Doesn't Christianity come across as a particularly self-indulgent religion?

Christianity is a new life in Christ, ....it says this in many places, and has to be experienced,

and perhaps you did not know? Self has to DIE. This is why Jesus said 'Few there be ...'

so relatively few because self does not WANT to die.

Corrupt, self-centered, never YOU concerned (ah, but it can sure SEEM that way),

think of road rage, or think of the amount of love you actually witness? Rare, wouldn't you say

so?

So, it CAN draw those types, for sure, but the belief, always look at the belief,

NEVER at the people. Because it requires discernment or we can end up thinking

none of it is any good. Satan likes that, wants that. Which, yes, you don't believe in,

but it's my answer here.

I grew up in an Orthodox Christian home and I've never had that impression from anyone. Everybody always told me that you must not judge others and as long as they are good, altruistic human beings then they will be rewarded. I was also taught that heaven and hell are states of mind and states of being, i.e . if you invite bad things into your life with your thoughts or with your actions they will always disturb you, if you try your best to avoid that then you will ultimately live a better life and be happier. I was taught to pity those who did bad things as opposed to scoff and be proud and think I am better than everybody else. I don't really know what Christianity is like in America but I heard that it differs significantly and has a more commercial aspect to it.

There may be people who act like that, but they demonstrate a fundamentally flawed understanding of the Gospel. The whole point of Christ's sacrifice is that God loves ALL PEOPLE, regardless of their actions, and has made a sacrifice to atone for all of their sins (not just the ones we like/don't like). Knowing this, Christians are called to love others even as God loves them: even the people who are our enemies, since God loved us when we were HIS enemies.

Is Christianity just a way to feel special about yourself?

I have always regarded christians as "special"!

In the PC educational sense of the word!

no it does not come off like that at all

no its the laws god stated that determine who goes to heaven and who doesn't

yes, religion is obviously self-serving.

Maybe to you it does, but not to me.

well... not just