🎓 Academic Why Christianity is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to the World

[Gildarts Tale]

Why Christianity is the Best Thing That Ever Happened to the World​

Its Enduring Contributions, Even in Our Secular Modern Age​

In a hyper-secular world that often dismisses faith as outdated, one truth stands out with overwhelming historical evidence: Christianity has been the single greatest force for human flourishing, dignity, progress, and compassion the world has ever known. It didn't just change hearts — it remade civilization itself. Pre-Christian societies (Rome, Greece, pagan cultures) normalized slavery, infanticide, cruelty toward the weak, and raw power hierarchies. Christianity inverted that: the last shall be first, the crucified God gives dignity to victims, every human bears God's image (imago Dei). Even today, in our "post-Christian" secular age, the values we cherish — equality, human rights, charity, scientific inquiry, rule of law — are direct Christian inheritances. We swim in Christian waters without realizing it.

Don't take my word for it. Here are honest admissions from non-Christians and atheists, plus rock-solid historical facts with trusted references.

1. Human Dignity, Equality & Rights — The Root of Democracy and Human Rights​

Ancient world: Slaves, women, the disabled, infants had no inherent worth. Christianity declared every person equal before God.

Atheist philosopher Luc Ferry (former French Minister of Education): "Christianity was to introduce the notion that humanity was fundamentally identical, that men were equal in dignity — an unprecedented idea at the time, and one to which our world owes its entire democratic inheritance." This directly birthed modern democracy and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Secular historian Tom Holland (in his landmark book Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, 2019): The cross turned a Roman torture device into the symbol of revolutionary love. "All are heirs to the same revolution... in Europe and North America, in the assumptions of many more millions who would never think to describe themselves as Christian." He concludes: "The measure of progress in the West is nothing less than the extent to which it has forgotten its debt to Christianity." Even secular human rights and equality are repackaged Christian ideas.

This fueled abolition (William Wilberforce's evangelical campaign ended the British slave trade in 1807), women's suffrage, civil rights (Martin Luther King drew directly from Scripture), and opposition to infanticide/exposure of babies — practices Rome accepted as normal.

2. Science & Rational Progress — Christianity Made the Scientific Revolution Possible​

Many assume faith and science conflict. History says the opposite. Belief in a rational, orderly Creator (not capricious gods) made systematic experimentation logical.

Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead (co-author of Principia Mathematica): "Christianity is the mother of science" — because of "the medieval insistence on the rationality of God."

Sociologist Rodney Stark (The Victory of Reason, 2005): "The modern world arose only in Christian societies... The success of the West, including the rise of science, rested entirely on religious foundations, and the people who brought it about were devout Christians."

Founders of modern fields were overwhelmingly believing Christians: Newton, Kepler, Galileo, Pascal, Boyle (chemistry), Mendel (genetics), Pasteur (bacteriology), Lister (antiseptic surgery). Medieval monasteries and Church-founded universities preserved and advanced classical knowledge. No other civilization produced the experimental method we take for granted.

3. Healthcare & Hospitals — Christianity Invented Systematic Care for the Sick and Poor​

Pagan Rome had temples for healing gods — but no public hospitals for the masses. Christianity invented them.

St. Basil the Great founded the Basiliad in 369 AD: the world's first true hospital — with doctors, nurses, leper wards, and care for the poor. This Christian model of agape (selfless love) spread globally. Florence Nightingale revolutionized nursing from her Christian faith; the Red Cross traces to evangelical roots. Today, Christian missions and charities still run the majority of hospitals and clinics in the developing world.

4. Education, Universities & Literacy — Lifting Minds Worldwide​

Monasteries preserved learning through the "Dark Ages." The Church founded Europe's first universities (Bologna, Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, Harvard, Yale — all explicitly Christian). Literacy exploded wherever missionaries went. Even secular education systems worldwide stand on this foundation.

5. Charity, Welfare & Social Transformation — Especially in the Developing World​

The Good Samaritan ethic created systematic aid unknown in pagan cultures. Orphanages, almshouses, and welfare systems began in the Church.

Confirmed atheist Matthew Parris (The Times, Dec 27, 2008 — "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God"): After decades of observation, "Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs... In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good." Missionaries produced honest, curious, liberated people who "stood tall" — breaking tribal passivity that secular aid money alone cannot fix. "Removing Christian evangelism from the African equation may leave the continent at the mercy of a malign fusion of Nike, the witch doctor, the mobile phone and the machete."

6. Arts, Culture & Moral Framework — The Soul of Western Civilization​

Cathedrals, Bach, Michelangelo, Dante, Western literature — all flow from the Christian story. Even secular art and ethics (compassion over conquest, forgiveness, progress as moral duty) are Christian legacies. Atheist commentator Douglas Murray has noted: "You cannot take Christianity out of the West and have anything that’s recognizably the West."

