(September 5, 2012 at 4:23 am)Tempus Wrote: Being an altar boy, to me, doesn't make you a Christian any more than wearing a KKK outfit makes you a white supremacist or saying "I love you" means you really do. I think intentions and beliefs matter much more than pretension and habits. If you don't actually believe any of it I'd hardly call you a Christian, but it's your choice.
It's not really my choice. It's what the church decides. Let's say we are in a court of law and the question arises as to whether I'm a Christian. Surely, the court will take notice of what my vicar and bishop say more than what atheists say or even what I myself might say. The church which performs confirmation of parishioners must be the best party to decide who a Christian is.
