Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35690872)

But Gary it seems to be only you that would lie on these forms. Everyone else would be honest.

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35690873)

Gary, you appear to be stating that a true Christian is someone who isn't really?

Originally Posted by Angua (Post 35690874)

Where there is a difficulty is these believers may still label themselves as being CofE or whatever, whilst having not set foot in a place of worship or read a holy book in years.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35690861)

With the greatest respect to you, and without wishing to tread on your faith in any way - I don't think you can.

You can identify with the teachings of Jesus to a great extent, for sure, but his teachings, and the teachings of his first followers as recorded in the New Testament, are so completely connected to the living of the Christian life alongside a community of Christian believers, that I don't think you can get to the end of your life and say you've lived a Christian life if you never allowed yourself to be a part of the community of it.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35690861)

With the greatest respect to you, and without wishing to tread on your faith in any way - I don't think you can.

You can identify with the teachings of Jesus to a great extent, for sure, but his teachings, and the teachings of his first followers as recorded in the New Testament, are so completely connected to the living of the Christian life alongside a community of Christian believers, that I don't think you can get to the end of your life and say you've lived a Christian life if you never allowed yourself to be a part of the community of it.

I'm deliberately avoiding the word 'church' as it seems to me that what you have in mind is a big old stone building, and using the word 'community' because that's nearer to what the word 'church' actually means, as used in the New Testament. The church is an organised gathering of believers with leadership and a mission to support each other and spread the Christian faith.

Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35690862)

No to all of that. Any person can be Christian, it's not dependant on their colour. Also do not judge others.

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 35690875)

It's not about lying. saying you are when you know you're not.
it's about are you saying you are, but you don't really know. or you might not actually care?

---------- Post added at 11:05 ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 ----------



Why have you included the word true in the statement?
May be, Hugh.
someone who claims to be a Christian. may not be really.
not as you have put it. all real Christians are not really Christians.

---------- Post added at 11:06 ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 ----------



Finally. someone who sees it how it is.
me and you could debate all day :)

Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 35690884)

Well that is a lie then. Saying you are but you aren't.

Also if you don't know if you are then you are clearly not one.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35690852)

My sister attends church on a regular basis and sees herself very much as a strong Christian who works for The Salvation Army wherever l don't go to church or don't go out of my way to say l am a Christian as l don't like to force it on others.

Originally Posted by Mr Angry (Post 35690880)

My head hurts already.

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 35690881)

Is this Christianity in it's "true sense" then?

Originally Posted by Gary L (Post 35690883)

I'm not judging. I'm debating.

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit (Post 35690896)

Not many people who say they are Christian live their lives by his teachings.

Originally Posted by Russ (Post 35690895)

You seem more interested in deciding for everyone what "being a Christian" is.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 35690897)

Very true, perhaps a more complete definition would include the phrase "try to". In following Jesus' teachings, of course, Christians also know they have forgiveness when they get it wrong.