Your religious affiliation, or lack thereof, and why?

[Big Jim P]

So.... There are no christians?

I did not say that. I'm Christian, I accepted God into my life, and live by the Bible as much as possible. So do many of the people I know that claim to be Christian. Of course, I do not know if they are Christian, because I cannot see their heart, only the evidence.

Anyone who worships Christ is a Christian.

I do make a distinction between those who speak the words while violating the teachings of Christ (these I refer to as xtians), and those who do their best to live their lives by the teachings and in a Christ-like manner (these I refer to as Christians).

[Sun Wukong]

I would also like to point out that believing in the Christian God does not make you a Christian.

How does it not?

I'm actually slightly with him on this one. Presumably Lucifer believes in the Christian God.

[Neutraligon]

I would also like to point out that believing in the Christian God does not make you a Christian.

Well of course not, considering how the Christian God is the same as the Jewish and Muslim God. And I'd hardly consider Jewish and Muslim people to be Christians.

Considering the massive differences between the Christian and Jewish god, I would hardly call them the same, despite what most Christians claim.

[The Brethren Court]

Following the teachings of the Bible as accepting God into your life is what makes one a Christian. I know that just fifty years ago, most people where I live believed in the Christian God, but those who didn't live by the Bible wouldn't dare call themselves a Christian until they accepted God into their life and began to live by the Bible.

Based on whose interpretation? As far as I know most Christians claim they are following the Bible and accepting god, but they all differ on what following the teaching of the bible actually means. Considering the bible supports slavery does that mean there are no Christians now?

Old testament kind of supports it. Once Jesus fulfilled the Law, he taught equality and love, but also to follow the simple rules of God.

A liberal, fundamentalist Free Will Baptist. My experiences and science has led me to continue my belief in God. The Bible has power, and I've witnessed it. Because of this, I believe the Bible. I believe the creation story is metaphorical, written in a way that early man could understand. I also understand that not everyone will convert. Tell them what the Bible says, show them love, and if they absolutely refuse, then fine. Show them respect and love, but this is the closest thing to Heaven they will see.

Firstly, sir - the Bible was written by the Church. It's power is the power of the Church.
Secondly, free will is incompatible with causality. You saying you reject causality?

It was written down and put together by the Church, but written by Disciples (Matthew, John, Paul, the other John, etc.). Second, it doesn't. Free Will says that one has the choice to make decisions on their own, and face the consequences or causes of that outcome. Unless I am misunderstanding Causality.

Following the teachings of the Bible as accepting God into your life is what makes one a Christian. I know that just fifty years ago, most people where I live believed in the Christian God, but those who didn't live by the Bible wouldn't dare call themselves a Christian until they accepted God into their life and began to live by the Bible.

Which version of the bible?

I personally follow the King James Version of the Bible, but bear in mind, that some other bibles are simply translations from Shakespearean English. As long as they contain essentially the same thing.

[Big Jim P]

Basically does, though.

Not necessarily. Plenty of Christians believe in the Devil, and yet are not Satanists.

Most Satanists don't believe in the devil. Funny, ain't it.

[Conscentia]

[...] (these I refer to as xtians),[...]

Why?
If you are using "x" as in "x-mas", then it makes no sense. The "x" stands for the Greek letter Chi, which an abbreviation for Christ. (See: Chi Rho.)

[Fanosolia]

isn't possible to belief in a higher power/understanding, and not adhere to the institution? mind you she/he is stilling going to that institution so that's a weird thing but... *shrugs*

It is possible. But if you disagree with the church, why do you still go? And I don't know about you, but if I disagree with the institution, I question the belief too.

fair enough, As i said i don't see why but hey, I'm not that guy. And well we're sorta suppose to question our beliefs whether or not they have an institution to them. We can't blindly believe everything just because we are told that it's how it works. I believe that all religious have some truth in their metaphysics, no matter how weird, but I still question it.

[Big Jim P]

Based on whose interpretation? As far as I know most Christians claim they are following the Bible and accepting god, but they all differ on what following the teaching of the bible actually means. Considering the bible supports slavery does that mean there are no Christians now?

