Who Is a Christian?

In the United States, there are over 1,500 denominations, organizations, and non-denominational groups that identify as Christian.

Suppose one is given a description of each of the over 1,500 groups who identify as Christian, and is then asked to sort them into those groups that are truly Christian and those that are not.

Some will consider all of the groups to be Christian, some will consider only one of the groups to be Christian, and others will consider some of the groups to be Christian and not others.

This begs the question, "Who is a Christian?"

Anyone who calls themself a Christian is...

Anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus and believes in his divinity.

Well it's not anyone who believes in Jesus per say, but those who follow Christ. I believe many call themselves Christian just because it's the right thing to do in this country. Otherwise you're looked at much differently and lost. This is probably because many feel this country was based on Christianity, well, I guess it was.........

Originally posted by debbiejo
Well it's not anyone who believes in Jesus per say, but those who follow Christ. I believe many call themselves Christian just because it's the right thing to do in this country. Otherwise you're looked at much differently and lost. This is probably because many feel this country was based on Christianity, well, I guess it was.........

It doesn't matter if they are sincere or not. Anyone who identifies as a Christian, IS...end of story.

There are "good" Christians, there are "bad" Christians, and there are those in-between.

There are Christians who study the Bible, and there are Christians who never touched it....

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
It doesn't matter if they are sincere or not. Anyone who identifies as a Christian, IS...end of story.

There are "good" Christians, there are "bad" Christians, and there are those in-between.

There are Christians who study the Bible, and there are Christians who never touched it....

not everyone btw, but hey, try telling one of them that you have changed your view, and you're treated like you have the plague.

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
Anyone who calls themself a Christian is...

Members of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity claim to be Christian, but few would agree.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus and believes in his divinity.

Unitarians do not believe in the divinity of Jesus.

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
Members of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity claim to be Christian, but few would agree.

So what ?

Christianity is JUST a beleif system....a religion...nothing more. There's no such thing as a "True Christian". Being a Christian is not something earned, it's something chosen.

I understand that Christians FAIL to recognize something called Diversity, but just like there are people of many different races, sexual orientations, etc. there are also many different types of Christians.

People that don't believe in the divinity are usually called "Cult" members.

Originally posted by debbiejo
Well it's not anyone who believes in Jesus per say, but those who follow Christ. I believe many call themselves Christian just because it's the right thing to do in this country. Otherwise you're looked at much differently and lost. This is probably because many feel this country was based on Christianity, well, I guess it was.........

According to recent research data, approximately 70% of Americans identify as Christian, but fewer than 20% attend church services.

I believe a better word for followers of Jesus would be Jesusians........They follow only his teachings and put in the right perspective of that time........I do.

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
According to recent research data, approximately 70% of Americans identify as Christian, but fewer than 20% attend church services.

Originally posted by Adam_PoE
According to recent research data, approximately 70% of Americans identify as Christian, but fewer than 20% attend church services.

And?

If you say you're a Christian, you're a Christian. Maybe not a particularly goood one, but that's a different question.

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
. . . There's no such thing as a "True Christian" . . . I understand that Christians FAIL to recognize something called [b]Diversity, but just like there are people of many different races, sexual orientations, etc. there are also many different types of Christians. [/B]

That is what is being debated in this thread.

Originally posted by Gregory
And?

If you say you're a Christian, you're a Christian. Maybe not a particularly goood one, but that's a different question.

I don't trust you in much. No offense intended.

If I stop going to my classes, I'm still a student, unless the University administration--the only people with the authority to determine who is a student there--kicks me out. If I stop going to my job, I'm still an employee there, until my boss--the only person with the authority to determine who works there--fires me. And if I stop going to church? If anybody has the authority to excommunicate me from the Christian religion, it isn't you.

SDA's are not considered christian because they also follow the works of Ellen White. Mormons are not considered it either because they have other writings also..........A christian only is supposed to follow the bible and that alone. NO new prophecies, using the words "God changes not"..so why would he ie...god need any new words for today....Churches that use other books like even Scientology are considered cults cause they have what they call prophets...funny though cause Pentecost always has prophesying in their services.

I don't trust you in much. No offense intended.

Your terms. You don't consider SDAs Christian. You don't consider Mormons Christians. You think that Christians can only follow "The Bible" (whatever that means; so which group is non-Christian, Catholics or Protestants? They have different holy texts, after all...).

But you are wrong on all counts, I would say.

And it's because I rarely agree with your opinions.

Originally posted by Gregory
And?

If you say you're a Christian, you're a Christian. Maybe not a particularly goood one, but that's a different question.

"You know, you can call a shovel an ice-cream machine, but it's still a shovel, Mom and Dad. Uh, and you can call a lie whatever you want, but it's still a no-good stinkin' lie!"

Originally posted by Gregory
Your terms. You don't consider SDAs Christian. You don't consider Mormons Christians. You think that Christians can only follow "The Bible" (whatever that means; so which group is nonChristian, Catholics or Protestants).

But you are wrong on all counts; repetition is not an adaquit substitution for truth.