Why is it there are so many people out there that call themselves 'christians'

[Angry Dragon]

when the only part of the Bible that they know is the Old Testament??

[Taverner]

1. In my definition, to be a Christian, you simply have to want to be like Christ

IN theory you could be an Atheist or Agnostic Christian

If someone calls themselves a Christian, who am I to argue?

[Angry Dragon]

8. The reason I used 'christians' the way I did is because

I believe there are at least two types of people in the realm

'christians' in name only and have no idea what the term means
and 'Christians' the people that actually try to follow Christ

[Taverner]

10. Yes, that is true

Of course there is a movement for Fundies not to call themselves 'Christians' (because dog forbid they get mistaken for a Catholic or Unitarian!) and instead say 'Believer.'

[glinda]

17. Was just thinking about this today. There are two types. Those that

have a disconnect from thinking deeper into philosophy and those who think deeply about things. I would say that there seems to be many who are in the first group because it rewards their fowl behavior and attitudes. Justifies controlling or manipulating people. Feeds their greed also.

[amyrose2712]

2. Many Christians I know , only know parts of the bible and couldn't tell

you which part came from where.

[HopeHoops]

3. You're too generous - most of them only know a few lines from Leviticus.

"Bashing gays at a clam bake" is my favorite way to describe it.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Repetition?

:shrug:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. peer pressure.

I recall running for local office, and a potential voter got in my face with, "What church do you belong to? I have never seen you at services! What, are you a member of those Lutherans or baptists?"

I advised her that I was indeed agnostic, if not atheist, and she looked shocked. "Is that even legal?" she said.

[Angry Dragon]

12. I really like that last sentence

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. Jesus did some serious ass kicking in the New Testament.

They ignore the cruel and evil stuff that Jesus said.

They love their psychotic, vindictive, mass murdering god.

[peace13]

13. Sad as it sounds I do believe that.

Mom's response to OWS was that she would feel better about the protesters if they stormed the WH. Really mom, a violent treasonous act is better than a peaceful demonstration that reaches out to all? This woman professes to be a Christian and a god loving American. Go figure! She loves her some violence!

[dtexdem]

7. Oh, it's fashionable.

And required on the rightwing.

[jeepnstein]

9. Most of us...

don't really know any of it that well. So we rely on someone to tell us what it says rather than taking the good time and effort to study it for ourselves. Lots of folks really don't like to think about stuff like this all that much. And that's where the trouble usually begins.

[peace13]

11. I don't know but here is an excerpt sent to me by my 'Christian ' sister.

'Your preoccupation with the poor pitiful people of the world who need saving is killing YOU. You cannot deny that you are obsessed with conflict with others, but strangely it is what is desired, or at least not avoided. It is a small wonder that you are exhausted. I am exhausted after a few days of constant talk of what is wrong with everyone else in the world.'

This came after an unfortunate conversation with her about OWS and the 'saving ' had nothing to do with souls but with helping people get food, shelter, housing and jobs. So sad. I love the 'Poor pitiful people' part. I imagine how proud Jesus would be. My response included this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-q3p15rXyE&feature=related

[Deep13]

14. I don't think that is actually true.

Eternal torture in hell and redemption through suffering including that of others are purely NT ideas coming from JC's own mouth. Further, many OT standards like misogyny, slavery and thought crimes are expanded in the NT.

[Angry Dragon]

15. Could you expand on that??

[Deep13]

16. Sorry, I added to it while you were adding your response. nt

[Angry Dragon]

18. Thank You