Thank you: Re: Re: The Rules of Belief

» Pinky102 - Re: Re: The Rules of Belief

In response to Re: The Rules of Belief posted by Binte:

Binte asks: "What then does a person need to accept in order to call him or herself a Christian?"

According to who? If you ask one of the self appointed "Rulers of Christianity", then you need to swallow a litany of things as they come up from day to day. A "Christian" in that venue is always under the scrutiny of someone or other.

Me? I believe it is entirely an individual thing between the Christian and God.

About a hundred years ago there was a crisis in Christianity in America. It was brought about by the activities of a bunch of "Millenialists" who believed Jesus was going to return to Earth on various predicted dates. Each time these predicted dates came and moved into history, a new bunch of fanatics rose up and claimed a new date. After so many failures and when all the old "Iron War Horses of God" were dying off of old age, a new breed sprung up calling themselves, Fundamentalists. Their purpose was to show that the Bible was the inerrant and literal Word of God. This group gradually fell more and more into the teachings of the Old Testament and accepting its teachings which is the representation of Judaism in textual form. Of course, Judaism is a religion based on a foundation of legalism--the Laws of God. And, that's where the litany of tests comes into deciding who is a "Real" Christian and who isn't.

We have a few of those "Real" Christians posting at the Religion and Spirituality site. They are very evangelistic and are constantly trying to win stars in their crown--expecting to win rewards of special status in Heaven. I'm sure you've their counterparts in the world of Islam.

I believe our relationship with God is on an individual basis and that God reveals himself to us through his Holy Spirit. I believe that, if we seek God, he will reveal himself to us with his loving kindness which is forever. Some people agree with me; but, what I believe is not the popular and religious way.

I'll be happy to answer any question I can.

-- posted by Pinky102