So I’m coming from Islam, but I was raised Catholic. I just want to know: why is Christianity so complicated? Not just the church, but the Bible and its teachings as well. Now to be clear, I’m not asking this to put anyone down. I’m genuinely curious, because no other religion that I’ve researched has been so structured. For example, the Bible has a lot of political content and anecdotes (which as a history lover, I definitely find interesting), while the Quran is mostly rules. Like- there’s so much more lore to the Bible, you know?
In Islam, there are only five rules that you need to follow in order to go to heaven; everything after that is extra credit. The rules of Christianity are a lot more flexible with multiple interpretations and extra context needed. Like there’s no set list of rules in Christianity that if you follow them, will earn you a place in heaven. I don’t know, I just find it interesting seeing how old and large the Christian faith is. Though, I guess that could be a reason that it tends to be so… up in the air.
Again, I love and respect my Christian brother and sisters with all my heart. I’m just curious as to why no one has come along and streamlined everything yet.
Why is anything complex?
This is an honest reply, I’m not being snarky.
Humanity, life, history, the universe, are all vast and complex. Nothing is ever simple, and (to paraphrase The Princess Bride) anyone saying otherwise is selling something.
Also, your question (as well-intentioned as you seem), is loaded with assumptions. It may be useful to identify and examine those assumptions. The first assumption is that simplicity is better than complexity.
In the end, I’d argue that Christianity only has 10 rules - the commandments. Everything else is commentary, parable, example, history.
And I’m not even a Christian.
Edit: Christianity, while it has a goal of getting into heaven, the commandments are about how to be a better human while you’re here. I’d even argue that’s it’s primary focus, especially since it’s an offshoot of Judaism.