What does being Christian mean in our society?

[OneAugustKnight]

When I hear someone say they are Christian, I assume they mean they are Catholic because the 2 words are interchangeable to me in my experience of what Christianity is. I am usually wrong however, and so I was wondering what it generally means to people in our society when someone says they are Christian. Does it have any meaning anymore? I am beginning to think it means “I like Jesus and the Bible, and I don’t like the Catholic Church.”

What do you think when a person tells you they are Christian? Has the word Christian been blurred too far?

I knew many Jewish people growing up, and they told me in reformed Judaism it is the ethnic heritage and traditional rituals that holds them together, and that you didn’t even need to believe in God to be considered Jewish, and you could follow astrology and psychics and still be Jewish. After hearing of people who are Wiccan and Christian at the same time, I ask if Christianity is going the same way in our society.

Also, how do we decide if we should call people Christian? Should they believe in anything in particular or should we just call them one if they call themselves Christian? Does this hold true for cult followers who refer to themselves as Christian?

 

[stormy99]

When I was a Protestant, I thought that was a Christian…and Catholics were Catholics…even though of course Catholics are Christian…

I think the term Christian is definitely blurry…so many denominations…so many different beliefs…

In our present society, being Christian or Catholic or Jewish isn’t the thing to do…

stormy

 

[CharlesDarwin]

when someone says theyre a christian…it usually depends…if they say it as a manner of fact ie “you are an atheist i am a christian” it means basically nothing

if they come out of the blue and say “I Am A Christian!” it means “I think I’m better than you and i have a belief that says this is true!”

 

[odhiambo]

Your thread seems directed to those in the United States, but I will comment because it applies the world over.
In my experience when people tell you that they are Christians, they are saying that they are ‘saved’. This is to portray the impression that they are God fearing and trust worthy.
I dare say some are , but many introduce themselves as Christians to reassure you and gain your confidence just before a con with you as the unsuspecting victim!
It has happened to me twice already.
These days when someone tells me ‘ I am a Christian’
I become guarded in my dealings with him.
So to answer your question, the word Christian no longer mean what it used to mean in the early days of Christianity; it no longer means the follower of Jesus Christ,
living according to the teachings He gave us.

 

[edwest2]

Being Christian in Western society is seen, by the media, as a negative. And by the way, I’ve never had anyone walk up to me and say, “Hi. I’m a Christian.”

Christians are simply people who are doing their best, or not, to follow Jesus Christ. Catholics are Christians in the Church founded by Jesus Christ. Different denominations still believe Jesus is the Son of God.

Those who truly seek God’s will are doing what they can to live it out.

Finally, Christians live in the world but are not of the world. The world is not our final destination. We must bring the Gospel message to everyone we can.

God bless,
Ed

 

[mtolympus]

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:27-28)

The name “Christians” for the followers of Christ apparently originated outside of the church. The first record of its use was in the city of Antioch. “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26) These two passages from the New Testament give us a simple biblical definition of the term “Christian.” A Christian is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. My hope is that Christians of all denominations can work together in the cause of Christ.

 

[John_Martin]

A Christian is a citizen of the Nation established by God (the Kingdom of God), being granted that citizenship when baptized, and an alien living in the country of residence (as Peter wrote in his first epistle). The terms “Church” and “Kingdom of God” are interchangeable.

This Kingdom has continued with the leadership appointed by its King through the last 2000 years, and the original leaders (Peter and the apostles) are still active in this Kingdom, this Nation of the People of God.

People like to call Christianity or Catholocism a religion, but it is not simply personal convictions and beliefs - it is our “national identity”. For us to say “I am Catholic” is the same as Barack Obama saying “I am American” - national identity.

You might go so far as saying that, as a Catholic, your Social Security Card is your “green card” for living, working, buying and selling in the United States, since your true “country” is the Kingdom Christ established.

This is the Gospel, the first words out of Jesus mouth after he was annointed as the Messiah, as the King: “The Kingdom of God is here; come and believe this good news”, come, turn from your sin, and be joined to this Kingdom.

In this society, being a Catholic, being a citizen of this Kingdom God established, means that we do things differently than the people of the countries where we live;

• we don’t support abortion, while the citizens of the countries established by men do allow it;
• we don’t support or approve prostitution while citizens of countries and states like Nevada do approve it.
• We fully confess our sins and reconcile with those we have wronged, while the humanly established nations allow you to only do as much justice as you have to in order to avoid prosecution.
• We meet together as a people every week to be nourished as the People of God, with the Word and Sacraments - look around you during the next Mass you attend - you are looking at your fellow citizens.