Christians and comfort

Often, I have had (non-Christian) friends remark that "the only reason people are religious/Christian, is because it provides them hope and comfort." I have always disagreed. There are many a story of Christians with a life that could only be described as torture. Yet they remain Christian. Why? Why is their belief so firm? Why don't they give up and try some other religion? Maybe another religion will give them comfort. Unfortunately, there are also instances of this.

From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (written in 1952 based on 3 radio programs in 1942, 1943 and 1944):

...I quite agree that the Christian religion is, in the long run, a thing of unspeakable comfort. But it does not begin in comfort; it begins in the dismay I have been describing [the acknowledgement of our failure to obey the "Moral Law"], and it is no use at all trying to go on to that comfort without first going through that dismay. In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair. Most of us have got over the pre-war wishful thinking about international politics. It is time we did the same about religion.

Personally, the truth of Jesus Christ and the gospel is what, in the end, gives me hope and comfort. Not some feel good mantra drivelled by some preacher from a pulpit.

Jesus' death and resurrection provides me sureity. I humbly pray that you will come to believe the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection and then inherit the same eternal comfort and hope that I know.

On another note, this is my 111th post.

Christians and comfort

Often, I have had (non-Christian) friends remark that "the only reason people are religious/Christian, is because it provides them hope and comfort." I have always disagreed. There are many a story of Christians with a life that could only be described as torture. Yet they remain Christian. Why? Why is their belief so firm? Why don't they give up and try some other religion? Maybe another religion will give them comfort. Unfortunately, there are also instances of this.

From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (written in 1952 based on 3 radio programs in 1942, 1943 and 1944):

...I quite agree that the Christian religion is, in the long run, a thing of unspeakable comfort. But it does not begin in comfort; it begins in the dismay I have been describing [the acknowledgement of our failure to obey the "Moral Law"], and it is no use at all trying to go on to that comfort without first going through that dismay. In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair. Most of us have got over the pre-war wishful thinking about international politics. It is time we did the same about religion.

Personally, the truth of Jesus Christ and the gospel is what, in the end, gives me hope and comfort. Not some feel good mantra drivelled by some preacher from a pulpit.

Jesus' death and resurrection provides me sureity. I humbly pray that you will come to believe the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection and then inherit the same eternal comfort and hope that I know.

On another note, this is my 111th post.