Is Christianity good for the world?

Many in our world say that Christianity is a negative force.

They claim it’s caused wars, suppressed people, led to injustice and diminished human flourishing.

In fact, seventy-six percent of people on a poll conducted on the ABC TV program Q&A believed that religious faith did not make the world a better place — it’s a negative force.

Yet, Rodney Stark, a renowned author and sociologist wrote a book The Rise of Christianity, explaining how it became a global religion. He concluded by saying that the ultimate factor in the rise of Christianity was that:

"Central Doctrines of Christianity prompted and sustained attractive, liberating and effective social relations and organisations."

In his mind, Christianity rose to prominence in the Ancient world because it was actually a powerful force for good.