If a gay person says he's a Christian, or even if an idol-worshipping, animal sacrificing, stem-cell researcher says he's a Christian, does anybody have the right to tell him 'no you're not'?
2006-09-06 04:57:31 · 27 answers · asked by XYZ 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Of course not, only the individual himself or herself has the sole right to decide that he or she is a Christian. Self-definition is the human right of every individual. No organization, institute, system or group of humans can define an individual's religion.
2006-09-06 05:00:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christians cannot fully know if someone is a Christian, because such a thing in the end is more than praying a prayer, it is a change in one's life. People can fake Christianity very well. Christians don't decide who is Christian or not, they judge by the fruits to know whether the person is a Christian. It's possible that someone appears to be a Christian, but really has an unrepentant heart, and is not a Christian. Likewise, it is possible that a person is a Christian who has a very weak walk with Christ, but does indeed have their faith in Christ.
However, there are certain things that can let a Christian know that a person is not a Christian. It is possible for a gay person to be a Christian. We all have sins, homosexuality is one of many possibilities. It is something that should be addressed in a Christian's life, but the fact that they are gay does not exclude the possibility that they are a child of God.
An idol worshipper, on the other hand, is very different. The Scripture is very clear about having other gods. One might say, "But this is just another sin, like many sins," but then we must look at why someone would commit this sin. The reason they would commit a sin such as idol worship is because they do not trust God as their Savior. If they did trust him, they would have no need for these idols. Incidentally, idol worship can take many forms. It can be a little wooden statue for certain, but it could also be money. It could also be a hobby. It could even be a person's own children. Being a Christian means putting your trust in God. If you are putting your trust in something else, then you are not a Christian.
There are many things that Christians can use Scripturally to try to determine whether a person is a Christian or not. While there is often a degree of uncertainty, there are certain plumblines that can be used to get an idea. With Christianity, it is safer to err on the side of assuming people are not Christians and still need Christ, and being motivated to share the gospel rather than assuming they are a Christian just because they said they were, and letting them perish without a true hope.
2006-09-06 12:14:15 · answer #2 · answered by GodsKnite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God has the right to decide who is really worshipping him or not, however he has given us plenty of information in the bible to help us to understand what sort of worship is acceptable to him. For instance the bible is very clear as to what god thinks about homosexuality and idol worship. see leviticus 18:22, romans 1:26-28 & Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 John 5:21, also there are many other scriptures to show what is required to be a true christian, just saying you are 'a christian' isn't enough as jesus showed very clearly in matthew 7:21-23.
2006-09-06 12:05:10 · answer #3 · answered by Frax 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only you and God know for sure! I am a Christian and I truly believe that anyone (yes, ANYONE) who calls on His name will be saved. Of course, SAYING you're a Christian (a believer/foller of Christ) and BEING one are two different things, anyone can say it. But the word "Christian" does have a meaning and it is one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus. Most ministers would also tell you that a true Christian has accepted Christ as his savior. And yes, I believe that gay people can be saved the same as the rest of us. We are ALL sinners, and none of us is more apt to be forgiven than others -- all you have to do is A) Admit your sins, B) Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and C) Confess (tell others) that Jesus is Lord. See, easy as ABC, anyone can do it ! :-) Being a Christian is a FACT, not an opinion.
2006-09-06 12:07:58 · answer #4 · answered by marys2boys 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only God has the right to decide on an individual basis.
We may have our opinions and use them to decide whether or not to share the gospel and our testimony with others. But we must not come right out and express that opinion to the person involved.
The guys from the "Way of the Master" do it right. When a person says they're Christian, they say "Good," and then go on to test them by the Ten Commandments.
2006-09-06 12:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by freelancenut 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By virtue of the scriptures and the word of the Christ, the answer is a resounding NO! Christ forbade the judging of others lest they be put to the same stick to which they measure. Truth be told, I doubt many so called 'Christians' would measure up, but I cannot say for sure, because I obey the word as it was meant to be understood and not as others want it to say.
2006-09-06 12:30:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are the biggest group of hypocrites on the planet...I wouldn't take any of their comments seriously. They walk around life with their heads stuck up their a**es yet, consider themselves morally superior to everyone that doesn't buy into their philosophy or religious beliefs. In answer to your question: F**K NO! they do not have the right to decide who is or who isn't a Christian...all they have is an opinion just like everybody else. F**K THEM!
2006-09-06 12:08:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you call yourself a theologian and you aren't, do I, as a theologian, have a right to say you are not? Yes, I do.
If you're white and call yourself African-American, do blacks have the right to say you are not black? Of course they do.
If you're an idol-worshipping, animal sacrificing anything who calls himself a Christian, do I as a Christian have a right to say no, you're not? You betcher ever-lovin' a..., buddy!
2006-09-06 12:13:13 · answer #8 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, we have the right to say that but sometimes it is not right thing to say. Christian is basicly that we try to be Christ like...but we all fall short from the glory of God...I would leave judging to the Lord. Because He knows our hearts. :)
2006-09-06 23:04:51 · answer #9 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the most important thing Christians have to learn is that THEY ARE NOT GOD
GOD is the only one with the right to judge people!!!
Of course they pretend this is not true, other wise they would lose power and how could they manipulate people later right???
2006-09-06 12:00:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