Why This Matters in the Secular Modern World​

We celebrate human rights, equality, hospitals, universities, science, charity, and democracy as "universal" or "enlightened." They aren't — they are Christian. As Holland shows, the secular West is a "post-Christian" society still living on borrowed Christian capital. Remove the root, and the fruits wither (see rising tribalism, loss of dignity for the vulnerable, or moral confusion in post-Christian societies).

Christianity didn't eliminate evil (humans are flawed), but it gave the world tools to fight it like nothing else. As historian Will Durant observed: "There is no greater drama in human record than the sight of a few Christians... winning the world."

Trusted References (all verifiable):

• Tom Holland, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World (2019) — secular historian's masterpiece.
• Luc Ferry, A Brief History of Thought (2011) — atheist philosopher.
• Matthew Parris, "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God," The Times (27 Dec 2008) — full article widely available online.
• Rodney Stark, The Victory of Reason (2005) and For the Glory of God (2003).
• Alvin J. Schmidt, How Christianity Changed the World (2004) — comprehensive history.
• David C. Lindberg, The Beginnings of Western Science (1992) — on medieval Church support for learning.
• Edward Grant, Science and Religion (various works) — historian of science.

Christianity isn't perfect — it's carried by imperfect people. But its revolutionary message of a God who became weak for love's sake has lifted humanity higher than any other force in history. In every way — moral, intellectual, social, medical, cultural — it remains the best thing that ever happened to the world.

 

[lunantionio]

amen pri! Nice nice hahahaha

 

[GoatPhomator666]

Nice din mga contribution ng christians sa mundo. Gaya ng double pay na regular holiday ng Christmas Day at Holy Week.

 

[Gildarts Tale]

Nice din mga contribution ng christians sa mundo. Gaya ng double pay na regular holiday ng Christmas Day at Holy Week.

True. Even if someone is not religious, you still feel the impact in real life. Extra rest days, double pay, and more time with family during Christmas and Holy Week are things people genuinely enjoy. It shows how much Christianity has shaped not just culture but even work life and public holidays in a very practical way. Especially here in the Philippines.

 

[sanskuro]

Natural because of Christ

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Actually , hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng Christian ang itinutukoy. Ano ba 'yan? Christian denomination ba 'yan itinutukoy or specific na Christian Catholic religion ba ang itinutukoy? Or itinutukoy diyan is modern Christian and / or secular Christian lamang?

You know? Hindi sila magkakaparehas po or pang-general na 'yan? Kahit traditional Catholic vs modern Catholic nga is hindi sila magkasundo lalo na how they perceived in society po. Lalo na ang science , meron na they do not believe in science talaga dahil ang reason nila na kapag isinama daw ang science , mawawala daw ang kapangyarihan ni God kasi nga , naniniwala sila na lahat is supernatural.

You know , Christian denomination is a thousands po siya. A thousand as in.

Ano ba ang itinutukoy? General na lahat ng Christian denomination as in or ang itinutukoy is modern Catholic lamang or specifically for modern Christian lang siya , you know , secular Christian lamang?

Anyway , wala naman ipinagbago ang noon at ngayon. Nagkaroon lang ng improvement katulad ng slaves noon unang panahon , ngayon , meron pa rin. The only difference is "hindi slaves" ang tawag. Hindi na slaves. Meron na kasi benefits at medio gumanda ang benefits ika nga. Like ngayon , meron pa rin tayo katagang masters and slaves example is employer and employee type , but of course , yung benefits kung baga is gumanda like sa mga employees at hindi katulad noon na walang benefits ang mga slaves. Another thing is wala ng label ng slaves dahil pangit pakinggan. Employer and employee type na siya. Yung mga nasa tuktok pa rin ng pyramid. From top to bottom. Nasa social hierarchy pa rin tayo.​

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Anyway , lahat naman is pros and cons like nasa modern economy and secular na tayo , thanks to Christian if pag-uusapan is general speaking as a whole na siya pero ang cons lang kasi is nalimutan na nila ang kalikasan or our mother nature or ika nga , nature based. If general speaking as a whole na siya like example , Paganism. Nalimutan na nila magkaroon ng respect to our mother nature or sa atin kalikasan. Respeto sa kalikasan ~ mga ganun ba?

There is a time na patayo sila ng patayo ng mga buildings para sa ikauunlad ng bansa , may mga natural na kalikasan na dapat hindi ginagalaw iyan. Ang mga hayop sa kagubatan ay ipinapahalagan dapat. Yung mga herbal tea or natural na gamot , galing iyan sa mga dinumihan nilang label na witch na I think , meron pa rin ata siya na galing sa kalikasan as in. Ang mga witch dati or mga priestess kung tawagin na dinumihan ng mismong pangalan na nagcolony from Spaniards para ipatayo ang Catholic po ay kahit walang modern tools , magagaling sila sa mga herbal medicine , sa mga gamot or mix na gamot para makatulong sa tao.

