The Square Peg

What is a "Christian home?" I know what it means when someone says "this is a Christian home," but my question is "what makes a Christian home a Christian home;" what are the qualifications or requirements? And how do you know when a home isn't one? Is it lifestyle? Are there degrees of Christianity within a home? Is it measured by the sin tolerance level or lack thereof?

If a home has people in it who sometimes lie but go to regularly attend church and have a relationship in which they seek God's guidance and direction while trying to follow the path they think He's on, is it still a Christian home? How many lies does it take before it's not a Christian home anymore?

What about cussing? A lot of people think that's a good indicator of spirituality. Others don't.

And what about wife beating or child abuse? Does the man who beats his wife or the woman who beats her kids not counted as Christians because of their behavior? Are they considered Christians who just have demons to battle?

What about disrespectful attitudes from one spouse to another or both toward each other to toward a child?

How about smoking? Is it ok to smoke in a Christian home?

If both parents are Christians, but the grandmother and 2 of the kids are atheists, is it still a Christian home?

What are the rules and who defines them? Is it all left to the discretion or interpretation of the owner? Is there anything sacred about the dwelling? Is a Christian home something to be revered? Should we take off our shoes when we go in because we're on holy ground? Is a Christian home any different than a church?

I overheard a woman recently say she grew up in a Christian home but that it's not a Christian home anymore. When did it change? How did it change? What's the difference in how the home is taken care of, led, managed & lived in now, compared to when it was still a Christian home? Is it required that the home be redecorated so visitors will be aware of the change? I'm kidding about that last part.

Is labeling a home Christian another way of forcing authority over others? This is a Christian home, so you can't smoke, drink alcohol, express your claim to atheism or cuss when you're here. Those things have to be kept outside of these Christian walls.

Is it important to identify a home as a Christian home? Why?