Were Christians who left the faith never really Christians to begin with?

Question

Like (so often mentioned) every Christian who did something bad, ever?

Inspired by the ever-insipid Galationwarrior:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuLs4baFy0z.bJXZ7nOSrg_sy6IX?qid=20070511072605AAZHQSr
and his quote: "Atheists who are former Christians are those who never really became a Christian, there are a few of them in churches today."

Isn't that really convenient and also very insulting?

Did evil = not a real Christian
Left the faith = not a real Christian

Answer 1

Here's what I think it means: It means that people who left Christianity and became Atheists had the intelligence deep down inside them and always had the POTENTIAL to think for themselves.

The fact that they were always intelligent people, just didn't exercise that intelligence when they were indoctrinated as a kid..............that must mean that they were "never a real Christian".

It doesn't change the fact that we almost always know more about Christianity than Christians do.

Answer 2

You hit on a topic I've been milling over for years. In my view, boiling things down to there base, and the fundamental question here is - what is a Christian? The 'once-saved, always saved' idea, as well as the possibility that salvation can be lost each, have supporters within the Christian faith. Some may argue that the past Christian, current atheist, is destined to return to Christianity.

But I'm not sure why this is insulting. I agree that the quote is convenient, and to a large extent a cop out, but how does this insult someone who doesn't believe that there is a God? I guess this goes back to the question of what a Christian is.

Why wouldn't you view this persons comment as true for all professed Christians because there is no God, and that salvation is nothing more than an artifact passed down from one needy generation to the next, as some kind of placebo?

The following might also be applicable:
did evil = everyone
left the faith = not a 'real' Christian, or
left the faith = salvation isn't guaranteed, or
left the faith = for a time, but is destined to return

Answer 3

First, congratulations on thinking for yourself. I bet you're gonna do just fine in college, and later. Second, it's not absolutely necessary for your parents to know your every thought, especially now that you're an adult. Many people in your position have gone through a period of "going through the motions" -- they say grace at family meals, attend church, help out at church functions or whatever they're accustomed to do, never letting on that their beliefs have changed. There's no shame in this: You're protecting yourself and your family. But if you think that's dishonest, then try rehearsing it in your mind: Imagine telling them the truth, then wait for their reaction, then figure out what to say in response (and you'll probably have an idea of how long it will be before everybody is in tears). Your rehearsals may convince you that you're not ready to make your views known, and that's fine. Or you may decide to go ahead with it no matter what the consequences. Just don't kid yourself about the consequences -- they could be serious. Some parents have thrown a nonbelieving child out of the house, refused to speak to them, or even disowned them. Those who don't go that far are merely dismayed, shocked, angry, and so on and so forth. Every family is different, so ultimately you must decide for yourself what's best to do. Whatever you decide, good luck.

Answer 4

We are all sinners. Whether we like it or not. As a Christian, I don't see how anyone can give up the faith. If they truly love the Lord, then why would they give up the faith? If they really repented of their sins, then why are they going back to to where they were? I don't think someone who gave up the faith can't be a Christian, but who am I to say that because I don't know their heart. Only God can tell what are hearts.

Answer 5

My church says I was a real Christian, when I was baptized and then confirmed.

Maybe they could come up with a system by which any church whose confirmed members leave Christianity loses its sanction as a Christian church.

Captain Atheist hit the nail on the head. Those "ex-atheists" all tend to argue for Christianity with the same bad arguments that the "always-believers" do. Are you really an atheist if you think that "But you can't prove there isn't a god!" is a good argument? And you fall for it the first time you hear it?

There's a real asymmetry here. We can point to specific understandings that lead to atheism. The transition from belief to atheism is a matter of coming to understand religion and the world around us. The transition from (whatever-you-want-to-call-it) to religious belief does not involve the development of any kind of understanding.

Answer 6

The whole argument that there is no such thing as Ex-Christians annoys the hell out of me. I notice those who say that know absolutely nothing about the person they are talking to, they will come up and say that to complete strangers. Not to mention there's no way to known what's going on in another person's mind. So much for not judging huh?

On the other hand, in real life, I have also had a few Christians who admit I used to be a "True Christian", but they've told me that I've committed the unforgivable sin because I've rejected Jesus knowing full well what I was doing so now I have a one way ticket to hell, it wouldn't matter if I repented now or not. *grins*

Answer 7

No. The parable of the sower is a perfect story showing how that seed (faith, being a Christian) gets planted in many hearts, but for lots of different reasons the plant does not survive. That doesn't mean the seed was never there, or that they were never Christian.

Answer 8

I was a Christian but I was not spiritually very mature. I am happy I found my way back.

About being bad, we all fall short from the glory of God and we need Jesus for our salvation.

I was a real Christian, no matter what people would say about it.
I am real Christian, no matter what people say.

My relationship is between me and my Lord. : )

Answer 9

It's very insulting...I was a christian for many years...and I worked very hard at being one...and it wasn't just by *showing up at church*....I did indeed *walk the walk and talk the talk*...deep down I truly believed that god existed and Jesus was his son...it shook me to the core when I could no longer stop myself from doubting what I believed...my heart was completely broken when I realized that all I had believed in and worked for my whole life was a big lie...so yes, insulting would be the word to call that statement...those who say that are being judgmental and are the very worst christians out there....

Answer 10

I guess it doesn't bother me, as a former Christian and now atheist, to be referred to as a fake one by them. I don't care how they feel about me, or how I choose to live my life. I show them the same courtesy.

It does bother me, however, when they refer to someone by the same title who still claims to be Christian and has sinned. That's a cop-out, and shunning them in that manner is equally as sinful...at least that's what I remember being taught.

Answer 11

The former Christians, now atheists I know all find it very offensive and insulting.

Somehow I understand that. However, I was born and raised as an atheist. I see the sentence "you were never a real Christian" as the ultimate compliment.