Featured some of the Old Testament writers believed in multiple Gods, just that Yahweh was the best God.

[AgnosticBoy]

As far as the "majority of living, breathing Christians" you mention, they may not actually be believers. There are multitudes of people who claim to be Christians who are as lost as last year's Easter egg. Going to church does not make a person a believer any more than standing in a garage makes them a car. Jesus refers to so called believers in Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Cultural Christians?

These individuals may identify as culturally Christian because of family background, personal experiences, or the social and cultural environment in which they grew up.[1]

Contrasting terms are "practicing Christian",[2] "biblical Christian",[3] "committed Christian",[4] or "believing Christian".[5]

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Christians

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Okay, I think people should live wild and free. And some fundies and literalists are “tame” in ways that make for a very boring, over-planned, and tightly-constrained life! At the same time, these type of over-religious Christians can really tie themselves into knots such as —

Some moderation or a healthy balance can be a good thing!

I've seen the wild fast life always partying types, and their life eventually implodes. But too often, I've also seen the strong religious devoted type come out and act out big, perhaps from a lot of repression. I'm only speaking on average though as I'm sure there are some lucky ones that do make it just fine being in one camp or the other.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Matthew 7:21-23 . . . depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

‘ . . . Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

— New Living Translation​

and so . . . we’re back to “salvation by works” ! ! !

which I understand evangelical Christians believe is 100 per cent mistaken, right?

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 7 - New Living Translation

Do Not Judge Others - “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think...

www.biblegateway.com

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Lots of Christians probably don't even know about Judaism lol

lots of legit Christians who truly believe … don’t really understand their own religion!

And that’s perfectly A-okay. Christianity has a lot of good things. It has Love and Sacrifice, both Kindness & Strength.

as long as you don’t look too much under the hood. I’m sorry, but that’s kind of the case.

 

[Scooter]

Matthew 7:21-23 . . . depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

‘ . . . Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

— New Living Translation​

and so . . . we’re back to “salvation by works” ! ! !

which I understand evangelical Christians believe is 100 per cent mistaken, right?

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 7 - New Living Translation

Do Not Judge Others - “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think...

www.biblegateway.com

Not at all. Works are our fruit. Sinful fruit indicates the tree is sinful. Righteous fruit suggests a righteous tree. If someone is living in sin and are not ashamed their fruit will reveal that fact. Therefore there is good reason to believe that person is not right with God. Good works are the fruit of our salvation, not the root of our salvation.

The people Jesus was addressing considered themselves Christians because of the things they had done in Jesus’ name. Jesus makes it perfectly clear that no amount of works were enough to get anyone saved.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Good works are the fruit of our salvation, not the root of our salvation.

You can say this, I guess based on other verses, and your own individual walk with the Lord. But this particular verse seems to be saying “by works.”

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 7 - New Living Translation

Do Not Judge Others - “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think...

www.biblegateway.com

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

——

This other nearby verse also seems to be saying “salvation by deeds.”

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Lots of Christians probably don't even know about Judaism lol

lots of legit Christians who truly believe … don’t really understand their own religion!

And that’s perfectly A-okay. Christianity has a lot of good things. It has Love and Sacrifice, both Kindness & Strength.

as long as you don’t look too much under the hood. I’m sorry, but that’s kind of the case.

Yeah, there's not really an educational environment around day-to-day Christianity. My routine was to go to Church on Wednesdays, do a little superficial Bible study, and then never touch Bible again until next Wednesday. I did read little inspirational passages here and there, but never thought to sit down to read cover to cover and beyond until I was on my way out of Christianity.

There are exceptions like @Scooter but I think he's in the minority.

 

[Scooter]

Good works are the fruit of our salvation, not the root of our salvation.

You can say this, I guess based on other verses, and your own individual walk with the Lord. But this particular verse seems to be saying “by works.”

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 7 - New Living Translation

Do Not Judge Others - “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think...

www.biblegateway.com

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

——

This other nearby verse also seems to be saying “salvation by deeds.”

And what is the will of the Father? It is for all people to be saved:
1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Bible is very clear that works cannot save anyone:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

James supports my position that works are the fruit of salvation and not the root of salvation:
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

 

[Scooter]

Yeah, there's not really an educational environment around day-to-day Christianity. My routine was to go to Church on Wednesdays, do a little superficial Bible study, and then never touch Bible again until next Wednesday. I did read little inspirational passages here and there, but never thought to sit down to read cover to cover and beyond until I was on my way out of Christianity.

This is why Sunday school is so important. There are also discipleship classes that many churches offer. It is in these informal settings where the Bible can be better explained. Our Wednesday night service is an informal meeting where questions can be asked and experiences shared. Many churches now have small groups that meet and do Bible study.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Yeah, there's not really an educational environment around day-to-day Christianity. My routine was to go to Church on Wednesdays, do a little superficial Bible study, and then never touch Bible again until next Wednesday. I did read little inspirational passages here and there, but never thought to sit down to read cover to cover and beyond until I was on my way out of Christianity.

This is why Sunday school is so important. There are also discipleship classes that many churches offer. It is in these informal settings where the Bible can be better explained. Our Wednesday night service is an informal meeting where questions can be asked and experiences shared. Many churches now have small groups that meet and do Bible study.

All that is good, but was thinking more about the history of Church and Bible, theology, and even Christian apologetics. That goes beyond Sunday school but I think Christians should learn about the Bible and religion beyond just read inspirational passages. That why if they encounter a skeptic or have their own doubts, they won't be as easily stumped.