Well, I cannot describe all these variants, nor can I reduce them to a
common denominator. The most I can pretend to offer is a selection of
some few doctrines to which all or many Christians would subscribe.
1. All Christians believe in a Supreme Being, called God, who
created all beings. They all believe that He is a good and
loving God, and our Heavenly Father.
2. Most Christians believe in Free Will.
3. All Christians believe that Man has sinned and does sin against God.
4. All Christians believe that Jesus Christ is in some way necessary
to Man's "salvation," and that without Christ Man will be "lost."
But when we ask for the meaning of the terms "salvation" and "lost"
the Christians give conflicting or divergent answers.
5. All Christians believe in the immortality of the soul. And I
think they all, or nearly all, believe in some kind of future
punishment or reward.
6. Most Christians believe that Christ was God.
7. Most Christians believe that after crucifixion Christ rose from
the dead and ascended into Heaven.
8. Most Christians believe, or think they believe, in the efficacy
of prayer.
9. Most Christians believe in a Devil; but he is a great many different
kinds of a Devil.
Of these beliefs I should say:
1. As to God. If there is no God, or if God is not a loving Heavenly Father, who answers prayer, Christianity as a religion cannot stand.
I do not pretend to say whether there is or is not a God, but I deny that there is a loving Heavenly Father who answers prayer.
2 and 3. If there is no such thing as Free Will Man could not sin against God, and Christianity as a religion will not stand.
I deny the existence of Free Will, and possibility of Man's sinning against God.
4. If Jesus Christ is not necessary to Man's "salvation," Christianity as a religion will not stand.
I deny that Christ is necessary to Man's salvation from Hell or from Sin.
5. I do not assert or deny the immortality of the soul. I know nothing about the soul, and no man is or ever was able to tell me more than I know.
Of the remaining four doctrines I will speak in due course.