No, the wishful thinking is using a semi-obscure dictionary definition that is not normally used in association with people (the definition you keep quoting is usually used in reference to an action: "Well, that's a very Christian thing of you to do"😉 to try to make Christians look good. Hasn't it occured to you that there's a reason your pet definition isn't listed first? The first dictionary I checked didn't even mention it.
While Jesus did not teach that, those people who committed those acts believed in God, they believed in the power of Jesus, and they asked god for forgiveness on sunday. If they believe in Jesus, who are you to doubt the fact that they are truely Christians? As I beleive you mentioned in the Ghandi thread, it is not our actions on earth that determine where we go when we die, but rather our beliefs. So even though these guys were killing in the name of the lord, they believed in Jesus, which leads me to believe that Christianity is really more a of a way for bad people to get a loophole into the eternal kingdom, rather than a legitimate form of worshiping your creator and honouring all his creation.
Originally posted by Turbo-Cajun
While Jesus did not teach that, those people who committed those acts believed in God, they believed in the power of Jesus, and they asked god for forgiveness on sunday. If they believe in Jesus, who are you to doubt the fact that they are truely Christians? As I beleive you mentioned in the Ghandi thread, it is not our actions on earth that determine where we go when we die, but rather our beliefs. So even though these guys were killing in the name of the lord, they believed in Jesus, which leads me to believe that Christianity is really more a of a way for bad people to get a loophole into the eternal kingdom, rather than a legitimate form of worshiping your creator and honouring all his creation.
There is no loophole in entering into eternity with christ. Just cuz someone says, they are killing in the name of Jesus, doesn't mean that Jesus told them to do that. You know a person by their actions, you can tell if someone is really a christian or not. If I told you I was Black, does that mean i'm black? if by looking at me you can see that i'm white. My point being, that just cuz someone says they are killing in the name of God, doesn't make it true. 🙂
Originally posted by finti
I want HP top define a real christian
🙂 hiii Finit, did ya miss me? 😄
I'm not HP, but i'd like to answer. A real christian ask (confesses all their sins to the Father) the Father to forgive them of their sins in Jesus name, prays talks to God thru out the day, developes a relationship w/God. You can't just talk to God on Sundays and Wed, thats not a relationship. (Just like if you're married, you can't just talk to your spouse 2 days a week and expect to have a good relationship, it's a daily walk w/God. You Pray that God will direct your life daily and that you will be obedient to God, spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ, loving towards others, forgiving, kind, gently ******** no not everyone thats a christian automaticly has these qualities, you pray for them & let God direct you, and allow God to move in your life, and things in your life will change. 🙂
Originally posted by Fiery Eyes
There is no loophole in entering into eternity with christ. Just cuz someone says, they are killing in the name of Jesus, doesn't mean that Jesus told them to do that. You know a person by their actions, you can tell if someone is really a christian or not. If I told you I was Black, does that mean i'm black? if by looking at me you can see that i'm white. My point being, that just cuz someone says they are killing in the name of God, doesn't make it true. 🙂
Yes it does, How do you know that God didn't tell them to do that. People have killed in the name of God before, its just that you are teh antagonist this time. So If its against you its wrong, but if its for you its OK. Because the Bible OK's killing in the name of God....
Oh and by saying you can discriminate between what God does and does not say implyes taht you know more than an unknowable being than the rest of us. So for religion to make ANY sence EVERY single thing ever said about god MUST be true by definition. So if I say that God wears purple pants and dances like a monkey he must, because who are you, a mere infallible mortal to tell me otherwise?
Originally posted by HiddenPotential
Christian-1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
4. Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.
By the way, I really don't appreciate the implication that because I am an atheist I therefore am not considered humane and do not show a loving concern for others. Rephrase it, even if it is straight out of a dictionary you really should check what you're suggesting before slapping someone else's thesis on a board.
Originally posted by Tptmanno1
Yes it does, How do you know that God didn't tell them to do that. People have killed in the name of God before, its just that you are teh antagonist this time. So If its against you its wrong, but if its for you its OK. Because the Bible OK's killing in the name of God....Oh and by saying you can discriminate between what God does and does not say implyes taht you know more than an unknowable being than the rest of us. So for religion to make ANY sence EVERY single thing ever said about god MUST be true by definition. So if I say that God wears purple pants and dances like a monkey he must, because who are you, a mere infallible mortal to tell me otherwise?
No, it doesn't! 🙂 Just cuz someone say that killed in the name of God, doesn't mean they did. hmm like the lady in Texas that drowned her kids in the bathtub, she said God told her too, ohh come on thats just a ploy from Satan, if you want to believe that God told her, than so be it, I just thk thats udderly ridiculous and a copout for the real reason.