Iyon lang ang cons , kaya nga meron ibang hayop na endanger na siya dahil sa tao na rin at dahil endanger , no other choice kungdi ilagay sa zoo kung saan dapat na original na andoon sa gubat mismo ang mga hayop. Sa zoo kasi ay mini-maintain nila na hindi ma endanger ang mga hayop na andoon.

Another thing is lahat halos ng natural is natanggal. Like pagtatanim ng gulay ay dapat 3 days lang siya. Natural healthy vegetable po siya and since nagsilawakan ang economy natin , naglalagay na sila ng artificial sa mga gulay-gulay bago ebenta sa supermarket para hindi masira , mga ganun.

In short , in our modern society , parang sinasabi na in general , Christian ang nakatulong sa pagpapalago ng economy at nang technology though hindi lang Christian. Beneficial siya. Yeah, but meron tayo nakaraan na beneficial din siya. Nalimutan lang ng tao or sadyang isinawalang bahala na lang ang iba. Yung iba.​

 

[Asherah Goddess]

...at saka another thing katulad ng mga Monday to Sunday or January to December , meron po siya big contribution sa Christian society. Galing po iyan sa Pagan culture po. I think Pagan Nordic culture / Germanic or something.

Karamihan din ng world's legal system natin is galing sa Roman law , eh wala pa Christian noon unang panahon like concepts ng habeas corpus ~ the right to appear before a court pati ang idea ng Republic noon Pagan polytheistic is established na siya before dumating ang monotheism or Christian po. Example, Republic of China, Republic of the Philippines and so on and so forth...

Yung unang core idea din ng demokratia , galing Pagan ancient greece. In modern democracy natin , na evolve lang siya.

Actually, madami as in. Kahit marami meron na contribute sa society ang Christian as a whole, well, ang influence ng ancient polytheistic at ang mismong foundational contributions nila is extremely malakas at nananatili parte na ng buhay natin dahil sila ang original ika nga bago nagtransition to monotheistic.​

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Nang binasa ko ang thread information which is nakakatulong talaga as in , meron iba kasi nalilimutan ng tao po or sadyang unfamiliar lang sila dahil modern beliefs na kasi ang Christian sa panahon natin ngayon.

Lalo na ang Healthcare & Hospitals — Christianity Invented Systematic Care for the Sick and Poor , kaya nga meron ako nabasa somewhere na Christian is for the poor , originally , hindi siya for the rich people as in. Late na nag-adapt na kahit Christian is pwede na sa mayayaman.

Noon unang panahon dati , oppressed ang mga mahihirap dahil nga sa status quo nila. Sila ang nasa low class.

Meron kasi sila tatlo klase. High class, middle class at low class. Parang katulad natin ngayon. Sabi ko nga , wala naman ipinagbago. Meron tayo high class , middle class at low class din. Ang atin , ang mga elite at super dooper rich , yun ang nasa high class. Ang middle class ay tipo nakaka-afford na meron salary na average at ang low class natin is mahihirap.

Sa kanila , ang high class nila is mayayaman din plus , gobyerno at mga sundalo. Middle class is ganun din , tipong nakaka-afford din pagkatapos ang mahihirap is nasa low class.

Ang first organized hospital na itinatag talaga is galing Roman na nagwoworshipped ng multiple deities. Kahit ngayon modern days , ang mga hospital natin raw ay magkasimilar sa hospital ng Roman po at ang hospital mismo nila noon ay nakaka-access lang is for the rich & wealthy dahil need ng personal resources at valueble sa kanila ang mga Roman soldier po kung kaya ang hospital na ginawa is sila lang ang nakaka-access. Mahalaga kung baga dahil sila ang taga-protect ng city. Sila ang namamatay sa digmaan at nasusugatan.

Sa middle class naman , meron naman quite na hospital in a sense or para sadyang hospital na rin for middle class pero sa temple sila. Kung baga , sa middle class , nagpupunta sila sa temple para magpagamot pagkatapos , ang doctor din nila is also a priest. Sa mga mahihirap naman is ang doctor nila ay nasa booth or minsan , expensive raw kuno pero gayunpaman , ang hospital nila is bahay na po , like within the family or kamag-anak , stay ang may sakit sa bahay at kung sino lang ang knowledge sa pagpapagaling , sila ang gumagamot.

Actually , hindi Christian nag-embento ng hospital. Inadapt lang nila ang hospital pagkatapos inextend lang nila para sa lahat kaya meron public hospital para sa mga mahihirap pero hindi sila nag-embento ng hospital.

Hindi ko din masasabi na evil ang Roman or what, iba lang pagkakadesigned ng moral framework nila due to their environment dahil dati constant ang war so kapag constant war , they need to create a powerful empire at ipinapalakas nila ang mga sundalo para ma protektahan ang lahat ng nasasakupan.

