The ONLY "Christian community" or "True Christian" sect?

[Zzyzx]

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The ONLY "Christian community" or "True Christian" sect?

From a current thread:

CLARIFICATION: When I say "Christian Community" or "true Christians" I was refering exclusively to the religion of Jehovahs Witnesses according to the beliefs of this group.

That seems to be suggesting an attitude that JWs have exclusive claim to being "Christian community" or "True Christian."

That is the Jehovahs Witness official belief.

Yes, that IS the official teaching of JW

Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years, Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion. Based on their interpretation of Revelation 18:2-24, Jehovah's Witnesses believe all other religions are part of "Babylon the Great", a "world empire of false religion" under the control of Satan; consequently, they refuse all ecumenical relations with other religious denominations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%2 ... orationism

Is it a form of self-delusion for ANY sect to claim to be the only "Christian community" or "True Christian”?

[Tcg]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #9]

I would find it weird to go through life not asking questions, but if I was, in a non creepy way, observing two people who had the same set of morals how could I tell which one was Christian? Which one goes to church? Which one prays? Which one tithes? I’m sure there’s ways to figure it out, but why do that when I could just ask?

You've already claimed to know how to figure it out:

You can judge if someone is Christian by how they live regardless of what denomination they fall under.

You'd need to ask because the original method you proposed is clearly deficient.


Tcg

[Tcg]

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The ONLY "Christian community" or "True Christian" sect?

From a current thread:

CLARIFICATION: When I say "Christian Community" or "true Christians" I was refering exclusively to the religion of Jehovahs Witnesses according to the beliefs of this group.

That seems to be suggesting an attitude that JWs have exclusive claim to being "Christian community" or "True Christian."

That is the Jehovahs Witness official belief.

Yes, that IS the official teaching of JW

Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years, Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion. Based on their interpretation of Revelation 18:2-24, Jehovah's Witnesses believe all other religions are part of "Babylon the Great", a "world empire of false religion" under the control of Satan; consequently, they refuse all ecumenical relations with other religious denominations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%2 ... orationism

Is it a form of self-delusion for ANY sect to claim to be the only "Christian community" or "True Christian”?

It is particularly odd in this specific example that this group claims to be a separate religion. They are clearly simply one of many branches of Christianity and one of relatively recent origin at that. Whether this is a result of self-delusion or an intentional strategy is hard to tell. In any case, the claim is not factual.


Tcg

[Zzyzx]

I would find it weird to go through life not asking questions, but if I was, in a non creepy way, observing two people who had the same set of morals how could I tell which one was Christian? Which one goes to church? Which one prays? Which one tithes? I’m sure there’s ways to figure it out, but why do that when I could just ask?

Do you recall saying in post #4 "You can judge if someone is Christian by how they live regardless of what denomination they fall under"?

Now you seem to be saying that one identifies a Christian by seeing if they go to church, pray, and tithe -- or ASK them? There is no mention of identifying Christians by their actions not directly connected to church (or perhaps a cross necklace or a fish placard on their car).

If a person attends a Christian church does that ensure they are Christian? If they appear to pray, how do you know which of the 'gods' they worship? If they are very poor and cannot tithe, does that mean they are not Christian?

If a person SAYS they are a Christian does that mean that they must be telling the truth? (Side note: In this Forum the theological position declared by members is accepted and cannot be challenged by others).

Might it be wise to acknowledge that you (generic term) CANNOT identify Christians by how they live?

[brunumb]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #9]

I would find it weird to go through life not asking questions, but if I was, in a non creepy way, observing two people who had the same set of morals how could I tell which one was Christian? Which one goes to church? Which one prays? Which one tithes? I’m sure there’s ways to figure it out, but why do that when I could just ask?

If one removes the three practices that I bolded in your post one might also remove identifiable Christians but, in my opinion, not necessarily better human beings.

[Muffinmayne]

[Replying to brunumb in post #14]

I wasn’t going to type out every way possible one could identify a Christian. I just wanted to answer the question, not break down every detail of how it’s identify a group.

[Muffinmayne]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #13]

I just replied to the post below this one with an answer that would probably be close to how I would answer this one. I can’t and don’t want to, so I won’t, sit and name every way you can identify a Christian. I just was pointing out the most obvious, or the ways that came to my mind the quickest. I like 3’s so I gave you 3.

