Just wondering about this one - In the middle east; Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan etc the nationality is inextricably linked with the religion, ie: being a muslim, and anyone from these countries turning to a different religion would usually suffer the consequences.
Does that mean that British people are still regarded as Christian? The only reason I ask is that elsewhere, I've seen the statement that there are many Christians fighting with Muslims in Iraq.
That must mean then for all you that are atheists, wiccan, jehovahs witness or any other religion, you would automatically be classed as 'christian' whether you liked it or not.
In which case I can see why so many arguments are happening in the name of religion!
Or is a Christian a person who loves and believes in the one true God and has accepted Jesus as their saviour?
(Sorry if this is really long!!)
2007-09-06 12:31:48 · 24 answers · asked by Rakibear 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Brain development is under genetic control and it is known that some brains are more prone to religious belief and experience than others. For example, people with unstable temporal lobes are more likely to report mystical, psychic and religious experiences, and to believe in supernatural powers, than those with stable temporal lobes.
2007-09-06 12:35:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 8⤋
Your country or even your parents beliefs should have nothing to do with your freedom to choose what you believe. There are many Christians in traditonally muslim countries, have you seen the website for Open Doors which tells the stories of persecution against us? A true Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus as their saviour. The UK is increasinly being seen as multicultural.
2007-09-06 22:22:35 · answer #2 · answered by good tree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good Question.
Christianity is a belief system, not a nationality or ethnicity. However, as with all belief systems, they become "cultural" and associated with certain nations and ethnic groups more than others.
Britain was once considered a "Christian Nation". However, at many points in it's history, the UK was decidedly "anti-Christian" in it's practices. Today, statistics show that fewer than 15% of Brits actively and regularly practice any behaviors which would identify them as "Christian" such as going to church on a monthly basis, or practicing the sacraments of Christianity.
Yet, Muslims the world over call the English "Christian". There are in fact probably more people who practice regular Christian behaviors of going to Church and participating in the Sacraments in the nations of the Middle East than in the UK. But, we think of those nations as "Muslim" because it tends to be the dominant "culture" of those countries.
As for the Bible's opinion: to be "Christian" is one who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who lived in Israel, died on a Roman cross and rose from the grave on the 3rd day. this person will become baptized and follow the teachings of Jesus and his chosen messengers the "Apostles", following the practices they set forth, known as the "Sacraments".
If a person does not do this, no matter where he lives, no matter what he says, no matter what is said of him, he is not a Christian in the opinion of the Bible.
2007-09-06 12:47:30 · answer #3 · answered by TEK 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think there is a longstanding assumption in the West that white people are all Christians. (In many places its also assumed that black people are bible-thumping Christians) I've encountered it many times. The "open-minded" people are the ones that consider that I might be either an atheist or a Christian. The idea that I could be another religion altogether rarely occurs to people.
This may happen in America more than Britain. America is much more religious: we have far more fundementalists, far more people view fundementalism as the norm, and we just plainly have a much higher percentage of people who describe themselves as "religious" (85% in America versus 40% in Britain), most of which are Christian.
2007-09-06 13:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a philosophical system that believes in collective religious belief, collective sin, and collective salvation. Many Muslims, and not quite so many Christians, believe in this. (I don't.)
If either side in a conflict believes this way, as the insurgents in Iraq generally do, news sources tend to use this kind of terminology to describe the conflict. Hence, you have the "Christian vs. Muslim" langauge for Iraq, and the "Catholic vs. Protestant" language for Northern Ireland. Journalists are simply describing it the way it's described by at least some portion of the people directly involved.
When news outlets do this, it is often non-religious journalists who mistakenly assume that since they believe all religions to be morally equivalent, using religious language brings moral equivalence to both sides and so makes their reporting unbiased. In reality, this sort of reporting often glosses over the real issues.
2007-09-06 13:17:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian: little christ
are atheists Christian no neither are wiccans, Jehovah's witness, or anyone Else that cannot except that you can only get to heaven through Jesus. you also have to believe in him ( so atheists or wiccans cannot be classified as Christians.) your idea of christian is correct if you love Jesus you will obey him out of an act of love. so you have to repent of your sins( turn away from), be baptized and love the Lord. :)
2007-09-06 12:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by maez 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christian is a person that follows the teachings of Christ in such a matter with such passion that ultimately he or she begins to resemble the behavior of Christ and is person who loves and believes in the one true God and has accepted Jesus as their saviour. The term has being apply lightly and is has being abused. Originally the first followers of Christ , due to the above , were called Christians.
2007-09-06 12:46:56 · answer #7 · answered by Eddie R 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Christian is a person who loves and believes and has faith in the one true God and has accepted Jesus as their saviour! That's me, through and through!!!
2007-09-06 21:44:51 · answer #8 · answered by zakiit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are correct, a Christian is a person who loves and believes in the one true God and belives in Jesus as their Saviour.
To those who are opposed to Christ or Christians it is a common fault to confuse matters to give themselves grounds for complaint and opposition.
2007-09-06 13:11:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a complete misapplication. Christian to many foreign countries just means "westerner" or even one who does not hold to their religion.
Your final postulation is correct,
"Or is a Christian a person who loves and believes in the one true God and has accepted Jesus as their savior?"
Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORDShall be saved.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
2007-09-06 12:36:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I guess anyone can call themselves Christian and it doesn't really matter what it means. People will believe anything these days. I could say that I am a Christian Atheist.
It all depends on how gullible a person is.
People have defined and redefined what it means to be a Christian to suit their own political and social agendas. Those who are filled with hate need little reason.
2007-09-06 12:44:54 · answer #11 · answered by TheNewCreationist 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