Religion

MineralMan

(150,387 posts) Thu Jan 24, 2019, 11:38 AM Jan 2019

So, What Does the Word "Christian" Mean? [View all]

Apparently, it means many different things, depending on whom you ask. In other words, it has a variable meaning. Many words are like that. "Faith," "Belief," "Truth," "Framing," "Commandment," and so on. Here's a quote that seems pertinent:

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that's all.”

- Lewis Carroll

35 replies

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So, What Does the Word "Christian" Mean? [View all] MineralMan Jan 2019 OP

Which thead are we referencing? edhopper Jan 2019 #1

This is a general post, which refers to no particular thread at all. MineralMan Jan 2019 #2

Okay edhopper Jan 2019 #3

Anyone who can reverse death Pantagruel Jan 2019 #4

Well, it happens quite frequently in hospitals. MineralMan Jan 2019 #8

Not my point, Pantagruel Jan 2019 #17

Well, see, I can't show you such an instance. MineralMan Jan 2019 #18

Well, that's an almost universal belief among Christians. MineralMan Jan 2019 #5

That's not what the original Christians believed, tho Major Nikon Jan 2019 #10

But the Romans took care of that nonsense. MineralMan Jan 2019 #13

Centuries later, yes Major Nikon Jan 2019 #16

Yes. Christianity, as we know it today, is on the Roman model. MineralMan Jan 2019 #19

Which ones? edhopper Jan 2019 #14

Not part of the earliest gospel Major Nikon Jan 2019 #15

Hmmm? edhopper Jan 2019 #20

The concept of resurrection pre-dates the time of Christ Major Nikon Jan 2019 #21

good points edhopper Jan 2019 #22

It means "My parents were Christian" Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #6

For most Christians, it means the set of beliefs that THEY have. trotsky Jan 2019 #7

A wonderful bit of dialog, that is. MineralMan Jan 2019 #9

Well, MichMary Jan 2019 #11

Just as Humpty Dumpty said, MineralMan Jan 2019 #12

If a percentage of atheists believe in a higher power, guillaumeb Jan 2019 #23

Now, that's off-topic. MineralMan Jan 2019 #24

Words can be flexible. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #25

Of course there is a higher power. Eko Jan 2019 #27

Watt is your point? eom guillaumeb Jan 2019 #28

Even Atheists believe in a higher power, Eko Jan 2019 #29

Electrifying insight. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #30

I bet you are a lot of fun at parties. Eko Jan 2019 #31

All part of the electric theme. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #32

I thought it was a power theme. Eko Jan 2019 #33

I ran out of gas. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #34

You could just go Nuclear. Eko Jan 2019 #35

Not much. elleng Jan 2019 #26