Parang ngayon modern days. You know? Walang ipinagbago. Nagkaroon lang ng improvement. Ano-ano ang bansa na ipinapalakas ang mga sundalo nila? China , diba? Nakita ko sa youtube , pagdating sa mga sundalo nila , malakas daw. Yung Japan , pinapalakas nila ang kanila mga sundalo by creating a robot soldier raw.

Sa atin? Philippine army? Hmmm... ewan. Hindi ko alam kung ipinapalakas natin ang atin mga sundalo dahil diba? Nasa 3rd religious country tayo , o? Pagkatapos hindi rin tayo na ganoon kayaman dahil nasa utak ng karamihan ang mga filipino na ipinagpala ang mga mahihirap , kung kaya , nabasa ko somewhere na Christian is for the poor. Pang mahirap lang siya. Late na nag-adapt lang ang mga mayayaman pagkatapos , andoon pa ang mindset ng iba na mapupunta sa hell ang mga mayayaman.

Ang moral framework ng Christian ang ikinaganda lang is na extend ang empathy universally para sa lahat due sa environment nila na oppressed sila dati. Hindi nila ma eextend actually ang mercy nila universally sa lahat kung walang ipinagmulan hospital galing Pagano , demokrasya na unang core idea na galing Pagano , saka lang na evolved ang democracy from Christian , ang stoic philosphers naman na mostly Pagans ay meron human rights na andoon din , katulad ng slaves and emperor are equal spiritually dapat na kung saan ang Christian is meron din human rights.

Yung mga stoic is sila ang members ng school ng philosophy na founded ng isang Athens which is of course , Pagan polytheistic silang lahat. Andoon din ang meditation , andoon din on how to handle anger , grief and the loss of money , and also ang concept is about kung ano ang pwede ikontrol at hindi kaya ikontrol in real life situations.

So mahirap magsabi na best of the best ang Christian kung saan ginagawa superior to the maximum level dahil meron tayo iba-iba moral framework na nakakatulong sa mga tao but it depends sa context ng environment. Lahat naman is beneficial.

Ayaw mag adapt dati ang Pagan sa concept or idea ng Christian dahil you know? Meron kasi concept na love your enemy from Christian , eh ang logic ng Pagan dati na bakit mamahalin ang kaaway , eh mas lalo a threat yun sa empire nila since sila nga nagproprotect ng city para hindi sila atakehin. Meron mga ibang Pagan philosophers na matatalino pero in some Pagan perspective kasi , for them , its not practical ang concept ng Christian po.

In a modern days , parang ganun din. Kung aatakehin tayo ng China , if ever , makakapagsalita pa ba tayo ng let us love our enemies? Isip-isip lang naman diba. Its like, ang martyr naman natin. Sabagay , sa Christian kasi , meron silang concept na "ipinagpala ang mga naaapi" and if they die , they will go to heaven.​

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Yung katagang kasi love your enemy is like don't fight. Kahit anong gawin sayo ng kaaway mo , mahalin mo pa rin sila and kapag namatay , tawag is martyr , meron naman place in heaven. Lahat ng naapi at mga mahihirap ay meron lugar in heaven.​

 

[DarkLordZeref1221]

Best thing na sana kung hindi nila pinigilan ang scientific advancements. 500 years into the future na sana yung technology natin kung sakali.

 

[Gagv]

Dito ako natatawa, what can you say about him?

Ito ang thread: https://phcorner.org/threads/israel-rabbi-on-christians.2504974/#post-31333086

 

[Gildarts Tale]

Asherah Goddess
I’ll make this short.

I agree that Christianity did not invent every good thing from zero. Rome, Greece, and other cultures had real contributions too. But that is not the main point. The stronger point is that Christianity universalized human dignity and compassion in a way the ancient world did not. It expanded care beyond the rich, the powerful, the soldier, or the citizen, and extended moral concern to the poor, the sick, the weak, and even enemies.

So the argument is not “Christians invented everything.” The point is that Christianity reshaped the moral framework of society toward universal human worth, charity, mercy, and compassion. Even your reply admits Christianity helped extend empathy universally.

 

[Gildarts Tale]

Best thing na sana kung hindi nila pinigilan ang scientific advancements. 500 years into the future na sana yung technology natin kung sakali.

That “500 years into the future” is pure speculation. There is no way to prove technology would be 500 years ahead.

Also, it is too simplistic to say Christianity “stopped science.” Many major scientists were Christians, and many universities, hospitals, and learning institutions grew within Christian civilization.

Were there religious people who resisted certain discoveries? Yes. But that is not the same as saying Christianity itself blocked science. The historical picture is more complex than “religion bad, science good.”

 

[Gildarts Tale]

Dito ako natatawa, what can you say about him?

Ito ang thread: https://phcorner.org/threads/israel-rabbi-on-christians.2504974/#post-31333086

Christians do not believe Jesus was killed because He was weak. Christians believe He willingly gave His life. The cross was not a failure of power. It was an act of sacrifice.

