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How about them Mormons, J.W.'s, Moonies, Catholics, 7th Day Adventists, Charismatics, Tele-evangelists, Westboro Baptists,.. at what point has any belief possibly stretched so far (*or so little) that it is no longer Christian?

A belief is not Christian when it is not Christ-centered, Christ-serving, and/or Christ-honoring.

Be sure to include THE BIBLICAL Christ. Yes, It's all about Jesus: King of Kings, Lamb slain for the sins of the world. Mighty Savior. Very God of God.

I meet many religious folks who have very little interest in Jesus. I'm even reading a book right now called "Christless Christianity". It's horrifying as it sweeps across the globe... mostly unaware by its very followers.

True that. I need to be clear, but you interpreted correctly.

A quick street-preaching story. Every month we work an event in a nearby town called "First Friday Festival". It's a well-intended attempt by the town to revitalize the downtown area. We have been out there consistently for 3 years now, and every cult you can think of is also there. The JW's avoid us but the Mormons rotate through just often enough where we get a fresh batch of them every few months.
So we will be preaching and there will be this very small group of clean-cut eager faced LDS folks wandering about. . Occasionally one of them will stop and talk to us. We are friendly, we are courteous, we care about their souls. One night in particular one of the young ladies stopped and told us how great she thought it was that we were out there. I asked her what she meant by that, and she said "You know, you're here, the Jehovah Witnesses are here, we're here. It's just great that all these folks are out here telling people about God."
I said "But our causes are directly opposed. LDS doctrine says that both me and the JW are wrong. JW doctrine says you and I are both wrong, and the Bible says JW doctrine AND LDS doctrine are accursed. We aren't on the same team."

She didn't seem too interested in talking after that.

Wow! Many hate to deal with contradictions and diversity. Or opposition

Michael wrote: She didn't seem too interested in talking after that."

That's a real shame Michael. That says a lot about your group's technique. I wonder what would have happened in Samaria if Jesus had employed that tact with the woman at the well. What do you think?

Eric wrote: "Michael wrote: She didn't seem too interested in talking after that."

That's a real shame Michael. That says a lot about your group's technique. I wonder what would have happened in Samaria if Jes..."
I assume you disagree with how I handled that.

Not necessarily. I wasn't there. I can't say if she was defiant, disinterested, or afraid of the actual Lord of Creation you set before her. But it is a real shame she seemed disinterested and walked away. I said earlier debate takes one of two courses... I'm sure there were others there who were receptive. At least I hope there were.
Oh, and I have no place to criticize those who are working where I am not. I expect the same. I may disagree with your technique and you may disagree with mine, but if we are led instead of leading neither of us should worry.

Eric wrote: "Not necessarily. I wasn't there. I can't say if she was defiant, disinterested, or afraid of the actual Lord of Creation you set before her. But it is a real shame she seemed disinterested and walk..."

The fault may be mine in presenting a condensed version of the incident. I will openly acknowledge that I am not above correction or rebuke, and I have said lots of stupid things over the years and mishandled lots of situations.

I don't think this was one of them, though.

My goal is to never bore somebody with The Gospel and God's Word. Churches do this daily

Eric, Michael - if we expect IMMEDIATE results from our witness efforts we will quickly become disillusioned with the process. The Lord usually makes a subtle call to the elect or chosen which makes them semi-receptive to the Word. We, no matter how adept we are at conversion techniques, often only provide that germinated seed some more water. Ultimately it's up to the lost to accept or reject the gift of salvation. Making our often feeble attempts at proselytization as a make or break event undermines the purpose of our mission - to carry the cross to the best of our sometimes sorely lacking ability.

Robert wrote: "Eric, Michael - if we expect IMMEDIATE results from our witness efforts we will quickly become disillusioned with the process. ..."

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear... (1Pet3:15)

I agree with you. I have no fear and no expectation. It is what it is, and IT IS in God's hands. Like Mother Theresa said, "I was never called to succeed. I was only called to be obedient." One sows, another reaps, we all celebrate the harvest!

Well, here goes a not too Christian thought. My community, El Paso, like many others is overrun with drugs. I will witness to a user, but not to the pushers. Try as I might, and I know this isn't Christ-like in the slightest, I cannot escape the thought that they deserve hell.

Robert wrote: "My community, El Paso, like many others is overrun with drugs. I will witness to a user..."

What I printed above is all I needed to read. Just keep that up, brother, and maybe a user will come to salvation and be able to reach his pusher. You'll get an assist. How's that?
Saving the world isn't on your shoulders, just don't impede those allies who are locked in hand to hand combat beside you. You only take orders from one.

I say, "take on the biggest of the bad."

But be ready. I've been preparing for over a decade. I'm almost ready.

Robert wrote: "Well, here goes a not too Christian thought. My community, El Paso, like many others is overrun with drugs. I will witness to a user, but not to the pushers. Try as I might, and I know this isn't C..."

I also deserve Hell.

I dealt drugs once. I was 15.

Many dealers have become Saints. Amazing that God spared us a hellish eternity. We now accept Jesus' Kingdom on His terms.

Robert wrote: "Try as I might, and I know this isn't Christ-like in the slightest, I cannot escape the thought that they deserve hell."

Michael wrote: "I also deserve Hell."

Don't we all deserve hell?

Rod wrote: "I meet many religious folks who have very little interest in Jesus."

Jesus himself was no fan of religiosity.

Kyle Idleman says in his book Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus that, "They knew about God, but what we discover is they really didn’t know him. In Matthew 15:8 Jesus describes the Pharisees this way: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. That description seems to fit most fans I know. Like the Pharisees, many fans have given their minds to the study of God, but they never surrendered their hearts. These were men who had plenty of knowledge about God, but they didn’t really know God. This is what often separates the fans from the followers. It’s the difference between knowledge and intimacy."

Idleman uses the term "fan" to describe people who consider themselves religious but have little interest in Jesus. And he uses the term "follower" to describe people who seek intimacy with Jesus on a regular basis.

Rod wrote: "At what point has any belief possibly stretched so far (*or so little) that it is no longer Christian?"

Back to the original question... I think any time a belief turns into actions that are clearly against the things that Jesus taught, it is no longer Christian.

For example, you mentioned Westboro Baptist. This one is fairly easy. Members of that "Church" (Cult would probably be a better term) stand on street corners and hold up signs that say, "God HATES Fags".

I would suggest that those signs are false. God does not hate gay people. I think to say, God hates sin would be more appropriate. As the old saying goes, hate the sin, not the sinner...

The members of the Westboro Baptist Cult, hate the sinner and wish death upon them so that they would burn in Hell. Jesus' message was one of love and acceptance and loving correction when someone was not living the way they should... "Go and sin no more" he said to the woman at the well after saving her from certain death by stoning. We should show love for the sinner and then challenge them to, "Go and sin no more."

I may have opened a bag of worms with this post... we shall see.

Good stuff. These are essential issues.

I'm often worried about Charismatics who love magic- but not necessarily Jesus.

Matthew 7
22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

I know a lot of people who focus on prophesying, casting out demons, and mighty works. Even my Mom.