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Originally Posted by ScottyS
So, where then are the differences? Besides the obvious and always-argued details (critical, but not immediately convincing to the casual, aloof non-stakeholder), look at the real-world, long-term, observed effects upon entire populations and civilizations. The proof is in the pudding, I was always told. I'll be going on the assumption that there are universally recognizable conditions that can be labeled "good" and "bad" in regards to people's lives and welfare.
..... If a culture is developed slowly over centuries by the combined actions of each little participant in that culture, and that the majority of the populations of Western culture have been driven/heavily-influenced/directed by Christian morals/values/practices, then one may conclude that, in fact, Christianity is what gives us (men & women) the freedom, quality of life, and comfort we have today.
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I see what you're saying, although I disagree with your theory. You would have to do a large amount of research and have a lot of factual evidence supporting your argument to even possibly convince me of that last statement.
To address those last two points specifically, quality of life & comfort (which seem like pretty much the same thing to me), I would argue that general quality of life for nation-sized populations has been mostly determined by scientific discovery and corresponding industrial technology & production progress. Since religious orthodoxies have been historically opposed to scientific discovery, I just can't buy your statement that Christianity is directly responsible for current quality of life.