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Christians who say they are not Christian
- Thread starter Sees
- Start date
The question is ambiguous. Are you asking posters' opinions of other people? I hear lots of people say they have no church. I haven't heard a Christian say he or she isn't one.
I do not profess any religion but I never said I wasn't Christian. I am a Christian with not religion. The reason why is to profess a religion is to stand by it right or wrong. Wrong is error and error is sin and I think it's unrigheous of me to stand up for a doctrine that is wrong, even only one, because it is written "a little leaven ferments the whole lump". Galatians 5:9
So Christianity is not a religion?
I admit, I've heard of some. In fact, depending how you define things, my sister would be one.
She has a very, very loose belief in Christ (would be how I'd describe it). I figure if she ever actually studied her own belief, she'd tend more towards deism, to be honest, but she'd self-describe as a Christian.
She's pretty intelligent, but doesn't study religion at all. So she wouldn't be in a position to defend her own beliefs. She'd trail off with some sort of throwaway line that 'her beliefs are her beliefs, and she can believe whatever she likes'.
Which is completely true (given that she hurts no-one through these beliefs). But I suspect she's smart enough to know she doesn't know too much about her own proclaimed beliefs, and that the only version of Christianity she really understands is a church based one (we were raised kinda Church of England). She doesn't want to defend the Church, particularly, but she firmly believes in something greater than us. So she has settled on a kinda of 'hard to pin down' version of Christianity, and would rarely do anything that owns up to it, apart from a prayer at a funeral or similar.
My mum is not so far away from the same position, to be honest. Although I think she's a little more introspective and honest about it, at least since her own mother's passing.
She has a very, very loose belief in Christ (would be how I'd describe it). I figure if she ever actually studied her own belief, she'd tend more towards deism, to be honest, but she'd self-describe as a Christian.
She's pretty intelligent, but doesn't study religion at all. So she wouldn't be in a position to defend her own beliefs. She'd trail off with some sort of throwaway line that 'her beliefs are her beliefs, and she can believe whatever she likes'.
Which is completely true (given that she hurts no-one through these beliefs). But I suspect she's smart enough to know she doesn't know too much about her own proclaimed beliefs, and that the only version of Christianity she really understands is a church based one (we were raised kinda Church of England). She doesn't want to defend the Church, particularly, but she firmly believes in something greater than us. So she has settled on a kinda of 'hard to pin down' version of Christianity, and would rarely do anything that owns up to it, apart from a prayer at a funeral or similar.
My mum is not so far away from the same position, to be honest. Although I think she's a little more introspective and honest about it, at least since her own mother's passing.
Sees
Dragonslayer
I think you would make a good politician with your talent for stringing things together
Why is professing a religion synonymous with standing by it right or wrong?
My main goal is to hear Christian opinion on why people, who are by most definitions Christian, decide to not use the label. Especially concerning people who have a religious focus and passion for Christianity in a way that strongly implies it.
Most of the ones I've known personally would say they have a relationship with Jesus, not a religion...and they did attend church, receive baptism, etc.
Because they have too much respect for the teachings of Jesus?
Or perhaps they see labels as distracting and irrelevant.
I think there are so many different denominations, and approaches, that often if one calls oneself Christian that label introduces more misconceptions into the mix than clarity.
For those who approach Christianity as something one applies to oneself, rather than looking to the exterior to determine whether or not other individuals, or denominations, fit the definition of Christian, the label may seem unnecessary.
I think I am the kind of person the OP is talking about. I do not use the label.
This is due in large part to what I have already mentioned, and also that I think among Christians the discussion about who is or is not "Christian" is so often just an ego-based, "we're right, they're wrong -- so they're not included" kind of conversation that it has no value for me and is seldom worth my time even having.
Interesting thread. So let's see, these are some possible reasons for some to in fact be Christian while claiming otherwise. Most if not all of them are not at all mutually exclusive with any others.
Right now this looks representative of my understanding of this matter, but further input is welcome.
- Modesty: Stating that one follows the example of the Christ may be a bit disconfortable for some, even if they value and draw inspiration from Him.
- Avoidance of Misconceptions: There are many different ideas of what being a Christian means exactly, and sometimes it is just not practical to claim Christianity to then have to deal with the necessary clarifications.
- Individual Paths: As a particular case of the previous item, a considerable number of people seem to seek their own paths without necessarily aligning with any of the many Christian churches and groups that exist.
