@fmf said
So, it would seem that you DO support the "cafeteria" view of Christianity that you mentioned earlier on this thread.
You said: "Christianity (with a capital "C" ) is not a cafeteria where people can pick and choose the dishes they like and ignore the rest."
In your metaphor, which "dishes" [core beliefs] must "a Christian" not ignore?
It's not about
belief.
"What is a Christian?" That is your thread title.
Answer: A Christian is one who has undergone a change of heart, as exemplified by Jesus (for example in the Sermon on the Mount). A Christian is one who, for example, not only does not screw his neighbor's' wife (commit adultery), but does not
desire do so (commit adultery in his heart). A Christian is one who not only does not kill his neighbor, but also harbors him no ill will or anger. A Christian is one who, when smitten, turns the other cheek. A Christian is one who shows compassion to those less fortunate than himself (the downtrodden and the poor in spirit), who forgives those who abuse and revile him, who loves even his enemies. And so on.
Let us consider Eladar, for example. He can quote chapter and verse, and self-identifies as a Christian. But whenever anyone smites him, does he turn the other cheek? No. He smites back. He has asserted in other threads that he thinks it would be fine for the elderly and the immune-weakened to be killed off by the current pandemic; why waste resources on them, they are going to die anyway, that's his attitude. He has zero compassion for the downtrodden and the disadvantaged. "Blessed are the meek" has made no impression on him at all. He spews his vitriol and bitterness and petty vindictiveness all over the forums. It would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for such as Eladar to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, for such as Eladar have no compassion, although they BELIEVE that Jesus was God, that Jesus died to atone for man's sins, and all the rest of it.
Jesus did not teach his disciples to entertain a list of beliefs, but to have a change of heart.
Happy Easter.