Originally posted by Storm
I' d say that Christianity is unthinkable without the figure of Jesus Christ.
Naturally, for the sake of definition a Christian is one who believes Jesus is the Christ. That is pretty much the sole criteria to classify oneself a Christian.
Remove Jesus and a person isn't a Christian - though the basic tenants of what they believe could potentially lend itself to Islam or Judaism.
Originally posted by Lord Urizen
Self-Identification as a Christian is [b]ALL it takes to be Christian. Many "Christians" don't even know wtf they truly beleive....some people are only Christian, because their family is... [/B]
Obviously self-identification is a primary component - but then if they say "I am a Christian but I don't believe in Jesus" then it is tricky - since by definition the removal of Jesus denies them Christian status. Like someone saying "I am Doctor" yet not have such a qualification. Self Identification goes a long way, but not all the way.
But yes - so many people say they are Christian due to the family links -which I would classify as a very weak religious identity.
Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
Obviously self-identification is a primary component - but then if they say "I am a Christian but I don't believe in Jesus" then it is tricky - since by definition the removal of Jesus denies them Christian status. Like someone saying "I am Doctor" yet not have such a qualification. Self Identification goes a long way, but not all the way.But yes - so many people say they are Christian due to the family links -which I would classify as a very weak religious identity.
Some Christians don't even know what they beleive.....i know some Christians who have said, "Oh, isn't Jesus our father ?"
Then I say, "He's God's son. He suposedly died on the cross for your sins"
Then they go, "He did ? But God can't die"
Yet they are Christian.....what makes a Christian who doesn't accept Jesus as God, any less Christian than these dimwits ?