Why do i HAVE to be christian?

Question

I believe in God, and i have faith. I just don't believe in all the other stuff christians and others believe in. Because im not christian, most of them say that I can't be friends with christians! what is that!? Did God really say, "If they do not believe in me, do not befriend them." "what if they do, but aren't Christian?" "...Th-they still can't be your friend...B-because, they uh...(fill in blank Christians.)"

Answer 1

unless you are christian, they won't let you into their club.

you have to pay dues each sunday in church, so the membership costs are high.

you get no benefits that anybody has ever said are worthwhile, you are racked with guilt if you enjoy life, and you will most likely be killed by the leader of the club (god) who loves you.

now, do you still want to join this club?

Answer 2

You don't have to be Christian. You can believe what ever you want, but on the other hand don't chastise others for their beliefs. The Bible does not say don't befriend those who are not Christian. In fact it says to befriend them and show them the ways of the Lord. If someone wants to read something else into it, that is their right. You probably wouldn't want to hang around them anyway. They may misinterpret your actions as something else. Most Christians have never read the Bible all the way through. There are many conflicting ideologies in there. That's what happens when many men write the book over many hundreds of years. It's not the stories that matter it's the belief system called Faith. Have Faith and your friends will come around.

Answer 3

Billy,
Of course you don't. After all, Jesus wasn't a "Christian", He was a Jew, and His love of the Father is unequaled to this day. The real question, is not about belonging to a religious group. The question we all must answer is this: Does God's Spirit dwell in your heart? If His Spirit lives within you, the fruit of it will be obvious for all to see. If His Spirit does not dwell in your heart, you can be the pastor of a 5000 member mega church, and you are still counted among the dead. In time, our race will outgrow the need for the training wheels we call religion. When you have taken God, to be your Father, religion becomes somewhat inconvenient to the relationship. You find yourself wanting to spend time with God, but the church wants your service, time, and money. Sooner or later, if God is your First and Greatest love, the church is going to start getting in the way. It is for each of us as individuals, to know when we have reached that point. By the way, what we know as modern Christianity, did not come into existence, until the year 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicea. I suggest you learn more about it. It will help your decision.

Answer 4

Well, ultimately, you don't HAVE to be Christian. You can follow any religion you want to follow.

See, I've been grappling with this question for a month or two now. I'm just like you, in that I do believe in God - but, for myself, Christianity is kinda... totalitarian, or arrogant. The big issue for myself is the whole "If you're not Christian, you're going to Hell. Ohh, and our religion is the only true religion - all others are false. So, if you don't follow our religion, then you don't have any religion, and you're going to Hell."

IMHO that's kinda arrogant, to claim that your religion is the ONLY one that's real, and that all other religions - Judaism, Hinduism, and all of the others are (most certainly) false. Furthermore, the threat of going to Hell if you don't follow Christianity sounds very, very much like a scare-tactic used by the clergy in medieval times, to ensure that their followers remained true to their religion. Sounds like it's still working today.

So, I've been considering Buddhism lately. It agrees with most of my conceptions about life and religion, including my belief that life is about everyone's personal search for self-truths and what YOU (not your religion, YOU) believe is right and wrong. You should love your religion, and naturally follow its tenets and doctrines - NOT feel as if you're being confined by it. Also, Buddhism teaches that you can think of other deities in two ways - either there are none, or there are many deities. The latter is my belief, in that they're all looking after their own followers. It's my belief that there is no singular solution to the topic of religion. If you ever study anything in the field of Logic, you'll find one prevailing concept - that there are always multiple ways around the same problem. You see it in life every day, and I feel that it's present in Spirituality as well.

I'm not trying to force-feed you any ideas on religion, but I AM encouraging you to look around at different religions, or aspects of Christianity. It can't help to look around, discovering and learning more about the religions that surround us in our world. If you're curious, sate your appetite for knowledge and look for books, websites, and explore different things.

You'll find something that fits you.

Answer 5

If they cannot be friends with you because you are not a christian then they are also not a true christian. I mean wheres the tolerence, forgiveness and the NON-judgemental attitude that christians should have. Keep your faith in your heart, its personal between you and god and hes the only one whos approval you should require.

Answer 6

You certainly don't HAVE to be a Christian. Just don't be surprised if people who are Christian are less than enthusiastic about your belief in God--without all "the other stuff." Most Christians just don't buy into your a la carte style of faith.

Answer 7

What? Of course you can be friends. Its encouraged. And im happy that you believe in God and have faith. Im not going to judge you because we think some different things. Besides Christian is just a religious title. I love Jesus and have accepted him into my life. So you can call me a Jesus freak.

Answer 8

You don't have to belong to any organized religion to have faith or believe in God. However, many organized religions would have you believe that if you do not practice your faith their way you are doomed to hell regardless of your beliefs.

It's your soul and your hereafter - you need to decide how to practice your faith.

As for people refusing to be your friend because you are not a Christian, I would ask myself whether you want to befriend intolerant people anyway. Their faith-based refusal to be your friend would only make them unattractive as companions to me.

Answer 9

they arent your true friends.. christians are not supposed to make you be anything, they are supposed to be your brother/sister, someone who's there for you no matter what religion, or no religion u believe in... who ever told you that christians are only suposed to be friends with other christians, he was telling a lie, Jesus was chilling with other nonchristians, heck he even chose to come to a place where they are the poorest and the most hated people on earth.. no matter what, its not your fault your not like that.. you just be you, if you want to go to church, go to church if you dont then dont.. you will always be a friend to someone even though you cannot see them(talking about God)

well peace
God is love, Love is peace, peace begins with you.

Answer 10

You don't have to. It's not very Christian like to stay away from you fellow man and woman. If it is a Christians goal to expose people to Christianity, than they have to be around all type of people with differant believes

Answer 11

They can still be your friends, however I think you should start believing in christianity, God said that we are to have christian friends, now that doesn't mean you can't be friends with christians, but you shouldn't be one of their best buddies. Anyway I can't force you to be what you don't want to be, neither can your friends, however, I do recommend it.