Most of us do not use terms such as 'photocopy' or 'cotton swab'; we use 'Xerox' and 'Q-tip', proper terms that have come to universally symbolize a specific thing.
Do you believe that many people who claim Christianity do indeed believe in God, but yet don't understand the "ins and outs" of the faith? That it is a term chosen simply out of convenience, not understanding?
2007-08-16 02:09:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
probably, but it is not a prerequisite to understand all the ins and outs of faith and doctrine to become a Christian. So many denominations fall under the umbrella.
I don't agree it's a term chosen simply out of convenience since the basic principle of being a Christian is believing in God and Jesus as Saviour.
2007-08-16 02:17:34 · answer #1 · answered by Hope 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As you know, I'm atheist.
But recently, I've had the inspiration to write a long research paper, maybe turn it into a master's thesis, saying that it is now useless to lump American Christianity (at the very least) into one religion.
You and I have both seen it. It's as if certain people aren't talking about the same book or the same Jesus.
I think it's time for new labels. I don't believe all Christians are the same religion. They may be Christian in root, but they are far too different now a days.
2007-08-16 03:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that there is a growing number of people who try to follow Jesus example and teachings who do not call themselves Christians because of all the things that the word 'Christian' has come to mean.
I prefer not to get into the whole "true Christian" and "not a true Christian" thing.
I prefer, in truth, to not be associated in anyones mind with anyone who threatens others, acts from ego or pride, is loud and boisterous about their faith, argues with others about matters of faith, shows disrespect to people of other religions, seeks to impose their idea of Christianity on the government through law, or any of the things that are SO far from what Jesus asked us to be and do.
But, of course, in order to not be lumped with people who do that, I have to not do that.
And that is the challenge I have taken up. How well I succeed depends a lot on people like you, who ask questions that remind me to be self-examining.
2007-08-16 03:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by Praise Singer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that too many non-Christians (like Jehovah's Witnesses) call themselves Christians.....when they are clearly not.
It's a term that means simply this: A follower of Christ
It has become generic in the fact that so many people lay claim to the title......not really knowing what it means in the first place
2007-08-16 02:48:06 · answer #4 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depends on who uses it, though generally it's correct it based on what the beliefs are. It certainly is a generic term to those who are anti-Christian based on how those beliefs are applied. Not all Christians are aggressively evangelical and this is the main argument for those that attack Christianity.
2007-08-16 03:52:09 · answer #5 · answered by lucius.graecus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes i think that is true i used to say i was a christian but i stopped when i realized that i didn't even know what it "really" meant. I've learned now that it doesn't mean one specific type of belief but, the general public, refers to Christianity as the belief in just that Jesus was born and did live. (now i refer to myself as undecided upon religion
2007-08-16 03:04:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I absolutely agree with you. Unfortunately, we live in an era where people *say* they are Christians, but their thoughts and actions betray the truth -- that they are not true believers.
And sadly, the Bible contains a letter dictated by Jesus in 95 AD to these people. (I know you're not interested in Scriptural quotes, so I'll summarize it.) Revelation 3:14-22 describes a "lukewarm" church filled with people who know about God, but worship possessions instead of Him; they do not think of Him, nor do they do His will. Jesus tells these apostates that "I will vomit you out of My mouth." In other words, He will eject them out of the Body of Christ (the collective of true believers), in the same way a sick person vomits poison out of his stomach. But even these people have some hope: Jesus says that, if they repent, He will take them in.
My personal experience confirms that this prophesy has indeed come true: I meet "Christians" every day who know nothing about God, don't even try to follow Jesus' teachings and think they can still get into Heaven because they wear a cross and were baptized as infants. I think they call themselves "Christian" simply out of habit.
2007-08-16 02:39:12 · answer #7 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe that "Christian" has become one of the most abused words in the English language. Even the Nazis called themselves "Christians".
Nowadays, anyone who states that they believe in God call themselves "Christian" or refers to themselves as such when asked what religion they are.
And "Christian" has become a catch-all catagory for all of the different denominations of those who claim to be Christians, regardless whether they strive to follow Jesus' teachings or not.
2007-08-16 02:22:31 · answer #8 · answered by Foxfire 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity only has one pre-requisite:
The delusion that Jesus is an avatar of "God".
That is it.
The rest is just detail.
2007-08-16 02:27:49 · answer #9 · answered by Lucid Interrogator 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You mean all tissues are NOT Kleenex?
Seriously, it DOES bother me that people who go around bombing abortion clinics, picketing military funerals and carrying 'God hates fags' signs call themselves Christians. You have a legitimate point there.
2007-08-16 02:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by Char 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