What is it to be Christian ?

[mrnoodle]

Originally Posted by Flint

I've said this before, ad nauseum, but I'm not imposing a definition upon Christianity. I'm using the most obvious definition possible. If an institution calls itself Christianity, I take that self-definition at face value. I don't need to do any semantic trickery. There should be no confusion about whether I am discussing theoretical Christianity or actual Christianity. When I say Christianity, I mean simply that. Nothing more, nothing less. Christianity: the actual thing that actually exists.

Accordingly: I'm asuming that any persons who choose to define themselves as Christian will understand that this logically implies membership in the observable institution of Christianity. The actual Christianity, not the theoretical one.

I'm not accusing you of playing semantics. "Christian" means "Christ-like". No matter how impressive the buildings, the choir robes, the Popemobile, or the rituals, Christianity is the condition of following Christ, not the religious, legalistic accoutrements. I was just clarifying that.

Originally Posted by HM

What's "Judeo-Christian philosophy"? If it's the Old Testament, then it is just Jewish. If it is Old and New Testament, then it's just Christian. Is it bits and pieces taken from philosophers of each persuasion?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

They're not talking about Vishnu.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by mrnoodle

They're not talking about Vishnu.

Christianity does not have a patent on God.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by mrnoodle

"Christian" means "Christ-like". No matter how impressive the buildings, the choir robes, the Popemobile, or the rituals, Christianity is the condition of following Christ, not the religious, legalistic accoutrements.

So, what should I call people who call themselves Christians?
The most respectful thing for me to do is honor their own wishes to be called Christians.

Originally Posted by Flint

...I'm not imposing a definition upon Christianity.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by mrnoodle

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

They're not talking about Vishnu.

They're not talking about the Christian god, either. Or they're talking about both. They leave it up to the reader to fill in the blank. This makes sense, as they certainly were not all Christians themselves.