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Ok, it would be absurd to MOST people to claim that the Pope was not a Christian was was going to hell, for either acceptance of a scientific theory OR for his Catholic theology.

For a zealot who plays the ‘who is REALLY a Christian and who do I want to send to HELL!’ I suppose it isn't absurd at all to claim that the Pope is not a Christian and is going to Hell.

But for most REASONABLE people, it sounds absurd on its face that a man who devoted his life to the Church and to Biblical scholarship, isn't a “real” Christian.

But you see I don't play those ‘who is REALLY a Christian’ games. Thus your confusion when I was speaking about the history of Christianity.

When I speak of the ancient world where for over a thousand years the vast majority of Christians were either Roman or Byzantine Catholic, I am NOT speaking of who were necessarily a “good” Christian or who was “really” a Christian; I am speaking of the people who identified as Christian.

When I say that America is some 70-80% Christian, do you truly believe I am making a statement as to the state of their salvation or what they truly hold in their hearts (which none but God and they could know)?

And did you think for a single second about the absurdity of your argument? I point out that through most of the Christian era the vast majority of Christians were either Byzantine or Roman Catholic - and your refutation of that is ‘how do i know if they are REALLY Christian?’????

Uh, because we are counting people who when you ask them say they are Christian; unlike you I don't have a “go to hellometer” that I gleefully apply to any creeds whose theology I find objectionable.

But for most REASONABLE people, it sounds absurd on its face that a man who devoted his life to the Church and to Biblical scholarship, isn't a “real” Christian.

That's irrelevant. The Pharisees devoted their life to the law and look what Jesus had to say about them and to them.

Devoting your life to the church, religion, or God, doesn't mean that one is a Christian.

Then why do you say that they are Christian?

Jesus laid out the criteria. If you don't like it, take it up with Him. My pointing out what He said is not me making the determination.

Many people claim Christianity because they are not muslim, Jewish, or atheist.