- Avoidance of the word "religion" proper: An even more specific yet not rare situation is that of the de facto Christian who for any reason would rather not encourage expectations by claiming allegiance to even the general concept of religion, which is unconfortable for many people, or perhaps of organized religion.
- Syncretisms and Personal Interpretations and Adaptations: It is often hard and perhaps arbitrary to tell that what is Christian from that what is not. It is not unusual for people to simply lack the reason or motivation to try.
Right now this looks representative of my understanding of this matter, but further input is welcome.
I think that's an excellent synopsis. Add to this there comes a point when a religion gets in the way. I have a saying I feel expresses this. I am all religions, I am none. Another way I put this is to ask what religion God is. That's the one I am.
There are many Christian religions and they differ. The one you choose to be a member of is the one you agree with the most. Agree with. So you don't go around saying "I am a Baptist but I don't believe Jesus is God Almighty". There isn't a group I know of that doesn't teach lies about Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I understand. Jesus is a living spirit. A Church is dead dogma. Dead as in it is set in stone for the most part. If any religious community were to change something critical about their doctrine it would become another religion.
For me to not be considering myself and calling myself Christian is to deny I am a family member with those who do. It is the living people I must be associated with while being careful not to associated with the dead religion.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother Matthew 12:50
I shall consider this is a compliment. Thank you.I think you would make a good politician with your talent for stringing things together
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Desert Snake
Veteran Member
various belief systems do not use the word 'religion' ideally, especially if it is more than that, to the adherent. It's no different with many Christians.
Terrywoodenpic
Oldest Heretic
Very few christians vote the full ticket as provided by any denomination.
If we are honest about it we all have our own thoughts about the deeper questions.
but when we look deeper still, we find that we were not the first to hold these beliefs, but tht there is actually a name for what we believe, and probably a whole history going with it.
The dogmas of the main denominations mostly go back to christian thinkers at around the 3rd century. And are thought of as the christian fathers.
However it should not be thought that these fathers, were in any way cleverer, more wise or had a special direct line to God. The holy spirit can and does guide us all. We still have the same ability to think and establish doctrine as was ever available to any one.
Some churches try to make time stand still by having a a fixed and established document of faith. Others accept that christianity is a living faith and have processes in place to accept revealed changes, or clarifications to make sense of passing history and new circumstances.
Today we must cope with situations and discoveries quite unthought of in Jesus time. We must interpret the christian message accordingly.
If we are honest about it we all have our own thoughts about the deeper questions.
but when we look deeper still, we find that we were not the first to hold these beliefs, but tht there is actually a name for what we believe, and probably a whole history going with it.
The dogmas of the main denominations mostly go back to christian thinkers at around the 3rd century. And are thought of as the christian fathers.
However it should not be thought that these fathers, were in any way cleverer, more wise or had a special direct line to God. The holy spirit can and does guide us all. We still have the same ability to think and establish doctrine as was ever available to any one.
Some churches try to make time stand still by having a a fixed and established document of faith. Others accept that christianity is a living faith and have processes in place to accept revealed changes, or clarifications to make sense of passing history and new circumstances.
Today we must cope with situations and discoveries quite unthought of in Jesus time. We must interpret the christian message accordingly.
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When I was in the Navy, back in the 80s, there was a young man who said that he: 1. Believed in Jesus, 2. Believed Him to be the Son of God, 3. Believed everything what a Christian is supposed to believe (the way I saw it) yet he said he wasn't a Christian. For years I couldn't figure it out. After a great deal of thought, I realized later how naive I was. The man was gay. Since this was the 80s, he could not come right out and say he was gay or he would have been discharged (I am glad they changed that). He felt he couldn't be a Christian because of it. My heart is still broken because this young man was a very sweet and loving person; the type of person who give other Christians a good name.
Nooj
none
I believe in pretty much everything that an orthodox Christian believes, but I don't call myself a Christian, rather a Christian-wanna-be or a christian (with a little c). I believe to be a Christian involves not just believing in Christian things, but more importantly it involves taking up one's cross and following Jesus. I don't do that, though I hope to do so. So I'm training to be a Christian.
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
I think Christianity can have a negative connotation, so maybe those folks are backing away from the label. Anne Rice did that type of thing. She kept her beliefs but stopped calling herself Christian.
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
That all Christians are hateful, bigoted, judgmental and hypocritical. We kind of have a bad reputation lately due to loud fundamentalists.
Then it's our job to correct that image, is it not?