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We could all answer this, right?
I believed in the Apostle's or Nicene Creed. That is what made me a Christian.
Later came Baptism at 14 or 15, confirmed by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen...that was so cool
that I always plug it.
Since I no longer believe in every word (even one sentence will do it)...I can not call myself a
Christian ...since that is the definitive definition by Constantine in 325 ad or CE...Christian Era for the newbies.
Think what you will...that has been the definition set for Christians.
Has the definition changed? I'm not aware of it...*shrug*
Yes, we understood John's no true Scotsman fallacy. I was still a Christian. You do realize Greek Orthodox also believe in Jesus?
Of course, but Christianity is more than a head knowledge about Jesus. It’s a heart knowledge of the sacrifice Christ made for us, His love and care for us daily, and our eternal home with Him one day soon.
Of course, but Christianity is more than a head knowledge about Jesus. It’s a heart knowledge of the sacrifice Christ made for us, His love and care for us daily, and our eternal home with Him one day soon.
Yes, you too are guilty of the No True Scotsman fallacy.
I'll just wait for a few others to show up and refute what you have said. We have at least two members (and probably more), active on the forum right now, who were once 100% totally believing fundamentalist Christians, believing everything that was taught, praying regularly, attending church, participating in Christian activities, teaching Sunday School, etc., but have changed. Each one has a different story, but they were once real, devout Christians and now they are not.
I am one of them. All it took was being brave enough to step outside my Christian bubble and use the Internet to research such topics as "Historical proof for Jesus" (none) "who wrote the gospels" (anonymous authors) and when were they written (100-150 years after Jesus crucifixion). What I uncovered about Christianity horrified me. I ran away and never looked back.
He died to make our sins (mistakes) irrelevant as long as we love God and each other every day and repent when we don't.
So Mystic, what will happen to us if we don't actually love God or are just indifferent to Him? I don't particularly love God and I certainly don't repent of sins anymore. I don't think there ARE such things as sins. These are just learning experiences to hopefully make us better people. I mean I've never heard a word from Him even in the quiet of my room when I contemplate Him. Far as I can see He was the spark plug for life here and then left us on our own. He doesn't talk to us in any meaningful way--and I am not talking about those Christians who have conversations with Him in their heads or one-way talks out loud with Him--I mean conversations that even a non-believer can hear. He doesn't interact with us. We as a human species are still here so we must be doing something right. I'd say there are 20% bad people out there but 80% of us are decent and keep the world running.
So my question again: if we're just indifferent to God like I am now, because He had absolutely no impact on my life other than through Christianity to screw it up pretty badly, what will happen to me when I die? I'd really like to know. That is a sincere question, not mocking.
So Mystic, what will happen to us if we don't actually love God or are just indifferent to Him? I don't particularly love God. I mean I've never heard a word from Him even in the quiet of my room when I contemplate Him. Far as I can see He was the spark plug for life here and then left us on our own. He doesn't talk to us in any meaningful way--and I am not talking about those Christians who have conversations with Him in their heads or one-way talks out loud with Him--I mean conversations that even a non-believer can hear. He doesn't interact with us. We as a human species are still here so we must be doing something right. I'd say there are 20% bad people out there but 80% of us are decent and keep the world running.
So my question again: if we're just indifferent to God like I am now, because He had absolutely no impact on my life other than through Christianity to screw it up pretty badly, what will happen to me when I die? I'd really like to know. That is a sincere question, not mocking.
Thrill, are there people that you treat with love (kindness, gentleness, patience, etc.)? Even the bible says that if you love others, you are loving God.
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