?

[Left Coast]

Is Christianity based on what we think or what is written I guess that's the other thing I'm trying to figure out?

It's based on a combination of the two. Christians ostensibly base their beliefs/practices on the Bible, but vary wildly in their interpretation of the text. The original authors of the Bible aren't around to get clarification (and indeed, we don't even have their original texts to read).

 

[Alone]

As of now my life is pretty stagnant and boring to say the least, however these things that are beyond my understanding, would surely have an impact, and brighten up the world as I know it to be that I live in as of this moment

 

[ChristineM]

in regards to humanity, not just religion, everyone has spark of God within.

Speak for yourself, not for anyone else

 

[halbhh]

What is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?

Well, today one may get a lot of different answers, but have a look at the original meaning:

Etymology. The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning "follower of Christ" ...
Christians - Wikipedia

That fits how I think of the word, to designate not a self-designated identity exactly, but instead rather: one who does the actions of "following Christ".

Ergo, to be that, they have to do that.

One can of course instead define it in some million other ways, but this is the way that agrees most with what Jesus is accounted to speak in the 4 gospel accounts.

e.g. --
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

[SalixIncendium]

Speak for yourself, not for anyone else

I hate it when I run out of God sparks. Try these...

 

[Alone]

Well, today one may get a lot of different answers, but have a look at the original meaning:

Etymology. The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning "follower of Christ" ...
Christians - Wikipedia

That fits how I think of the word, to designate not a self-designated identity exactly, but instead rather: one who does the actions of "following Christ".

Ergo, to be that, they have to do that.

One can of course instead define it in some million other ways, but this is the way that agrees most with what Jesus is accounted to speak in the 4 gospel accounts.

e.g. --
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Is believing in God a bad thing? So far if I'm not in a specific forum related to quote unquote Christians only it basically seems like believing in God is an absurdity?

 

[Subduction Zone]

I am willing to take believers at their word. So for me a Christian is one that claims to be a Christian. A non-Christian is a person that says he is not a Christian. I am not going to try to refute what one says one is. But if I did I would probably go after the people with the strongest views on their own religion. For example I have noticed that some of the "least Christian" of posters are those with the claimed strongest Christian beliefs.

 

[ChristineM]

What is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?

Do you want the general, Christians are followers of Christ, non christians aren't.

Or my personal opinion based on close to 50 years experience? Actually i am not sure i can post my opinion, it will probably get me in trouble with the rules of the forum

 

[Alone]

Do you want the general, Christians are followers of Christ, non christians aren't.

Or my personal opinion based on close to 50 years experience? Actually i am not sure i can post my opinion, it will probably get me in trouble with the rules of the forum

You could send me a message about your opinions at least that way I could read them and contemplate them if you want I don't know if messages are moderated or not if they are I would say it's okay whatever you have to say!

 

[ChristineM]

I hate it when I run out of God sparks. Try these...

View attachment 35017

When amazed I sometimes confuse people with "oh ton dieu" or "oh your god"

 

[columbus]

I don't know that's exactly what I'm trying to figure out, barely been here a week and I've read all sorts of opinions and ideas about what a Christian is or isn't so that's what I'm trying to find out? Not sure I know what you mean by "with regards to what?"

Here's the problem.
There is no objective meaning for the word Christian.

The best available substitute is this. Anybody who believes that they are a Christian is one.

At least as much as anybody else is. You aren't going to get a better answer than, although lots of people consider themselves able. But they won't give you a coherent and consistent meaning. It'll all boil down to people who believe and behave the way they want people to.
Tom

 

[SalixIncendium]

When amazed I sometimes confuse people with "oh ton dieu" or "oh your god"

It doesn't have the same ring to it...

 

[Alone]

Here's the problem.
There is no objective meaning for the word Christian.

The best available substitute is this. Anybody who believes that they are a Christian is one.

At least as much as anybody else is. You aren't going to get a better answer than, although lots of people consider themselves able. But they won't give you a coherent and consistent meaning. It'll all boil down to people who believe and behave the way they want people to.
Tom

Please by all means do not take offense to this next question, if I say I know for sure that I will go to heaven does that make it true?

 

[halbhh]

Is believing in God a bad thing? So far if I'm not in a specific forum related to quote unquote Christians only it basically seems like believing in God is an absurdity?

