However, these numbers will decrease in the twenty first century as a result of many Americans joining religious sects, or simply becoming atheists . The origins of Christianity can be traced to Jesus of Nazareth. He began his ministry at the age of thirty. His first disciples followed him believing that Jesus was the Messiah and will help the Jews overcome the Roman rule. However, Jesus changed the meaning of Messiah. Instead of terror and aggression, Jesus preached about love and tolerance . Later, after his resurrection, his teachings were written in the New Testament by the twelve apostles. .
Jesus was killed by the Romans because of the dispute between him and the religious leaders of the time. The Romans in turn feared of a possible Jewish uprising lead by Jesus. The Christians believe that Jesus died for their sins and the only way to salvation is to accept him as the Savior.
The Christian meaning of life comes from the Bible, which is the word of God. "The day of death is better than the day of birth." 4 Jesus says in the New Testament: "I have the key from hell and death." The Christian values are expressed in the belief that the only way to achieve immortality is through resurrection, meaning a second birth of the spirit in the other world. Through resurrection one is taken out of the medium of illness and poverty and is put near God.
The aim of one's life is to become a holy spirit, and to achieve eternal existence. Otherwise, life on earth would become a hopeless dream. In daily life, the Christian's aim is to prepare for life after death. "Be prepared, because anytime the Son of God can come." Thus, to prevent one's life from becoming a senseless joke, one should always have in mind the Judgment Day. One should know that life after death is not a punishment, but something inevitable, related to the existence of the universe, and it is a place where numerous spirits go, good or bad, punished or rewarded.