The wheat and the chaff

[Bozo Erectus]

You dont really believe in the story of Genesis.

You dont really believe Moses parted the Red Sea, or made a stick turn into a snake.

You dont really believe Jesus rose from the dead, or any of the miracles associated with him.

In fact, not only do you not really believe anything in the Bible, youve never actually even read it. Furthermore, assuming it hasnt been years since you stepped inside of a church, chances are you only go on Easter and Christmas, or when a new baby in the family is getting baptized, or someone is getting married.

So honestly, why do you call yourself a Christian?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Culture.

Now, people believe what they will, and I will not criticize them, but for language to mean anything, i dot hink that people who can't honestly believe the above shouldn't call themselves Christian.

 

[Abaddon]

Its an old book full of symbolism etc.. i dont need to believe it exactly to believe in the faith [/devilsadocate]

 

[Turner]

From my understanding, being a Christian means you accept Christ as your savior and that he died for your sins. Genesis is not a part of it. Neither is Moses. For that matter, even ressurection is optional.... just the fact that he died for your sins.

Of course, it's been many moons since I was last in a church or seriously discussed religion outside of the internet, so I could be a bit off on the whole ressurection bit.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Culture.

Now, people believe what they will, and I will not criticize them, but for language to mean anything, i dot hink that people who can't honestly believe the above shouldn't call themselves Christian.

I agree, as a former Christian myself, I cant tell you how difficult it was at first, years ago now, for me to tell people that Im not a Christian. Its a big leap to take, for alot of people. So they remain dishonest with others, and themselves, for years, or forever. I acknowledge that in certain ways Im still culturally Catholic, but that doesnt make me a Catholic. Christianity isnt an ethnicity.

 

[Turner]

Mom says being a christian is how you live your life. She said that some of the best christians she ever knew never stepped into a church. But the fact that they led a moral lifestyle, and basically followed Jesus' teachings, made them a good christian.

I found this particularly offensive, especially after deciding I wasn't catholic any more. Now, I still disagree with her, but I do agree that people living a good moral lifestyle can be better at appearing to be christian than a sunday christian can be.

But yeah, it was a bit difficult at first to say "I'm not christian".

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Yeah, it almost feels like youre saying "I hate sunshine, and I cook and eat a puppy every day." Now that I think about it, it must be kind of similar to what it feels like to come out of the closet as a homosexual. Youre voluntarily seperating yourself from the group, standing out as the 'other'. Not easy.

 

[Turner]

I've never quite put it into those terms, but yeah, I can see how it would be simular.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Notice how there arent any other faux Christians coming out of the closet? If you cant admit it anonymously online to a complete stranger in Timbuktu, imagine how difficult it must be to do with family and friends.

 

[El_Machinae]

I've heard Christians lament that the term Christian is being used as another word for 'good person', when it should actually refer to someone who believes in the whole shebang of Christianity.

 

[Abaddon]

I seem to find a lot of girls that have "lost" their faith somewhere along the line

 

[skadistic]

I got into a discusion with some born agains one day about how I was more christian then some christians. It ended with with irrate god fearing christians yelling and screaming that deserved to be burned alive for saying such things. Ironicly this came right after I said I was more christian because of my open mind and that I dont want people killed for their religious views.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

I've heard Christians lament that the term Christian is being used as another word for 'good person', when it should actually refer to someone who believes in the whole shebang of Christianity.

I got into a discusion with some born agains one day about how I was more christian then some christians. It ended with with irrate god fearing christians yelling and screaming that deserved to be burned alive for saying such things. Ironicly this came right after I said I was more christian because of my open mind and that I dont want people killed for their religious views.

To be a real Christian, you need to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you cant completely dismiss the entire Old Testament, either. Being a Christian in good standing has nothing to do with being 'good'. In fact, an authentic Christian understand that all men, according to Christianity, are sinners. A Christian is no more 'good' than anyone else.

 

[Paradigne]

You dont really believe in the story of Genesis.

Why is this harder to believe than we once had gills and swam in the ocean?

You dont really believe Moses parted the Red Sea, or made a stick turn into a snake.

No, I believe God did. Something happened to let Moses take the Jews out of Egypt. This, along with the plagues may have been 'scientific explained occurences', but the timing of them was due, in my opinion to the Will of God.

You dont really believe Jesus rose from the dead, or any of the miracles associated with him.

I do. That is my faith. It is what I believe in. He descended into hell, On the third day he rose again from the dead, and ascended into heaven, so that we may one day be able to enter heaven ourselves

In fact, not only do you not really believe anything in the Bible, youve never actually even read it. Furthermore, assuming it hasnt been years since you stepped inside of a church, chances are you only go on Easter and Christmas, or when a new baby in the family is getting baptized, or someone is getting married.

So honestly, why do you call yourself a Christian?

I did not go to church for quite a few years, but have been going again. My first time back I went for communion (which I cannot take due to wheat allergies). When I was blessed by the priest, I actually cried. Maybe there is a time when we 'outgrow' the church, but knowing it is there, and that we will always be welcomed back is reassuring. Just as many people 'outgrow' God, He is still there waiting and will accept you with open arms.

 

[puglover]

"Christian" refers to nothing less than the acceptance of the Messiah's payment for sin. Just being a good person is only a fraction of the Gospel.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Paradigne, then in your case, youre just a lamb who's strayed from the flock a little. Im referring to those who stopped believing in a shepherd long ago and seperated themselves from the flock, but pretend that they havent because they arent brave enough to publicly admit it, or even privately. Thats not you at all.

 

[Ingvina Freyr]

So honestly, why do you call yourself a Christian?

I asked myself that very question years ago, and stopped calling myself a christian shortly thereafter. I haven't changed my points of view on spiritual matters though, I just realised they aren't christian.

EDIT: In Sweden however, you have to be somewhat brave to say you are christian, as most people will think you're a wacko of some kind.

 

[Sidhe]

I think about 25-50% of people who call themselves Christian are only paying lip service anyway. You might as well ask why Bush calls himself a Christian, because he isn't even remotely close to being what I would call a Christian.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

— Anonymous

 

[aronnax]

What is this "Christian" that you speak of?

 

[Sidhe]

What is this "Christian" that you speak of?

A person who tries his or her best to live by Christian values whatever they are, I'm pretty harshly discriminatory on what constitutes a Christian, as I said going to church doesn't make you a Christian.

On this web site I'd say

Katheryn

Mob Boss

Civ General

Erin of Arcadia, Matt Brown etc

Elrohir

Quasar(although that guy is scarey , no offence)

And a few others who seem to make Christianity more about saying the word and paying lip service.

These are what I would call proper Christians, amongst others who I can't recall atm.