2007-07-10 08:32:49 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christianity by definition is exclusionary....
Believe in Christ and confess that he is Lord and Savior of your life.
That is all you need... otherwise you are excluded.
2007-07-10 08:35:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is a double edged Christian sword. A truer view is that Christianity is an embracing faith where tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness should abound. In many instances differences can come together in celebration, however these usuually end on a Sunday when each goes a seperate way to their brand of faith. Pehaps common roots are the key and enough.
2007-07-10 10:26:07 · answer #2 · answered by Barbarian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define "Christian." By my definition, a Christian is simply someone who believes in Christ and his teachings. Attempts to exclude others from your own definition of Christianity does not make you not a Christian, so long as you believe in Christ and his teachings, but it makes you the owner of a poor personal definition of Christianity. It is really all a matter of perspective.
2007-07-10 08:36:59 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The definition game for any religion is pointless. Often times it is used in support of the no-true-Englishman game.
If you allow adherents to define titles like "Christian", you'll simply find that there are dozens of groups each claiming to be the True Christians. That doesn't help any.
We have to accept a broad definition like, "Anyone who claims to follow the teachings of Christ", or it just turns into an endless argument.
2007-07-10 08:39:32 · answer #4 · answered by Diminati 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if they're true Christians to begin with, and understand right from wrong, and the normal from the abnormal.
By the same token, we can exclude liberal traitors from the definition of a real American.
And continuing along the same line, I have every right to say this under Freedom of Speech.
2007-07-10 08:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some people unconsciously equate"I'm a Christian" with "I am a nice person," and if you say a person is not a Christian, then you are insulting them by saying they are not nice. This does not compute. If that's what you are doing then your premise is wrong.
If one is a follower of Christ, they are by definition a Christian. If a person is not a follower of Christ, they are not a Christian. (Take the Jews for example.) It should not be an insult.
2007-07-10 08:46:10 · answer #6 · answered by Mister J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your questions raises a more serious issue of Institutional-definitions and views as opposed to whom defines a Christian.
Consider the de-facto definition of "God" in Christian terms pretty much "spells it out" what Christianity wishes followers to do, and that is to Believe "what we believe"; and in this, your choices are history in regards to discovery and interpretations based on your own personal experiences.
With the idea the very concept of "God" is a huge one, whom would leave it up to a politicalized institution to spell it all out for them?
The alternative is to believe that "God" wrote the text later formed into a Bible, as a whole, leaving no room for anyone else to slip in even one word belonging to their separate interpretations and view.
With that on the table eat what you wish but cook what you eat.... :)
2007-07-10 09:51:01 · answer #7 · answered by Adonai 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2)
Where there is tolerance, inclusivity and love for humanity there is true Christianity. If these things are not present then it is not true Christianity. Christ was open to all.
2007-07-10 10:04:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Then they're not a true Christian if they've come up with the definition from their own minds. If you can prove them wrong, or you know in your heart that you can, by information in the Bible then you're the one who is in the right.
2007-07-10 08:36:03 · answer #9 · answered by Lara Croft 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the greatest bumper sticker ever. it says " jesus help protect me from your followers" if a true christian reads the bible and takes it to heart then he should accept any one for anything. even if they've commited the most heinous of sins. your duty as a christian is to accept that person under the lord, forgive thier sins and pray for thier well being. so i wouldn't say they aren't christians but i would say they don't understand what jesus was trying to say.
2007-07-10 08:40:20 · answer #10 · answered by raymo28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on their definition of Christianity. If it matches what the bible says then, yes, they are.
2007-07-10 08:36:36 · answer #11 · answered by Machaira 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