Define "Christian"...Those who have accepted Christ are those I consider to be Christians - can't know one way or the other for sure except for myself, but if they accepted Him as their lord and Savior, then yes, i do believe it. Do you believe a priest, who cannot read one's heart and mind, can make the decision for you? Do you believe Christ, having died because there was no way we could be worthy without His sacrifice, would pull the rug out from under us because, having been saved, we still couldn't be worthy of our own efforts?
The pharisees were roundly castigated for primping and preening their piousness in public displays while not having God/Christ in their hearts. What makes any other mortal more deserving of belief in them than the pharisees? Pomp and rituals?