Questions for Muslims

[cloudyday2]

Interesting, but I make it a habit of not judging such a person thing via an internet testimony. People I've had to deal with professionally who make the claim that they were once Christian have always had something amiss and something else going on behind the words. But, to be fair, the NT does (in my understanding) teach that apostasy is possible. I have met people who are apostate in the minds of some Christians and even in their own estimation but there's always something else doing on when we look at it deeper. I'm just saying that I've never met a person with a convincing testimony of faith that is now an atheist or whatever...and I've talked to quite a few. But I have to accept that apostasy is taught in the NT, so I may yet meet one.

There is a discussion forum for ex-Christians if you're curious about their stories.

I call myself an ex-Christian, but it's more like I have split personalities and right now the atheist personality is dominant most of the time.

When I wear my Christian hat, I think the whole idea of labeling people as Christian/non-Christian shows a lack of understanding of the love of Jesus and our universal unworthiness of that love. I know that's not standard Christianity. I guess I believe in Jesus and God sometimes but I think Christianity is a human club with membership rules that seek to nullify the centrality of Jesus.

 

[smaneck]

Lots of people say that....never met one that could prove it to me.

If you are going to call me a liar there is no real point in discussing this any further.

The other folks were right, you're a jerk.

May God judge which of us was really a Christian.

 

[WoodrowX2]

If you are going to call me a liar there is no real point in discussing this any further.

The other folks were right, you're a jerk.

May God judge which of us was really a Christian.

There are those who believe "Once a Christian always a Christian" and have come to the conclusion that if a person leaves Christianity, it is proof they never were a Christian.

Handy little belief to explain away those who do leave. Does help resolve any cognitive dissonance, when an adherent bails out.

 

[BruceDLimber]

[to Susan] [Y]ou're not even a Christian. What gives you a say in this and why would it concern you?

Little as YOU may appreciate the fact, you'll find fewer folks more enthusiastic in their support of both Christ and the Bible than Baha'is!

EVERY Baha'i must stipulate the God-sent nature and legitimacy of both Christ and the Bible--indeed, this is practically a sine qua non among Baha'is.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[ContraMundum]

What is your qualification for someone being a former Christian?

This is going to sound silly at first but bear with me. A former Christian is someone who was a genuine Christian before apostasizing. Obviously,.

But, the issue really is "what is a real Christian?". I should state first and foremost that my definition is very influenced by the Pietists, Puritans and Methodists. They, using various words etc, believed that a person could be an "almost Christian", which they described pretty much as what would pass as a Christian on this forum. Rather than have me explain it in full, check out these links:

Here's one summary. Here's another.

That is pretty much how I see it. I've yet to meet someone who has left the Faith who can attest (honestly) to that kind of fullness of the Faith- and I know not too many in the Church who can as well.

 

[ContraMundum]

If you are going to call me a liar there is no real point in discussing this any further.

Talk about jumping to conclusions! Just because I haven't met anyone who I think was a real Christian before they left the church doesn't mean that I am calling you a liar. That's pretty poor logic.

I reckon I hit a nerve.

Simply put- you could very well be sincerely wrong about your claim to have been a Christian. So what? You're not the first and you won't be the last.

No one called you a liar- not on this forum anyway. Chill.

The other folks were right, you're a jerk.

Nice ad-hom. You do of course realize that such language is a violation of the forum rules.

 

[ContraMundum]

Little as YOU may appreciate the fact, you'll find fewer folks more enthusiastic in their support of both Christ and the Bible than Baha'is!

EVERY Baha'i must stipulate the God-sent nature and legitimacy of both Christ and the Bible--indeed, this is practically a sine qua non among Baha'is.

Peace,

Bruce

Well, that's all fine to make that claim....but it wasn't the point, and still isn't.

I do find it rather hilarious that the people who are most upset about not being regarded as Christians....are not professing to be Christians. Hilarious.

Anyway, I know nothing about your religion. I can't judge it and don't want to. But I'm not sure why a Baha'i would want to speak on behalf of Christian theology.

 

[ContraMundum]

There are those who believe "Once a Christian always a Christian" and have come to the conclusion that if a person leaves Christianity, it is proof they never were a Christian.

Handy little belief to explain away those who do leave. Does help resolve any cognitive dissonance, when an adherent bails out.

The trouble is- there is a systematic logic to it. However, I don't believe that doctrine so I won't defend it.

 

[ContraMundum]

There is a discussion forum for ex-Christians if you're curious about their stories.

I call myself an ex-Christian, but it's more like I have split personalities and right now the atheist personality is dominant most of the time.

When I wear my Christian hat, I think the whole idea of labeling people as Christian/non-Christian shows a lack of understanding of the love of Jesus and our universal unworthiness of that love. I know that's not standard Christianity. I guess I believe in Jesus and God sometimes but I think Christianity is a human club with membership rules that seek to nullify the centrality of Jesus.

Thanks for being honest with your comments. It's alright, normal and not the end of the world to be in the spiritual place you are. I've been in similar places more than once.