Posters have been attempting to use undefined classifications such as "Strong Atheist" "Weak Atheist" and even "Very Weak Atheist" to describe groups and individuals. The fact that they cannot agree on the definitions has not deterred them.

It seems fair that we establish similar classifications for Christians, and begin using them in this forum.

Strong Christian

Weak Christian

Very Weak Christian

Do you think that this is a good idea?

What definitions would you propose that we consider?

Are there any posters in this forum that fit any of those categories?

Here is a fairly indisputable definition, straight from the horse's mouth:

Mark 10
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

So I propose that everyone who is a Christian and meets the above criteria be classified as a Strong Christian.

All other Christians may be classified as a Weak Christian or a Very Weak Christian.

dude, that whole give to the poor thing is sooo allegorical.

Another amazing defamatory stretch.

Mark 10:21 is addressed to a specific person in response to a question about his own life and salvation. There is no indication of a general rule binding on everyone.

Quote mine fail.

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Matthew 19:21, also allegorical I presume.

It is mentioned once more, Luke 12:33

sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

one more for good measure...

“I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Theism is simply the lack of belief in antitheism.

I would have to classify you as a Very Weak Christian. Do you agree?

Thank you.

Just archiving this little gem.

Do you think that this is a good idea?
No..........

What definitions would you propose that we consider?
Well you are either Christian or not........you are atheist or not.......etc etc etc

Are there any posters in this forum that fit any of those categories?
Not sure of what you define as "Strong"
.........But feel free to Label* me as "Strong Christian"

*I hate "Label"s because once someone places a "Label" on you - they prejudge and assume based on their idea of said "Label".

Did you sell everything you have and give to the poor?

Is that what you base your opinion on a good Christian or not?

Because I volunteer at my local soup kitchen/homeless shelter every week and give a lot of my possessions to Sal. Army or Habitat for Humanity .....do you help the less fortunate around you?

To better answer your question as a Christian man:
In the best of my ability I donate my time and my money to the poor....did I sell everything no....if I did I wouldn't have this laptop to debate you with.

Did Jesus tell you to sell everything except your laptop?

You seem like a nice guy. I would classify you as a Weak Christian. I don't make the rules. I just use copy and paste.

Blessed are the Weak.

This form of classification doesn't work. There's good and bad Christians. Practicing usually refers to good, but practicing can mean more bad than the "good" Christians.

This form of classification can apply to all other religions as well.

No... not a good idea. Reminds me of one of my world religion classes at UCLA ... there was a Wiccan in there and someone asked her if she was a "good witch or a bad witch". She smiled and replied "are you a good person...or a bad person? I don't wish to have my level of religious beliefs rated... not by you or anyone else."

Seriously...are you a strong atheist, a weak atheist or a very weak atheist.

This is a good topic though... kudos to you... I just don't think that any Christian would want a rating system for their level of "Christianity".

A Christian is one who believes Jesus Christ IS the messiah and Lord and savior. Being a "good Christian" by a non-believers definition I would imagine would encompass said Christians ability to obey the "Law" and their commitment to the "word" in all aspects.

Christians are sinners. Humans are sinners. Priests are sinners. Some devote more energy to being less of a sinner each day but sinning is inevitable.

Good topic though.... about time we had a really good thread in here.

On a lighter more "Joey-esc" reply... even the worst Christian has a better chance of getting into heaven than the best atheist.

He shoots...HE SCORES ! !

I think the Muslim commandments are more reasonable (but I know far less about them).

^ nice.... made me laugh.

Seriously...

I consider myself to be a Skeptic.

Also...if you dare classify me as a weak Christian...I will hunt you down... and beat you until you cry for God's mercy. That's how we roll on the good side.

fer rizzle

Thy will be done.

You are a Very Weak Christian
.

Ananias and Sapphira were Weak Christians who did not sell everything and give it away. They only gave part of it away.

What happened to them?

They were overwhelmed by the grace and love of the NT God.

Mathew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

28“Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

This is alarming isn't it?

Further evidence of the concept of
Strong Christians
Weak Christians
Very Weak Christians

I agree.

In my view, you either are or you arn't though. All the ones who are, are pretty strong, and then there's the rest.

This statement is very interesting in particular. Taste death, what does it mean? IMO, it is to man up and pull a 40 day water fast, then do the will of God. I believe in reincarnation, and hes saying some of you guys around me (apparently just disciples at that moment) are not even going to make the cut. (because they won't man up)