I’m not sure why In real life I would not ask any questions or disconnect a religion from its place of worship, money, and prayer (communion with God). To me that is a part of living life. Why would I detach myself or others from those things?

I guess there could be a poor person who goes to church, but is actually Buddhist (or any other religion) but claims to believe in Jesus and prays, but not to the Christian god.

I wouldn’t be able to tell what religion by observing them, I don’t think I’d be able to tell you what religion they were if they told me what religion they were.

[Clownboat]

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The ONLY "Christian community" or "True Christian" sect?

From a current thread:

CLARIFICATION: When I say "Christian Community" or "true Christians" I was refering exclusively to the religion of Jehovahs Witnesses according to the beliefs of this group.

That seems to be suggesting an attitude that JWs have exclusive claim to being "Christian community" or "True Christian."

That is the Jehovahs Witness official belief.

Yes, that IS the official teaching of JW

Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years, Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion. Based on their interpretation of Revelation 18:2-24, Jehovah's Witnesses believe all other religions are part of "Babylon the Great", a "world empire of false religion" under the control of Satan; consequently, they refuse all ecumenical relations with other religious denominations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%2 ... orationism

Is it a form of self-delusion for ANY sect to claim to be the only "Christian community" or "True Christian”?

Delusions are trickier: it’s not about what someone perceives, but what they believe. Delusions have many forms, like grandiose delusions, where an individual believes they’re far more impressive than is the case (e.g. believing they’re a world-leading business genius despite being a part-time shoe shop employee), or the more common persecutory delusions, where an individual believes they are being relentlessly persecuted (eg everyone they meet is part of some shadowy government plot to kidnap them). These delusions tend to be very resistant to argument, no matter how blatant the evidence to the contrary: “If you’re a world-leading business guru, why do you flip burgers for a living?” “It’s all part of my brilliant plan, you wouldn’t understand”, or “That’s not a secret government spy, it’s an old man walking his dog” “Well you WOULD say that, you’re in on it!” And so on.

That’s actually one of the signs of delusional beliefs: they’re very resistant to being challenged, no matter how inconsistent they are with reality. Because the brain isn’t “working” like it should, logic and reason aren’t as potent they might otherwise be.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/bra ... 0delusions.

IMO, religions are the delusion, belief in them isn't.
Claiming to be part of the one true religion or what have you is delusional (who could possibly know such a thing afterall), but again, their belief in the delusion isn't.

[DavidLeon]

Is it a form of self-delusion for ANY sect to claim to be the only "Christian community" or "True Christian”?

No. It is subjective, though. If someone claims to be the the only true anything it is a matter of it being alone in upholding the principles of the thing without compromise or contrary outside influence.

[DavidLeon]

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The ONLY "Christian community" or "True Christian" sect?
…
Is it a form of self-delusion for ANY sect to claim to be the only "Christian community" or "True Christian”?

I think it depends on to what it is based. Bible tells that Christians means a disciple of Jesus. And person is truly a disciple of Jesus, if he remains in the words of Jesus.

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:31-32

Now, if it can be shown that someone doesn’t remain in the words of Jesus, then it can be said that the person is not truly Christian. And in that case, it would not be self-deluded. But, it may be difficult to really prove who are loyal to Jesus and who are not. I don’t think it is necessary for us to declare who are. It would be enough to teach what Jesus said and expect those people to remain in words of Jesus. Unfortunately, it seems to me that there are lot of “Christian” people who don’t remain in words of Jesus, but rather follow own doctrines.

This, too, is subjective. An interesting point to consider with the Jehovah's Witnesses is that where other Christians think of Jesus as the only way to God, the Jehovah's Witnesses think of The Watchtower as the only way to Jesus.

[DavidLeon]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #1]

I think there’s definitely a true Christian sect, if you will. Amongst people there will always be different understandings and conflict tho. You can judge if someone is Christian by how they live regardless of what denomination they fall under.

There were no bibles when Christianity started. It’s just a belief in Christ. In fact it wasn’t even called Christianity it was just called “the way”

At Acts 9:2 the term "The Way" is used. Acts 11:26 the term "Christian" is used. Jehovah's Witnesses are often viewed as not being Christian because they don't subscribe to the Nicene Creed.

What always seemed perplexing to me is that Christians operate on the premise that all are sinners, while putting on some sort of facade that excludes them from sin. The effects of sin continue until death. (Romans 6:7) In my experience the JWs put on the biggest show of all the Christians.