I am an atheist.

[sasguru]

If I was to say "I believe in Jesus Christ" (which I do), does that make me a Christian?

I believe on the balance of probabilities that some charismatic figure who we call Christ existed in the Middle East about 2000 years ago, but I'm no "Christian".

[d000hg]

I believe on the balance of probabilities that some charismatic figure who we call Christ existed in the Middle East about 2000 years ago, but I'm no "Christian".

Exactly.

[ThomasSoerensen]

What are you called if you believe in all the religions?
And all myths, and Tooth Fairy and Santa and Easter Bunny who lays eggs.

That sounds like more fun and more religious holidays. What's not to like?

Or is that too much hedging?

[doodab]

If you want to know the proof that consistency cannot be proved, which is a diagonalisation proof, if my memory serves, google "Gödel consistency mathematics". It's something to do with that if you could prove that arithmetic was consistent, it would lead to an inconsistency. Same as the halting problem in computer science. It's a long time since I did my degree, so I'm very hazy on the details.

IIRC Godel proved that a consistent system sufficient to do arithmetic cannot be used to prove certain things that are true (it's incomplete), including it's own consistency.

Essentially you have a statement along the lines of

'The statement "this statement cannot be proven" cannot be proven'.

Which is true but you can't prove it without creating a contradiction.

[Project Monkey]

It depends on your definition of 'in'. I believe in CUK in the sense it exists. I believe Mohammed existed, etc.

My definition would be someone who believes Jesus was[/is] the son of God who offers salvation to those who accept this to be true, though there is no definitive answer... some say anyone who claims to be a Christian is one, others make pretty specific doctrinal demands, others demand baptimism or whatever.

But ultimately I'd say if you believe what Jesus said about himself, that's a pretty big indicator!

Agreed. "I am the way, the truth, the light...." etc., its the following sentence that I like.

[Project Monkey]

What are you called if you believe in all the religions?
And all myths, and Tooth Fairy and Santa and Easter Bunny who lays eggs.

That sounds like more fun and more religious holidays. What's not to like?

Or is that too much hedging?

Flippant?

[original PM]

If I was to say "I believe in Jesus Christ" (which I do), does that make me a Christian?

put it this way - if you said you believe in father christmas and the tooth fairy everyone would think you are nuts...

so believeing in another fictional character will probably have the same result

[Project Monkey]

put it this way - if you said you believe in father christmas and the tooth fairy everyone would think you are nuts...

so believeing in another fictional character will probably have the same result

Back to square one
KUATB

[original PM]

Back to square one
KUATB

yeah sorry did not read some of the other posts!

but you know

[Platypus]

This should keep Christians shaking their heads and atheists nodding in agreement:

It is easy to prove to yourself that God is imaginary. The evidence is all around you. Here are 50 simple proofs:
God is Imaginary - 50 simple proofs