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What does being a Christian really mean?
What does it mean to be a Christian exactly? I have always considered myself to be a Christian and now I wonder what being a Christian means really.
My best friend and I were talking and she seems to believe that being Christian means you have to go to church every day it's open but I don't believe that. I think my best friend has good ideas about Christianity in that we, as Christians, should be tending to (helping) others, Christian or not, but I am unsure about the need to go to church.
I know lots of celebrities are Christian, like the Jonas Brothers (all three that I'm aware of--Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, and Kevin Jonas), Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana), Alicia Keys, and Tom Hanks. I don't think they go to church every time the doors are open, but I know they do believe in Christianity and God.
To me, all of the Christian churches I've gone to have almost been like social gatherings. Maybe I'm just going to the wrong sorts of churches or maybe I have the wrong idea. Is it wrong for a Christian to NOT go to church? If a Christian does not go to church every, say, Sunday then does it make them any less of a Christian?
What does being Christian mean to you? What defines as person as being Christian? Any information, opinions, and links would be highly appreciated.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
i do go to church pretty often, but i do think its possible to be Christian without church....though it helps with learning a lot. to me, being Christian has always meant to confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, believe in the Bible and try to live out the plan the Lord has for me.
when it comes to going to church, you maybe shouldn't go if it feels like a social gathering, because God wants you to keep the Sabbath day holy, and mingling may not help. but exploring other churches or even youth groups could help expand your knowledge of God and can help you live more accordingly to His Word. :)
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Well, I don't go to church every Sunday, but I believe in God and I love him and trust that he has a plan for me. A Christian is someone who will help someone and care for someone else before themselves. Now, this is my opinion, you doont have to rightly agree, however you did ask for people's opinions. I, myself, as a Christian always do anything I can to help my community. For instance there was a family at my church home who's dad has gotten into a terrible accident and he couldn't attend work for a while, so our church threw a spaghetti dinner together and charged money for everyone who attended this social gathering. As a Christian you should not be self absorbed or look down on other people because thy aren't like you. God loves everybody, you should too! Hope I helped <><
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This is entirely my opinion.
I think that you can definitely be a Christian without having to go to church. I don't go to church and I'm still a good person.
There are a lot of people who think that just because they go to church every Sunday, that makes them great people. That's not always the case, however.
What I'm about to say applies to everyone in the world, not just Christians. I think you should always do the right thing and treat people with respect just because it's the right thing to do. Not just because you think it will raise your chances of going to heaven or whatever... but just because it's the right thing to do. A lot of churches see heaven as an actual incentive. Like, do this and your reward is heaven. I don't think that's the case... I live my life with the mindset that I'm going to do the right thing no matter what, not just because I could go to hell if I don't.
I really try to be a leader and set an example for other people, so a lot of people have no clue that I don't go to church. I get irritated with people who only act right on Sundays... I'd rather act right all week.
And you're right, a lot of churches are just social gatherings, or for appearances. And there are people that go to those churches every Sunday just because they know their neighbors will think badly of them if they don't. To me, that's not right.
The Bible says that God loves everybody, so with that knowledge, He won't love you any less if you don't go to church.
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Hi,
I'm one and I believe that being a Christian means believing that Jesus died on the cross for you. But also following what the Bible says and trying to live your life through the plan that God gives you. In the bible, if I'm not mistaken I think you are supposed to go to church. If you're don't feel uncomfortable at the church that you're going to then you should keep looking there's nothing wrong with that. God will lead you to the write church.
Also, you aren't the only one who has had that feeling that some of the people at the church are just their to socialize. But that too is a major part of church. Fellowship with other Christians. Though I think that a lot of times at churches people forget that they are really their to praise God and turn it into some sort of popularity contest. I don't go to church currently but when I did I always felt slightly uncomfortable. Kind of the same way you did.
Like I said before I thin you should try and find a church that you feel included in. In think a lot of churches like to socialize but you should try to find one that doesn't forget their focus is on the Lord. Plus after all the time I've had away from a church it has made me realize that just because you go to church you aren't necessarily a good Christian that's just a piece of it and a lot of people forget that. I think attending church is a part but not all of what God wants you to do.
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Okay, I may not be a christian, but going to a Christian school, I think I kinda get as to what it means to be a Christian.
First point: no, you don't have to go to church whenever the doors are open. There is no law in or out of the Bible which says that you're got to go to church full stop. And not going every Sunday doesn't mean your any less a Christian than anybody else. You can go whenever you want to go: it's your choice.
People go to church either to learn more about the gospel teachings, get communion, get guidance or just be part of the community there and see what's going on within the church. I guess, you can call going to church as a 'social gathering' because you come together under one roof to celebrate the Eucharist, the gospel etc. and then afterwards, you can 'catch up' with the people whom you know afterwards and see how they are.
Being a Christian to my peers is, you know, turning to God for guidance and support, telling him all of they're troubles, praying that he will help them get through those troubles etc. and just taking something away from the school services like what different Christian charity groups do in the world, what different christians do with they're lives etc.
I hope this helped,
triquetra
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