Can i get your opinion?

Question

I have a friend who is a very strict christian. We aren't good friends, but we're friends none the less. She says she doesn't consider me christian because I don't go to church (anymore) and because I believe in reincarnation. Does she really have the right to say I'm not christian just because some of my ideology differs from the religion?

P.S: If you knoe your going to go crazy on me please make it constructive. Thank You.

sorry about that. Knoe should be know.

Answer 1

Absoloutley Not.

It is between you and God alone, and she, nor anyone else can tell you that your not.

I get the same stuff on this board all the time. And up until a few years ago, my very best friend used to say it to me as well (divorced). I pointed out to her, in a nice way, she was judging me, and she could not know my heart, through my actions. That was between me and God, not her and me and God. After that, she stopped.

And dont listen to the people below who are going to tell you what you believe means you arent a Christian. I'll say it again:

Its between YOU and GOD, and nooone else!! Just incase all of em missed it.

Answer 2

You're technically Christian if you believe that Jesus Christ was the savior and the son of god. The problem is that if you believe in Jesus as the savior, the assumption is that he's flawless, and that everything he said is true. So if at any point you disagree with the bible, you're disagreeing with the premise that Jesus is flawless, and therefore don't think he's the son of god. Or that's the rational. Here's the counterarguement:

1.) Jesus existed, was perfect, but the rest of the world screwed up. So the bible was dictated by god, and is totally flawless. But we don't know how many times it's been edited since the initial genesis of the bible, and we don't know how pure the interpretation of the PEOPLE'S understanding of what Jesus said was.
2.) Jesus existed, but was not perfect. After all, god can make an imperfect entity can't he? Jesus made mistakes, said some wrong things, etc etc. But he had divine essence, which gave him power and authority. He can be wrong, but it's gods WILL that he be wrong.
3.) I'm not sure Christianity specifically says "There is no reincarnation." Souls go to heaven, but the views on what happens before that are varied. It's possible to interpret it in such a way that supports reincarnation. As for not going to church, the bible says for the people to congregate or something or other like that, but you can interperet how much congregation, how often, what the duration, and how many people however you want. The priests that say you must meet at X every Y for Z amount of time say such because they have been declared authorities, not because they're right. They just think you're sinning if you don't listen to them, because they think their interpretation is the only correct one.

Personally, I'm agnostic, so what the hell do I know? Either way, your friend is probably going to think you're not Christian no matter what you say or do, so I'd just try and avoid talking about the issue.

I mean really, what the heck are you if you're not Christian? You're certainly not an athiest. Maybe "non-denominational monotheist"

Answer 3

This is another of those things I don't understand about Christians, or any of the three major religions.
They are very much against reincarnation but they believe when they die they will be reincarnated in Heaven.
I'm sure any good preacher would have lots of reasons why that is wrong ...
Whats the big deal about being a Christian anyway?

Answer 4

Well... going to church is a good thing to do, a very good thing to do, if you're Christian, but you can be Christian without going to church. Best if that doesn't happen, but yeah, that doesn't make you not Christian.

Reincarnation, though, that one doesn't fit in with Christianity, I think your friend might be right. There might be a few different ideas on what happens when we die exactly, but reincarnation isn't one of them. Everyone has their own soul. If we were reincarnated... and we went to heaven or hell, which person would we go as?

I would seriously think about the reincarnation thing. And it wouldn't hurt to go to church either, although it is important to pick a good church, if that's what stopped you from going. ^_^

Answer 5

Going to church doesn't automatically mean you're a Christian. And I'm puzzled why, if you're a Christian, you would believe in reincarnation. There is no such thing. The bible says it is appointed for men to die once, and then the judgment. We go to heaven or hell after death, we don't come back as something or someone else.

With all due respect, if you consider yourself a Christian, you would be following the bible, which teaches of Jesus, of the character of God, and the truth about all things.

Answer 6

You can call yourself whatever you want, but if you don't follow the teachings of Christ, which is what Christianity is, and you believe in things like reincarnation, which is something that was not taught by Jesus, then you're not really a christian. If you want to have your own beliefs then have your own beliefs and if that doesn't bother you then I don't understand why being called a christian would matter to you anyway unless you're ashamed of what you believe and can't accept the fact that it's not christian.

Answer 7

I'd have to agree. If you believe in reincarnation, then you are not Christian. If you were Christian, you would believe in spending eternity with your Heavenly Father in Heaven because you believe Christ is the ONLY way.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

You can't pick interesting things from all religions and expect it to be the truth. Different from the truth is not "different", it's wrong. Think about what you're basing eternity on....that's quite a gamble.

Prayer for you...

Answer 8

Isn't that being a bit judmental on her part? Judge not lest ye be judged is what my bible says about it. Does she really know your heart as God does? Then what gives her the right to tell you what you are or are not. Not everyone has the same knowledge of God or the same conviction and only God knows what is in your heart so let Him be the judge. And if you want to believe in reincarnation, that is your business. Although I cannot see why anyone would choose to believe in that, it is your choice. Doesn't that take God out of the picture by thinking you have to come back to get things right? That He does not have the power to help you get it right the first time? Just something to think about.

Answer 9

If you both live in a country that upholds free speech, then yes. She does have the right to voice her opinion about whether she believes that you are Christian or not. That doesn't necessarily make her right though- she is expressing a belief based on her understanding of her faith.

Take her comments for whatever *you* think they are worth and move on from there. If you feel the need, you could always talk about it with a trusted friend, clergyperson, or your god. Good luck.

Answer 10

Not going to church anymore is between you and God. I've stopped as well and now all my old friends don't think I'm a Christian anymore. While I don't think reincarnation is biblical, that is also between you and God. Your friend should back off. In the end, God will decide based on your heart if you are worthy to be called His child. It is not something for you friend to decide, she is man and her judgment on your salvation doesn't count, really. It's God's judgment and mercy that count. If you consider yourself a Christian, it's b/c you believe in Christ and what He did for you on the cross. Tell your friend that she shouldn't judge your salvation b/c that's not her place. That's what I told my friends.