[quote=@POOHEAD189]
That is incorrect. 
 
In fact it is incorrect to say that most Americans are Christian, simply because they claim it. Donald Trump for instance is not really a Christian, by the way he acts. That'd be like calling Stalin a Capitalist simply because he claims it. 

Jesus himself says that the road to paradise is narrow and most people won't make it, because of such a lax view of the faith. To be honest, people who claim to be faithful yet don't follow the doctrine are worse off than athiests, for they are pharisees and hypocrites, something Jesus disliked over all others. Jesus himself said that to live the life of a Christian will be very difficult.

To put it simply, if you're a Christian, [u]you need to follow the teachings of Jesus in order to be one[/u]. Yes do need to accept Jesus into your heart. However depending on your definition, that is either not all you need to do, or that's an extremely difficult thing to accept. You need to try your best to not judge others, for instance. Do not covet. You need to be willing to sell all other aspects of your life for the faith if need be. You are to value your faith and God above all of your possessions and relationships on earth, and you are to love your neighbor as yourself. Of course, since we are human, all of that is pretty much impossible. But to attempt to live in the faith, as much as you can, is something God wishes.  

To say what you said, that it is an easy thing, is honestly insulting to people who truly attempt to live a life like that (me), or someone who made a career out of his faith like my father, who regularly translates Greek and Hebrew texts and spent 12 years of school in Theology. 

Christianity is a faith as worthy of respect as Islam or Judaism. Just because a bunch of assholes use the names of God and Jesus while they do shit doesn't make it less so. 
[/quote]

I'm not exactly sure where I should start with that one. I agree that those that only claim to be part of the faith exist and many don't practice what they preach. But the idea of the narrow path, is because many lose faith or never have it to begin with. Though I don't know what else you'd need to do, unless you're describing a different subsection that's different from non-denominational. I suppose maybe it's crass to say that faith is an easy path, when many have personal struggles with it. So I'll apologize that my particular phrasing wasn't best, but I only meant that most religions don't require the type of work that was previously implied.

I'm also not entirely sure that I'd agree that all religions deserve the same treatment or respect for that matter. Because there's a difference in the teachings of religions, disregarding extremists. What's actively taught and the prophets/gods and their actions of a particular religion, is important to take note of the differences.