Raised in the Roman Catholic church until I left voluntarily at 12. Today I am more atheistic than anything. When people ask me if I am Christian, do I say yes? or no?
2006-12-31 04:52:54 · 14 answers · asked by Clarkie 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great answers so far! Thank you for your thoughtful answers!
2006-12-31 05:53:27 · update #1
Most protestants would say that you get to choose your beliefs, and what your parents did has no bearing on your soul's future. If you reject Jesus Christ as the Son of God and do not believe in him for your salvation, then you are not a Christian.
As you state your position, I would say that you should answer no.
2006-12-31 05:02:37 · answer #1 · answered by Future Citizen of Forvik 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Christian is a person who believes Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God. If you believe and have asked for forgiveness for your sins, and are choosing to trust God with your life and your future, then yes, you are a Christian.
If you return to the church, you could consider your infant baptism a symbol of the faith you have now. But if you choose another denomination, they will either ask for a public confession of faith (as a substitute for an actual baptism, which essentially accomplishes the same goal), or you can choose to be baptized as an adult.
It all boils down to whether or not you truly are athiestic or if you were simply hurt or angered by something that happened within the Catholic church. All people are human, full of error, so no church will ever be perfect. Which is exactly why Jesus came in the first place, to become the reconciliation between man and God, to provide forgiveness and to teach us to forgive those who hurt us. If you believe in God, don't allow people to mess with your faith when they let you down. While they should be trying to imitate Jesus, they often fail miserably. Doesn't mean Jesus did.
Hope this helps.
2006-12-31 13:09:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. As a baby, I was also baptized as a catholic. I am 100% atheist today. I have never bothered to go through any kind of unbaptism ceremony since the original ceremony was obviously meaningless. Hmmm... I kind of like the idea of an unbaptism ceremony. Harry the Unbaptist. I could charge for such services.
But I digress... As far as religion, your personal beliefs define your religious status, not your parents, not your society, and even more so than your behavior.
Catholics are not defined as catholics simply because they are baptized, or their parents are both catholics. One has to believe in the catholic church and follow it's doctrine in order to be considered a catholic. But one could fake it, of course, and they will take your money, bugger your boys, and send you their propaganda just as if you were a real catholic.
Contrast this with the term "jewish". The tradition there is that the jewish race (which is not really a valid concept at all) is defined as anyone who is born to a jewish mother. However, this is more of an pseudo-anthropological concept than a religion. Therefore, you can find lots of people who would say they are jewish, but not at all religious.
2006-12-31 13:08:10 · answer #3 · answered by HarryTikos 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course not!
Richard Dawkins said:
"There is no such thing as a Christian child, there is only a child of Christian parents. Whenever you hear the phrase Christian child or Muslim child or Protestant child or Catholic child, the phrase should grate like fingernails on a blackboard"
Claiming a baby belongs to a certain religion is obviously wrong; and indoctrinating kids before they can tell right from wrong is terrible, but the only way religion can keep its numbers. Telling an adult the story of somebody rising from the dead etc wouldn't get any believers except in extreme cases. Children are another matter
2006-12-31 12:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by eldad9 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Take apart the word 'Christian'
Christ----ian
When we add 'ian' to a word, we are implying a link. ie: Californ-ian, a resident of Califorinia. Euclid-ian, pertaining to the mathematics that Euclid 'discovered'.
Therefore a 'Christ-ian' is one who belongs to the kingdom of Christ, or bases their actions on His teachings.
If you are 'more athiestic than anything' you are indicating that you do not even believe in Christ, so why would you want to claim a relationship with Him. What your parents did with you when you were a baby with no accountability does not grant you citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven, that is why the Bible doesn't teach infant baptism. Baptism is an outward sign, of an inward change, something like a wedding, it is only done by a fully accountable, consenting person.
Hope that helps!
2006-12-31 13:03:04 · answer #5 · answered by Woodsprite 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What is a "Christian," if not a daughter of the Catholics? They follow the edicts of the Catholic "father" Constantine, that murderous pagan! Who thought to change the "times and seasons." He changed the day of worship from Sabbath to Sun-day (do you get it? SUN - day) and killed anyone who disagreed!
You were not "baptized" you were "sprinkled." To be baptized is to be held under until all the little bubbles come up. One gives up their life and becomes a servant of the Most High. Your baptisim does not qualify.
Q for you...How can you be a "Christian" and "more atheistic"?
2006-12-31 13:14:34 · answer #6 · answered by Elisheva 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No.
I was also raised, and baptised, Lutheran. I am now ordained and licensed clergy of the Welsh Celtic tradition.
Both of my sons were baptised, one Catholic and One Lutheran. (I went back to the religion I was raised in before my second son was born.) However, they are now both practicing Pagans. One follows the Norse path, and the other follows the Welsh Celtic tradition.
Home is where the heart is.
2006-12-31 13:03:06 · answer #7 · answered by greenwitch822 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your baptism is recognized as Christian baptism in all Churches (except LDS and JW). Join any Chruch that does a Christian baptism which is defined as a triune baptism (in the name of the father son and holy spirit) and you do not have to be rebaptised. Why? Because you have already had a Christian baptism and are Christian.
Let me add a clarification. I assumed you were wanting to know if the baptisim was Christian, because one would assume if you did not believe in Christ you would not be asking if you could say you were a Christian or not, because if you had no belief you would be saying no and it would not be an issue.
2006-12-31 12:57:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you do not believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was born, died for your sins and rose again and if you have not accepted Him into your life as your Savior, then, no you are not a Christian.
2006-12-31 13:06:17 · answer #9 · answered by Kat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thank you parents they at least gave you some religious principles when you were born. They did it wanting to offer you what they thought was the best for you. Now, to your misfortune, you have become an atheist, so, you are not a Christian any more.
2006-12-31 12:59:36 · answer #10 · answered by edcaimo 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