I don't agree with your definition of "a Christian", Mrzzy, but that's okay. ;-) Rather, I'd say it's one among many possible definitions of what "a Christian" is...and I'm familiar with it...but it's not the way I would define it.

Yes, "Many people live very peaceful and loving lives who are not believers in christ, and so are not (nominally) christian, and many believers in christ do not live such lives and are still (nominally) christian." Yessiree! That can easily be observed all around us.

People who claim to be Christian and yet think "It doesn't matter if you follow what was ascribed to Jesus" are either fools or hypocrites. The whole point of learning about spiritual ideals is to apply the spiritual teachings you aspire to, not to worship idols of various sorts...and some people just worship Jesus as they would an idol. I doubt that was what he desired or had in mind.

What we all will hopefully learn to do eventually, whatever we choose to call ourselves, is to live very peaceful and loving lives.

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The subject of this thread is a most interesting one, and when I have more time I'll get back to it. Right now I gotta prepare for a musical evening.