Explain:
Thank you.
2007-06-22 03:48:48 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a heathen, I certainly don't see why not. Within heathenry, we have those who believe in the literal existence of our god/desses, those who believe they are psychological archetypes or personified cultural symbols, and those who are known as "gautless" heathens, who trust in their own strength alone, but maintain thew and community, and participate in rites as an expression of cultural solidarity.
Just based on personal experience growing up xian, I've seen all of those interpretations practiced within Christianity as well; any one who tells you only one of them is a "real" Christian is . . . well, is one of the reasons there's so many denominations, factions, sects, and schisms among them, lol.
2007-06-22 04:08:43 · answer #1 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you mean a physical symbol, then I would say NO. That would make "God" a man-made object or an idol.
Believing in God doesnt make you a Christian. The term Christian is so watered down these days. Believing in Jesus as the Christ or Messiah, that He died for your salvation, and accepting His gift of eternal life makes you a Christian.
If you believe in God, but dont agree with any denomination (or cult or whatever), then call yourself an Agnostic. If you dont believe in God, then your Atheist. BUT please dont call yourself a Christian just because you go to church and do good things (like not killiing, stealing, raping and plundering!)
Sorry, I think I got off topic and ranted a little.
2007-06-22 10:59:51 · answer #2 · answered by MrMyers 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A cultural christian, as in raised in a tradition, attends regularly as the liturgy and community are a comfort.
Much as a 3rd generation Irish immigrant in the US Midwest is still an Irishman, a person who sees religion as myth can be a (cultural) christian.
2007-06-22 10:52:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are asking, can the hierarchy of Catholicism be Christian. Because this is their very belief. I am awaiting the responses because Catholics do not even know this.
No, the denial of the being God, is a denial of Jesus Christ's existance and cannot be classified as Christianity.
2007-06-22 10:55:46 · answer #4 · answered by Truth7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not a Christian as they're currently defined......symbols can't knock up virgins with flying demi-god children.
2007-06-22 11:04:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
The explanation is that God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to earth.
Jesus is not an ideal, or a concept. He was a real man who walked the Earth and taught mankind about life, being a living example of God's precepts and laws.
Unless you believe that Jesus is THAT God come to earth in the form of a man, then you are not, cannot be a Christian.
2007-06-22 10:55:54 · answer #6 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yeah, all that stuff about accepting Jesus as your personal savior is modern made up crap. If I choose to follow Marx, I am a marxist, if I walk on the left I am a leftist. Stands to reason that if I am hooked on the fairy tales of Han Christian Anderson I'd be a Andersenian?
2007-06-22 10:56:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. They are denying the record God gave of Himself to fallen mankind. Any "christian" who does so has effectively marginalized the message of the cross in their own life.
2007-06-22 10:59:17 · answer #8 · answered by RIFF 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They shouldn't be able to lay claims to christianity. But I bet there is some who do.
2007-06-22 10:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by Sapere Aude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to believe.
In my opinion God is more real then we are.
2007-06-22 11:02:05 · answer #10 · answered by Even Haazer 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