Christianity is not a Religion

[Anmon]

Quote by: gallo But does saying you are not a christian mean that you are? .

Possibly, your acts say what you are the most.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Isherwood Religious belief is exclusionary. It's all about defining who belongs to "our" group and who doesn't, like most clubs and membership-based organizations. Those who belong gain the benefits reserved for members in addition to getting to feel special, a member of a select group.

If some guys think that way - as you describe, then those guys have no clue on God, Faith, etc. including that particular religion (itself).

[Will_00]

Each religious group holds itself to be absolutely true. It may be considered that for those who are members of your faith, but its not a universal truism.

But it is Universally True. At all times - although numerous other people may state that "their god" is true, Christians KNOW AT ALL TIMES THAT THE ONE AND ONLY God is True and existent at all times.

Rhetoric. Christianity sets conditions on membership that not everyone can accept.

All people can become part of the Truth. There are not just a small group of people that can be part of it.

The physical evidence says you are. Denial of reality is common to religions.

Again, Christianity is NOT a "Religion." And that is further a statement that is not true as well, we are of the physical world, but we are not of the worldly view that is not Christian.

[Jack]

Christians KNOW AT ALL TIMES THAT THE ONE AND ONLY God is True and existent at all times.

Exactly my point. Christians are the only ones who accept that as a valid statement. No one else acknowledges Christians as possessors of the ultimate truth, were there such a thing. The followers of any deity are the only ones who believe that deity to be the supreme one. Ask anyone who believes in Jupiter or Ra.

[ParaTed2k]

Christ Himself is the only one who gets to decide who is and who isn't Christian.

[Morality Games]

For the sake of practicality, I consider 'Christian' anyone who demonstrates knowledge of the faith, affiliates themselves with it, and acts consistently with their logic. Their particular views don't concern me -- that the designation 'Christian' can somehow refer to a person or group of people is enough.

[Jack]

Jesus was a Jew. I'm not even sure he'd approve of the Christian movement.

[Will_00]

Christians are the only ones who accept that as a valid statement. No one else acknowledges Christians as possessors of the ultimate truth, were there such a thing. The followers of any deity are the only ones who believe that deity to be the supreme one. Ask anyone who believes in Jupiter or Ra.

It doesn't matter if Christians are the only ones that accept this statement, It is ALWAYS True despite what other "religions" may devise as "faith."

For the sake of practicality, I consider 'Christian' anyone who demonstrates knowledge of the faith, affiliates themselves with it, and acts consistently with their logic. Their particular views don't concern me -- that the designation 'Christian' can somehow refer to a person or group of people is enough.

But that is incorrect. A Christian is one who asks for forgiveness from their sins and accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Jesus was a Jew. I'm not even sure he'd approve of the Christian movement.

Jesus was the beginning of the "Christian movement." He is Christ - Christian.

[Jack]

It doesn't matter if Christians are the only ones that accept this statement

But it does, as it is evidence of the limited scope of that belief. The fact only a limited, well-defined group of people accept it as truth makes it evident that it's not a universal reality.

Jews don't agree with Christianity, neither does Islam. What makes Christianity "right" and everyone else "wrong"? Only the determination of Christians.

[Hurt]

Could you define religion then, for us? I am curious what your definition of religion is.

[Will_00]

But it does, as it is evidence of the limited scope of that belief. The fact only a limited, well-defined group of people accept it as truth makes it evident that it's not a universal reality. Jews don't agree with Christianity, neither does Islam. What makes Christianity "right" and everyone else "wrong"? Only the determination of Christians.

We KNOW BY FAITH. We find the Truth through Prayer and the Always Existent Miracles He provides, etc.

Could you define religion then, for us? I am curious what your definition of religion is.

Religion is a term used by the world. Again, Christians are not of the world and thereafter do not use the same continual definitions as others do.

[Jack]

We KNOW BY FAITH. We find the Truth through Prayer and the Always Existent Miracles He provides, etc.

Essentially the same thing a Hindu, Muslim or Jew would say. I see no good reason to believe the Christian over the rest, or indeed any of them at all.

[Hurt]

Quote by: Isherwood Essentially the same thing a Hindu, Muslim or Jew would say. I see no good reason to believe the Christian over the rest, or indeed any of them at all.

He's just going to say Christians are not of this world and all of these are of this world.. it's a pretty circular argument.

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Will According to the world Christianity is most certainly a Religion, yet according to the Bible (Which is True at All Times) it is a Relationship with Jesus Christ.

I.) If a Christian is a person with a relationship with Jesus Christ
II.) And Jesus Christ is a subset of God
III.) And God is everywhere and everything
IV.) Than everyone has a relationship with Jesus Christ since any relationship anywhere is a relationship with Jesus Christ
V.) And thus everyone is a Christian per your definition

[Will_00]

V.) And thus everyone is a Christian per your definition

No, it is a Relationship with Jesus Christ that includes the confession of your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior.

[Jack]

I thought he supposedly died to redeem everyone from their sins. Doesn't that disqualify him as a personal lord and savior?

[Chaossaber314]

Quote by: Will_00 No, it is a Relationship with Jesus Christ that includes the confession of your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior.

That wasn't what you said. So were you wrong or was the bible wrong?

[Will_00]

I thought he supposedly died to redeem everyone from their sins. Doesn't that disqualify him as a personal lord and savior?

Yet it is a personal relationship with you and Him.

That wasn't what you said. So were you wrong or was the bible wrong?

It was simply between general and specific.

[Nono]

Quote by: christianmatthew Christianity is not a religion - it is a Relationship with Jesus Christ.

So it's a sect?

[Jack]

I'm still trying to sort out the supposed rationalization that allows the qualification for membership in a specific subset of religion to disqualify it from that categorization. Being a religion and having a "personal relationship" are not mutually exclusive.