Why the obsessive attention to a belief system?

Does Christianity relate to facts and truths, or is it just a fantasy of faith?

We have need in our society for governments to manage and oversee policy on our behalf, not to indulge in rhetorical persuasion.

This essay gives a unique Understanding of what the Process that is True Religion is (and should be) about:
http://www.da-peace.org/excerpt-all-modes-of-true-religion

Needless to say much/most of what is now promoted as religion does not come anywhere near this. Such is of course the case with those at the more "fundamentalist" spectrum of religion. The kind of self-righteous religionists that enthusiastically support Donald Trump for instance.

Meanwhile most of the usual self-righteous religionists are just narcissus in "religious" drag, as described in this essay:
http://www.dabase.org/up-1-6.htm

On narcissus http://www.beezone.com/narcissus.html

you raise some good points Spencer. Any thinking person needs to lie about the evolution myth to get a piece of paper from universities who are the hotbed of Marxism. Now people are expected to be irrational to get a science degree by nodding their head to the fraudulent global warming rubbish.

I do think you are a little unfair of expecting the PM to bang on about things the people recently voted on ('gay') marriage. I agree entirely with your theological view on this however being in charge of Rome is certainly different from being a church leader who oversee the flock. Obviously the promotion of perversion is never good for a nation.

The abortion issue, which is plainly murder of innocent babies hidden by skin is one that has largely been promoted and endorsed by State Governments. No person with any compassion could condone such barbarity. Planned parenthood actually make Hitler look somewhat reasonable.

Love never ever demands obedience or blind unquestioned faith! But only asks you follow example. Never ever demands you ignore your God-given, natural instincts!

And practised what it preaches, walks the walk! Not talk the talk and decide without Authority, how others should conduct and lead their lives!

Being a true Christian as outlined in the alleged teachings of the Rabbi, Jesus and being a non-progressive conservative politician are without question, mutually exclusive ideals!

And there are countless examples in the teaching and example of Jesus where this is made abundantly clear.

The Rabbi was a very plain no-nonsense no BS (verily, verily) speaker who went to some lengths in his parables to ensure those who came later, [Constantine and his minions etc,] couldn't reinterpret everything he said to confer an entirely different meaning from his original doctrine!

Early esoteric Christians did not build great edifices to glorify God but met in one and another's homes to break bread in remembrance. And went as far as they could to spread a doctrine of non-judgemental Christian kindness.

And where what we see now so different in every element to be unrecognisable from the early esoteric (inasmuch as you do unto the least among you, you also do unto me) example! None on display in any of today's parliaments!
Alan B.

Dear Not_Now.Soon,

Since I am not a Christian, it is not my place to try and answer your question: "what makes a person a Christian?".

That said, I wonder what is the motive behind that question of yours: a question like this would only make sense to the extent that there are practical repercussions for being or not-being a Christian (for example, if only Christians received a free meal, a Christmas gift, a badge to wear on parades, an exemption from being burned at the stake, the ability to marry into royalty or the opportunity for communion).

Otherwise, who are we to judge the spirituality of others?

Hindus do not ask "What makes a person a Hindu?": that would be silly because the fruits of observance, devotion and worship are private and spiritual. Still, at the entrance to some temples, the priest or the guards may rightly want to know whether a visitor wants to come to worship or to take photos, that is because non-worshipping tourists might detract from the concentration of the worshippers, it is a practical matter.

Christian or otherwise, we agree that Christianity can provide a true spiritual merit, with or without any attached perks - then why deny this spiritual merit from anyone, even if they only want to taste?

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare."
[Isaiah 55:1-2]

Not_Now.Soon,

<<... from what you've shown in this article it seems ScoMo is along the same lines. He dodges some of those questions because he's not strong in his Christian foundation to stand up to the opposition. A quality that unfortunately many of us share. If you can, pray for him. Even in light of his stumbling. >>

You've made a perceptive assessment. ScoMo, as our Aussie Christian Prime Minister, faces challenges similar to those of us in any workforce. Will we look at work and the rest of life through the lens of Scripture and make the necessary adjustments? Or, will we compromise our standards for the sake of popularity. It must be so much harder for a prominent Christian in the public arena.

I pray for ScoMo to keep strong under the pressure but I also call on him to be more overt in what he believes. Perhaps he's not sure how he can be a public face for Christianity and not offend many in our multicultural society. It seems to me he needs a couple introductory courses in Christian apologetics.

Wouldn't it be good to hear that he listens to podcasts by John Dickson, William Lane Craig, Lee Strobel and Ravi Zacharias.