Most Christians are "Christian" Because they were Indoctrinated as Children

[Diogenes]

In the post "Christians: aren't you embarrassed and angry?" posting.php?mode=quote&f=8&p=1073778
I wrote:

When they finally "get it" and realize most of them are Christians mainly because of childhood indoctrination and step out of the bondage of fantasy they were taught at an early age, then they are embarrassed or angry or both. ... and it has little to do with the reasons stated in post #1.

This suggests the current topic, 'Most Christians are "Christian" Because they were Indoctrinated as Children.'

In support of this proposition I quote from the Southern Nazarene University website,
http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/ages.htm where they claim 85% of Christians have their conversion experience ("are saved") at ages 4 to 14 and only 4% after the age of 30.

Parenthetically I note the human brain does not fully develop until about age 25.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/

[Clownboat]

I no longer think like I did before I got saved and I no longer stumble over scriptures that unbelievers have all sorts of problems with.

That's great to hear! I stumble over Matthew 27:52-53 a bit. Since you no longer stumble, because you are a believer and that makes you not stumble presumably, please clarify.

Matthew 27:52-53
New King James Version
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

and

Psalm 137:9
New King James Version
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock!

Marke: As an appropriate application of Psalm 137:9 in our modern world where Palestinians burned Jewish babies alive in microwaves and beheaded them a similar message to the bloody murdering Palestinians could be: "Not happy shall he be who murders all the Jews in the world but happy shall he be who murders your babies instead for your depraved insanity."

It's hard to imagine anyone dashing babies against rocks and being happy about it. It reads as a ploy to vilify a people if you ask me.

Why did you not clarify about the dead bodies that got out of their graves and walked Jerusalem? I and many Christians still stumble over that one, so your clarification would be appreciated by many.

[marke]

Marke: I am satisfied that God approves of my giving.

Your God might be, but if he exists I wonder what he would think about your opinions in connection with community help for the sick, homeless, unemployed and more?

Marke: I am not convinced the democrats care for the poor after wasting so many billions of dollars that were supposed to have been spent on the poor, like the nearly $1 billion the deBlasios were supposed to have spent on the poor that simply disappeared. Stacey Abrams got $2 billion dollars she was supposed to spend buying more efficient appliances to lower energy costs for some Georgia residents. How is that supposed to be solving poverty in Georgia in the name of saving the environment?

[oldbadger]

Marke: I am not convinced the democrats care for the poor after wasting so many billions of dollars that were supposed to have been spent on the poor, like the nearly $1 billion the deBlasios were supposed to have spent on the poor that simply disappeared. Stacey Abrams got $2 billion dollars she was supposed to spend buying more efficient appliances to lower energy costs for some Georgia residents. How is that supposed to be solving poverty in Georgia in the name of saving the environment?

But you've already told us before all that your Jesus has not ordered your government to look after any poor. I remember making mention of the Mosaic poor laws to you and you told me straight that Jesus had not ordered your government thus.

So I don't understand why you keep thinking of other excuses for not having benefits for the needy.

[marke]

Marke: I am not convinced the democrats care for the poor after wasting so many billions of dollars that were supposed to have been spent on the poor, like the nearly $1 billion the deBlasios were supposed to have spent on the poor that simply disappeared. Stacey Abrams got $2 billion dollars she was supposed to spend buying more efficient appliances to lower energy costs for some Georgia residents. How is that supposed to be solving poverty in Georgia in the name of saving the environment?

But you've already told us before all that your Jesus has not ordered your government to look after any poor. I remember making mention of the Mosaic poor laws to you and you told me straight that Jesus had not ordered your government thus.

So I don't understand why you keep thinking of other excuses for not having benefits for the needy.

Marke: I personally give portions of my earnings to the poor. Whether the rich give of their wealth to the poor is not my concern. Jesus did not tell Christians to force their governments to give tax money to the poor.

[oldbadger]

Marke: I personally give portions of my earnings to the poor. Whether the rich give of their wealth to the poor is not my concern. Jesus did not tell Christians to force their governments to give tax money to the poor.[/b]

But that's a big cop out, isn't it?

Do you mean to tell us all that your government is not a Christian one? I suppose that could be true.

[Clownboat]

I no longer think like I did before I got saved and I no longer stumble over scriptures that unbelievers have all sorts of problems with.

From post 271:
"Why did you not clarify about the dead bodies that got out of their graves and walked Jerusalem? I and many Christians still stumble over that one, so your clarification would be appreciated by many."

Matthew 27:52-53
New King James Version
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

[Realworldjack]

[Replying to marke in post #274]

Marke: I personally give portions of my earnings to the poor.

I believe it was Jesus who said, "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" meaning that we as Christians should not be bragging about our "so called" good deeds. Once you announce to the world your "good deeds" it sort of demonstrates the motivation of the "so called" good works.

Jesus did not tell Christians to force their governments to give tax money to the poor.

I do not believe that Jesus ever commanded his followers to force their government to do anything at all. However, there are indeed Christians who openly call themselves Christian nationalists and they are at this very moment attempting to force the government to proclaim the United States of America a Christian nation. This can be demonstrated beyond any doubt, and I am wondering as to if you are just as upset about this situation?

[marke]

Marke: I was brought up in a Southern Baptist home to believe the Bible but I did not get saved until I was 18 years old and what I came to believe and understand after I got saved was quite different than what I believed as a child.

If you do truly believe the bible, why is it that you have not acknowledged so much about what Jesus said and did?
For examples, the many warnings that he gave about riches?

Marke: According to US social standings, I am below poverty level. How is it that you falsely accuse me of not acknowledging what Jesus said about riches?

[marke]

I no longer think like I did before I got saved and I no longer stumble over scriptures that unbelievers have all sorts of problems with.

That's great to hear! I stumble over Matthew 27:52-53 a bit. Since you no longer stumble, because you are a believer and that makes you not stumble presumably, please clarify.

Matthew 27:52-53
New King James Version
52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

and

Psalm 137:9
New King James Version
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock!

Marke: I don't think God got a thrill when the barbarians bashed Jewish children against the rocks or when Jews bashed the children of the terrorists against the rocks, but I do believe Jews back then just as Jews today are not butchering babies like modern Palestinians, or American abortionists.

[marke]

Marke: I no longer think like I did before I got saved and I no longer stumble over scriptures that unbelievers have all sorts of problems with.

Do you stumble over what Jesus says about gathering mammon and riches to self whilst ignoring the needs of the poor?

Marke: No, I have no problem giving of my self and substance to the poor.