Hi Brianna! Thanks for responding to my article. This might get kind of long-winded and I wish we could talk in person, but since we can’t I’ll comment on a few things here that you mentioned in your response. For one, I don’t blame you for not wanting to force yourself to go somewhere you don’t find comfortable and don’t enjoy. Christianity is or should be more than going to a building. As far as praising a being that doesn’t want or deserve it; of course, being a Christian, I believe God deserves it because I believe God is Love, and love deserves praise. Also, by worshiping and praising I’m drawn closer to him, and closer to scripture’s advice to fix our thoughts on “what is true and honnorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable.”

The issue of whether or not Jesus existed is a separate issue from the question of whether or not he was who he claimed to be; the divine son of God. Even those who didn’t believe his message believed he existed as a human being. There are eye witness and written accounts, both from his disiples and unbelievers. Celsus, a pagan, didn’t believe Jesus was God, but he believed in Jesus’s existence. He wrote, “Because Jesus was poor he hired himsself out as a workman in Egypt and there tried his hand at certain magical powers.” (Those writings still exist today). Generally we base our proof that someone from antiquity existed on eye witness accounts, written records and the effect that individual has had on the world. Some from that perspective, there’s as much if not more proof that Jesus existed as, say, Columbus or Seneca. Whether or not he was merely a man or divine is the question most people have problems with. Even atheists generally acknowledge that he existed.

I’d recommend you read Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobbel before making up your mind on that score.

I’d also recommend you read The Gospel of John in it’s entirety to decide whether or not you want to believe in his divinity or his message. In fact I recommend The Message Bible, which is an easy to understand paraphrased version. Reading this will help you base your decision about Christianity more on what Jesus did and said than on what Christians do and say, because although I might be wrong, it seems as if some person or persons claiming to be Christians have hurt you in some way.

Now please forgive this overly long response, but I truly appreciate your reading and commenting and hope you have a most wonderful day and wonderful life!