Expert: Brenda Martin - 1/3/2007

Question
I have 2 questions, 1) What major influences does Christianity still have in contemporary Western culture and society?
2) What influences did Judaism have on the development of early Christianity?  

Answer
"WHAT MAJOR INFLUENCES DOES CHRISTIANITY STILL HAVE IN CONTEMPORARY WESTERN CULTURE AND SOCIETY?"

Now that’s interesting because there is; “false Christianity” and “true Christianity” so lets look at both and the influence they have both exerted, lets take false Christianity first—

1. History is stained with the blood of religiously backed strife, and today, 70% of all wars are caused by religion.

2. Because many of the clergy of Christendom are practicing homosexuals; they have been able to establish a powerful homosexual lobby in many of the major religions.

3. Millions have looked to Christendom’s churches for moral guidance. Have the clergy used their influence to promote a respect for procreation? “In the main they have adjusted themselves relatively easily . . . to the idea of evolution,” explains The New Encyclopædia Britannica.

Suffice to say; the only “influence” false Christianity has today on our culture & society is; negative.

Now let’s look at the influence TRUE Christianity is having on our western culture & society—

Jehovah’s Witnesses have helped responsive ones to overcome drunkenness, drug addiction, immorality, and compulsive gambling. Such reformed individuals have learned to provide for their families in a responsible and honest way. (1 Timothy 5:8) When individuals and families are helped in this way, problems in the community are lessened—there are fewer drug addicts, fewer cases of family violence, and so forth. By being law-abiding citizens themselves and by helping others to change their lives for the better, Jehovah’s Witnesses lessen the load of agencies whose work it is to deal with social problems.

Oxford University sociologist Bryan Wilson stated: “The Witnesses are perhaps more successful than any other group in the speed with which they eliminate tribal discrimination among their own recruits.”

Add to that the JW’s are conscientious objectors to carnal warfare.

WHAT INFLUENCES DID JUDAISM HAVE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY?

They tried by every means available to stop the “development” of Christianity. The Jewish religious leaders used lying propaganda to stir up hatred against Christ’s followers. Their determination to fight Christianity with every possible weapon is demonstrated by their actions, as recorded in Acts 22:22; 23:12-15, 23, 24; 24:1-4; 25:1-3. They and their supporters constantly harassed the Christians, evidently using arguments in an effort to break their loyalty to Christ.

They were not happy because Jesus said—“new wine is not put into old wineskins”. A wineskin, or skin bottle, was a tanned animal hide with all but perhaps a leg opening sewed up. Fermenting new wine generates carbon dioxide that exerts enough pressure to burst old, dry wineskins. Comparably, the truth Christ taught was too powerful for old, inflexible Judaism. Moreover, he was not trying to patch up or perpetuate any worn-out religious system with its fasting customs and other rites. Rather, God used Jesus to institute a new system of worship.

Judaism had no influence on the growth of True Christianity, although it tried by every means to stop it, including putting Jesus to death.

All the best
Brenda