What makes someone a Christan?

[warpus]

I've already explained this to you twice now, deeds are what matters. If you follow the Golden Rule, you are a Christian even if you dont call yerself one. And if you call yerself a Christian and run around hurting people, you aint a Christian.

Yeah, I suppose we should throw this map in the garbage

and go with your "enlightened" definition

and who would you say is a Muslim then, in your strange world of good deeds? And what about Hindu? I'd love to see your definitions for other religions.

 

[Irish Caesar]

^

It's tough to tell from the colors...

...but is that saying that Japan practices Chinese religions?

 

[Dachs]

^

It's tough to tell from the colors...

...but is that saying that Japan practices Chinese religions?

It actually looks a bit darker, like they forgot to put "Shinto" in the key. Identifying Buddhism as a "Chinese" religion would be lulz if that's what they meant though.

 

[Nylan]

then go ahead and explain it

You're not paying attention to what he's saying

see, not very informative, could just as easily apply to you.

we'll see, maybe more easily

Since when was it good form to say "Nuh uh, YOU'RE not listening"?

There is a difference between "Christian" and "Disciple of Christ", and you're not seeing the distinction.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Berzerker, let me ask you this:

What word would you use to describe the set of people who profess to believe the doctrines taught by Jesus of Nazareth, and who believe he is the Christ? Irrespective of their practices?

 

[Lone Wolf]

Yeah, I suppose we should throw this map in the garbage

I wonder why a large chunk of Russia is non-religious, but a large chunk is Christian.

And why Czechia and Estonia are non-religious, but other European countries are.

 

[Dachs]

And why Czechia and Estonia are non-religious, but other European countries are.

It's cos of godless atheists like Winner.

 

[Berzerker]

Since when was it good form to say "Nuh uh, YOU'RE not listening"?

Thats what you just did to me, I was calling yer attention to how lame it was. My God Just go away, you aint even interested in debating the subject.

There is a difference between "Christian" and "Disciple of Christ", and you're not seeing the distinction.

I already said there was a distinction, you aren't paying attention. Disciples were students charged with the task of spreading the message and Christians are the general population. This thread is not about disciples, its about Christians.

 

[Berzerker]

Yeah, I suppose we should throw this map in the garbage

Its yer pile, you live with the smell

and go with your "enlightened" definition

Wasn't my definition, I'm just looking at what Jesus said.

and who would you say is a Muslim then, in your strange world of good deeds? And what about Hindu? I'd love to see your definitions for other religions.

A Hindu can be a Christian if they follow the Golden Rule. You made a big deal about how Jesus didn't use the word Christian (why you made a big deal is a mystery since no one said otherwise) but now you insist no Hindu can be a Christian because they dont use the word either? Make up yer mind...

We aren't talking about other religions, we're talking about Christianity and it has a Founder who defined the religion. Anyone may fit that definition without claiming to be a Christian or believing Jesus is God, the Son of God, or in miracles, or whatever the organized religion deems relevant. Either the code of conduct given by Jesus matters or it doesn't... Now, it would be nice if you responded to my arguments. I just dont see anything of substance, just yer nastiness.

 

[Berzerker]

Berzerker, let me ask you this:

What word would you use to describe the set of people who profess to believe the doctrines taught by Jesus of Nazareth, and who believe he is the Christ? Irrespective of their practices?

The doctrines taught by Jesus center around a code of conduct - practices. Giving people the benefit of the doubt, I'd call them Christians until their practices prove otherwise. Like I said, talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words. You believe words make one a Christian, I believe deeds make a Christian.

What happens to all the exceptionally moral people who never heard of Jesus?
They didn't need his message, they're already living it... The rest of us gotta make an effort.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

You completely missed the point of my question.

Let me rephrase it.

Ignoring completely their actions, paying no attention to what they do (not just being unaware of it) how do you classify people based only on what they believe? Do you think it is any way relevant that some people - good people and bad - believe in Christ, and some people - good and bad - believe in Vishnu?

Or do you think that is irrelevant? That seems to be the case.

 

[Phlegmak]

Berzerker, you couldn't be more completely wrong.

 

[fishjie]

the answer to the thread question is: how much money they are able to rake in.

 

[IglooDame]

Well, by your works do show what type of person you are. Now are they following what Jesus says? Do they show the love of God to others? Now if they were truly Christian, then there would be a great change in their lives, and these people are not showing that, so they not really Christian, certainly their actions do not match what they say they are. Now this is a personal question that you can answer by PM if you want, but has your wife ever once told you that you are dying in your sins and that you need to put your trust in Christ? If she has not done that once, the I seriously doubt that she is a Christian. I know I am making a judgement call, but I am just following the advice if Jesus. Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

She has indeed told me that. Often enough for me to understand, but not often enough to arouse my irritation. Trust me when I say that it breaks my heart that it breaks her heart that she believes that we'll be separated after death. It has crossed my mind a few times to simply fake the belief so she'll feel better, but #1 I don't think I could lie to her on a consistent basis about such a thing and #2 all I can do is explain that my mind is open on the subject and if it happens it happens. It isn't a point of disagreement (and certainly not a source of friction) but just a sense of mutual sadness between us that we can't bridge the divide.

 

[Sidhe]

Someone who talks the talk and walks the walk, anyone else is just paying lip service. Basically though that's a bit tight as that includes most of the so called Christians I know or know on the net. If you try at least to live by your religion that's good enough though, so long as you are sincere, if you just use it as you see fit and discard whole sections then you're nothing more than a hypocrite.

Going to church no more makes you a Christian than going to a garage makes you an automobile.

Some bloke, some time, somewhere.

 

[Sidhe]

Aren't you Christian as long as you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and was resurrected?

No quite frankly or any mass murdering nutcase who joined a faith would be one, that would be a fundamentalist belief and if you ask me it's bollocks.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Going to church no more makes you a Christian than going to a garage makes you an automobile.

If you have four wheels and an engine, it doesn't matter that you are constantly breaking down and your fuel efficiency is measured in gallons per mile.

 

[Sidhe]

If you have four wheels and an engine, it doesn't matter that you are constantly breaking down and your fuel efficiency is measured in gallons per mile.

It does to most people.

Well done on being promoted to modhood, let's hope it doesn't go to your head like ahem some people I could mention, but not on this forum so as to avoid breaking the rules.

 

[Phlegmak]

These people are Christians:
The Lord's Resistance Army
Westboro Baptist Church members
Eran of Arcadia
Erik Mesoy
Most Mafia members
St. Paul
John the Apostle
Most of my family members


These people are Muslims:
al Qaeda members
The Taliban
My coworker from Syria
Everybody in Jordan who says he's a Muslim and hasn't killed anyone and has no intention to

I don't really see what's the idea behind looking at people's actions. What people profess to believe makes them identify with whatever they want to. Their actions are irrelevant.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

It does to most people.

Well, it doesn't matter in whether it is an "automobile" or not. It is relevant to its performance, but not its name. Just like it matters very very much whether a person is following the teachings of Christ, or is going around killing people - but it doesn't make a difference in whether they are or are not Christian.