Partly yes, and partly no. If we are not all on the same page regarding basic Christianity, when we have a disagreement with each other it could be because of a misunderstanding, and because we are not on the same page regarding the basics. On the other hand, trying to establish basic beliefs can be tricky to a degree. I could consider something a basic that someone else does not and vice versa. That in itself could cause a disagreement/ problems. But I guess it can be important to do this, so that way, when certain topics are discuscussed, we might have an idea why people say one thing or another, rather then the possibility of another person being confused or say something wrong in response (having the belief that whatever they said, in relations to basic Christianity, had nothing to do with the topic at hand). If we knew that the other person considered something a Christian basic, even if we disagreed, we would hopefully not end up with that person over what they may have said. Although we are not to judge others, knowing ones basic beliefs (in relations to Christianity) can help establish if they truly are a Christian or not (if their actually is some doubt in someone else's mine). While on the one hand, it is not for us to determine (if someone is truly Christian or not), but on the other hand, if a person has the misguided notion of what truly a Christian is, and what beliefs (and what not) are essental for a Christian, they could believe they are going to heaven when they truly are not. I've heard at least one person in the past come on this board and claim that she was Christian but did not believe in Christ (at least not in the sense of his divinity and death on the cross and that stuff as far as I recall), and she believed/ claimed that one did not have to believe in Christ to be a Christian. That could be a basic believe for that person (that one does not have to believe in Christ in order to be a Christian), but that belief is a problem, no matter how to put or twist it. Googling the definition of Christianity, I got this definition: The religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices. Googling the definition of Christian I found this: Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus. If this is what one finds from googling those words (which means, IMO, that there is a good possibility that these definitions may not be formed by a Christian person), then it would be clear a person (who claims to be Christian, but believes one does not have to believe in Christ to be a Christian) is quite misguided. \

JFG