Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a non-Christian (raised Muslim, now atheist) but to me the single basic fundamental belief of Christianity is that you believe in the divinity of Jesus. That Jesus is either fully or partially divine/godly. Even the other things that seem to basic, have variation in different branches and sects.

A fair amount of information concerning Jesus and his life/purpose overlaps in Islam, but the main point of difference is that Muslims do not believe Jesus was divine.
Would any Christians disagree with this as the most overarching, uniform principal?

I consider myself a Christian although most fundie-type Christians would probably disagree. I am the Unity PP. I believe that Jesus was God's son and therefore "divine", but I also believe we are all part of God and therefor all divine. I believe Jesus was God in flesh - that perfect example of love that we are all supposed to strive to be. The divine lives in me. And I am a part of that loving source. "The Christ" in me always beholds "The Christ" in you no matter what your personal spirituality.

I think your confusing your faith with Hinduism. From everyone is a part of God and all therefore have an element of the Divine within them all the way down to Namaste which means "the Divine in me, bows to the Divine in you".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a non-Christian (raised Muslim, now atheist) but to me the single basic fundamental belief of Christianity is that you believe in the divinity of Jesus. That Jesus is either fully or partially divine/godly. Even the other things that seem to basic, have variation in different branches and sects.

A fair amount of information concerning Jesus and his life/purpose overlaps in Islam, but the main point of difference is that Muslims do not believe Jesus was divine.
Would any Christians disagree with this as the most overarching, uniform principal?

I consider myself a Christian although most fundie-type Christians would probably disagree. I am the Unity PP. I believe that Jesus was God's son and therefore "divine", but I also believe we are all part of God and therefor all divine. I believe Jesus was God in flesh - that perfect example of love that we are all supposed to strive to be. The divine lives in me. And I am a part of that loving source. "The Christ" in me always beholds "The Christ" in you no matter what your personal spirituality.

That part goes against the tenants of Christianity... that we are sinners, unable to reach heaven due to our sins, and that is why Jesus died for our sins. If we were divine, why would we need Jesus to die for our sins so that we could one day go to heaven to be with God/Jesus? Bible teaches that we are a holy temple, yes, and that now, as believers, the Holy Spirit can reside in us. But that doesn't make us divine. We are just vessels for the Holy Spirit to work through us.

Anonymous wrote:If you don't practice compassion, then you aren't a Christian, no matter what you believe or claim for yourself. If you are selfish, cruel, heartless, then it doesn't matter that you bought brand Jesus.

So many Americans say they are Christians, but are utterly without compassion for the suffering of others. A loving heart should be the most obvious sign that someone is a Christian.

I agree with this. The teachings of Christianity are what make it special, not just the belief in Jesus as the son of God. The emphasis on love, compassion and forgiveness is really important. Loving others are yourself -- important.

Be good and do no evil. And some other stuff.

Anonymous wrote:I am a non-Christian (raised Muslim, now atheist) but to me the single basic fundamental belief of Christianity is that you believe in the divinity of Jesus. That Jesus is either fully or partially divine/godly. Even the other things that seem to basic, have variation in different branches and sects.

A fair amount of information concerning Jesus and his life/purpose overlaps in Islam, but the main point of difference is that Muslims do not believe Jesus was divine.
Would any Christians disagree with this as the most overarching, uniform principal?

I consider myself a Christian although most fundie-type Christians would probably disagree. I am the Unity PP. I believe that Jesus was God's son and therefore "divine", but I also believe we are all part of God and therefor all divine. I believe Jesus was God in flesh - that perfect example of love that we are all supposed to strive to be. The divine lives in me. And I am a part of that loving source. "The Christ" in me always beholds "The Christ" in you no matter what your personal spirituality.

I am a non-Christian (raised Muslim, now atheist) but to me the single basic fundamental belief of Christianity is that you believe in the divinity of Jesus. That Jesus is either fully or partially divine/godly. Even the other things that seem to basic, have variation in different branches and sects.

A fair amount of information concerning Jesus and his life/purpose overlaps in Islam, but the main point of difference is that Muslims do not believe Jesus was divine.
Would any Christians disagree with this as the most overarching, uniform principal?

Golden rule - do unto others as you would have others do unto you. This is the basis for compassion.

You should beloeve that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected.

Anonymous wrote:So many differences. I was raised in the southern baptist church. Basically everyone who doesn't "accept The Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior" is going to hell. Big emphasis on the Bible being the literal word of God, not open to interpretation. The importance of Grace. Jesus death and resurrection, sin, burning in in hell...... Basically, if you don't believe what they believe you are going to hell. Oh, and no drinking or premarital sex. Homosexuality is a sin.

Became Catholic. Similar beliefs. More Mary. Less emphasis on the rest of the world going to hell. Less emphasis on Bible study. Beautiful Mass. Confession. Eucharist is a huge deal. Way less fundamentalist than the Baptists.

We've been attending a Unity Church for several years. Bible is important as are other sacred texts. Jesus is seen more metaphysically. Unlike most Christian religions, we do not believe in original sin. We believe people are inherently good just as God (or whatever you call him/here) is good. We value and respect all paths and encourage people to explore their own spirituality. We are very inclusive. We believe God is the loving source of all that is. Big emphasis on prayer, meditation, and positive thoughts.

So ....Christianity can mean a lot of of things. Anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus is a Christian.

I like most of your post, but disagree with the bolded. There are other faiths that respect Jesus and respect his teachings (as most are pretty universal), but that does not make one a Christian.

If you don't practice compassion, then you aren't a Christian, no matter what you believe or claim for yourself. If you are selfish, cruel, heartless, then it doesn't matter that you bought brand Jesus.

So many Americans say they are Christians, but are utterly without compassion for the suffering of others. A loving heart should be the most obvious sign that someone is a Christian.

So many differences. I was raised in the southern baptist church. Basically everyone who doesn't "accept The Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior" is going to hell. Big emphasis on the Bible being the literal word of God, not open to interpretation. The importance of Grace. Jesus death and resurrection, sin, burning in in hell...... Basically, if you don't believe what they believe you are going to hell. Oh, and no drinking or premarital sex. Homosexuality is a sin.

Became Catholic. Similar beliefs. More Mary. Less emphasis on the rest of the world going to hell. Less emphasis on Bible study. Beautiful Mass. Confession. Eucharist is a huge deal. Way less fundamentalist than the Baptists.

We've been attending a Unity Church for several years. Bible is important as are other sacred texts. Jesus is seen more metaphysically. Unlike most Christian religions, we do not believe in original sin. We believe people are inherently good just as God (or whatever you call him/here) is good. We value and respect all paths and encourage people to explore their own spirituality. We are very inclusive. We believe God is the loving source of all that is. Big emphasis on prayer, meditation, and positive thoughts.

So ....Christianity can mean a lot of of things. Anyone who follows the teachings of Jesus is a Christian.

Lots of variants of Christianity, historically and today. No simple answer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

Or that he will come again. These are the main differences from Judiasm.

In Islam, Jesus will return to earth as the messiah. But in Islam, Jesus is not considered divine - but a human prophet (like Adam, Moses, Noah, etc)

Anonymous wrote:If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

Or that he will come again. These are the main differences from Judiasm.

If you do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, there is no reason for Christianity.

This question was raised in another thread:

So what are the basics of Christianity?

And here are the three responses so far:

- I'd say Jesus Christ as Savior. what else -- the trinity? bodily resurrection and ascension? hell as eternal punishment?

- Son of God or God incarnate?

- Jesus being the son of God and the savior of the mankind is a huge commonality. Do you really need more than something that specific?

What would you say