I think you’ve labeled a set of principles with a term that many nonconforming people would ascribe to themselves and an entirely different set of principles. For example, I imagine a lot of extreme MAGA folks would self-describe as “true christians”. It’s a curiously specific choice of language. I don’t think “true” and “christian” really belong together. It’s like saying “true red”. There’s no pantone for religion.
Had to look up "pantone" - completely new word for me. Neat!
Anyways, it's my label, I can do what I want. ;)
Christianity is obviously not a monolith but...I call all the MAGA folks that are gleefully hateful and celebrate ugliness to be false Christians and hypocrites based on my own reading and understanding of the Bible. I don't care what they say, they didn't read or understanding their holy book in anything like the way I did. This is no different than any other book I've read where what I take from it, and what I learned from it, are different than others. Like all the silly misreadings of books like Starship Troopers or Dune.
But in the end, yeah, it's my definition and my label. think it's clear how I separate the two groups in my head?
I am curious how one can define “true christian” and “actual christian life”, though. If a meaningful portion of christianity is comprised of the people whose perspectives you abhor, how do you actually define it? Seems like cherry-picking.
I share your experience btw. Not that precise situation, but a lot of christians went out of their way to express viewpoints that solidly turned me away from religion at a young age.
With the disclaimer that I ain't a Christian...I think generally a true Christian would say the people around them who share the label don't define that person's own Christianity. It's not a monolith. They would say it's about a personal relationship with Jesus as their savior. Here's the "Great Commandment" that supersedes all others:
Matthew 22:36–40 (NRSV or similar translations):
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
Jesus said to him,
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
So when I say a "true Christian" I'm referring to those two things. The fact that very few avowed Christians actually seem to remember the Great Commandment is immaterial to the minority that actually live the life.
I think you’ve labeled a set of principles with a term that many nonconforming people would ascribe to themselves and an entirely different set of principles. For example, I imagine a lot of extreme MAGA folks would self-describe as “true christians”. It’s a curiously specific choice of language. I don’t think “true” and “christian” really belong together. It’s like saying “true red”. There’s no pantone for religion.
Had to look up "pantone" - completely new word for me. Neat!
Anyways, it's my label, I can do what I want. ;)
Christianity is obviously not a monolith but...I call all the MAGA folks that are gleefully hateful and celebrate ugliness to be false Christians and hypocrites based on my own reading and understanding of the Bible. I don't care what they say, they didn't read or understanding their holy book in anything like the way I did. This is no different than any other book I've read where what I take from it, and what I learned from it, are different than others. Like all the silly misreadings of books like Starship Troopers or Dune.
But in the end, yeah, it's my definition and my label. think it's clear how I separate the two groups in my head?
I am curious how one can define “true christian” and “actual christian life”, though. If a meaningful portion of christianity is comprised of the people whose perspectives you abhor, how do you actually define it? Seems like cherry-picking.
I share your experience btw. Not that precise situation, but a lot of christians went out of their way to express viewpoints that solidly turned me away from religion at a young age.
With the disclaimer that I ain't a Christian...I think generally a true Christian would say the people around them who share the label don't define that person's own Christianity. It's not a monolith. They would say it's about a personal relationship with Jesus as their savior. Here's the "Great Commandment" that supersedes all others:
Matthew 22:36–40 (NRSV or similar translations):
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
Jesus said to him,
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it:
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
So when I say a "true Christian" I'm referring to those two things. The fact that very few avowed Christians actually seem to remember the Great Commandment is immaterial to the minority that actually live the life.