while i'm sure there are many people here who claim to be christian, it seems all to often that their credentials for being a "real" christian are often shot down by others claiming to be christian. i never really hear this sort of dismissal of other faiths. take muslims for example. i never hear one saying about another, he or she isn't a real muslim.
2007-10-25 06:35:59 · 12 answers · asked by just curious (A.A.A.A.) 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yeah--they're the ones who don't vote Republican
2007-10-25 06:39:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
No.
Why? Because I have yet to hear of a definite definition of "real Christian". Usually it gets "defined" as "one who follows/believes in Christ"...but what does that mean, exactly? Which set of dogmas and ideas are "Christlike"? The Westboro Baptists have a very different opinion of what ideas are "Christlike" than the members of Religious Science. The Pentecoastals have very different ideas of what "following Jesus" means than Adventists. The Catholics have different ideas on what "Christlike" means from Protestants. Fundamentalists all have different ideas on what Christ said or meant even among themselves.
BTW: Muslims DO have exactly the same problems among themselves. Sunni and Shia do not regard one another as "true Islam", and Wahabbists take their exclusion one step further...considering any non-Wahabbist to be equal to Jews or Christians in Allah's eyes.
2007-10-25 06:51:52 · answer #2 · answered by Scott M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I betcha. The Muslims that don't agree with killing everyone who is not Muslim probably aren't too happy with the ones who do.
I think that's pretty common in any faith, or any group for that matter.
i hear parents putting down other parents for whatever.
Or Teachers, or Ministers,
We aren't known by the name we call ourselves, but by our works.
A Christian is a Christian who acts like one.
Same with Muslims.
2007-10-25 06:42:49 · answer #3 · answered by pansyblue 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The reason for this is that Christian philosophy on the nature of God is refuted by the text they rely on for belief.
So when one Christian reads the Old Testament and decides that God wants them to remain pure of pagan influence and goes out spreading hate in God's name, (think Westboro Baptists) the others clamor together and claim that they are not REAL Christians, because God is Love, which is also in the Bible.
Biblical Contradictions about the nature of God, lead them to argue over who his 'true' followers are.
2007-10-25 06:40:31 · answer #4 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think in part that is because the Christian faith is equally focused on Saving others vs. focused on your own life... Buddists for example are on a path of enlightenment and have no time to point out the faults in others... (I'm speaking VERY generally...) Lots of religions are focused on what YOU can do to be a BETTER __________... vs. What YOU can do to CONVERT everyone around you into your faith... I think that's a big difference.
There are Christians who choose to focus on their life only and have no time to judge those around them...I'm not saying all are like that and yes, this is my opinion
2007-10-25 06:44:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems to me the only real christian was jesus. SO MANY people claim to be christian, but behave nothing like their jesus. I just can't imagine jesus hating anyone, or treating people who were different from him in a way that was hurtful. Yet, today's christians are hateful. If you don't believe exactly how they believe, they hate you.
2007-10-25 06:42:13 · answer #6 · answered by oldernwiser 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion what makes you a real Christian is believing that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, he came to Earth, lived as a human, was put to death, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven. He did this to save your soul...that is what makes you a Christian.
2007-10-25 06:53:42 · answer #7 · answered by chavito 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are real Christians. Among them are weak Christians and strong Christians. I guess I belong to the weak ones.
2007-10-25 06:45:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Real Christians believe in Trinity. Jesus is God. We could do better job by being Christ-like, but luckily we are saved by grace.
2007-10-25 07:33:50 · answer #9 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't lable anyone "real" christian vs. not "real" christian any
more than I lable atheists "real" or "not real" atheists.
It just does not make sense.
Each individual has strengths and weaknesses
in their belief.
2007-10-25 06:42:53 · answer #10 · answered by Nickel-for-your-thoughts 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have shiat saying sunnies arnt really Muslim and virsa viersa but it is not the church you belong to that make you a christian it is giving your life to Jesus and living to serve him/
2007-10-25 06:46:37 · answer #11 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