Saying “how can God be killed?” also misses the doctrine. Christianity teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man. He died in His human nature, not because His divine nature stopped existing.

Also, “He could not save Himself” is exactly backwards. The claim of Christianity is that He could have avoided the cross, but chose not to because the mission was redemption, not self preservation.

And yes, Jesus was Jewish. That is not a problem for Christians. Christianity came from Jewish roots, the apostles were Jews, and the Messiah came through Israel. A Christian who hates Jews is contradicting the faith, not practicing it.

So the argument is not really a refutation. It is mockery built on a shallow understanding of what Christians actually believe.

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Asherah Goddess

I’ll make this short.

I agree that Christianity did not invent every good thing from zero. Rome, Greece, and other cultures had real contributions too. But that is not the main point. The stronger point is that Christianity universalized human dignity and compassion in a way the ancient world did not. It expanded care beyond the rich, the powerful, the soldier, or the citizen, and extended moral concern to the poor, the sick, the weak, and even enemies.

So the argument is not “Christians invented everything.” The point is that Christianity reshaped the moral framework of society toward universal human worth, charity, mercy, and compassion. Even your reply admits Christianity helped extend empathy universally.​

Hmm. Actually, hindi ito argument. Mahilig ka sa argument. Siguro nagkamali ako ng pagkakaintindi ko. Ang pagkakaintindi ko is parang lahat ay ang contributions puros Christian kung kaya, inaangat siya sobra above everything.

So ang moral framework pala ang itinutukoy mo. Tama naman ang sinasabi mo na moral framework ang dahilan ng Christian kung bakit ginagawang the best. Universal empathy ang kanila.

But... kung meron moral framework ang Christian, kung open minded ka lang ha? Meron din ang moral framework ang Pagano, magkaiba nga lang ang dalawa. You know? It is not necessarily evil ang Pagan, eh nagkataon lang kasi talaga na magkaiba ang moral framework ng dalawa.

Bagkus, ang moral framework na nanggaling sa Pagano, kung alam lang ng nagbabasa, ito, malalaman na po talaga is unconsciously, nagagamit siya sa government, sa company at sa hospital.

Nalimutan ko lang ang name between doctor and a patient, tipong meron tawag doon kung saan itinatanong muna ng doctor or ina-assess muna ang patient... nakalimutan ko ang name at saka sa moral framework na ginagamit ng mga company, nakalimutan ko din ang name. Meron siya tawag. Same din sa government.

So you see? Not necessarily evil ang na contribute ng mga Pagan as general as a whole. Nagkataon lang talaga na magkaiba sila ng "moral framework" po.

Hindi makaka-extend universally ang empathy or mercy ng Christians kung walang contributions na nanggaling sa Pagan po.

It is a reason why na nasabi ko na "mahirap sabihin best of the best ang Christian" dahil nalilimutan nila na meron na contribute ang mga Pagan as general as whole at kung wala ito, hindi makakapag-extend universally ang empathy and mercy sa ibang mga tao.

Sa kabilang dako naman, masyado kasi subjective ang katagang best ang Christian sa lahat dahil you know? Christian beliefs or devoted Christian diba? So ang explanation diyan malamang, wala silang middle ground.

Kung baga, alam niyo na? Hindi sila naka-neutral kung tawagin. Yung inpormasyon mismo at nakasanayan ay diyan lang sa "box" mismo at ayaw nito lumabas dahil itinuro lang sa kanila na yan lang. Yan lang and sa ibang inpormasyon, hindi pwede.

Kung baga ang other information, other beliefs is hindi nila tinatangkilik or hindi open ang mind nila sa ganun. Nakatutok lang sila sa kung ano ang nakasanayan na inpormasyon na bilang Christian so ang nangyayari, sila ang true, sila ang best and so on and so forth.

Normal lang sa ganun tao kahit sa school diba? Kapag magkaaway ang university, at the back of their mind, ang sasabihin nila na sila ang best dahil doon sila nag-aaral eh. Nga naman mag-middle ground or maging neutral sa university na magkaiba. Though pwede naman sa iba pero what I meant na normal reaction lang ang mga ganyan klase dahil nga devoted po sila at iyon ang na embrace po nila.​

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Christians do not believe Jesus was killed because He was weak. Christians believe He willingly gave His life. The cross was not a failure of power. It was an act of sacrifice.

Saying “how can God be killed?” also misses the doctrine. Christianity teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man. He died in His human nature, not because His divine nature stopped existing.

Also, “He could not save Himself” is exactly backwards. The claim of Christianity is that He could have avoided the cross, but chose not to because the mission was redemption, not self preservation.

And yes, Jesus was Jewish. That is not a problem for Christians. Christianity came from Jewish roots, the apostles were Jews, and the Messiah came through Israel. A Christian who hates Jews is contradicting the faith, not practicing it.

