Well maybe not necessarly other beliefs. Not promoting these but any who, I have studied and still do, Wicca, Paganism, Dark Paganism and Satanism. Wicca and Paganism as well as Dark Paganism has its own teachings and is to me a lovely belief, Satanism has the logical feel to it. Most of those religions say they pre date Christianity and say that Christians taken over some of their things. My questiion is, is that true? Again, I am not promoting their beliefs or anything.
I dont know a lot about satanism except we often help clean up its mess when people come to us after they get out and thier minds remain tortured from the fear they live in.
Theres no doubt about pagan festivals being incorporated into Christianity Easter is one Christmas is another. The worship of the virgin mary is Romes response at the time to similar themes in the roman culture of thier other gods Isis I think.
One thing I have learned from the wicca dudes and pagans while many are very nice people, (I dont mind them) the idea of conjouring up fairys isa grin. Thier belief systems are very disjointed and they believe a bit of this and a bit of that.
Now what about christainity? why Am I following it?
One time in history A man died and rose again after he raised other men from death. Jesus is still alive today,
But you know Jesus changed the world forever in his 30 years alive, He didn't live for himself it was for everyone else, he spread hope and love and salvation from the sin that can eternally separate us from god.
When you weigh up who you throw your what in with think about this thing. What religious group expedited education in Europe through the spread of the gospel and the education that came with it.. christainity!
The world before Christ was a world without hospitals, a world without charity, a world without respect for the sanctity of life. Hospitals were an innovation of Christianity. Hence the healing symbol of a cross represents hospitals. The nursing profession was founded by Christians such as Florence Nightingale out of devotion for Christ. One of history's greatest humanitarian movements, the International Red Cross, was founded by Christians in response to the Scriptural injunctions to care for the sick and the suffering. Christians such as Dr. Louis Pasteur have fuelled some of the greatest practical advances in medicine. Pasteur has probably saved more lives than any other individual in history through his inventions.
reference-
http://www.frontline.org.za/articles/greatest Man.htm
now what of those other groups you mentioned what do they do as an organised group to better humanity? Where is the Atheist charities or the boat loads of satanists and wiccans that sold thier homes to devote thier lives to raising living standards for poor people. The ones who died doing it?
Try finding an atheist charity then try finding a christian one in google.
what some of them do do well.. Whinge how bad Christianity is and how it made the world worse.
I follow Christ because it is a better path.
sorry for the long post