NON-CHRISTIANS ONLY: What is a Christian to you?

[Katzpur]

This thread is on the "Same Faith Debates" forum. Since I consider myself to be a Christian, I won't be participating on this thread except possibly to ask a question here or there. Please respond to the poll ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN. Please offer your opinion ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN. If you have a question for a non-Christian that will help you to understand one of his comments, feel free to ask it. Otherwise, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM POSTING.

Okay... All Christians seem to have an idea in mind who ought to be allowed to refer himself as a Christian, and some act as if they own the exclusive rights to the term. I've heard their list of essential characteristics of a Christian many times, so now I'm curious to see what non-Christians think about Christians. If you were to meet someone for the first time (either here on RF or in person) and he were to tell you that he was a Christian, what would that mean to you? Keep in mind that the poll is a multiple choice one. Please pick as many statements as you feel apply, and then explain your choices if you wish.

 

[EtuMalku]

He follows the belief in a Christ.

 

[Magic Man]

When someone says they are a Christian, to me that means that they believe in God as described in the Bible, not necessarily literally, and they believe that Jesus was a prophet and the Son of God who showed us how to live and died to give us passage into Heaven. Beyond that I don't make too many assumptions, as it tends to vary greatly.

Lately, though, I've come across people who consider themselves Christians because they follow Jesus's message and example, but don't believe in God or, obviously, that Jesus was the Son of God. That makes sense too, but throws off my previous general perception.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

I picked all except 1)people who would tell me I'm damned to hell.......2) who place their faith in the Bible alone.........and 3) who live their lives on fear and superstition.

Otherwise, all the others are pretty concise definitions of what I would consider a "Christian."

 

[McBell]

Wow, first vote!!!

"mind what people do, not only what they say..."
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I have met people who, though they claim to not be Christian, act more like Jesus than most proclaimed Christians.

Something that, IMO, most people fail to remember/keep in mind/accept/etc. is that what they believe is "Christian" is merely their opinion of what a "Christian" is/should be.

Yes, they may base that opinion on their interpretation (opinion) of the Bible, but it still boils down to opinion.
And opinions are highly subjective.

 

[Alceste]

Ooh, I'm gonna start replying even before the poll goes up. That's how opinionated I am!

My view of what a "Christian" is depends very much on my sense of the person claiming to be one. It's a very broad category. Somebody who feels compelled to "testify" or try to convert me within the first few moments of conversation is a different sort of Christian from someone I've admired for years only to discover, to my surprise, they are also a Christian.

Really the word "Christian" by itself is meaningless to me. There are so many factions, offshoots, and sects in Christianity that the only way for me to find meaning is to take a wild guess at what it means to the person claiming to be one. For the preaching, testifying, civil liberty attacking, patriotic, converting type, Christian means "dangerous, unthinking cult follower" to me. For the decent, intelligent, generous, forgiving, loving people I know who just happen to be Christians it means "someone who follows the teaching of Christ".

Edit: OK poll up now, I voted for 3 and 7 not because there are no people considering themselves "Christian" who fit the rest of the options, but because IMO Christ's teachings are the most valuable offerings of Christianity and I admire those who try to live them.

 

[fantome profane]

I would accept the term for anyone who tries to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ and wishes to be referred to as a Christian. I would set no other criteria. They don’t have to believe that Jesus was “God” or the son of “God”, although they can. The don’t even have to believe that he existed at all as long as they try to follow the teachings as they understand them and as best they can (and want people to refer to them as Christian).

I think you will find that it is not the non-Christian who want a restrictive definition.

So I will vote for the last one but what I mean by that is any of the above, but not necessarily all of the above. (except for the one about fear and superstition, that could be a Christian or not a Christian)

 

[BucephalusBB]

For me, the ones who say they are christians are christians.
By some I noticed that they actually didn't really follow christianity, but still called themselves christian, fine by me. eventually they are living by their own thoughts and rules, just like I am.

I stopped putting importance in the name since my mother called me christian way after I told her I was atheist. Her reason, because I was baptised :thud:

 

[3.14]

you forgot one option, i had a friend named cristian, he was rich and pretty smart

 

[Father Heathen]

A Christian to me is one who believes that Christ is the son of god who was crucified and resurrected, and also follows his teachings.

 

[BucephalusBB]

A Christian to me is one who believes that Christ is the son of god who was crucified and resurrected, and also follows his teachings.

And if you believe Christ is God, instead of "just" the son?

