[xm177e2]

I don't consider myself one, but I think to be a Christian you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah, and accept his teachings.

If Mormons qualify as Christians, then you don't have to believe Jesus was virgin born or the only son of God to be a Christian.

If the Pope is a Christian, then you don't have to believe that the only way to heaven is through belief in Jesus Christ.

Muslims do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, even though they consider him to be the Messiah. It should be clear that they are not Christians.

I wonder if Unitarians who don't think Jesus is the Son of God can still be Christians (even if they still think he's the Messiah, but born of ordinary parents)...

It gets a little fuzzy around the edges...

[shoedog]

I believe that you will find that Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, not the Messiah.

[PFKEY]

...to be a Christian you must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah, and accept his teachings.

For a non-Christian you sure have a perfect understanding.

[Harp]

If the Pope is a Christian, then you don't have to believe that the only way to heaven is through belief in Jesus Christ.

Please explain what you mean. Catholics should be interested.

[B.Bumbleberry]

"fuzzy around the edges" is an apt description. It's not as simple as many are here arguing. For example, Mormons not only profess belief in Jesus Christ, they believe their church was founded by modern revelation directly from Christ. The official name of the church is "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Yet many Baptists and others deny that they are Christians. They apparently reserve to themselves the right to define the term.

By the way, Mormons do believe in a virgin birth.