I see people on here all the time cutting others down by telling strangers that they arent christian. I was raised catholic, and i was taught that christian meant "christ like" but i dont see many people behaving that way.  The way i look at it, even the Dali lama is a christian.  Hes kind, gentle, and compassionate, event to people he doesnt like.  Besides, everyone had a bad day, one day a person may be a christian, but the next not.
201372
A true Christian aims to follow Christ's example, however, being human and not divine, we mess up, sometimes a lot.  Doesn't mean one isn't Christian though.  It just means the Christian is having a really tough time of something and has yet still more to learn and discipline.  \n\nWe're all human and need God's love.
561331
Why? Can a Pagan not follow Christ's teachings? Seems to me they can if they want to do so. Lots of people consider themselves 'christian' and probably are not. Who are we to judge?
146157
well i am a Christian, and i first and foremost try to take in consideration that everyone i know or that may be in the conversation isn't a Christian.  I know from experience that many Muslims, Atheists, Catholics, etc...can hold a very educated conversation about religion, without ever believing in God, or the Christian God.  As long as the Christians involved can respect that the "non-Christian" people are not interested in converting, now nor ever, and do not try to force their faith or beliefs on them, then there should not be any problems.  but i can somewhat relate to what you are talking about, thats why religion, politics and money are 3 things i try to avoid talking about in abundancy.
215489
I am sorry, but those words you just said were descriptions of Jesus.  I am no Jesus.  The Bible says that a Chrstian is a follower and believer of Jesus Christ who STRIVES to be like the almighty.  The Bible makes it clear that you will fail.  No one is perfect.  I am a Christian because I try to have the best relationship with God that I can, I have and will see people delivered and set free from sin, I try to worship God as much as I can, and I strive to be part of my local church.  The one think that makes you and I human, not God, is the fact that we will never always succeed.  God knew this, so he sent us a way to not have to pay for our sins, he sent his son jesus to lift the burden off our backs and to sacrifice himself for every person on earth.  All you need to do is believe and ask for forgiveness.  That is a REAL Christian.
377614
All I know is, if you talk to any true Christian they were brought from darkness to light, some didn't have drug problems or anything all that bad before coming to Christ, and some did. But we all have the sin factor no matter if we do drugs, sleep around, etc. And I am sure their are atheists who do not do drugs, sleep around, etc. The whole christian thing is not anything but admitting we are not perfect and noone is. And we surrender our lives to Jesus who is perfect. I hope you have a Great Thanksgiving and please know that I don't hate atheists....
273050
No I don't, I am Christian and I consider it a moral guide with some truths and a good book, but it isn't the end all to end all. I consider myself Christian because I follow many of Christ teachings and lets face it I was raised to be so. Nature vs. nurture, what can I say? Oh and you don't have to follow the Bible to follow what Christ taught, even he was against being ruled by laws.  I love God, not the Bible, if I did I would be a follower of books not of Christ. Ever wonder why Jesus never wrote about himself? Think on that for awhile. Like the bible says we are all Gods. Follow your heart not a book.
547131
Have you spent much time looking into Buddhism? Since it is a Way or Path, and not a religion, it does not (according to many Buddhists) conflict with religious beliefs you may have. It's more about a way of living in order to achieve a goal (enlightenment). It stresses things like compassion and denial of the flesh (as opposed  to the spirit or true self), which I believe it has in common with Christianity, Judaism, and probably Islam (which I know little about).  It teaches many of the same core values from a perspective many of us brought up in western cultures are not familiar with.  Try reading The Art of Happiness by the Dali Lama or Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das. \n\nMany Christians and Jews will argue that the differences between their faiths and Buddhism are crucial and irreconcilable. I'm not attempting to argue with that, and I'm sure they have excellent points, I'm just working off your statement that you are coming from a liberal ideology.\n\np.s., the notion, mentioned by another poster, that only one is correct is by no means universally held. In fact, it's largely due to the big three Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam).
187252
Christians have always labeled people with different ideas and beliefs as pagan, savages, etc. etc.\n\nMany Christians have an honest desire to help people, but most just can't accept that they might be wrong. They think people who don't go along with the Christian movement deserve to burn in hell.
254274
I can't tell you exactly why that is. I am a Christian, and when I say Christian I mean I am a born again believer in Christ, and I see it in my church a lot. I don't think i do it tho. Most of us are taught to deffend our religion. I guess some of us just take it too far. Others just don't know how to handle it. If you want to ask some questions I would like to answer them. I don't get deffensive real easily like a lot of others do. I have a lot of friends that have different beliefs than me so I'm used to being around different religions and lifestyles. But like I said if you have questions and want answers I can't promise u that I would know all of them but I could answer as many as possible from a biblical standpoint.
238521
I think it's possible that there are people in the second category. I'm not sure I've actually met any of them, however. Every single self-identifying "Evangelist" I've come across has been far more interested in other peoples' sins than anything about love or forgiveness. Maybe it's just that the first group makes so much more noise, you never get to hear anyone else.
173596
They sound like a Christian to me.  I've never met one who follows the teachings of Christ. Intead they follow the politics of their "religion" usually to the compleat exclusion of the teachings of Christ.
238813
If I am not mistaken, I don't think this was a generalization made that all non-beilievers are mean spirited and cruel.  (At least I hope not)  I think that each religion gets misunderstood at one time by those not of that religion, and some people just don't know how to address what they don't understand. There are those that do.  They respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.  I am a Christian, I believe, but i do not force my beliefs on anyone. i may share something about God, but I cannot judge anyone if they do not believe--and I don't think we should judge and ridicule each other.
356271
There are a large number of people who have converted (or reverted as it's refered to by Islam), it is one of the fastest growing faiths presently.  Faith is something that is very personal, and specific to the individual.  If they feel that Christianity isn't the right mode to connect with their spirituality, then they most certainly should go forward and look for one that helps them connect better.  It's very easy to be disenchanted with Christianity right now, and Islam is presented as an alternative.  Do I think they are crazy, no.  It's not my place to call anyone crazy for their beliefs.  Everyone is entitled to do what gives them peace, regardless of my personal view of that thing.
332365
OK venting about other religions is wrong. I'm a Christian, and Christians are supposed to love everyone, no matter how different they are from them. Everyone has their own beliefs, why can't we accept people for who they are?( at least, until they start harming and abusing people...)\n\n\nha ha... and I just realized that the person above me just basically said the same thing....
282159
Yes I like this... it just sounds more...TRUE somehow. Nobody who currently professes to be a Christian is truly Christ like...we all have our own prejudices, phobias, hatreds.... SINS. We can only aspire to be like Him and therefore Christianism fits the circumstance better. You should call the Pope or something.
588444
yes, being a Christian is about following Christ, not a religion.\n\ni think people need to feel strong about Jesus, not their religion. it erks me a bit.\n\n...and where in the Bible does it say if you cuss, say 5 Hail Mary's?
283980
Tell it like it is!! I agree with you! I have ran into some really rotten "christian" people in my life time and a lot of them do not follow the Bible or any teachings until it suits them.