I may not be the authority on what Christianity means to everyone, or to those who think they are the arbiters, or to God, or even to you. But I can decide what it means to me.

I don't really care if none believe me a Christian. I believe that I follow Christ in the ways that seem to me to be what God/Christ want for me. Whether that is sufficient for Christ and for God will be judged by Christ and God.

I don't think that I am merely living by a moral code. I think I am looking to God to show me when I am growing spiritually, and when I'm not.

But even when I'm not growing, or when I take two steps back, I still believe that I'm part of God's family. And that's despite knowing very little about God.

By the way, regarding sitting by God even though one has not accepted Christ, the point I tried to make in the previous post was that it is possible that the other ways that humans find God are still through Christ (even though it is not apparent).

Ditoo that and i am RC so there.lol.

Have a look at these earlier threads:

What's the difference?
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=120710&page=77#Post120710

Can Christian Heaven Accept a Jewish Jesus?
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=125485&page=77#Post125485

Is "Christian" too big of a generalization?
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=125122&page=80#Post125122

Catholics, Protestants & more Mel Gibson controversy
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=122634&page=78#Post122634

Your views on being a "Christian"
http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=125747&page=77#Post125747

Do all Christians believe that only Christianity leads to Salvation?

http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=135256&page=0&fpart=1

Why are you saying I am not Christian or what I said isn't? My church would disagree. I am confused.

I personally agree with a lot of what you say, but trust me, the Vatican wouldn't.

I was baptised and confirmed a Catholic too. As far as Rome is concerned, there's no room for individual opinion. You either accept Church doctrine to the letter, or you're a heretic.

I don't agree with that, but believe me, that's the Vatican's position.

Why is it so hard for people who say they are Christians to understand this about their church? The church sets out a strict set of beliefs and you must follow them to be a part of that group.

Every sub-cult within christianity has their credo or their statement of faith. If you don't adhere to it, you aren't a part of that group. go find a different church, one that matches more to what you believe.

But I'm amazed when people get all indignant about what we heathens can so clearly see. "How dare you say I'm not a Christian." Well, unless you follow what they are preaching, you're not!

Mbas i really don't understand you at all , most of the time sorry , maybe I am not smart enough (thankfully nothing in the bible indicates IQ tests) in any case that brings me to another point after reading all those posts PDM suggested. Alot of it is very intellectual which is great pdm teaches university etc. but Christians vary in education so does being less wel read make you less of a Christian, at one point someone commented n how we can quote the bible or don't read it and non-christions can. So what? My Dad cannot read does that mean he is not a Christian? I don't get it.

One think i did notice is everyone is seeking some sorta black or white answer from Catholics esp. Well sorry bout the grey area but life isn't that black and white neither is the bible in my opinion is everyone going to interpret the parables the same way impossible.

Easy everyone seems to want this to easy not everything inclucing Faith is easy. Sorry i don't have a better answer.

Well then just to make it really simple -
What's the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian?

I think I know the difference ... and I think it is pretty straight forward ... but maybe I don't.

Ok .
A Christian accepts god loves god and follows his way as best they can, also the basic, basic rule is that you must be baptized to be Christian, there are so many types of Christians the churches have contructed there own stuff but the Bible itself hasn't changed, nor the love of God for ALL.

A non-christian has not been baptized.

Thats pretty much the super simple version.

I don't even accept the rule of baptism, as it is merely a symbol. And one that is debated among sects and denominations about how it is to be done.

The real baptism is in the heart.

As to whether a person has to accept what some group has decided are the group's tenets in order to be a Christian, I do not agree with that at all. I have never believed that, and I still don't.

IMO, the only thing that is required for a person to be a Christian is to say that he or she is, and look to God as the ultimate decider of his/her status.

OK, so Christianity has nothing to do with Jesus then?