Who is a [C]hristian, again?

Every once in a while, it's necessary to revisit this discussion. As a former christian I have a unique view of the question, my own efforts to gain a pure and therefore muscular and supportive version of the religion having been met with a series of increasingly narrow definitions that, eventually, defined me right out.

Yeah, really: I was a teenaged conservative fundamentalist evangelical Christian, halleluiah! God-fearing and Bible-studying, Amen!

( So these are the things I learned then and what I understood because of them. )

I avow that it is not the business of any living soul whether any other living soul may be or may not be an adherent of any specific faith group or philosophical community. (Basically, and unless it is clear that they are just fucking with folks, if they claim it they are it.)

And I avow that supposed, claimed, or denied membership in any specific faith group or philosophical community has no bearing whatsoever on that person's right to be treated well and with dignity by all others around.