How many REAL Christians?

[Zzyzx]

.
Christians are said to represent 70% of the US population. However, many Christians who debate here (and speak elsewhere) declare that some fellow Christians are Not REAL Christians. Since there is no consensus in Christendom regarding requirements / criteria for real status, individuals and groups seem inclined to make up whatever suits their position " and apply their opinion in judging fellow Christians.

A self-declared REAL Christian Protestant may declare that Catholics are not real while RCC may say the Protestants are not " thus eliminating each other. Some posters deny real status to Eastern Orthodox, LDS, JW, 7th Day, Amish, Holy Rollers, Snake Handlers, Westboro Baptist, KKK, and/or other sects / denominations / groups " based on their personal opinion.

A cumulative total of sects denied real status seems to eliminate nearly every Christian (except the speaker's chosen sect, of course). How many are left? Would 5% or 10% be a good guess? If so, that would be LESS than the percentage of the US population who declare no religious affiliation (20%) including Atheists (2%) and Agnostics (3%). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreligio ... ted_States

It should be kept in mind that Christians are not truthful in surveys about church attendance. Forty percent tell surveyors they attend regularly while church attendance statistics indicate that only 20% actually attend.

Can the 20% who actually attend church regularly be considered REAL Christians? If so their numbers about equal the no religious affiliation group. Are some regular attendees NOT Real Christians (but attend church for appearances, under duress, or whatever)? Are some who do not attend church actually Real Christians? How are such matters decided? What individual or group is authorized to judge?

Does the whole issue seem like a schoolyard inclusion / exclusion game?

[JLB32168]

There are 17.4 real Christians.

[Tired of the Nonsense]

There are 17.4 real Christians.

Since you don't necessarily believe in the resurrection or the the ascension of Jesus yourself:

"Ive stated the belief and consistently said it was a belief that might not be true, but which might be fiction." (JBL32168 -- post #113 in topic "Happy Anniversary.")

Does this make you the .4?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

Personally I believe that "real Christians" are those approved by the True God (Jehovah) that follow the example and teachings of Christ as presented in scriptures. I believe that there is only one religious organization that has God's approval today, that of Jehovah's Witnesses. The way I see it God judges us individuals, so just belonging to an organization isn't in itself any guarantee of God's approval, but imo its a start as it provides the basis of accurate information needed to progress spiritually.

There are 8 million Jehovah's Witnesses.

JW

[Tired of the Nonsense]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]

Personally I believe that "real Christians" are those approved by the True God (Jehovah) that follow the example and teachings of Christ as presented in scriptures. I believe that there is only one religious organization that has God's approval today, that of Jehovah's Witnesses.

I believe God judges us individuals, so just belonging to an organization isn't in itself any guarantee of God's approval, imo its a start but if one is not genuine in ones belief then it serves no lasting purpose.


JW

If God judges you to be unfit when the time comes, will that hurt your feelings? Will you feel just the tiniest bit betrayed, having done your best to live according to your interpretation of the teachings, only to find yourself standing in the reject line with so many other astonished individuals who conceived of themselves as "true believers?" Or will you be satisfied that it's God's will, and God's will be done?

[JehovahsWitness]

If God judges you to be unfit when the time comes, will that hurt your feelings? Will you feel just the tiniest bit betrayed, having done your best to live according to your interpretation of the teachings, only to find yourself standing in the reject line with so many other astonished individuals who conceived of themselves as "true believers?" Or will you be satisfied that it's God's will, and God's will be done?

Yes.

I think I would be both hurt and satisfied that God is just and that his will be done... I can't be sure though who can be sure how they will feel about unexpected events? Surely not me.

I sincerely hope I will meet with His approval when that final judgement comes.


JW

[Elijah John]

Isn't a real Christian one who actually practices and not merely professes, Christianity?

No matter the labels, sects, denominations? Or who is "right" or who is "wrong" in their theology?

Seems many in the survey may be cultural Christians based on upbringing, self-identification, and church memberships.

This as opposed to actually following Christ's teachings from the heart. One need not be a Church member for that.

[PghPanther]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness]

Well isn't that great?................and billions of other Christians will call your following a cult...........while within those billions they all point fingers at each other and call their respective doctrines heresy like you might refer to theirs.

So in the end who is a real Christian?

Actually nobody because we don't even have a agreement on what is essential Christian salvation doctrine among them.

Its so ironic how such a movement with "truth" in the forefront of what they proclaim have such a plurality of it in the 10's of thousands than is in such conflict with each other that no matter what you believe as a Christian you are headed to hell in someone else doctrine.

True Christianity?......

You'd have to get a time machine and go back to find out it out.

And this is just all theological dribbling.....because we haven't even confirm the supernatural even exists.......

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 1 by Zzyzx]
The way I see it God judges us individuals, so just belonging to an organization isn't in itself any guarantee of God's approval, but imo its a start as it provides the basis of accurate information needed to progress spiritually.
JW

How do you account for the fact that many "progress spiritually" even without benefit of the "true" organization, Jehovah's Witnesses?

Or are you invalidating their experience, their manifestation of the "fruits of the Spirit" as somehow "counterfeit"?

Many Jews, Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Mormons, and yea, even Muslims experience and grow in the "fruits of the Spirit".

And they are not JW's.

Can they, do they "progress Spiritually" in spite of not having the benefit of "accurate information" from their own Faith traditions?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 8 by PghPanther]

Well if there is a God then it's logical He would know; Jehovah's Witnesses believe we are living in the time when that one will soon judge and it will be revealed whether true Christianity exists or not.

My personal belief is, time will tell and I can happily live with that. In the meantime I feel my responsibility is to share my belief and if subsequently others feel Jehovah's Witnesses as an organization meet bible standards of what true Christianity is, they will join us.


JW