So the argument is not really a refutation. It is mockery built on a shallow understanding of what Christians actually believe.​

Actually, hindi lang nagkaintindihan ang Christian and ang Judaism kasi eh dahil matagal na silang meron hidwaan hanggang ngayon. Politically, ganun naman talaga eh. Hindi mapipilit ang Christian sa mga Jews or Judaism kung tawagin na God si Jesus or divine dahil in the first place kasi talaga, tao lang talaga si Jesus. Tao lang for Jews sapagkat sa doctrine daw ng Judaism, hindi pa daw dumarating ang messiah.

Meron silang "sacred text" katulad ng Christian but mas nauna talaga ang "sacred text" ng Judaism bago ang Christianity.

Kaya nga sa bible, meron old and new testament diba? Pagkatapos syncreticize pa ang morality ng Judaism and Christianity. Oo nga. Kung napapansin ang iba, napapaloob ang tao sa Judeo-Christian morality. Hindi siya pure Christian morality as in.

Sa Christian, yeah, mockery para sa kanila pero I guess, hindi naman din masisi ang Judaism dahil never nila paniniwalaan na divine or God or keyso messenger raw ni God.

Nasa "sacred text" nila na hindi pa daw dumadating kung kaya, ang view nila, si Jesus ang blasphemy daw sa monotheistic God nila which is the original God.

That means hindi sila nagkaintindihan. For Jews, blasphemy raw si Jesus kay God. For Christian, blasphemy or mockery raw naman sa pinaniniwalaan nila na si Jesus ang divine and God as a result, huwag na tayo umasa na magbati pa silang dalawa.​

 

[Gildarts Tale]

Hmm. Actually, hindi ito argument. Mahilig ka sa argument. Siguro nagkamali ako ng pagkakaintindi ko. Ang pagkakaintindi ko is parang lahat ay ang contributions puros Christian kung kaya, inaangat siya sobra above everything.

So ang moral framework pala ang itinutukoy mo. Tama naman ang sinasabi mo na moral framework ang dahilan ng Christian kung bakit ginagawang the best. Universal empathy ang kanila.

But... kung meron moral framework ang Christian, kung open minded ka lang ha? Meron din ang moral framework ang Pagano, magkaiba nga lang ang dalawa. You know? It is not necessarily evil ang Pagan, eh nagkataon lang kasi talaga na magkaiba ang moral framework ng dalawa.

Bagkus, ang moral framework na nanggaling sa Pagano, kung alam lang ng nagbabasa, ito, malalaman na po talaga is unconsciously, nagagamit siya sa government, sa company at sa hospital.

Nalimutan ko lang ang name between doctor and a patient, tipong meron tawag doon kung saan itinatanong muna ng doctor or ina-assess muna ang patient... nakalimutan ko ang name at saka sa moral framework na ginagamit ng mga company, nakalimutan ko din ang name. Meron siya tawag. Same din sa government.

So you see? Not necessarily evil ang na contribute ng mga Pagan as general as a whole. Nagkataon lang talaga na magkaiba sila ng "moral framework" po.

Hindi makaka-extend universally ang empathy or mercy ng Christians kung walang contributions na nanggaling sa Pagan po.

It is a reason why na nasabi ko na "mahirap sabihin best of the best ang Christian" dahil nalilimutan nila na meron na contribute ang mga Pagan as general as whole at kung wala ito, hindi makakapag-extend universally ang empathy and mercy sa ibang mga tao.

Sa kabilang dako naman, masyado kasi subjective ang katagang best ang Christian sa lahat dahil you know? Christian beliefs or devoted Christian diba? So ang explanation diyan malamang, wala silang middle ground.

Kung baga, alam niyo na? Hindi sila naka-neutral kung tawagin. Yung inpormasyon mismo at nakasanayan ay diyan lang sa "box" mismo at ayaw nito lumabas dahil itinuro lang sa kanila na yan lang. Yan lang and sa ibang inpormasyon, hindi pwede.

Kung baga ang other information, other beliefs is hindi nila tinatangkilik or hindi open ang mind nila sa ganun. Nakatutok lang sila sa kung ano ang nakasanayan na inpormasyon na bilang Christian so ang nangyayari, sila ang true, sila ang best and so on and so forth.

Normal lang sa ganun tao kahit sa school diba? Kapag magkaaway ang university, at the back of their mind, ang sasabihin nila na sila ang best dahil doon sila nag-aaral eh. Nga naman mag-middle ground or maging neutral sa university na magkaiba. Though pwede naman sa iba pero what I meant na normal reaction lang ang mga ganyan klase dahil nga devoted po sila at iyon ang na embrace po nila.​

I’m not saying Pagan systems had no good contributions. They clearly gave us philosophy, law, politics, and civic order.

But their moral framework had serious limits. Ancient Rome accepted slavery, brutal conquest, class hierarchy, exposure of unwanted infants, and public cruelty as normal parts of society. Stoicism had noble ideas about virtue and self control, but it did not create the same universal duty to love the poor, the sick, the enemy, the slave, and the outcast.

