Can you be christian without being religious?

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:02 pm

Lulu2 wrote: BRYN "If you have, as you appear to, examined the message and found it wanting then fair enough, but don't through the baby out with the bathwater."

It's got nothing to do with messages, burning bushes, pits of fire or even throwing babies! :wah: It's got everything to do with logic!

I don't see anything I disagree with in there - the history of religion has lots of examples.

I have, however, had several friends who've taken the attitude that, because the Church is corrupt and hypocritical then Christianity must also be rubbish - I argued against the idea and urged them to think it through.

Seing that you obviously have thought long and hard about it the warning was superfluous.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:45 pm

Neat topic.

In direct answer to the question. Absolutely. In fact Christianity was meant to be a way of life and not just a religion.

The term church is somewhat misused many times. The church is the people of God. The building is simply where the people of God meet.

Of course there are hypocrits etc among the church membership. They are after all very human.

As for all the dogma and doctrine, they are not necessary to being a Christian. Read Micah 6:8. What God requires of us is to do justice, love kindliness and walk humbly with your God.

Any human description of God or the Holy Trinity is purely metaphor for we have no other way to speak of the divine. What does it mean to be "The only Son of God?"

Shalom

Ted:-6

weber · Post by **weber** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:33 pm

Like Ted above. I like the way you think sir:yh_peace

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:38 pm

Ted wrote: Neat topic.

In direct answer to the question. Absolutely. In fact Christianity was meant to be a way of life and not just a religion.

The term church is somewhat misused many times. The church is the people of God. The building is simply where the people of God meet.

I've always understood the term Church to mean the organisation and hierarchy that makes up the formal body to which individuals attach themselves.

The physical building is just that - a building used as a focal point but saying that it is totally in the people hides the fact that there are many Christian Churches with distinct Congregations and divergent Beliefs.

The people of God are the Congreagtion. The Church is defined by its Beliefs.

weber · Post by **weber** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:45 pm

Bryn Mawr wrote: I've always understood the term Church to mean the organisation and hierarchy that makes up the formal body to which individuals attach themselves.

The physical building is just that - a building used as a focal point but saying that it is totally in the people hides the fact that there are many Christian Churches with distinct Congregations and divergent Beliefs.

The people of God are the Congreagtion. The Church is defined by its Beliefs.

Well, the people are the church but it is not going to church that makes or defines a Christian. One would assume that people who go to church are Christians and they probably are but some of them do not live Christian lives. And some people who don't go to church are Christians and do live Christian lives. To be Christian is to believe in Jesus as Savior, as God and follow His teachings. Beyond that it is personal choice.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 2:05 pm

weber wrote: Well, the people are the church but it is not going to church that makes or defines a Christian. One would assume that people who go to church are Christians and they probably are but some of them do not live Christian lives. And some people who don't go to church are Christians and do live Christian lives. To be Christian is to believe in Jesus as Savior, as God and follow His teachings. Beyond that it is personal choice.

First define your christian - is it a Catholic, of a Seventh Day Adventist, or a Christian Scientist, or A Jehovas Witness, or a Methodist or a .....

Most combinations of these would call each other a heratic. What I was saying is that Ted's definition of "The church is the people of God." does not cover the whole cloth.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:39 pm

Bryn Mawr:-6

Any organization if it is to stay together and organized needs someone to act as a leader. In this day and age due to the spread of the church a hierarchy is necessary in order to have things run smoothly.

Of course there are many flavours of Christianity just as there are in the other faiths. Many of these are based on dogma and doctrine which is entirely separate from being a follower of Jesus. Dogma and doctrine are human constructs attempting to deal with a topic that is beyond human language.

All who are followers of Jesus are the church. The organization is simply a supporting entity.

Shalom

Ted:-6

weber · Post by **weber** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:11 pm

Bryn Mawr wrote: First define your christian - is it a Catholic, of a Seventh Day Adventist, or a Christian Scientist, or A Jehovas Witness, or a Methodist or a .....

Most combinations of these would call each other a heratic. What I was saying is that Ted's definition of "The church is the people of God." does not cover the whole cloth.

I did define Christian. Being a Christian is not limited to any church or denomination. The definition was of Christian, not religion.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:53 pm

Weber, you are an example of how I wish every christian/person of any religion would be. Throughout these christianity threads, especially the one on the rapture, you have maintained your opinions but left room for everyone else's and been so respectful of other beliefs. I haven't seen you force your opinions on anyone or beat us over the head with biblical quotations. It stands out. I really respect you for this. Thank you.

weber · Post by **weber** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 8:24 pm

Thank you RedGlitter

My cheeks are red, my face cheeks that is/are:D. We're all different aren't we and we're all the same, believing in something, someone. There is Faith, Peace, Love and Hope. I know these are different than the usual Faith, Hope and Charity. You will see in the URL why the difference. I love it. It comes up FlowGlo and looks like a cartoon. It just takes a few seconds.

http://i.euniverse.com/funpages/cms_con ... andles.swf

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 1:46 am

I liked that very much. I have always felt that one must have hope or he has nothing.

I also am fond of that other candle page you have listed. I have lit candles on there many times. It's a comforting idea.