Religion Christians of the forum - what do you think is the true essence of being a Christian?

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I ask because I grew up in a country with no separation between church and state, and furthermore an official national religion (founded so Henry VIII could get divorced) so we had to learn Bible stories in school. And it always seemed to me, a heathen, that Christ was a pretty decent chap - all about giving away your property, turning the other cheek, helping the poor and washing the feet of prostitutes. I don't get the anti-gay, pro-borders, pro-private property stuff that some people seem to think is part of being a Christian. So I'm here to be enlightened.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
I ask because I grew up in a country with no separation between church and state, and furthermore an official national religion (founded so Henry VIII could get divorced) so we had to learn Bible stories in school. And it always seemed to me, a heathen, that Christ was a pretty decent chap - all about giving away your property, turning the other cheek, helping the poor and washing the feet of prostitutes. I don't get the anti-gay, pro-borders, pro-private property stuff that some people seem to think is part of being a Christian. So I'm here to be enlightened.
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Christianity is something you want others to live by but not yourself.
 
I grew up Christian. I'm not anymore but I do believe in god/higher power. I think christians get too much shit. I mean yeah there are extremes like the westboro baptist church as well as others but extremism happens with everything. A lot of christians can be fake and live a happy go lucky life but you gotta understand these people are just scared, they need something to believe in. There are a lot of good Christian people. Yeah there are some silly stories in the Bible but there are also really good ones that can teach you something. Proverbs is full of stuff I think a lot of people should read and learn even if you aren't Christian. Christianity is about treating others how you wanna be treated in essence.
 
I'm not Christian but checked it out when I was young...dropped it when I got to war...haven't really looked back since, but I think it's sort of a methadone clinic for people who need something to take on their burdens....I see it as a better option than alcoholism or drug addiction, etc....the idea that an afterlife is blissful and reality on earth is suffering is sort of silly to me. Catholics at least give you confession to clean the harddrive at will...the essence of Christianity is faith in service to a higher being as far as I can tell.....
 
SlyPokerDog said:
That's exactly what I said.
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Yeah but you said it in a smart ass poker dog way because yeah there are a ton of hypocritical christians but I have met a lot who really live by that so to denounce legit ones is dismissive. It's like when people say all muslims are bad after a terrorist attack. Not the case. There are a ton of radical muslims and a ton who aren't
 
Cippy91 said:
Yeah but you said it in a smart ass poker dog way
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I can't really answer as a Christian. But as a student of religion, the teachings of Jesus was a great improvement for the way men treat each other over the teachings of Mosaic religion.
Thus Jesus moved his followers of the followers of Yahwey away from the harshness of Mosaic religion and closer to the eastern religions, Hindu and Buddha. Mankind is much more tolerant and forgiving since, except for where the perverter's prevail and the godless block the gain.
 
God had to incarnate as his own son, so he could be tortured on a cross so that he wouldn't have to burn the humans he created in hell for eternity.

That's Amazing Grace!
 
The true essence of being a Christian is that all are fallen with sin and fall short of being able to even be in God's presence, so that there seems to be no way to escape damnnation and eternal separation from God. He is so holy that a white lie is the same as mass murder is the same as diahonoring a parent in invalidating you of any hope of gaining eternal life on your own merit. It is only through the sacrifice that Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, made on your behalf, without you knowing or wanting him to, that you are able to be redeemed and enter God's presence at the end of mortal life.
I would recommend that, if interested, at your leisure read (can easily be found online) Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:3, john 14:6, romans 10:9-11, 2 corinthians 5:15 And revelation 3:20. read them a couple or few times. Each time ask "what does this mean to me?"

At the end of the day, Christianity is about Christ and your relationship with the God of the Universe. If that's mumbo jumbo to you or on par with talking about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, that's your decision. Don't rely on me or any other Christian (And for goodness's sakes, not a politician) to be a substitute for how a Christian should live. And remember that it's generally the silent majority that are attempting to follow Christ's teachings about loving God with one's whole heart soul and strength and loving one's neighbors, and not the attention-starved making news, that are likely attempting to model it as best we unglorified souls can.
 
I am Jewish but feel I can answer. I have known many "Christians" but only very few people who seemed like real Christians, people who endeavor to be like Christ. There is a kindness and gentleness to them that I so admire. They are thoughtful about their actions and how they raise and teach their children. They take the words of Jesus seriously and are not hypocritical about it, like so many fake Christians are.

To me, that is the essence of what it should mean to be a Christian.
 
Romans used to love to party, if there was really someone who could turn water into wine they never would have killed them.
 
MarAzul said:
I can't really answer as a Christian. But as a student of religion, the teachings of Jesus was a great improvement for the way men treat each other over the teachings of Mosaic religion.
Thus Jesus moved his followers of the followers of Yahwey away from the harshness of Mosaic religion and closer to the eastern religions, Hindu and Buddha. Mankind is much more tolerant and forgiving since, except for where the perverter's prevail and the godless block the gain.
Click to expand...

Can't we leave Trump and the Republicans out of this for a change......???
 
BrianFromWA said:
The true essence of being a Christian is that all are fallen with sin and fall short of being able to even be in God's presence, so that there seems to be no way to escape damnnation and eternal separation from God. He is so holy that a white lie is the same as mass murder is the same as diahonoring a parent in invalidating you of any hope of gaining eternal life on your own merit. It is only through the sacrifice that Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, made on your behalf, without you knowing or wanting him to, that you are able to be redeemed and enter God's presence at the end of mortal life.
I would recommend that, if interested, at your leisure read (can easily be found online) Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:3, john 14:6, romans 10:9-11, 2 corinthians 5:15 And revelation 3:20. read them a couple or few times. Each time ask "what does this mean to me?"

At the end of the day, Christianity is about Christ and your relationship with the God of the Universe. If that's mumbo jumbo to you or on par with talking about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, that's your decision. Don't rely on me or any other Christian (And for goodness's sakes, not a politician) to be a substitute for how a Christian should live. And remember that it's generally the silent majority that are attempting to follow Christ's teachings about loving God with one's whole heart soul and strength and loving one's neighbors, and not the attention-starved making news, that are likely attempting to model it as best we unglorified souls can.
Click to expand...
Do you think the words of Jesus (as reported in the Gospels) are the best guide to what it is to be a Christian or do you think the writings of Paul are the best guide? Because I've got to say that the stuff about being fallen doesn't sound like something Jesus would say. And the only Gospel you cite is John, which (from what I understand) is the most atypical of the Gospels, and thus deemed problematic by many Bible scholars.
 
@Rastapopoulos

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

The essence of being Christian is a relationship with Jesus, so you can live that command out.
 
riverman said:
you missed the Spanish Inquisition in your studies Marz!
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No, after careful study, I concluded they missed the salient points in the teaching of Jesus. I gather you did not discover the perversion that put them on the wrong trail.
 
HailBlazers said:
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
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Presumably this includes Mexicans.
 
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