That is where Christianity was better. It did not just ask, “What makes a strong society?” It asked, “What is the value of every human soul before God?” That changed the moral center.

So yes, Pagan societies contributed systems. But Christianity gave those systems a deeper moral foundation: every person has dignity, not because of status, power, citizenship, usefulness, or intelligence, but because they are made in the image of God. That is why Christian morality pushed care for the poor, the sick, the unwanted, and the weak in a way the ancient world often failed to do.

 

[Asherah Goddess]

Wala ka talaga "middle ground" noh? Hay. Nakatingin ka sa "pangit" na ginawa ng mga Pagano noh? Hindi ka nakatingin sa kung ano ang "maganda" na contribute ng mga Pagano. Mabuti nga ako, hindi ko binabanggit kung ano ang "pangit" sa Christianity dahil kahit papaano, ina-appreciate ko na meron din "maganda" ginawa ang Christianity like ang sinasabi mo na pagkaroon ng mercy, example na 'universal empathy'.

Kapag nagsalita na ako ng mga pangit, eh baka magwala ka na diyan. Hahahaha Ooppsss... sorry

Let us accept the fact na the world is not perfect. Walang perpektong mundo. Kahit ang "moral framework" na itinutukoy po, hindi naman perfect iyan. Yung itinatawag mo na limit? Oo. Agree ako. Kahit naman Christianity ganun din. Hindi lang Christian. Siguro sabihin natin na "meron kulang". Yun na po yun, like kung ano meron sa Pagan, wala sa Christian at kung ano meron sa Christian, wala sa Pagan. Ganun din ang Africa. Iba ang "moral framework" nila. Kahit sa ibang culture, magkakaiba ang "moral framework" po ng society that is why mahirap akusahan na evil. Tawagin natin na meron "kulang" ~ ganun.

Sa africa kasi, more on ancestors at interconnectedness, mga ganun ang beliefs system po nila. It does not mean evil sila porke hindi pasok sa ideal moral framework ng Christianity.

Gets mo yun? Nag eexplain ako na parang teacher eh noh. Hehe

Tayo kasi, which is natural diba? Nakatingin tayo sa kung ano ang "kulang" diba? Yan na ang mga "pangit" ang nakikita natin imbis tumingin tayo sa "maganda".

Tipong ang ugali natin is taga-fill up ng kulang like perception ng Christianity, feel na feel nila na meron kulang sa Africa na keyso old tradition na daw while ang tingin nito sa Pagano ay walang puso. Reverse naman, ang tingin ng Pagano sa Christianity ay lack of logic ika nga. Andiyan na ang proof na wala naman perfect eh. Diyan na ang papasok sa atin na feel na feel natin na high above sa iba.

Andoon na tayo sa sinasabi mo na Christian ang bukod tanging na nagkaroon ng empathy or mercy sa iba. Okay? Walang kaso doon.

Ang sinasabi ko lang is ito.

Hindi makakapag-spread out universally ang kanilang mercy at empathy ang mga Christian sa iba pa kung walang contributions na galing sa Pagano. Ganito kasi yun, kapag tinanggal ang kung ano man ang contributions na meron sa Pagano, hindi makakapag-spread out ng mercy or empathy sa iba pa like hospital, city, maraming iba pa. Kahit ang mga tools na ginagamit sa hospital, sobrang similar na ginamit ng mga Roman noon unang panahon kung saan sila ang unang nagkaroon ng hospital.

So andoon na tayo sa sinasabi mo na care for the poor, the sick, the unwanted, and the weak in a way the ancient world often failed to do, andoon na tayo. Ang nakikita ko lang kasi, nakatingin ka kung ano meron sa Christianity pero na ignore mo na kung ano meron sa Pagan na meron din contributions sa Pagano, na hindi siya ma sprespread out universally ang kanilang empathy and mercy po nila kung hindi sa kanila.

Parang ganito kasi yun eh. Ako, nagcontribute ako ng pera sa tao na gumawa ng business for charity. Part ako sa contribution niya and porke hindi trip ang personality ko dahil pangit kuno, yung tao na yun is like sasabihin niya na keyso siya kamo ang gumawa ng business for charity, marami siyang natulungan. Eh ano ako? Ignore na dahil pangit ang personality ko, e samantalang meron naman ako na contribute while ang tao na contribute ko, panay hinahangahan siya ng mga tao na he is the best, magaling dahil nakagawa ng business for charity na in fact, hindi siya makakapagtayo ng business kung hindi sa pera. Its like binubura ang existence ko porke pangit ang personality ko na hindi niya ka vibes.

