The definition of Christian is Christ Follower. So to call yourself a Christian and not believe in Christ does not fit into the definition.

Who you believe in is very important. Christ Followers have committed themselves to striving to be like Christ. They believe that he is the Son of God, The Messaiah, and their savior. To not believe this and still call yourself a Christian is to deceive others and turn them away from Christ.

History is filled with people who call themselves Christian but do not believe that they need to be Christ like, or that they do not need to be compassionate, or that they don't really need to believe that Jesus was the Son of God. These people have lead so many people away from God and are the reason we still debate this topic today.

If one is seeking out God and looks to someone who calls themselves a Christian and sees selfishness, a hate for God and a disrespect for the Bible they are not seeing a true representative of God. The sad part is they will turn away from God because of this.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus calls us to follow a perfect standard. The only way we can is if we give him control of our lives, desires, bodies, and minds. What is your mark? Is Christ in your forhead and on your hand? or is something else? Whatever is on your mind and in your works will be forever marked on your forhead and hand for God to see. Do you have the mark of God or the mark of world?

I would much sooner be a good person and try my best to help my fellow human beings than belong to any specific religion! I don't want the mark of anything on me thanks very much, I am my own person!

Here are some websites that list the traits of a Christian. Before you decide to turn from God because of a Christian's actions toward you, check out the traits to make sure you are seeing God and not just a flawed human that is striving to be a Christian. We are human and we are flawed and as much as we want to be an example of Christ we cannot without Christ.

If you are looking to turn away from God or decide that God is not someone you want to follow, please think again look to God and who he is, not who we are.

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It is your choice, for although I love and pray for you I cannot choose for you. You have choosen to live your life for yourself and that will be reflected in your thoughts and actions. That will then build your reputation, you will be known for it - that is a mark.

I think empathy is a definate trait of a Christian.

However, I have known sonme really rough characters who love the Lord with an abandon that I couldn't possibly match up to.


Johnny Cash comes to mind. He had a hard life, drugs and alcohol peppered his life. But this man loved Jesus. ould yu tell he was a Christian? Maybe not, I don't think you would think I was if you met me.

I've known alot of cowboys, rough riders all of them. Old rodeo guys who lived and rode hard. They drank and smoked and cussed but they could show the deepest empathy for others I ahve ever seen. Once, when we were dwon and out, we received an enevelope in our mail box. It was donations taken up by some of our friends to help us over the hump. This to me is Christ like...always coming to the aid of others no matter hwat. Seeing everyone as a brother or sister.

In my opinion, there are no other Christians than the ones who believe the Bible is God's own word. How can you call yourself a Christian if you don't believe what God says? What are yo7 basing your faith on? The principals of the church? Why would someone consider what man says more reliable than what God says?
This isn't an attack, just curiosity... there have been many people here who have labeled themselves Christian but then decided they didn't believe the Bible or that Jesus is the Son of God. That doesn't make sense to me...

I guess you ahve to decide for yourself what "religion" really is. For me, I am of no "religion" becasue to me "religion" is a term created byt he church to identitfy with a certain group. I don't want to be a part of the "US vs. Them" fight. I prefer the term True Follower for myself. I follow Jesus. I believe Jesus. I love Jesus and truly beleive that my profession of faith in Him has changed my DNA. I am not who I used to be. Maybe that means noting to other people but it does to me. And since the bottom line for me is my relationship with Christ, it doens't matter what any persont thinks as long as I'm good with God.

You can't tell who is a Christian by looking at them, it is in their actions and their attitudes, not in their appearence.

Spot on ! I agree with you. YOu dont have any hidden agendas...you are who you are and if you live a good clean life you will be rewarded for it 10 fold.

Some christians have "hidden agendas" and have the constant fear of not living up to what god wants so "they stay in line" so to speak.People like you and me dont have that fear and we just live our lives as good as we can and that is the key I belive.

God can read everyones mind so he can see straight through them all anyway. I feel that with every fibre of my being...

I do not live my life in fear, in fact I had more fear before I found God.

I do not worry about tomorrow, I do not worry about money, I do not worry about my children, I do not worry about my marriage, I do not worry about anything.

I know that God will provide for me and give me what I need. I have faith that God will be there for me throughout my trials and I only need to look to him for strength.

Good for you <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But I must say that your the only mum I know of who does not worry about their own children.

I have entrusted them into the hands of God and believe that he has done as I ask, sent his angels to surround and protect them.

And my mother worries about them enough for the both of us.