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"It seems to me that Jesus was not interested in exclusivity in his teachings.

Sounds like a bit of PC there."

I think you may have understood what I meant. The way I see it is that Jesus laid out just a very few rules for becoming a Christian and gaining the salvation he was bringing. One was that you believed in your heart. The other was that you confessed with your mouth. That's what I mean be not being exclusive.

Of course, that's not all there is to it, and Jesus also laid out some pretty simple rules of how to live one's life. Knowing that nobody could live a perfect life, Jesus made it simple. One merely had to love God and fellow man with all one's heart. And...when one inevitably failed in this, Jesus would fill in the gaps through his death and resurrection.

The rest is just extension of the two commandments Jesus offered.

Unlike other religions, Christianity offered a simple approach to salvation, based on anonement for human frailty through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Mind you, I'm just laying out the basics, but...they're enough, all by themselves, according to the Gospels, for salvation.

That's what I mean by non-exclusivity. Follow the simple rules of belief and attempting as best as possible to follow those two simple commandments and you gain salvation.

From my understanding, this is the core of Christianity. Arguments about the literality of Genesis, or the endless arguments about grace and works, it all boils down to a couple of basics.

Those two commandments are sufficient, if actually followed, since all others derive from them. It is a marvel of inclusiveness and simplicity.

I hope these ramblings have made my earlier statement a little more clear.

The way I see it is that Jesus laid out just a very few rules for becoming a Christian and gaining the salvation he was bringing. One was that you believed in your heart. The other was that you confessed with your mouth. That's what I mean be not being exclusive.

Of course, that's not all there is to it, and Jesus also laid out some pretty simple rules of how to live one's life. Knowing that nobody could live a perfect life, Jesus made it simple. One merely had to love God and fellow man with all one's heart. And...when one inevitably failed in this, Jesus would fill in the gaps through his death and resurrection.

The rest is just extension of the two commandments Jesus offered.

How is it that a godless atheist understands Christianity better than most of the Christians I know?

Hardly ramblings. You have a pretty good grasp of what Christianity is and condensed it very succinctly in this and your previous posts on this thread. In light of your understanding of the subject, I can't help but wonder how you can remain an atheist. (As your tagline indicates) And I don't mean that in a disparaging or critical way; it's just that you've put this all into words better than some Christians I know could have.

Good post. Let me add to it.

One was that you believed in your heart. The other was that you confessed with your mouth.

One more that I believe few Christians have done is taken the time to "know why they are saved".

I would hope more Christians take that journey from the heart to the head and mature in their faith.
To often many Christians only get caught up in the emotion of the Spirit.

For you though, I will pray your heart will soften and this knowledge you have of his love will endear your heart to him.

Unlike other religions, Christianity offered a simple approach to salvation, based on anonement for human frailty through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Mind you, I'm just laying out the basics, but...they're enough, all by themselves, according to the Gospels, for salvation.

MMGA, I think you're not too far from the Kingdom! ;^)