Would you say there is a difference between "christian" and Christian?

Question

We know there are "christians" ("christian in name only") here. We see them everyday. It is becoming increasingly rare to actually find a Christian here.

Have the genuine Christians given up? Are they content to allow hypocrites recruit and train still more hypocrites under the name of "Christianity"?

Answer 1

I think you're saying there are Christians... and then there are "religious" people. I agree with that. There are those people who are so wrapped up in rules and regulations and how they think a Christian should dress and talk, rather than worrying about their own path, the fruits that they bare, their personal relationship with God, etc. This religious spirit has always been around. The pharisees are a prime example from biblical times and the woman who has to sit on "her pew" today is another. This may have increased due to a backlash of those already proned to judge judging the sinners of this world and trying to set themselves apart; when, they should be propelled towards God because of a personal and honest desire to have a relationship with Him, not to set themselves apart from sinners.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say genuine Christians have given up. Churches are in decline in some western nations, but very strong and growing quickly elsewhere.

I think what's more apparent is that people are really coming to grips with saying they're Christian and meaning it or vice versa. If I'd asked my friends when we were at school if they were Christian they'd say yes because they'd been Christened. But more and more people are breaking with these traditions because they realise it did nothing for them when they were young and they don't believe themselves. What you get then is a decline in people saying they're Christians, rather than an actual decline in the numbers of Christians.

Also people are more aware of becoming a social pariah nowadays (apparently all Christians are right wingers who think scientists should be shot and think Harry Potter is demonic) and I would argue less likely to say they're a Christian if they're fair-weather Christians.

It's about education too. Many people will see themselves as Christian through tradition and nationality rather than doctrinal truth and a full understanding of the Bible. Finally as Paul argues in either 1 Timothy or Philippians's (can't remember for sure), even if there are hypocrites preaching the Gospel, the main thing is that the Gospel is being preached.

Answer 3

Interesting question that brings several things to mind.

I have run into people recently who have described themselves as "Cultural Christians".

There are also people who do embody the teachings of Christ without formal "Christianity" I don't believe that one needs the formal structure of an organized religion to follow the philosophy of Christianity. Without the political rhetoric is it really different than the ideal of any other faith?

Perhaps those still striving, once again for the "ideal" are turned off by the the amount of hate spewed in the name of Jesus who preached nonjudgmental love and peace.

They may be choosing to lead by example rather than the "recruiting" you mentioned.

Structured religion may be less popular but personal spirituality is on the rise.

Answer 4

I see a lot of "Christians" who go to church every week several times a week. When I observe them (one couple in particular) I notice that all they do is gossip about other members of the church. I notice other members from that same church doing the same thing. Is it the church? I don't know. I don't attend that church, nor do I want to. But, I do know they profess to be a "Christian" church.
I am finding that more and more churches are concerned with more political matters than Christ matters. They allow things in the churches just to keep the attendance up. Doesn't matter if the person/people are living lives so far from what Christ said should be lived in order to represent Him.

Answer 5

The genuine or True Christians have not given up. We are still around, just rare as you said.
But still here none the less.

Answer 6

there are a number of differences between the Jewish (Hebrew) faith and the Christian faith. the main distinction, that's continuously on the precise of the record, is that Jews have not got self assurance Christ replaced into the Son of God and our Savior, additionally regularly occurring because of the fact the Messiah. Jews have self assurance the Messiah has no longer yet come to us. yet another distinction is that the Jews settle for the old testomony, yet no longer the hot testomony. in addition they have their e book, the Torah. the two faiths selection very much in many respects, yet the two have self assurance in an identical God pronounced in the old testomony. in the Christian faith there are in actuality 2 important communities: Catholic and Protestant. till sometime in the 1500's (i think) there replaced into in basic terms the Catholic faith, yet Martin Luther, a German priest, broke far flung from the Catholic faith and based the Protestant branch. in the Protestant branch there are literally scores of smaller branches like Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalians, and extra. seek the internet for extra assistance. As a edge remark, many of the questions approximately Yahoo solutions choose no longer be asked, if the asker used the internet, that's the terrific library ever regularly occurring to guy.

Answer 7

There's still a few of us left. But fewer and fewer people are conveying the true message of the Gospel. Many have incorporated their personal views into it, and misrepresented it. Unfortunately, that does more harm than good. That being said, there are some people who will never receive the mesage, no matter how well it is delivered. Much to God's sorrow.

Answer 8

I am sometimes tempted to give up. It makes me very sad to see people on both sides of the issue become so very insulting, defensive, and impotent. I do not see why the christians have so little compassion for the agnostics and the atheists, since they are people without hope. And while I can understand someone being an athiest, I do not understand why they have to be so hateful and disrespectful to people of faith.

Answer 9

Actually the only difference is that the one that isn't capitalized doesn't exist. There is no such word as "christian" that is not capitalized, although it may mean different things in different contexts. Sorry, I realize that's not what you wanted, but that's the actual answer to your question.

Answer 10

I think you mean the difference between a "Believer" and a "Christian". Theres a big difference.