If I call myself a Scotsman, despite not meeting the definition of a Scotsman (never been to Scotland, have no Scottish heritage) then it would be fair to call me not a "True Scotsman."

If the definition of "Christian" is "someone who follows the teachings of Jesus" then someone who spreads hate does not meet that definition.

If the definition of "Christian" is "anyone who calls themselves a Christian" then the definition is so broad it is useless as a descriptor. It includes someone who is loving and caring, and someone who abuses and murders anyone they disagree with. It tells you nothing about the individual or how they behave.

[–] BorgDrone@lemmy.one 4 points 7 months ago (2 children)

If the definition of "Christian" is "someone who follows the teachings of Jesus"

If that’s your definition then there are no Christians.

[–] oatscoop@midwest.social 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Dolly Parton

[–] BorgDrone@lemmy.one 1 points 7 months ago

I don’t think Dolly Parton hates her family.

[–] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca -1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If that’s your definition then there are no Christians.

Ok, so you're going with the word is useless as a descriptor.

[–] BorgDrone@lemmy.one 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

No, I’m saying that christians are people who claim to be christian.

[–] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca -1 points 7 months ago

No, I’m saying that christians are people who claim to be christian.

As I said, useless as a descriptor. By that definition the word "Christian" includes someone who donates time to charities, as well as someone who spreads hate about immigrants, wants them sent back to their own countries, and wants to bomb those countries.

The word "Christian" could be applied to a person that wants to take away a woman's right to medical care, and to a person that is pro-choice.

Hell, the word "Christian" could apply to someone who has never set foot inside a church, has never seen a Bible, and has no idea what's even in it, as long as they "claim they are a Christian."

By that definition if I tell you someone is a Christian it doesn't tell you if that person loves Trans people or hates them. As I said, a useless descriptor.

[–] drmeanfeel@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Incredibly convenient thing for "polite Christians" (read: enablers) to say while the overwhelmingly powerful structure borne of their freely given money, time, and prejudices ruins the country.

[–] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca -2 points 7 months ago

Replace the word "Christian" with "American" and your statement is just as valid.