Can one be a valid Christian without belonging to a particular church?

hatrickpatrick

Weird question I know.
But everything which has been exposed recently is convincing me that the organization which is in charge of "administering" the Catholic religion is rotten to its core.

So here's the question. Is it valid to be a Christian who believes in God, who believes in Jesus Christ, who says his prayers, who follows the commandments, who observes religious dates and holy days - but in a completely private manner?

Is it acceptable to God if you are a practicing Christian who is a Christian in every normal way, except that you refuse to acknowledge human beings as the leaders of the church? To follow the rules laid down by Jesus himself in the Gospels but to treat anything subsequent as human interpretation and therefore open to questioning?

I ask simply because I have a very strong belief in God and I love my religion itself. But I have completely lost faith in those who are supposed to be running it. They are no longer running it in a manner which can be reconciled with how Jesus himself asked them to run it before he left us. I personally believe that if Jesus himself was alive today, he would either weep or rage (or most likely, both) upon discovering what has become of the church he created.

What do people think? Are you a "real" Christian if you observe your personal relationship with God, but refuse to tie it to any organization or order run by humans?
To observe religion, just not organized religion?

Or would such a course of action land me in a firey grave?

Liam Byrne

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Is it acceptable to God if you are a practicing Christian who is a Christian in every normal way, except that you refuse to acknowledge human beings as the leaders of the church? To follow the rules laid down by Jesus himself in the Gospels but to treat anything subsequent as human interpretation and therefore open to questioning?

Unless God is a boards member, you won't get an answer here.

Personally, I hope it is acceptable, because I follow the ten commandments and don't follow the rules of any church.

If it's acceptable, great. If not, then there's nothing I can do because I reckon it's better to follow those than the rules laid down by someone who views it as OK to protect paedophiles.

amacachi

Fcuk a couple kids and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Lawrence1895

The belief in Christian values and the existence of God, JC and so on is important, I would say.

You don't need to be a member of any organized Religion or church though.

Redlion

amacachi wrote: »

Fcuk a couple kids and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Very mature input there :rolleyes:

KeithM89_old

Christianity Forum is Here
Use it.

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