 

[Somkid]

I answered: a person who is believes he is “saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone.” I spent a lot of time in theology school and my conclusion is: A Christian is a person that accepts Jesus "The Christ" as their personal Lord and Savior thus they are forgiven their transgressions and "sins" and may pass go, collect $200 and move on to "heaven". Is that right? Do I win anything?

 

[Father Heathen]

And if you believe Christ is God, instead of "just" the son?

Well, yeah, his own daddy.

 

[+Xausted]

I answered: a person who is believes he is “saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone.” I spent a lot of time in theology school and my conclusion is: A Christian is a person that accepts Jesus "The Christ" as their personal Lord and Savior thus they are forgiven their transgressions and "sins" and may pass go, collect $200 and move on to "heaven". Is that right? Do I win anything?

what he said

 

[Jeremy Mason]

This thread is on the "Same Faith Debates" forum. Since I consider myself to be a Christian, I won't be participating on this thread except possibly to ask a question here or there. Please respond to the poll ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN. Please offer your opinion ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN. If you have a question for a non-Christian that will help you to understand one of his comments, feel free to ask it. Otherwise, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM POSTING.

Okay... All Christians seem to have an idea in mind who ought to be allowed to refer himself as a Christian, and some act as if they own the exclusive rights to the term. I've heard their list of essential characteristics of a Christian many times, so now I'm curious to see what non-Christians think about Christians. If you were to meet someone for the first time (either here on RF or in person) and he were to tell you that he was a Christian, what would that mean to you? Keep in mind that the poll is a multiple choice one. Please pick as many statements as you feel apply, and then explain your choices if you wish.

Katpur, I think Christians are the ones who show their love regardless of their religion. Show by example.

 

[BucephalusBB]

Katpur, I think Christians are the ones who show their love regardless of their religion. Show by example.

couldn't resist posting in the "please don't post, christians"-thread?

Anyway, by your definition, I could be a christian as well.. :flirt:

 

[Father Heathen]

Katpur, I think Christians are the ones who show their love regardless of their religion. Show by example.

That is not exclusive to Christians, nor is it exactly common place among them.

 

[Katzpur]

I'm really enjoying seeing the results of this poll. I've got to admit that I find a few of the votes kind of interesting. Several of you voted that a Christian is someone who believes he is saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone. I'm not sure if this is what you think the majority of Christians believe or if it was just one of the first things that would come to mind if someone told you he were a Christian. Actually, it's primarily the Evangelical Christians who believe in "sola fide" or faith alone. Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, several more liberal Protestant groups (like the Episcopalians) and the Latter-day Saints all believe that the way we live our lives will play a part in God's decision to "save" us.

I was also suprised that no one so far has voted that a Christian is someone "who is likely to tell you (a non-Christian) that you're damned." Don't you guys get that all the time from Christians? I don't get it. I pretty much thought most of those who responded would pick that one.

I'm actually very pleased with the votes. Most of you are willing to call anyone a Christian who sincerely believes himself to be a Christian. That's rather "Christian" of you! I'm also pleasantly surprised that no one seems to believe that a Christian must believe in the Bible alone (i.e. the doctrine of "sola scriptura"). Maybe that's a sign that I should get out my Book of Mormon and start preaching.

Anyway, thanks for all your replies. Keep them coming, please!

 

[Fluffy]

If you call yourself a Christian, then you are a Christian. All the rest is posturing.

I was also suprised that no one so far has voted that a Christian is someone "who is likely to tell you (a non-Christian) that you're damned." Don't you guys get that all the time from Christians? I don't get it. I pretty much thought most of those who responded would pick that one.

It is true that some Christians have an annoying tendency to do this. I believe that it creates a barrier between me and them. I cannot get on with someone who believes this about me, not because I don't like them or have any ill feeling towards them but simply because it makes me feel incredibly awkward around them.

Regardless, I'm very glad that thinking this way is not an inherent part of Christianity and I dearly look forward to the day when Christians can be Christians and atheists can be atheists without either wishing that the other was one of their own.

a Christian must believe in the Bible alone

Frankly, I think that is one of the most ridiculous claims I have ever heard. If a person wishes to believe in the Bible alone then that is fine. If that person also wishes to believe they have a monopoly on the term "Christian" then I would honestly find it difficult to suppress my giggles. Talk about disconnected!

 

[fantome profane]

Katzpur, I sense that there is an element that you may be missing in this. For someone who identifies themselves as a Christian, this is most likely for them a term that they are very proud of, it is something good.

For a non-Christian the term is neither good nor bad, merely descriptive. Keep in mind that you are asking this question of a group of people who have decided that they do not want to be described in this way. So our willingness to allow others use it if they want might not be quite the generous gesture that you think it is.​