeling conviction, feelings of awe and worship, speaking in tongues and being slayed in the Spirit are all seen outside of Christianity. How can you know they are of God if they are not just in Christianity?
Miracles like healing don't happen to many, many faithful Christians. However, they can also happen to non-Christians. Spontaneous reversal of disease, aka healing, is documented.
5. The problem with promises.
The Bible is full of promises, to strengthen us, to give us rest, to take care of our needs, to answer our prayers, to work everything out for our good, to be with us, to protect us, to give us freedom from sin and many more. Why are these promises not seen and how much are they explained away as being for the future? Christians are assured that God is with us in the trouble, but mostly, only silence is heard..
Both Christians and non Christian’s can feel wholeness, peace, joy, patience, etc. God is not the only one who can provide those things. Many believers lack those things as do non believers.
6. The problem of thought control.
Christians are taught to think about that which is worthy, 2 Cor. 10:5. They are taught the Bible has the answers, keep to Christian authors and speakers, stop sinful thoughts, for they are sin, pray without ceasing. This control attempt keeps believers from seeing other possibilities of ways to think.
As I have said before, what we put in our minds is controlled so nothing dissenting will confuse us.
7. The problem with the church.
Could it be that the every Sunday sermon and get together along with all the symbols and rituals of baptism, communion, etc are designed to keep you indoctrinated and keep you reminded of your need for God and how you aren’t alone, you have a family. Of course. No one can really argue that. But have you considered that kind of control is what keeps you from thinking clearly, keeps fear alive (alone you will backslide) and keeps you from doubting?
Group pressure and the power of authority of God, the Bible, and the pastor and leaders (of which I was one) is powerful at keeping people in line. Group think is encouraged and individual ideas discouraged.
Have you ever noticed that when a satanist description of a ritual is described it is seen as horrific but a Christian description of communion is totally acceptable. The blood sacrifice happens in both, one in the past and the other could be current, but why is the one in the past not condemned as horrendous?
8. The problem with the distortion of language.
Christianity has taken many words and redefined them in a Christian system. The words life, death, wisdom, justice, freedom, bondage, will, grace, witness, word, suffering, happiness and freedom are all defined differently within Christianity than outside of that.
Take truth for example. Truth in Christianity is defined as correct Scriptural doctrine or even as Jesus himself, but outside of Christianity, truth is provable facts or sincerity.
Redefining language helps the believer to belong to a group who understand the definitions but also subtly confuses reality for the person. For example, if a non Christian is missing joy, they may decide to go to a party or eat some cake with someone they love or see a counsellor. If a believer is missing joy, then something is wrong between them and God, for joy is from the Lord, and they can be filled with shame or guilt at their lack of joy.
9. The problem with the closed system of logic.
1 John 4:6 says “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and error.” This is circular reasoning. The Bible is true because it says it is true. God is the only God because he says he is the only God.
Proof is offered by apologists but what they offer is their version and understandably crafted to make Christianity look plausible. How many Christians have seriously checked out the rebuttals made by non Christian debaters to see if they hold validity? Was your decision to become a Christian an informed decision understanding both options of believing and not believing? Many would be like me, I grew up in a Christian home and knowing only Christianity, decided to follow Jesus.
10. The problem with discrediting the world.
There is strong opposition to the world, secular culture, liberal theology, psychology, and scientific views that challenge the Bible's strict codes. This is more true in fundamental, conservative churches but can be found more subtly in most churches.
Members are shielded from the world's wisdom, ungodly viewpoints and warned against the worlds temptations and threats.
Unbelievers are a convert in waiting or a threat/temptation.
False prophets and false gospels are to be feared.
11. The problem with violence done in the name of Christ.
In history, there are many examples of violence done by the church such as the crusades.
The violence done against in the indigenous by the Catholic Church is extreme. Before you say, that was them and not the evangelical churches, look more deeply to see how many Christians adopted indigenous children, took away their culture and beliefs and raised them to be white and Christian. Consider also how the evangelical churches did nothing to stop the abuses. Consider the racism that has been seen in our churches and by members of Christianity. Also, please note when those outside of Christianity look at what the church did to indigenous people, they do not see evangelicals as different than Catholics. All are 'Christians. and violence was done in the name of Christ.
There is much sexual assault done against children, men and women in many, many churches. It has been and is still normally covered up. Victims are blamed and are told to repent. They haven't been believed or cared for in far too many cases.
By calling homosexuality and trans persons sinners and making attempts to change them through 'praying away the gay', 'love the sinner, hate the sin' and other methods, violence is done against the LGBTQ2S+ community. This has led to actual verbal and physical violence against them and increasing the rate of suicide. This is not acceptable.
The patriarchal behaviour of many Christians and churches against women can be seen as violence. When women need to submit to men, when men control women's activities and bodies and when women are seen as second class and less valuable, unable to attain the same level as a man, there is a serious problem.
12. The problem with manipulating through fear.
I have written about this before, but let’s just summarize and say the fear of eternal damnation, evil, vulnerability to the world and fear of shame and isolation if you leave keeps people from leaving. Read more about fear and deconstruction here.
Christianity isn’t strictly defined as a cult. It is too large and has no living leader that is being followed. There are pockets within Christianity that do fit the definition, where there is a charismatic leader or pastor. It has been noted however, that the manipulations and methods that cults use to keep members are also used in Christianity. Listed above are many of them. Perspective is everything. When you are a believer, you see these things as safe, comfortable, and when all are doing the same and believing the same you have a community you belong in. When you look at the Christianity from the outside, these problems look like manipulation to keep you on that narrow path.
I have found a place outside of Christianity and am thankful for that. For those who are still inside, and not hurting others, I wish them well. My writing on 12 problems with Christianity is for those questioning and for those wondering why I ended up leaving Christianity. May we all find a place where we can love deeply, think freely, and care for ourselves, our communities and our world well.
Want to chat informally with me about your experiences? Email me, message me or let's go for coffee. I'd love to hear from you.
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