Diba? Unfair yun?​

 

[Gildarts Tale]

Wala ka talaga "middle ground" noh? Hay. Nakatingin ka sa "pangit" na ginawa ng mga Pagano noh? Hindi ka nakatingin sa kung ano ang "maganda" na contribute ng mga Pagano. Mabuti nga ako, hindi ko binabanggit kung ano ang "pangit" sa Christianity dahil kahit papaano, ina-appreciate ko na meron din "maganda" ginawa ang Christianity like ang sinasabi mo na pagkaroon ng mercy, example na 'universal empathy'.

Kapag nagsalita na ako ng mga pangit, eh baka magwala ka na diyan. Hahahaha Ooppsss... sorry

Let us accept the fact na the world is not perfect. Walang perpektong mundo. Kahit ang "moral framework" na itinutukoy po, hindi naman perfect iyan. Yung itinatawag mo na limit? Oo. Agree ako. Kahit naman Christianity ganun din. Hindi lang Christian. Siguro sabihin natin na "meron kulang". Yun na po yun, like kung ano meron sa Pagan, wala sa Christian at kung ano meron sa Christian, wala sa Pagan. Ganun din ang Africa. Iba ang "moral framework" nila. Kahit sa ibang culture, magkakaiba ang "moral framework" po ng society that is why mahirap akusahan na evil. Tawagin natin na meron "kulang" ~ ganun.

Sa africa kasi, more on ancestors at interconnectedness, mga ganun ang beliefs system po nila. It does not mean evil sila porke hindi pasok sa ideal moral framework ng Christianity.

Gets mo yun? Nag eexplain ako na parang teacher eh noh. Hehe

Tayo kasi, which is natural diba? Nakatingin tayo sa kung ano ang "kulang" diba? Yan na ang mga "pangit" ang nakikita natin imbis tumingin tayo sa "maganda".

Tipong ang ugali natin is taga-fill up ng kulang like perception ng Christianity, feel na feel nila na meron kulang sa Africa na keyso old tradition na daw while ang tingin nito sa Pagano ay walang puso. Reverse naman, ang tingin ng Pagano sa Christianity ay lack of logic ika nga. Andiyan na ang proof na wala naman perfect eh. Diyan na ang papasok sa atin na feel na feel natin na high above sa iba.

Andoon na tayo sa sinasabi mo na Christian ang bukod tanging na nagkaroon ng empathy or mercy sa iba. Okay? Walang kaso doon.

Ang sinasabi ko lang is ito.

Hindi makakapag-spread out universally ang kanilang mercy at empathy ang mga Christian sa iba pa kung walang contributions na galing sa Pagano. Ganito kasi yun, kapag tinanggal ang kung ano man ang contributions na meron sa Pagano, hindi makakapag-spread out ng mercy or empathy sa iba pa like hospital, city, maraming iba pa. Kahit ang mga tools na ginagamit sa hospital, sobrang similar na ginamit ng mga Roman noon unang panahon kung saan sila ang unang nagkaroon ng hospital.

So andoon na tayo sa sinasabi mo na care for the poor, the sick, the unwanted, and the weak in a way the ancient world often failed to do, andoon na tayo. Ang nakikita ko lang kasi, nakatingin ka kung ano meron sa Christianity pero na ignore mo na kung ano meron sa Pagan na meron din contributions sa Pagano, na hindi siya ma sprespread out universally ang kanilang empathy and mercy po nila kung hindi sa kanila.

Parang ganito kasi yun eh. Ako, nagcontribute ako ng pera sa tao na gumawa ng business for charity. Part ako sa contribution niya and porke hindi trip ang personality ko dahil pangit kuno, yung tao na yun is like sasabihin niya na keyso siya kamo ang gumawa ng business for charity, marami siyang natulungan. Eh ano ako? Ignore na dahil pangit ang personality ko, e samantalang meron naman ako na contribute while ang tao na contribute ko, panay hinahangahan siya ng mga tao na he is the best, magaling dahil nakagawa ng business for charity na in fact, hindi siya makakapagtayo ng business kung hindi sa pera. Its like binubura ang existence ko porke pangit ang personality ko na hindi niya ka vibes.

Diba? Unfair yun?​

I think you misunderstood my point. The original post was about the contribution of Christianity to the modern world, not a claim that Pagans contributed nothing.

I already agree that Pagan cultures gave important contributions like law, philosophy, cities, political systems, medical knowledge, and civic structures. Hindi ko binubura yun.

But recognizing Pagan contributions does not remove the unique contribution of Christianity. The difference is this: Pagan civilization gave many tools and systems, but Christianity gave a stronger moral reason to use those tools for the weak, the poor, the sick, the slave, the unwanted, and even the enemy.

So yes, Christians used roads, cities, hospitals, language, philosophy, and systems that existed before them. But Christianity changed the moral direction. It took what was often limited to citizens, soldiers, elites, or insiders and pushed it toward universal human dignity.

That is why I still say Christianity had a massive and unique contribution. Not because nobody else contributed, but because Christianity reshaped the moral heart of the world.