A "Christian" is, by definition, someone who follows Christ.
An "Atheist" is, by definition, someone who does not believe in a deity.
If someone claims to be a Christian, and yet is not following Christ's teachings at all, then they are not a true Christian. (They're not really following Christ).
If someone claims to be an Atheist, and yet is acting badly, they are STILL an Atheist (they still don't believe in God).
This is not a compliment or an insult of either Atheism or Christianity. It is a mere technicality, a consequence of the particular definitions of these words.
What am I missing? Why is this so hard to grasp?
2007-06-06 14:07:54 · 19 answers · asked by Heron By The Sea 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
haha.
A Drink to that!
*drink*
2007-06-06 14:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by uhohspaghettiohohs 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What exactly is your point? Is it that a Christian forfeits being a Christian if not perfect in this life? If so you don’t understand Christianity.
Conversely if your definition of “acting badly” is sin, that is the status of an atheist by definition; Sin being estrangement from God.
IF a Christian is not following the example of Christ “AT ALL” then they are not Christian and the correct term is Apostate.
2007-06-06 14:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by John 1:1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, a Christian is by definition "one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ". Notice, they only need to believe, not follow, the teachings. This is the actual definition, taken straight from a dictionary. Therefore, regardless of how they act, they can still be Christians as long as they believe. You may not like that, but is this so hard to grasp?
As for your example of the atheist, I agree.
2007-06-06 14:20:49 · answer #3 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To add to your dilemma. If someone does not know who Christ is, or is an atheist, but still follows his teachings by acting in a Christian manner, treating people with respect, doing charitable work etc, does that make him a Christian?
2007-06-06 14:15:43 · answer #4 · answered by Labsci 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunatley the term "Christian" in today's common speech has a much more complicated definition. Today "Christian" means somebody that believes in a certain set of doctrine. I'm not actually sure what those doctrines are. I'm Mormon and I am considered NOT to be "Christian". Not because I don't believe or follow Jesus but because I believe that God has revealed more scripture in our day which is against the common doctring of "Christian". Sorry this isn't an easy answer. Christian has a very specific mean.
2007-06-06 14:14:36 · answer #5 · answered by Trump 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are too many who can only think in terms of either christian or atheist, but the truth is there many more concepts or personal explanantions than just these two..
A typically simplified and narrow minded christian way of thinking, if one could call it that..
There are also many levels of belief and commitment to any ideology, conepts or understanding, so when people are just breaking it down to only those two representations, it exposes an infantile or childlike perspective..
2007-06-06 14:16:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your missing that few other people will understand this.
You think everyone is educated to at least a 12 grade level and the truth is most just aren't.
Many are looking up many of the words you used in this question, but they're Dr. Seuss dictionary probably has too many crayon markings to read anymore.
The great unwashed masses of humanity...try using words at a 6th grade level. 4 syllable words will only confuse people. (The manuals I used in the Navy were written at 8th grade level - so the sailors could understand them, really.)
I often pause to wipe a tear as humanities slow regression into barbarism - it is killing our chance at our goal of greatness.
Be at peace for raising the bell curve. Please do not dumb down yourself so people will understand you - keep pushing them to learn, and grow. Thank you.
2007-06-06 15:25:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct, Christians follow, trust and love Jesus as their Lord and Savior. An Atheist follows no one other than himself.
2007-06-06 16:25:06 · answer #8 · answered by 4HIM- Christians love 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually, my dear, a christian simply believes in Jesus Christ as God's son. Even should he choose to turn his back on the teachings of his Lord,(if you are bad), you are still Christian.
2007-06-06 14:12:32 · answer #9 · answered by twhite 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That's an interesting thing you mentioned thank you. You're right about the Atheist part as well.
2007-06-06 14:33:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand it. I think it's a double standard, and the ones saying this are just trying to make themselves look better than they really are. They look down their noses at everybody else.
2007-06-06 14:19:08 · answer #11 · answered by Becca 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