No, some people very subtle and brilliant have believed. More than just a few. And just many people in every culture, time, place also.

That's universal, by observation.

But for me, I can answer about my own unique experience (which may overlap what some experience). To me, believing in God began...from seeking (and that began after I found several things Christ said and tested them and was shocked at how perfectly they worked, and then began to pay more attention to more that He said)....seeking, and then a discovery. Wonderful, frightening (or maybe bracing is better word), and...very energizing and encouraging also. But also a recognition on another level. It's like remembering. There could be a sense of remembering something forgotten for instance, something subtle. You know, there is a topic I was just posting that for me is about seeking or waiting for God, which believers also must do; rather, this is one aspect of being open to find or seek: Saving Silence -- the silence simply means finding yourself, your own soul, (not Ralph or Fred's latest opinion, or the noise of the world, but your own Self,), and that puts one in the situation where they could then begin to seek. Search. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." as was conveyed through one of the prophets. Of course, one would not want to lack the guidance from the one who seems to know better than any other the way, so one would read the words of the Christ, as a guide.

 

[Alone]

No, some people very subtle and brilliant have believed. More than just a few. And just many people in every culture, time, place also.

That's universal, by observation.

But for me, I can answer about my own unique experience (which may overlap what some experience). To me, believing in God began...from seeking (and that began after I found several things Christ said and tested them and was shocked at how perfectly they worked, and then began to pay more attention to more that He said)....seeking, and then a discovery. Wonderful, frightening (or maybe bracing is better word), and...very energizing and encouraging also. But also a recognition on another level. It's like remembering. There could be a sense of remembering something forgotten for instance, something subtle. You know, there is a topic I was just posting that for me is about seeking or waiting for God, which believers also must do; rather, this is one aspect of being open to find or seek: Saving Silence -- the silence simply means finding yourself, your own soul, (not Ralph or Fred's latest opinion, or the noise of the world, but your own Self,), and that puts one in the situation where they could then begin to seek. Search. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." as was conveyed through one of the prophets. Of course, one would not want to lack the guidance from the one who seems to know better than any other the way, so one would read the words of the Christ, as a guide.

So then if Faith and Hope are the key elements to salvation, then for me to seek an absolute would be foolish?

 

[PureX]

I guess just in the general view of the world? The term "Christian" is a word just like any other word so I guess I'm trying to understand what this word means?

It means a lot of things. Like the word "art", or the word "love". These words refer to different things for different people. They are broad categories of conceptual experience. A Christian is technically someone who accepts the ideology embodied by "Christ", but that designation includes a lot of very different interpretations of what "Christ" is.

I think to gain any real insight you have to ask a specific Christian what THEY think it means to be a Christian. And keep in mind that their answer is not going to be universally accepted by all Christians.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

What is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?

Good question.

I see a Christian is one who accepts Jesus is the Christ and gave a Message from God. That they have embraced that message with the entire enthusiasm of their heart and now live a life that Christ asked them to live. That they now live in virtue and service to all humanity.

A Non Christian is any aspect that does not live up to that high ideal.

Thus a true Christian is as rare as the Philosophers Stone.

Regards Tony

 

[Dawnofhope]

What is the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?

Very little. Both have the same physical make up and strive to live a good life to varying degrees depending on the individual.

 

[Alone]

It means a lot of things. Like the word "art", or the word "love". These words refer to different things for different people. They are broad categories of conceptual experience. A Christian is technically someone who accepts the ideology embodied by "Christ", but that designation includes a lot of very different interpretations of what "Christ" is.

I think to gain any real insight you have to ask a specific Christian what THEY think it means to be a Christian. And keep in mind that their answer is not going to be universally accepted by all Christians.

so I guess this would bring me to my next question, how do we know what is the truth if there are so many opinions, and go a step further anything about God obviously cannot be proved (according to some) so then what?

 

[ChristineM]

It doesn't have the same ring to it...

It does in french

Ton instead of mon with a hard T

 

[TransmutingSoul]

so I guess this would bring me to my next question, how do we know what is the truth if there are so many opinions, and go a step further anything about God obviously cannot be proved (according to some) so then what?

God = Love, Justice, Trustworthiness, Truthfulness, Honesty etc

All that is from God who is in us all, the rest is from our own worldly self.

Regards Tony