What is the difference between a "Christian" and a "christian"?

Question

I've seen some distinction made between these two groups on Christian message boards, but it is never explained. What is the difference between little 'c' Christians and big 'c' ones?

Answer 1

"Christian" is a proper noun and should always be capitalized. Anyone who doesn't is either lazy, ignorant, or intentionally trying to demean some or all Christians. Any distinction between the two is only in the mind of the author, so there is no common definition when misused that way.



On the other hand, "atheist" is _not_ a proper noun, and should only be capitalized at the beginning of sentences. Anyone who capitalizes it otherwise is either ignorant or deliberately trying to portray it as a religion, when it is not.



In short, sometimes incorrect capitalizations are due to ignorance or laziness, but sometimes they're used as cheap tactics to (falsely) imply something without really saying it.

Answer 2

I use the term Christian to denote a follower of the Christ, that is, Jesus.



I use the term "putative christian" to talk about those folks who say they adhere to Christian precepts, but in reality, they don't get it, for a number of reasons.



Bibliolatry is the major culprit. The bibliolators owrship the Bible, and follow it, no matter how evil it makes their God out to be.



Some liars or self-deceivers use selected snippets of scripture to serve their own fears and greeds. The folks obsessed with fear or hatred of homosexuals are an excellent example of this. They talk about a tiny set of scriptures that have the appearance of condemning homosexuality, yet they show their hypocrisy by not as closely following all of the other laws that would dictate the way we should live, according to the tribal, pastoral life of pre-Chrisitan Palestine.

Answer 3

great question madhavi:) yOU know though these words sound synonimous but still there lies a "deep" difference !! Happiness can be found of things which may not even be beneficial to our spiritual or psychological aspect like we may go out & have our favourite dish & clothes etc., we would feel happy. But satisfaction comes from a kind of achievent, if we get good grades in studies we would get a positive feeling that says "hard word paid off" now thats more beneficial isn't it ;p[ Now peace.... I think it depends on what attitude we adopt towads the "activities" we do for "happiness" or either "satisfaction", peace actually exist in our self, it just has to be found by us. A person of ignorance might feel peace while a hard worker could be strresed. It can be even oposite to that . So peace needs to found by us.

Answer 4

I suspect that many Christians will refer to people who regularly attend church just out of tradition (and not because of true beliefs) as christians. Some refer to such people as Sunday Christians, meaning that as soon as the service is over they forget what they are claiming to be. Real Christianity is 24/7.

Answer 5

I think the "capital C" christians are simply one particular flavor of christians. I have seen them referred to as charismatic and/or evangelical

Answer 6

Noun vs adjective.

Or just a lazy typist.

Answer 7

The shift button. Sometimes I am lazy :)

Answer 8

I think they mean the same

Answer 9

not a thang

Answer 10

We can C that we all need Jesus!