For Followers of Christianity: What does it mean to you personally, to be a Christian?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I have been a Catholic all my life. Over the years, I've been approached by non-Catholic Christians who've told me that regardless of whether I'm Catholic or not, unless I accept Jesus into my heart as my personal Savior, I'm going to hell.

So, what is your own personal opinion/view of what it means to say you are a Christian?

[웃 910]

I have been a Catholic all my life. Over the years, I've been approached by non-Catholic Christians who've told me that regardless of whether I'm Catholic or not, unless I accept Jesus into my heart as my personal Savior, I'm going to hell.

So, what is your own personal opinion/view of what it means to say you are a Christian?

If you are Catholic you believe in Jesus. No?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If you are Catholic you believe in Jesus. No?

Yes, but many non-Catholic Christians believe that Catholics aren't Christians because we pray to Mary and the Saints as well.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Yes, but many non-Catholic Christians believe that Catholics aren't Christians because we pray to Mary and the Saints as well.

And the praying to craven images and the incorporating of pagan practices into the mass.

Saying that though my wife says I am going to be a Catholic and I right now give 50-50 odds.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

And the praying to craven images and the incorporating of pagan practices into the mass.

Saying that though my wife says I am going to be a Catholic and I right now give 50-50 odds.

Craven images and pagan practices?

[chri'stina 190]

For me the first aspect to being a Christian is to believe that Jesus was sent as God's son to redeem mankind from sin and offer salvation. I think that is the most important, essential part no matter what denomination someone is from. I have heard many times people who say being a Christian just means you are a good person, when really it means to me that you are a follower of Christ and His teachings.

A Christian lifestyle should follow, based on Jesus' teachings and the rest of the New Testament. No Christian can really do 100% of what is asked but trying hard to is seen by God. To me that includes things like purity, kindness, giving, loving, and not being ashamed of following Christ. (I grew up in a non-denominational, Protestant church with a pastor for a father, and I have been very involved in church myself until the last couple years when my dad moved and haven't found another church I like enough).

[luckytxn 2,264]

Craven images and pagan practices?

This link will touch on both but google the terms and much will come up.

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/Catholicism/catholic.htm

[웃 910]

I always liked Christian church services much better than Catholic service.

Christian church service = Half hour of singing .... Pastor comes out and gives a speech/sermon... it's different every time and there is a message to it tied in with a scripture in the bible. Although I am not a religious person I can still go to church and get a lot out of the sermon. There are some great pastors in the Detroit area.

Catholic church service = Seems very old and traditional. See children dressed in wardrobes looking like monks. Every service is the same (VERY BORING). Very much like a weird ritual.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

For me the first aspect to being a Christian is to believe that Jesus was sent as God's son to redeem mankind from sin and offer salvation. I think that is the most important, essential part no matter what denomination someone is from. I have heard many times people who say being a Christian just means you are a good person, when really it means to me that you are a follower of Christ and His teachings.

A Christian lifestyle should follow, based on Jesus' teachings and the rest of the New Testament. No Christian can really do 100% of what is asked but trying hard to is seen by God. To me that includes things like purity, kindness, giving, loving, and not being ashamed of following Christ. (I grew up in a non-denominational, Protestant church with a pastor for a father, and I have been very involved in church myself until the last couple years when my dad moved and haven't found another church I like enough).

Faith without works, or works without faith. Which of those two do you think, in your opinion are more Christ-like?

[luckytxn 2,264]

I had a Catholic wedding last week and one of the things we had to do was go and pray to the Virgin Mary. It is done all the time by Catholics and they think nothing of it but being raised Methodist it would have been considered a big time sin. If you look at my profile and hit the picture link you can see my wife and I and some wedding pics and one of them show us praying to the virgin mary.

[chri'stina 190]

Faith without works, or works without faith. Which of those two do you think, in your opinion are more Christ-like?

I think faith is enough to be saved, but really should be doing works as well. But I don't believe works alone is enough, when reading the requirement of salvation that none of us can achieve on our own.

[mawilson 2,133]

Christmas shopping, yay!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I always liked Christian church services much better than Catholic service.

Christian church service = Half hour of singing .... Pastor comes out and gives a speech/sermon... it's different every time and there is a message to it tied in with a scripture in the bible. Although I am not a religious person I can still go to church and get a lot out of the sermon. There are some great pastors in the Detroit area.

Catholic church service = Seems very old and traditional. See children dressed in wardrobes looking like monks. Every service is the same (VERY BORING). Very much like a weird ritual.

It depends on what Catholic Church you are attending Mass with regard to the style of music or how people dress, but the Mass itself is centered around Holy Communion - which is a sort of re-enactment of the Last Supper.

[chri'stina 190]

Christmas shopping, yay!

So are you saying right here and now, that you are a Christian and what it means to you is Christmas Shopping?

Hey everyone, mawilson is a Christian!! lol

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I think faith is enough to be saved, but really should be doing works as well. But I don't believe works alone is enough, when reading the requirement of salvation that none of us can achieve on our own.

This is one of the important distinctions between Catholics and most other Christian faiths. Catholics regard someone who lives their life in a Christ-like manner as an Anonymous Christian. I can't imagine someone who lived their life as Christ lived, would be sent to the eternal flames of hell, simply because they had not recognized Christ as God incarnate. For me, I think a lot of Christians are going to be surprised/shocked with how many "non-Christians" are in heaven - Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims, for example.