h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The other day I was taking part in a discussion about the resurrection and I found my beliefs being, not exactly ridiculed, but I did feel I was being patronised.

I've always considered myself to be a Christian simply because that was the religion I was brought up with and because I find Christ's teachings provide a sound ethical base to live by. I am very aware that what Christ preached was not especially "original" and that you can find similar teachings in other religions and myths, but as Christ is who I am most familiar with it has always felt comfortable to identify myself with this particular religion.

Having said that, I consider myself to be more spiritual than religious. I don't believe the Bible is meant to be taken literally, I don't attend church anymore and I feel no need to join any organised Christian group. Does this mean I'm not really a Christian? This was the attitude on the previously mentioned discussion thread. That because I don't believe in the resurrection as a literal happening then I wasn't a "true Christian" and thus could consider myself to be "normal". And I was told no offense was meant by that!!

Is there a clear definition that describes what a Christian is? It seems to me that there are more "flavours" of Christians than Ben & Jerry's has icecream, with often one faction claiming they are the only true Christians. I have no time for this sort of nonsense and I am actually appalled at what is going on in the world these days (and at what has gone on in the past) in the name of Christianity.


mia

Hello mia,

How do you do?

I read the thread (or at least some of it) that you refer to and I found some of the sentiments that were expressed to be very unappealing and narrow minded. If I had to make a distinction in the UK then, Catholics take the crucifiction far more literally than Anglicans. But, to me, that doesn't matter. I am of no religious persuasion- I wouldn't even go so far as to descibe myself as an agnostic- but I find that many of the principles of christianity are how I want to lead my life. I wouldn't call myself a christian but I wouldn't say that someone in my position shouldn't. I think that some people have a problem with worship and think that, if you say you're a christian, that means worshipping christ. It doesn't mean that.

I guess what I really wanted to say was that I hope you do what feels right inside- sorry, *feel* what feels right inside. I hope I'm making sense here

Come back to me if I'm not.
Van

Hi van-smelter, very nice of you to visit.

I was away in London yesterday (big day out!) and we've just got back.

Thank you for your very thoughtful comment. In fact, I've been wondering of late if calling myself a Christian really has any meaning for me anymore since there are so many variations of Christians. And seemingly all vying for the title of the "One True Christian".

I've been lurking on a blogsite I found over on Wordpress called "de-conversion", which I've been finding very interesting. Not that I feel I was ever truly "converted" but this Christian question keeps coming up.

That is to say it comes up on forums like this one. In my "real life" it's scarcely mentioned. My husband says he is an agnostic. He used to be an atheist until he decided that, while he was clever enough to question his beliefs, he was not so arrogant as to assume he knew everything.

mia

I hope you enjoyed your day in London, mia

I don't know if you've gone back to that thread but I had a look earlier and it seems much more civilised and more to do with the resurrection than religion.

What you said about your husband is interesting; I used to think of myself as an agnostic but now I'm not so sure that I'll *never* be able to know so I don't label myself now. I've always been fascinated by religion. One of my ex-girlfriends was a christian and she said that she could feel god. That sounded wonderful but I knew that I couldn't make it happen to me. If it does, it does. Anyway, you sound like you're open-minded and happy to question your beliefs which is great. And, more importantly, you sound like you know that they are *your* beliefs and I think that is the most important thing.

I hope what I say makes sense, and I don't wish to sound like I'm lecturing you. I'm no-one to lecture, I follow my heart and that seems to get me into so much trouble! It's nice to talk to you though and I won't be offended if you don't reply.

As for being a christian or not, only you will have the answers.

Van

Following one's heart is usually a good way to go.

My friend Mudhooks (I knew her from last time I was here - she doesn't post on h2g2 much anymore) recently sent me a link to a very interesting PBS series called Faith and Reason. You can see it on this link if you click on Watch & Listen.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/faithandreason/index.html

I've only seen a couple of the interviews so far (Salman Rushdie and Martin Amis) but I'm enjoying them very much. Bill Moyers is a Christian in the best sense of the word, I think.

mia

Dear Mia,

for the link, I had a look but my dial-up connection doesn't allow me to 'watch' It's an interesting site though.

I read from the bible at my sister's wedding (in a church) and I was going to talk about it but I wasn't sure if you'd be interested

I'll try to check out the link when I have broadband access

Keep well,
Van