I can tell everyone i robbed a store, does it mean i did??? I can tell you that i'm black, and u can clearly see i'm white, so becuz i say i'm black does that mean I actually am?? Nope it doesn't. To will know someone by THIER ACTIONS, The Word of God, tells you how a christian will be, if it doesn't line up to that, then you know.
Originally posted by Syren
By the way, I really don't appreciate the implication that because I am an atheist I therefore am not considered humane and do not show a loving concern for others. Rephrase it, even if it is straight out of a dictionary you really should check what you're suggesting before slapping someone else's thesis on a board.
The fifth reference is probably a adjective form, that arose from Christians thinking themselves nice. It doesn't say, as far as I can see, that non Christians aren't nice. Take Nazis'- they're considered evil, and if you are not evil you are not a true nazi- but communists can also be evil.
Originally posted by Fiery Eyes
No, it doesn't! 🙂 Just cuz someone say that killed in the name of God, doesn't mean they did. hmm like the lady in Texas that drowned her kids in the bathtub, she said God told her too, ohh come on thats just a ploy from Satan, if you want to believe that God told her, than so be it, I just thk thats udderly ridiculous and a copout for the real reason.I can tell everyone i robbed a store, does it mean i did??? I can tell you that i'm black, and u can clearly see i'm white, so becuz i say i'm black does that mean I actually am?? Nope it doesn't. To will know someone by THIER ACTIONS, The Word of God, tells you how a christian will be, if it doesn't line up to that, then you know.
What about the crusades? Tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of Christians went to war? Are they all false Christians? Unlikely.
Originally posted by Fiery Eyes
No, it doesn't! 🙂 Just cuz someone say that killed in the name of God, doesn't mean they did. hmm like the lady in Texas that drowned her kids in the bathtub, she said God told her too, ohh come on thats just a ploy from Satan, if you want to believe that God told her, than so be it, I just thk thats udderly ridiculous and a copout for the real reason.I can tell everyone i robbed a store, does it mean i did??? I can tell you that i'm black, and u can clearly see i'm white, so becuz i say i'm black does that mean I actually am?? Nope it doesn't. To will know someone by THIER ACTIONS, The Word of God, tells you how a christian will be, if it doesn't line up to that, then you know.
If someone professes a belief in Christ, and asks god for forgiveness that makes you a christian. Remember in the Ghandi thread when you said that our actions on earth don't affect whether we get to heaven or not, only our beleifs? Well these people held christian beliefs, despite the fact that they are murderers they are still Christians. I dont think that either you or I is capable of judging someone else's faith or belief in god.
I beleive I mentioned Bartholemew De Las Casas earlier... anyways why debate is there about if they are christian? If they claimed to believe in Jesus, who the hell are we to say that "oh, yeah sounds like a christian to me" or "no, a true christian wouldnt do that"... They said they believe, that is good enough for me. If I told you I am a christian, and I beleive in the power of Jesus, who do you think you are to say that I am not? I am not a Christian, but i think you should get the point. Being a christian has nothing to do with acting ethically, the only requierment is that you beleive in Jesus and God.
Last I heard, Christian doctrine stated that we were all sinners, and could only achieve salvation through God's grace. In light of that, isn't it a wee bit hypocritical to go around saying, "He can't be a true Christian; he's a sinner!"? Have you forgotten that Jesus' promises prostitututes and a thief places in Heaven?
Originally posted by Ytaker
Being a democrat has nothing to do with acting democratically, the only requirement is that you believe in John Kerry and Charles Kennedy.
Wow, that's a bad example. In fact, it proves the exact opposite of what you presumably want it to prove, because all it takes to be a Democrat is to regester as a Democrat--you can believe anything you want, do anything you want, even vote any way you want , and you'll still be a Democrat. That's not your analogies only flaw, but it's the first that springs to mind.
Originally posted by Gregory
Last I heard, Christian doctrine stated that we were all sinners, and could only achieve salvation through God's grace. In light of that, isn't it a wee bit hypocritical to go around saying, "He can't be a true Christian; he's a sinner!"? Have you forgotten that Jesus' promises prostitututes and a thief places in Heaven?Wow, that's a bad example. In fact, it proves the exact opposite of what you presumably want it to prove, because all it takes to be a Democrat is to regester as a Democrat--you can believe anything you want, do anything you want, even vote any way you want , and you'll still be a Democrat. That's not your analogies only flaw, but it's the first that springs to mind.
1. If you don't accept what your democratic leaders say as true, then you aren't a true democrat. E.G. agreeing with bush on the W.M.D. If a thief just sees God as a way into heaven, and doesn't obey God, then is he entitled to a place?
2. No, I mean a true democrat. Somebody who believes in democracy, and goes to meetings. Possibly though, i can think of a better analogy. What about a fitness instructer. If you obey them, and follow the routine, rather than just buy the video, then you will have a fit body.