Practical politics and practical spirituality

@fmf said
Christians share the belief that God sent his son Jesus, the messiah, to save the world. They believe that Jesus was crucified and died in order to offer the forgiveness of sins and the opportunity for what they see as "salvation". They believe that Jesus rose from the dead and later ascended to heaven in order to "conquer death", so to speak.

I would say that a self-described "follower of Jesus" [i.e. adherent to some of the moral teachings that are attributed to him] who does NOT subscribe to, more or less, the beliefs I listed above, perhaps doesn't get to be labelled "Christian".

@fmf said
I have never suggested there is necessarily a strong "bond" between all Christian groups. There are, however, certain core beliefs [doctrines] that bind them together and warrant the label "Christian".

Many Christians in the 1700s did not believe that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus actually happened. They believed that it was a good story sent by God, along with the rest of the Bible, but they did not actually believed that it took place. This was most Christians in America and Europe at that time. This is where and when the word "liberal" originated.

@kingdavid403 said
Many Christians in the 1700s did not believe that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus actually happened.

Well, apologies, but I am not going to debate your beliefs about "the 1700s" with you. I think my post at the top of the page has a reasonable stab at differentiating between "Christians" [who believe that "the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus actually happened"] and other "followers of Jesus" [who might be inspired in other ways that only embrace elements of what "Christians" believe].

@kingdavid403 said
This was most Christians in America and Europe at that time.

If you are suggesting that "most Christians in America and Europe" 300 years ago believed that "the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus never happened", then I do not believe you.

@fmf said
Well, apologies, but I am not going to debate your beliefs about "the 1700s" with you. I think my post at the top of the page has a reasonable stab at differentiating between "Christians" [who believe that "the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus actually happened"] and other "followers of Jesus" [who might be inspired in other ways that only embrace elements of what "Christians" believe].

So, not all Christians, or believers in Jesus are bind (bound) together?

@kingdavid403 said
So, not all Christians, or believers in Jesus are bind (bound) together?

I think there are certain core beliefs and doctrines that bind together all people who can legitimately be referred to as "Christians".

@fmf said
If you are suggesting that "most Christians in America and Europe" 300 years ago believed that "the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus never happened", then I do not believe you.

Well it's true; Many. I have all the details in my Christian history books from Christian university next to me.

@kingdavid403 said
So, not all Christians, or believers in Jesus are bind (bound) together?

I don't think the terms "followers of Jesus" and "Christians" are always synonymous.

@kingdavid403 said
Well it's true; Many. I have all the details in my Christian history books from Christian university next to me.

I think it's nonsense. Just as your claim that "most [Christian] denominations teach and preach that all other Christian denominations are going to hell" is nonsense.

@fmf said
I think there are certain core beliefs and doctrines that bind together all people who can legitimately be referred to as "Christians".

I think there are certain core beliefs and doctrines that bind together all people who can legitimately be referred to as "Christians"
Western Christians maybe, not near all Christians world wide.

@kingdavid403 said
I think there are certain core beliefs and doctrines that bind together all people who can legitimately be referred to as "Christians"
Western Christians maybe, not near all world wide.

I've lived my life among Christians in several parts of the world, northern and southern hemisphere, western and eastern hemisphere. I can assure you that the doctrines and core beliefs and scriptures are pretty much the same wherever you go.

@fmf said
I think it's nonsense. Just as your claim that "most [Christian] denominations teach and preach that all other Christian denominations are going to hell" is nonsense.

You can think as you wish. It's true, and I've seen it over and over.
I find it hilarious that you, a non-believer who use to believe, that you are judging others as legitimate Christians or not. Hilarious.

@kingdavid403 said
You can think as you wish. It's true, and I've seen it over and over.

You are being a fool.

@fmf said
You are being a fool.

lol, oh good come back.

@kingdavid403 said
I find it hilarious that you, a non-believer who use to believe, that you are judging others as legitimate Christians or not. Hilarious.

I am not "judging" anyone for their beliefs. I am interested in accurate language to discuss these things, though.