Why?

I'm going to talk about the book of Acts, because that's what I've been reading most recently in preparation for my group presentation.

[caption: Stephen, a Christian, sees Jesus as he is getting stoned to death; Acts 7]

Acts is an interesting book. It's in the New Testament, so conflicts arise between Jews and Christians—often. The Jews are set in their ways, they don't believe Jesus is the Messiah, and they want to kill everyone who becomes Christian. The Christians are energetic about their faith, and want to convert everyone. It's actually not too different from the present day.

What I don't understand is how so many people convert to Christianity so quickly. All it takes is one speech, and suddenly 3,000 people convert and get baptized. They obviously are simple-minded. Why don't they ask "Why?" What makes Christianity better, or even very different, from Judaism? Miracles are being performed left and right, but this isn't enough for me. It's good some Jews held out; the Christians seem like mindless drones to me. About miracles; it seems like they are the only thing Jesus has going for him. Now that he is in Heaven, he wants to show off his power. Honestly, miracles are good when they involve healing people, but when they involve blinding people with "majestic light," they're just unnecessary shows of power. Jesus is unhappy that he didn't get enough credit, so now he's overdoing the miracles to make up for it.

I chose the above picture because first of all, it's an exciting part of Acts, and second of all, it's an example of why the Christian ways annoy me. Stephen is getting stoned to death because he is rude to the Jews. Like many preaching Christians, he condemns the Jews before they have a chance to think about what he is trying to tell them. He name-calls and is generally immature (although he is described as  "full of grace and power").

"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it." (Acts 7:51-53)

Stephen blames the Jews he is talking to for their ancestors' deeds, which they obviously had nothing to do with. This quote is at the end of a long speech, and it seems as if Stephen is provoking the Jews on purpose. Would you want to listen to somebody who condemns you before you have a chance to answer? I wouldn't.

Reading Acts confirms my sentiments about religion. The Jews and Christians are constantly bickering like children—children who kill each other when they disagree. It's not a very loving situation, and it contradicts my idea of how a good person should live. They can never agree to disagree; they're always meddling in other people's affairs. It's not appealing to me at all, and it makes me glad I am neither a Christian nor a Jew.