Isn't it possible that the "Christians" that out-number the atheists in Jail, really aren't Christian

Question

Remember, many will say "Lord, Lord" but Jesus won't know them. Why are the actions of a few being counted as the actions of the whole?

Answer 1

Or maybe they are the real ones just being persecuted and all the fake ones are in church.

I think we better start putting stars on their bellies.

Answer 2

I don't quite get what you're asking but I'll make a feeble attempt at an answer. There are about as many reasons for someone to be a Christian as there are individual Christians. I recently learned that C.S. Lewis was supposedly a staunch athiest until his wife died upon which he turned into a devout Christian. My suspicions would be that the rationale behind the conversion is to reconcile some powerful psychological pain. How can you be both an athiest and have a fervent wish of one day rejoining the love of your life? You have to change one belief to be in line with the other. We know what C.S. Lewis chose. I would liken being sent to prison as being a signifigant loss. Perhaps the same mental processes take place in these convicts. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of these convicts really do believe themselves to be Christian, and in the end isn't it fundamently that if you believe Jesus is the Savior you ARE a Christian?

Answer 3

They claim to be Christians...they have to get these facts somewhere.

Unfortunately, I can say that a few actions of some Muslims, Atheists, etc. are being "counted as the actions of the whole" by most Christians.

But then, that would turn the tables again.

On with the "persecution", "judging", "generalizing", and "victim" rants!!!!

Answer 4

Sure but it makes one wonder if most of the people purporting to be Christian are fakes as well. If so then why should people be able to go around saying that the label religious or Christian confers any special recognition at all? Isin't it a cop out to say that religious people or Christians are more moral but then when so many prove they are not more moral say well they don't count?

Answer 5

Yes! it is very possible. Just because you claim to be part of a faith, does not mean you actually are. And as you quoted, Jesus captured that perfectly.

The actions of a few representing the actions of the whole is evident of the fallacy of the overwhelming exception--when a sample that is falsely taken to be typical of a population from which it is drawn

Answer 6

It's possible.....the actions of a few are always counted as being the actions of the whole because that's just what people do. It's unfortunate, but....well, you know.....

*hugs*

Answer 7

There is good reason to identify as a Christian while in jail. Attending Bible studies and worship services often counts as good behavior which means earlier release.

Answer 8

Perhaps we should adopt a common Christian custom and say that any atheists in jail aren't "real" atheists.

Answer 9

Most EVERYONE who attends any kind of church on Sunday that happens to mention Jesus in the vaguest of ways, thinks of themselves as a Christian; so I agree with you 100%.

Answer 10

Why would atheist want to go to jail? He has only one life to live. Christians on the other hand do not care.

Answer 11

Certainly. Possibilites abound. But they are just "possibilities." It's possible that people who label themselves "Muslims" are really "Scientologists" too. But all we have to go on are the labels that people give themselves, since you, Jimbo, cannot go into jail and tell us who the "Real Christians" (tm) are.