I understand that being Christian means believing in Christ. But can one not follow the principles of being a good person without following any religion?
2006-09-03 04:25:48 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I classify myself as a good person.
I don't need religion to tell me that.
2006-09-04 08:56:35 · answer #1 · answered by Einstein 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but being a Christian is much more than just being a Good Person.
You can be a good person that hasn't accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. You can be a good person that even follows the basic teachings of Christ and not be a Christian because you have not accepted Him into your heart.
It's all about the Faith.
2006-09-03 04:29:45 · answer #2 · answered by tjjone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's illogical to claim to be Christian w/o believing in God. If being Christian means believing in Christ, than how could you deny who created Him. That would be equivalent to believing someone is a doctor, but not believing that he went to college to become one.
2006-09-03 04:41:27 · answer #3 · answered by mcclean5552 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can we then, live a "good" life if we have already sinned against God? At best we are reformed liars and thieves . . . but still Lawbreakers. Think of it this way - would you sell one of your eyes for a million dollars? Would you sell both for $50 million? I'm sure you wouldn't. Your eyes are priceless, yet they are merely the windows of your soul. What then must your life (soul) be worth? With these thoughts in mind, what would be a fair price to pay for everlasting life? It is utterly without price. Yet, if we trust in our own goodness to enter Heaven, we are saying to God, "I should enter Heaven because I have done good - I have earned my way in."
Imagine if you wanted to give me a brand new (very expensive) car, but I said, "I can't take it! I feel embarrassed receiving such a gift . . . here's 10 cents for it." I'm sure you would be very insulted by such a pathetic offer of payment. Besides, if I pay for it, it is no longer a gift, it's a purchase . . . it's mine by right.
When we talk of entering Heaven by being good, by trying to keep the Ten Commandments etc., we are tossing God 10 cents of "self-righteousness," which is a terrible insult to Him, in the light of His sacrifice. The only thing we can do is humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and receive the gift by trusting Jesus Christ alone.
The Bible says that God will punish all murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, adulterers, etc. He will even judge our words and thoughts. On Judgment Day, will you be found to be guilty or innocent of breaking His commandments?
Perhaps you think that God is good, and will therefore overlook your sins. But it is His goodness that will make sure that murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, etc. receive justice. He would be a corrupt Judge if He turned a blind eye to injustice.
2006-09-03 04:30:44 · answer #4 · answered by mmmk92 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would anyone want to do that? You can certainly be a good person without religion, in fact it probably helps to be a good person if you don't have religion.
2006-09-03 04:28:43 · answer #5 · answered by Gallivanting Galactic Gadfly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, in order to be a Christian you must believe in God. That would be very hyprocritical.
2006-09-03 04:31:32 · answer #6 · answered by Tiffany 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no real need for classification.
Society is an illusion. It is constructed by individuals.
Be an individual! Dont believe - experience!
2006-09-03 04:28:52 · answer #7 · answered by Sarango 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would say no
2006-09-03 04:32:46 · answer #8 · answered by trey45 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