True Christianity

[chibiq]

Where to start, where to start...

First, the Christians. This is what I want from you (I'll give my own in a reply): give me your meaning of what the title Christian truly requires of the people who use it to describe themselves. Tell us what "denomination" you associate yourself with, and why you think Christians should follow the description you've given.

Second, the atheists, agnostics, anti-Christians and "others". What I want from you is the same exact thing, but I want you to tell us why you're personally not one, why you "deconverted", and why you're fighting against the Christianity you described.

If you think you've caught a hidden agenda, you're partly right. I wanted to create this thread in part to help non-Christians to realize what most of them are fighting against.

Please, no single sentence answers, and no personal attacks.

[achilles12604]

Where to start, where to start...

First, the Christians. This is what I want from you (I'll give my own in a reply): give me your meaning of what the title Christian truly requires of the people who use it to describe themselves. Tell us what "denomination" you associate yourself with, and why you think Christians should follow the description you've given.

Well I guess this is the section I am supposed to answer.

http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... php?t=6829

Here is the answer I gave for a "Christian". I consider myself a heretic and therefore not part of any denomination. I think that everyone should follow whatever the evidence leads them to conclude. To do anything else would be dishonest. As for believing what I believe, everyone is welcome, but I doubt any will come as my beliefs are specifically tailored to me, my life, my experiences, etc.

[Vanguard]

A true Christian is someone who accepts that Jesus died for them, that even though they've sinned, they'll be forgiven and live forever with him. A true Christian is someone who sees God working in their lives at every corner, whether that corner is hiding something that'll make them happy or depressed.

A true Christian is one who goes through life not believing in coincidences, that most everything bad that happens to them is a result of their own sins, and that the only way to get back on the horse is to really repent for what they've done and try their best not to fall back into temptation.

A true Christian is a person who knows sinful temptation is a product of evil. A true Christian is a person who can recognize this and be repelled by that fact alone.

A true Christian takes insults in stride. They know that even though they're called "sheep", they're more free than anyone else they know because they're no longer bound by sinful peer pressure or trying to impress others. The only thing they're concerned with is what God thinks of them.

A true Christian doesn't try to make deals with God. They don't expect God to show himself before they can truly believe, because they already know he's there.

A true Christian is still human. They've just had something activated inside them that others would never be able to understand without experiencing it themselves.

I have a hard time with your list of what a "true" Christian might be. To me, a true Christian is one accepts Christ as his Savior. End of deal. All of the other descriptors are, for the most part, of Christians who are more effective in that effort. Of course, we know no one can possibly be all of these things at all times thereby making it an impossibililty for anyone to be a true Christian according to your list.

[bernee51]

A true Christian is someone who accepts that Jesus died for them,...

I do not accept that Jesus Christ died for me any more than Buddha died for me, or MLK died for me, or Gandhii died for me.

...that even though they've sinned, they'll be forgiven and live forever with him.

I have ntr sinned...but I will be 'together with him" just as I will be together with all those that have and will die.

A true Christian is someone who sees God working in their lives at every corner, whether that corner is hiding something that'll make them happy or depressed.

I see 'the divine' working in my life - despite being an atheist.

A true Christian is one who goes through life not believing in coincidences, that most everything bad that happens to them is a result of their own sins,...

Everything 'bad' that happens is the result of delusion...not sin.

...and that the only way to get back on the horse is to really repent for what they've done and try their best not to fall back into temptation.

The only way to be 'on the horse; is to realize the delusion and to work to overcome it.

A true Christian is a person who knows sinful temptation is a product of evil.

It is the product of delusion, which is neither good or evil...it is just that.

A true Christian is a person who can recognize this and be repelled by that fact alone.

A true christian is suffering under delusion.

A true Christian takes insults in stride.

A spiritually mature person takes insults in stride.

They know that even though they're called "sheep", they're more free than anyone else they know because they're no longer bound by sinful peer pressure or trying to impress others.

Those who realize the delusion and do their best to live beyond it have no need to impress others.

The only thing they're concerned with is what God thinks of them.

The only thing that should be of concern is the happiness and well being of all.

A true Christian doesn't try to make deals with God. They don't expect God to show himself before they can truly believe, because they already know he's there.

Deals are a delusion. God is a concept.

A true Christian is still human. They've just had something activated inside them that others would never be able to understand without experiencing it themselves.

It is part of our nature of being...christians name it differently.

I am clearly not a 'true christian'. I have arrived at 'my place' as a result of 40 years of seeking jnana, meditation and self inquiry.

[chibiq]

A true Christian is someone who accepts that Jesus died for them,...

I do not accept that Jesus Christ died for me any more than Buddha died for me, or MLK died for me[...]

Wow, you really like the word "delusion", don't ya. If it works to explain your view, I can't fault you for it though, and I believe I understand your view. Thanks for your reply.

[bernee51]

A true Christian is someone who accepts that Jesus died for them,...

I do not accept that Jesus Christ died for me any more than Buddha died for me, or MLK died for me[...]

Wow, you really like the word "delusion", don't ya. If it works to explain your view, I can't fault you for it though, and I believe I understand your view. Thanks for your reply.

I don't like or dislike the word.

It is merely a descriptor of the nature of our being which leads to the prime reason for the invention of concepts such as god.

[Alethes]

Where to start, where to start...

First, the Christians. This is what I want from you (I'll give my own in a reply): give me your meaning of what the title Christian truly requires of the people who use it to describe themselves. Tell us what "denomination" you associate yourself with, and why you think Christians should follow the description you've given..

A "Christian" is a person who believes in and confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and is born again of God's Spirit/Seed, which is Christ-in (Colossians 1:27) A Christian has Christ in him, the hope of glory.