Note: I do not like religious arguement. That is not to be confused with discussion, where people listen and take into account what others say. I also don't have all the answers, which is why I try to stick to the fundamentals and work from there. If you wish to continue a discussion and I don't reply to this, feel free to PM me.

More and more these days we see and hear about people who call themselves "Christians." It bothers me that many people use that label, but do not really know what it means to be a Christian. I don't want to sound judgemental, but I grow weary when I hear of such labeled people doing and saying things that are completely contradictory. So, what is a Christian?

1. The Romans first began to use the term "Christian" as a deragatory term for the followers of Christ. A Christian would have to first be a follower of Jesus Christ. He was the only perfect person to walk on this Earth, and was therefore the only person who could be made a sacrifice to cover all of our sins. We must accept his sacrifice, acknowledging that we can only receive salvation through His forgiveness. (1 John 1:9, Romans 3:23, Philippians 2:8, Luke 1:66-67))

2. A Christian must believe that the Bible is the infallable Word of God (Psalm 119:160). It doensn't contradict itself, and every prophecy made by a Prophet accepted by God has come true or is in the process of coming true right now (which is kind of cool). No one has all the answers to everyone's questions, but the Bible is God's manual for our lives. There are some things that we just won't understand until we are standing before God, and that leads to my next point.

3. A Christian must have faith (Hebrews 11:1). We must believe that God has a plan that he is carrying out and be willing to go along with it. Someday we'll look back and see exactly what He did and is doing now.

4. We must love everyone (Matt 3:45-48, 22:38-39). We don't have to like everyone, but we must treat others in a manner that we would want them to treat us. That includes forgiving others when they wrong us and asking for forgiveness when we wrong others. That doesn't mean you have to like them or trust them, but that you will leave their final judgement to God and not to yourself.

Apart from popular beliefs, Christianity is not so much a religion as a relationship with an perfect, all-powerful God who loves us and wants us to be able to live the life He designed for us, one full of joy and peace. I just feel that there are too many people who label themselves Christians, but leave Christ out of the picture. Granted there are many debatable topics, but these four main points are the foundation of the faith and will not be disputed.