Old testament kind of supports it. Once Jesus fulfilled the Law, he taught equality and love, but also to follow the simple rules of God.

Firstly, sir - the Bible was written by the Church. It's power is the power of the Church.
Secondly, free will is incompatible with causality. You saying you reject causality?

It was written down and put together by the Church, but written by Disciples (Matthew, John, Paul, the other John, etc.). Second, it doesn't. Free Will says that one has the choice to make decisions on their own, and face the consequences or causes of that outcome. Unless I am misunderstanding Causality.

Which version of the bible?

I personally follow the King James Version of the Bible, but bear in mind, that some other bibles are simply translations from Shakespearean English. As long as they contain essentially the same thing.

Most Americans follow the KJV. It is the most common version. Still, it was rewritten in 1603. Hardly the original word of god.

[Neutraligon]

Based on whose interpretation? As far as I know most Christians claim they are following the Bible and accepting god, but they all differ on what following the teaching of the bible actually means. Considering the bible supports slavery does that mean there are no Christians now?

Old testament kind of supports it. Once Jesus fulfilled the Law, he taught equality and love, but also to follow the simple rules of God.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)

[The Brethren Court]

I did not say that. I'm Christian, I accepted God into my life, and live by the Bible as much as possible. So do many of the people I know that claim to be Christian. Of course, I do not know if they are Christian, because I cannot see their heart, only the evidence.

Anyone who worships Christ is a Christian.

I do make a distinction between those who speak the words while violating the teachings of Christ (these I refer to as xtians), and those who do their best to live their lives by the teachings and in a Christ-like manner (these I refer to as Christians).

Christian means Christ-like which is why I distinguish people as "True Christians", which try to live in a Christ-like manner, and the "Religious Crowd", most modern-day Christians, from what I can tell. They do not follow the teachings, and are thus not really Christians.

[Neutraligon]

Anyone who worships Christ is a Christian.

I do make a distinction between those who speak the words while violating the teachings of Christ (these I refer to as xtians), and those who do their best to live their lives by the teachings and in a Christ-like manner (these I refer to as Christians).

Christian means Christ-like which is why I distinguish people as "True Christians", which try to live in a Christ-like manner, and the "Religious Crowd", most modern-day Christians, from what I can tell. They do not follow the teachings, and are thus not really Christians.

So basically no true scotsman.

[Big Jim P]

[...] (these I refer to as xtians),[...]

Why?
If you are using "x" as in "x-mas", then it makes no sense. The "x" stands for the Greek letter Chi, which an abbreviation for Christ. (See: Chi Rho.)

The term originated that way I believe. I just use it to differentiate the two groups. I myself dislike being tarred with the same brush as the psychos who kill etc in the name of Satan. I do my best not to do that to others.

[Conscentia]

It was written down and put together by the Church, but written by Disciples (Matthew, John, Paul, the other John, etc.). Second, it doesn't. Free Will says that one has the choice to make decisions on their own, and face the consequences or causes of that outcome. Unless I am misunderstanding Causality.

Yes, members of the early church.

Causality requires that the choice has a cause - ie. the choice was not free - it was inevitable.

[The Brethren Court]

Old testament kind of supports it. Once Jesus fulfilled the Law, he taught equality and love, but also to follow the simple rules of God.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)

That wasn't Christ, but I see your point. Slaves back then were prisoners of war, were they not? That IS different from slavery based on race. And it doesn't say you have to agree with slavery or even own slaves.

[Dyakovo]

Christian means Christ-like which is why I distinguish people as "True Christians", which try to live in a Christ-like manner, and the "Religious Crowd", most modern-day Christians, from what I can tell. They do not follow the teachings, and are thus not really Christians.

So basically no true scotsman.

Are you surprised? I know I am.
*nods*

[Cetatsenia]

Anyone who worships Christ is a Christian.

I do make a distinction between those who speak the words while violating the teachings of Christ (these I refer to as xtians), and those who do their best to live their lives by the teachings and in a Christ-like manner (these I refer to as Christians).

Christian means Christ-like which is why I distinguish people as "True Christians", which try to live in a Christ-like manner, and the "Religious Crowd", most modern-day Christians, from what I can tell. They do not follow the teachings, and are thus not really Christians.

