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skysidhe · 11-04-2006, 01:06 PM

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm

Range of definitions of "Christian:"

There are also many distinct definitions of the term "Christian" (pronounced 'kristee`ân). Different people have defined a "Christian" as a person who has:
Heard the Gospel in a certain way, and accepted its message, or
Become "saved" -- i.e. they have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior), or
Been baptized as an infant, or
Gone to church regularly, or
Recited and agreed with a specific church creed or creeds, or
Simply tried to understand and follow Jesus' teachings, or
Led a decent life.

Following these different definitions, the percentage of North American adults who are Christians currently ranges from less than 1% to about 75%.

Within a given denomination or wing of Christianity, there is usually a consensus about who is a Christian, and who is not. However, there is often little agreement among members of different faith groups on a common definition of "Christianity."

What people can agree on, and what they cannot:

With a bit of effort, one can sometimes collect a random group of adults and have them reach a consensus on a definition of: Who is an Evangelical Christian, or
Who is a Roman Catholic, or
Who is an Eastern Orthodox believer, or
Who follows the Historical Protestant faith, or
Who is a Pentecostal, or
Who is a Mormon, or
Who is a Jehovah's Witness,
etc.

But it is probably impossible to have any large group of adults reach a consensus on precisely who is a "Christian," and who is not.

Problems arising from exclusion and inclusion:

This web site uses an inclusive definition of Christianity -- the same one that is used by public opinion polls and government census offices: Anyone who seriously, thoughtfully, sincerely, prayerfully considers themselves to be a Christian is considered a Christian for the purpose of our essays.

The alternative is religious exclusion.

The percentage of persons who identify themselves as Christian, currently about 75%, is dropping almost one percentage point per year.

What is interesing about the last bold quote is America is becomming polarized in 'pockets' of Christianity. Typically republican states who the republican party pander too.
btw....which I find interesting

11-04-2006, 01:06 PM	#150
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	Any of these facts don't appease the argumentative. http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_defn1.htm Range of definitions of "Christian:" There are also many distinct definitions of the term "Christian" (pronounced 'kristee`ân). Different people have defined a "Christian" as a person who has: Heard the Gospel in a certain way, and accepted its message, or Become "saved" -- i.e. they have trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior), or Been baptized as an infant, or Gone to church regularly, or Recited and agreed with a specific church creed or creeds, or Simply tried to understand and follow Jesus' teachings, or Led a decent life. Following these different definitions, the percentage of North American adults who are Christians currently ranges from less than 1% to about 75%. Within a given denomination or wing of Christianity, there is usually a consensus about who is a Christian, and who is not. However, there is often little agreement among members of different faith groups on a common definition of "Christianity." What people can agree on, and what they cannot: With a bit of effort, one can sometimes collect a random group of adults and have them reach a consensus on a definition of: Who is an Evangelical Christian, or Who is a Roman Catholic, or Who is an Eastern Orthodox believer, or Who follows the Historical Protestant faith, or Who is a Pentecostal, or Who is a Mormon, or Who is a Jehovah's Witness, etc. But it is probably impossible to have any large group of adults reach a consensus on precisely who is a "Christian," and who is not. Problems arising from exclusion and inclusion: This web site uses an inclusive definition of Christianity -- the same one that is used by public opinion polls and government census offices: Anyone who seriously, thoughtfully, sincerely, prayerfully considers themselves to be a Christian is considered a Christian for the purpose of our essays. The alternative is religious exclusion. The percentage of persons who identify themselves as Christian, currently about 75%, is dropping almost one percentage point per year. What is interesing about the last bold quote is America is becomming polarized in 'pockets' of Christianity. Typically republican states who the republican party pander too. btw....which I find interesting