am i still a Christian?
If the above is your definition of being a christian and you want to be one.. why have you not been doing this stuff?
Please don't turn your "label" of being a Christian into a list of do's and don'ts. Christianity is NOT a religion. DO you have a relationship with God? Do you believe he died for you and took your sin on so you could be reunited with HIM?
If you needed a church and a bunch of rules, what would grace mean?
Talk to HIM, and He will hear you.That's a relationship.
Find a new church that you can go to without your mother's assistance. Yellow pages can help you find one close to your home.
No bible? Buy your own or use online resources instead. HERE's one to get you started. I am sure you could find a million more if you search "bible online". Download the bible onto your computer, kindle or smart phone (I know there's an app for that). The bible is everywhere and available free, there really is no reason not to have one if you want it.
Being a christian is not about attending church or fellowship (IMO) although those things are great and offer good support for your faith, especially if you are struggling or having doubts. But you can be a good christian without them. Pray, study and read the bible. Think for yourself and learn about the teachings of the bible from the source.
You can also be a good person without any of those things. The choice is yours. We all have free will and intelligence. The bible says that God gave them to us. You can use yours to chose a path towards God. Or not.
I was raised a Christian and went on to become a Sunday school teacher for many years. I know the bible well and have ready it many, many times. Later on, I decided that Christianity was not the right choice for me and chose a different path of spirituality. I do not think this makes me a bad person and I would encourage anyone to be certain before making such a choice. Study and learn your faith. If the words of the bible do not convince you, then you have your answer.
so...being the heathen that i am, i could be wrong, but i thought that being a christian had to do with following the principles laid down by that jesus fellow. not sure that attending church is a deal-breaker. just like attending church doesn't automatically make one a christian.
Original Post by MkayPBA17:
Because i dont have ride to church anymore. I beg my mom but she wont ever take me.
It's been a while, but every church I ever attended had a pool of volunteers anyone could call for a ride if they didn't have transportation. The larger churches had a shuttle service.
As mentioned, if you have access to the internet, you have access to a free bible.
If you went to a church which didn't make it clear as to what "what a christian really believes in exactly", then I submit that it wasn't a good church to attend in the first place. If church attendance is that important to you, find one that will actually teach you something instead of just making you go through the motions of worship.
As to whether or not you're "still" a Christian: I chose a different path a while ago, but I was always taught that's a personal thing between you and "God", and not determined by worship habits or just "not doing bad stuff".
I hope you find a way to answer your questions.
The only requirement for being a Christian is to believe and to try to live your life like Christ so yes you can still be one.
It appears to me that you knowledge regarding your belief needs to be cultivated. You need to know a whole lot more about Christianity. If you can find your way here, I'm sure you can find plenty of resources online. Read books about your faith, study the doctrine of your church, find out what's it all about.
Others have mentioned finding a church within your walking or bike riding distance and start attending yourself. That's an excellent idea.
Original Post by kotov_syndrome:
so...being the heathen that i am, i could be wrong, but i thought that being a christian had to do with following the principles laid down by that jesus fellow. not sure that attending church is a deal-breaker. just like attending church doesn't automatically make one a christian.
Well said.
For a heathen:)
Does everyone agree with this?
Because it seems iffy to me.
I do not agree with that.
I had the same reaction but then again it's redundant Tuesday, I think this needs to be addressed on Semantics Thursday. No?
You know what? I was raised Christian. I went to a Christian School. I went to church with my grandparents. I went to the Sunday School and sung there. And then puberty hit. I questioned why. And I just stopped going.
So I no longer consider myself a Christian, but not because I did not go to church or any of those things. It's because I don't believe in those precepts anymore.
I think for many people that's how it is, they get born into it, and either they stick with it (some even with a rather scary devotion) or they just let go. Some decide they want to stay Christian, because they believe in God and want to try to follow the rules laid out (in moderation).
Maybe being a Christian for you can be, praying to God every day. Maybe being a Christian for you can be, giving a little every day. Maybe being a Christian for you can be, giving up something you love for Lent.
tl;dr: If you think you are a Christian, then do what your heart tells you to do. Don't let other people goad you.
If you believe in Christ, you are a Christian.
Not going to church is at worst a small sin, which is easily forgiven. Especially in the OP's case where he desires to go to church but it is difficult or unavailable.
Finally...an easy question.
Original Post by caloricat:
If you believe in Christ, you are a Christian.
Not going to church is at worst a small sin, which is easily forgiven. Especially in the OP's case where he desires to go to church but it is difficult or unavailable.
Finally...an easy question.
I was going to say that I was under the impression if you believe Jesus Christ is the only son of God and died for your sins, then you're Christian... but that's close enough.
I think the debate is more whether you're a good Christian or not, not whether you are one or not. (Not that it matters to me... just sayin).
Original Post by dnrothx:
I do not agree with that.
I always thought of christiantity as a category into which many religions fall, but not a distinct religion itself.
Original Post by floggingsully:
Original Post by dnrothx:
I do not agree with that.
I always thought of christiantity as a category into which many religions fall, but not a distinct religion itself.
I always thought of it as an umbrella term as well, just like Paganism.
Well, where I came from, we didn't go, "I'm Roman Catholic", we said, "We're Christian" Because I suppose Roman Catholic was there way before all the others, I guess every time you say Christian you do mean Roman Catholic, and when you say Baptist, you mean Baptist etc etc?
Jesus said, "Where there are three they are without God. And where there is only one, I say, I am with him. Lift the stone and there you will find me. Split the wood and I am there."
Original Post by pvstks:
Jesus said, "Where there are three they are without God. And where there is only one, I say, I am with him. Lift the stone and there you will find me. Split the wood and I am there."
Actually, I don't think that is in the bible. That was from the movie "stigmata".
Original Post by floggingsully:
Original Post by dnrothx:
I do not agree with that.
I always thought of christiantity as a category into which many religions fall, but not a distinct religion itself.
I really don't like the word "religion" because it suggests dogma and ritual and I think that some denominations get so wrapped up in these things that they forget the message. Some don't eat meat on Friday, some have to do certain good works, and some don't celebrate holidays to mention just a few. There's one that requires people to handle poisonous snakes.These are religions, and some can get quite complicated. Christianity is pretty simple. If you believe in Jesus. If you believe that he's the Son of God and died to pay for your sins, and that he's the only way to Heaven, then you're a Christian. To me, that's faith, not religion and faith is the most important thing. I, for example, attend a Baptish church, but con't call myself Baptist, just Christian. I call myself a follower of Jesus Christ that happens to attend a Baptist church, nothing more nor less.