Actually, I believe Christians to have a meaning closer to 'Followers of Christ'. In my view anyone who considers Christ to be the Son of God and the Messiah who died for our sins to be a Christian. Doesn't necessarily mean they're a good Christian, but they're still a Christian nonetheless.

[The Brethren Court]

It was written down and put together by the Church, but written by Disciples (Matthew, John, Paul, the other John, etc.). Second, it doesn't. Free Will says that one has the choice to make decisions on their own, and face the consequences or causes of that outcome. Unless I am misunderstanding Causality.

Yes, members of the early church.

Causality requires that the choice has a cause - ie. the choice was not free - it was inevitable.

Free will refers to the free will to make the choice any way they desire and face the effects of these choices.

[Neutraligon]

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)

That wasn't Christ, but I see your point. Slaves back then were prisoners of war, were they not? That IS different from slavery based on race. And it doesn't say you have to agree with slavery or even own slaves.

Why does being prisoners of war make it any better? More than that it states slavery was acceptable. So is slavery acceptable to you?

Oh and, are you going to cherry pick the old testament, that seems to be what you are saying. If Jesus is god, and god gave the laws in the old testament then by definition Jesus gave and supported those laws in the old testament.

[MERIZoC]

Not necessarily. Plenty of Christians believe in the Devil, and yet are not Satanists.

And? "The Devil" is part of christian mythology.

…..So my point is that you can believe in something, but not worship it. Isn't that pretty obvious?

[Conscentia]

Yes, members of the early church.
Causality requires that the choice has a cause - ie. the choice was not free - it was inevitable.

Free will refers to the free will to make the choice any way they desire and face the effects of these choices.

Yes, hence free will is incompatible with causality.

[Dyakovo]

And? "The Devil" is part of christian mythology.

…..So my point is that you can believe in something, but not worship it. Isn't that pretty obvious?

The "and worship him" is extremely heavily implied when someone says they "believe in <insert specific deity here>".

[The Brethren Court]

That wasn't Christ, but I see your point. Slaves back then were prisoners of war, were they not? That IS different from slavery based on race. And it doesn't say you have to agree with slavery or even own slaves.

Why does being prisoners of war make it any better? More than that it states slavery was acceptable. So is slavery acceptable to you?

Oh and, are you going to cherry pick the old testament, that seems to be what you are saying. If Jesus is god, and god gave the laws in the old testament then by definition Jesus gave and supported those laws in the old testament.

No, I do not think it is acceptable. I believe the Law was fulfilled when Jesus was sacrificed, and thus the new doctrine was established. Ephesians is in the New Testament, btw.

[MERIZoC]

…..So my point is that you can believe in something, but not worship it. Isn't that pretty obvious?

The "and worship him" is extremely heavily implied when someone says they "believe in <insert specific deity here>".

….Evidently that's not always the case, as shown in my example.

[Geilinor]

Why does being prisoners of war make it any better? More than that it states slavery was acceptable. So is slavery acceptable to you?

Oh and, are you going to cherry pick the old testament, that seems to be what you are saying. If Jesus is god, and god gave the laws in the old testament then by definition Jesus gave and supported those laws in the old testament.

No, I do not think it is acceptable. I believe the Law was fulfilled when Jesus was sacrificed, and thus the new doctrine was established. Ephesians is in the New Testament, btw.

Slavery only became bad after Jesus's death?

[Neutraligon]

Why does being prisoners of war make it any better? More than that it states slavery was acceptable. So is slavery acceptable to you?

Oh and, are you going to cherry pick the old testament, that seems to be what you are saying. If Jesus is god, and god gave the laws in the old testament then by definition Jesus gave and supported those laws in the old testament.

No, I do not think it is acceptable. I believe the Law was fulfilled when Jesus was sacrificed, and thus the new doctrine was established. Ephesians is in the New Testament, btw.

Yes it is, and thus the New Testament clearly supports slavery. So basically you are not following the bible by thinking slavery is not acceptable. By your definition you aren't a Christian. My second section was a separate comment.