What/Who is a Christian

[Shaker]

No, just pointing out that, perhaps unintentionally (?) you have indulged in the latter.

Feel free to point out where, won't you.

[Sebastian Toe]

I'm still waiting to meet a Christian who does this, Floo.

So because you haven't met one, then they don't exist?

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/car.muslims.forced.to.convert.to.christianity/60693.htm

...is this where you play the, they are not Christians card? 

[Walt Zingmatilder]

So because you haven't met one, then they don't exist?

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/car.muslims.forced.to.convert.to.christianity/60693.htm

...is this where you play the, they are not Christians card? 

If they misunderstand the nature of Christian conversion then can they be sure that their own conversions are genuine?

Are they forcing people to have a loving relationship with God (can it be love if it is forced) or are they forcing people into a mere verbal formula?

[Sebastian Toe]

If they misunderstand the nature of Christian conversion then can they be sure that their own conversions are genuine?

Are they forcing people to have a loving relationship with God (can it be love if it is forced) or are they forcing people into a mere verbal formula?

Are they forcing people to do something that they don't want to do?

Are you the arbiter of who is a Christian or not?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Are they forcing people to do something that they don't want to do?

Are you the arbiter of who is a Christian or not?

But you can stretch definitions so far that the definition of Christian would cover even hard arsed atheists.

[Sebastian Toe]

But you can stretch definitions so far that the definition of Christian would cover even hard arsed atheists.

Are you saying that those mentioned in the article are not Christians?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Are you saying that those mentioned in the article are not Christians?

They may be as Christian as you.

[Sebastian Toe]

They may be as Christian as you.

Are you saying that those mentioned in the article are not Christians?

[Brownie]

So because you haven't met one, then they don't exist?

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/car.muslims.forced.to.convert.to.christianity/60693.htm

...is this where you play the, they are not Christians card? 

I read the article Seb and found it quite shocking;  churches in Africa are so very different to those in the 'Western' world. When you think of how the Anglican Church behaves in regard to homosexuals in some African countries, it is hardly surprising but I still found it shocking. 

What I, and Hope, meant is that we - and floo - are hardly likely to come across anyone forcing Christianity onto us.  The majority of Christians here are liberal minded and we have a culture that discourages aggressive evangelism.  We really have to seek it out to experience it.  The law prohibits it, eg at work.  Quite right too, I witnessed something like that at work once and it was unpleasant to say the least (a Christian woman telling it to an Israeli).

[Rhiannon]

I don't agree that the majority of Christians here are liberal. A lot are, but Evangelicalism is on the rise and liberalism waning. The last I knew a third of Anglican clergy were Evangelical. Catholicism is rising too due to the influx of Catholics from Eastern Europe.

And it isn't true that you need to seek it out either. Not if you are a school pupil at any rate.

[Bubbles]

A Christian from the bible stand point is someone who has taken part in the first resurrection


                   Revelation 20; 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.


                ~TW~

A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus never said anyone had to follow any of the existing sects or denominations existing today.

The bible, if it hints at anything, seems to make the point that ultimately it would be Jesus who decides who has been a "true" Christian or not, not a bunch of judgmental people.

Therefore who is a Christian isn't who other people says it is, but who Jesus says it is.

Problem sorted.

[floo]

A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus never said anyone had to follow any of the existing sects or denominations existing today.

The bible, if it hints at anything, seems to make the point that ultimately it would be Jesus who decides who has been a "true" Christian or not, not a bunch of judgmental people.

Therefore who is a Christian isn't who other people says it is, but who Jesus says it is.

Problem sorted.

What Jesus actually said, and what he is quoted as saying, might not be one and the same thing.

[Stranger]

Therefore who is a Christian isn't who other people says it is, but who Jesus says it is.

Problem sorted.

Err... he's not been very talkative, these last 2000 years or so, being a bit dead an' all...

[Bubbles]

What Jesus actually said, and what he is quoted as saying, might not be one and the same thing.

True.

But even going on what he reportedly said and the sort of people he spoke to.

He never insisted any Roman soldier, convict (of dubious religion) or Samaritan become something else.

[Bubbles]

Err... he's not been very talkative, these last 2000 years or so, being a bit dead an' all...

You have to use your imagination 

[Sassy]

I originally posted this link in the 'downward trend continues thread' but it applies here: in this neck of the woods your religion is on the decline, Hope, whether you like it or not.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35953639

Anecdotal, and even if there are such instances the wider picture (as noted in the link above) tells a different story.

We know that research covers a small proportion/number of people who are asked. Take a 100 people and ask them if they are religious, then take another 100 different people and ask them the same question.
One will be higher or lower than the other but none will represent the true number who are religious.

[Stranger]

You have to use your imagination 

Which bring us right back to people's opinions...

[Bubbles]

Which bring us right back to people's opinions...

Can you not read the bible and create a counter argument, about what something could mean?

Without judging.

I can do the same with the Quran, if I was talking to a Muslim.

I would use it (Bible/Quran) to support a kinder version of Christianity or Islam.

People can share values even if they have different religions.

Or different sects of religion.

I just don't get hung up on twiddly bits 

[Gordon]

We know that research covers a small proportion/number of people who are asked. Take a 100 people and ask them if they are religious, then take another 100 different people and ask them the same question.
One will be higher or lower than the other but none will represent the true number who are religious.

Which is why there are various sampling methods available to bona-fide researchers, so that their results can be used to generalise with some confidence. The results of this study show that more than half of people in Scotland (52%) now say they have no religion compared with 40% in 1999, which is evidence of a decline.

[Brownie]

It's interesting what Rhiannon said about not having to seek it out, ie evangelism from Christians, especially in school.  I understood that there was no proselytising in schools now, only the teaching of religion and ethics.  Some private schools may still do it but not state. I'm not sure how state faith schools manage - actually I will ask someone I shall see on Monday who has two children in a Catholic state comprehensive.