Christianity is, and has been, in a state of division for hundreds of years. What do I mean? Well, as you are already aware, there are thousands of Christian denominations. All of these denominations claim that they hold and practice the truth. More often than not, we simply grow up in our parent’s denomination and we spend our whole life there. We neglect to branch out or question what we have been taught. We are often unaware of the doctrines taught in other denominations, because we are bound to our childhood beliefs. Why is that? Is it complacency? Do we feel that we simply aren’t smart enough to discern the truth? I believe sometimes these issues are present, but maybe something much bigger is taking place.
In 2015, there was an experiment conducted called the “Illusion of Truth.” This study demonstrated that the more often we hear a certain statement, then the more likely it is that we will believe that the statement is true, regardless of the underlying facts. The study also went as far as to show that those who once knew the truth can be swayed differently based on the frequency of a lie heard.
Religion is by far the most sensitive subject out there. We, as humans, tend to hold tightly to our beliefs. No one likes to be told that he or she is wrong in their beliefs. When you combine that with this study on truth, it is much easier to see why there are so many people who never change denominational beliefs.
Christ intended for there to be only one church. (1 Cor. 1:10) One group of unified believers striving for unity. We all have to realize that we have grown up hearing different sets of teaching. It is our jobs as Christians to seek the truth for ourselves. After we have sought the truth, it is then our job to share it with others. Lastly, we need to bind our insights together to gain a more firm grasp on Scripture. Unity can never be found until we loosen the grip on our own beliefs and start seeking the truth throughout Scripture.
“It is easier to believe a lie that one has heard a thousand times than to believe a fact that one has never heard before.” – Robert Lynd
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
