Is the true goal of Christianity, to convert everyone into being like Ned Flanders?
141330
The simple answer is "No."\n\nNow the complex answer.\nToo many people confuse true Christianity with a religion.  Religion has rules, "we vs. them" types of mentalities, and tends to try and conquer other people who think or believe differently.  Not all religions are "religious" according to this type of definition.  According to this we could easily cast the homosexuality movement as a religion, athiesm as a religion, even Democrats and Republicans as a religion.\n\nTrue Christianity is a relationship.  A relationship between you and God.  The Bible exists to help you understand how God want the relationship to work, what you are responsible for, and what He is responsible for.  As with any good relationship there are great benefits with Christianity.  Also, there are certain things you can do that will cause strife and pain to the relationship.  The last component to this relationship is God wants to help you - just like you want to help your best friends.  He tells you of things to avoid to help you live a better life and make good decisions.  God is NOT a bully, is NOT a genie to do your bidding (although too many Christians treat him this way), and will not control your life.  It's all based on FREE WILL.
750117
Well, according to the Bible, yes.  This is going to be very Lutheran of me, but I've already started, so I may as well explain it as best and briefly as I can.\n\nThe Bible states this: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not that of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works that men may boast." (Ephesians 2:8)\n\nThe Bible also sports this nice little phrase "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any." (I Cor 6:12, I would also like to point out that my version of the Bible uses a more archaic variant of English)\n\nSo, indeed, even a smidgen of faith in Jesus is all that is necessary to save us.  Why?  Because no matter what we do to prove our "sinlessness" to God, in the end it's all pointless.  The most righteous among us eventually become self-righteous, and nearly every good act done in the name of God or one's own self instead of being nice to that person is only another futherance into sin for us.  Pride rears its ugly head even upon the best of us all.  One of the faults of being imperfect is that you are going to give in to sin eventually.  And in God's eyes, a "minor" sin is just as bad as a major sin.  Anger and just being annoyed grants you the same punishment as a mass murderer would recieve.\n\nSo this is justification by faith, we can't save ourselves, so God sends His Son down to uphold the Law perfectly, and give himself as a blood sacrifice for all the rest of humanity, from here to eternity.
207329
Christians are to strive to be Christ-like.  No one will ever be as perfect as Christ and everyone realizes this but if you are trying in your everyday life to make the right decisions, help others in need etc...then you are trying to live your life and become Christ-like...
409653
Well as a Christian I would argue that not all Christians are like that by any means. Sadly like all religions there are charlatans who take advantage of people and compel them to do terrible things, (Pat Robertson calling for the assasination of Hugo Chavez, for example) and distort religion for their own sinister purposes. These particular 'Christian' leaders (Robertson, Fallwell, Swaggart, Baker, Dobson, ect) contradict the original teachings of Jesus Christ on almost everything. But I hope you don't lump ALL Christians in with them. To be honest they would probably do the same thing to Jesus now that the Pharisees and Saducees did to him in the 1st century: they accused him of sedition (calling him an enemy of Caesar), accused him of heresy (for not sticking to their rigid, burdensome, and unmerciful traditions), and eventually killed him. So by no means are all Christians fanatics, many of us are decent, respectable people who simply wish to practice our faith  without infringing on others' beliefs.
786134
a person who did what he did.... how can he ever become a real christian? this would take a miracle first, and then, perhaps, everything else would be possible, including realizing the evil he did... and luckily, God forgives more than humans...
227864
It is not the act of converting or following a religion that is the problem.  You assume that following Christianity, or any religion, somehow makes a person a better human being.  There is plenty of evidence to the contrary.  Those who behave in the manner you described are hypocrites, which is a sin in most religions.  Just because a person calls himself a good Christian, Jew, Muslim, etc. doesn't make it so.\n\nThose that truly follow the fundamentals of their faith should understand their obligation to strive to be the best person they can be... to have concern for the welfare of others and not just themselves... to be thankful for what we have... and to actually behave like human beings, rather than animals.\n\nDo we wish for a return to the laws of the jungle, or will we actually use the brains were endowed with?  Tolerance and respect for each other would go a long way toward making the world a better place.
1081787
How about this?\n\nWhy doesn't god just give everyone the same dream / vision at the same time? Doesn't have to be long, just a simple little message. That would seem like a simple thing to do and imagine the consequences!!\n\nIt would change the world overnight, I would be a believer. \n\nSo I wait..... and I wait..... and I wait.....\n\nP.S. Christians love to use the F word, don't they ?
716649
Atheist.  Converting to the others would be like going from the frying pan into the fire.
979395
Everyone wants the possitives that come with Christianity. Jesus said himself that many shall knock to come in but few will actually enter. Of course there are gay people who want to be christians and maintain their lifestyles. Think of mobsters and criminals who kill and steal and sell drugs yet they wear crosses around their neck, or the stripper with a cross tattooed on her back.  \n\nUnless they leave behind all and follow Christ, they are doomed
904788
Christianity has become democratized - anyone can say a few words before their congregation, get a little sprinkle of water, and boom - they're "saved" - and their spot in heaven is guaranteed. Then they can become foot-soldiers for the church and battle evil doers like scientists. I always believed it took a lifetime of inner reflection, constant work on yourself, and love and respect for all life to get to heaven - I guess I'm old fashioned. Christians are becoming an army - not just for Christ - they're starting to tote guns!
620995
The true Christian knowledge taught by Jesus was not understandable by everyone nor was everyone deserving of a full explanation. if you were spiritually ready you would get it. he said "cast not your pearls before swine" this was kind of spiritual elitism and so was  later removed from the so-called teaching of Christ so absolutely anybody could get to be a christian with no effort or knowledege. that is why it got so popular. But true Christanity does have secrets that only certain people can get.
146464
No it isn't a good plan since it probably wasn't God's plan to begin with. The Bible was created by the church and by religious leaders. So the way God reaveals himself to humans is through personal experience with each one. Of course most of us won't realize that He is doing so.
171808
Well,If you are doing it just for the rewards then there will be no salvation for you.....Because GOD knows you intentions.....So yes I would still be a Christian.\n\nVery good question though........GOD BLESS\nhttp://www.gotquestions.org
871343
God, use me so that Michael des Barres will become a Christian.\nEven though I have never met him;don't let him go to hell.
160791
I totally hear you.  Everyone says its ok to live and do what you want..unless you are a christian.  Then you are stupid, narrow minded, gullable etc. Its always intrigued me its the same people that are calling for acceptance of just about everyone else.  THAT is hypocritcal and narrow-minded.
1128257
The Bible says that God created man in his own image.  You need to use your own judgement on what God is really like.  The Main point of Faith, no matter what your religious denomination is the Golden Rule... "Do unto others as you have them do unto you."  PERIOD  It doesnt take a Pope, Rabbi, Preacher, Preist to know that you should be kind to all creatures.
1180556
That is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith and as such, I would not consider them true Christians.  I hope and pray that they do come to the full realization of God in all His aspects.  Blessings.