Should I renounce Christianity?

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No. Why would you renounce your belief because of what you think some people might think of you? If the bad examples bother you, be a good example.

^^TomS, I wish more people shared your attitude in this statement.

I don't normally refer to the "Amplified Bible" translation, but I like how it renders the following scripture so clearly:

Phillipians 2:5 - Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

The ultimate question is, are we willing to suffer against ourselves and other people, in order to become united with Christ in both mind and spirit.

Just like the late Keith Green said:

"A Christian is someone who's "bananas" for Jesus. Someone who loves the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength."

If a person is considering abandoning Jesus because they are afraid of what other people might think of them...

Well, that causes me to question if that person even knows Jesus at all, or at least loves Him for that matter. If a person thinks that Christianity is merely some philosophy, or religion, then they don't know Jesus. They merely know "of" a historical figure named Jesus. Every atheist and satanist knows of a historical figure names Jesus as well. And it does not make them a Christian. Just ask AspE. He will agree with that.

But enough rambling words. Words are stupid and pointless now, especially since everything worthwhile has already been stated earlier on this thread, and long before we were born.

Let's listen to the song of a man who simply, and passionately loved Jesus:

https://youtu.be/A0rWlGEhkmA?t=5m52s

As a pro-gay atheist I say... please don't! The world badly needs more of the non-hatey kind of Christian, precisely BECAUSE of the murderous, judgemental idiots currently giving organised religeon a bad name. You seem rational and compassionate, and could do some good as a result. If your faith itself isn't troubled, you don't need to denounce Christianity. Just the people who abuse the name of God.
(I had a lot of hostility towards religeon when I was younger, seeing it as dogmatic and intolerant. Now, I'm friends with two lay preachers who do a much better job of tolerance than I do.)

I'm a Catholic who marches in Portland's Gay Pride Parade every year, so if you're reading this Tim, don't let Christianity's views about LGBT people factor into how you express your religious beliefs.

There are many homophobes at the church I go to in Portland {even the pastor himself is a homophobe}, so I am going to stop going to church for a certain period of time until I can think of something to make the church I go to more welcoming to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

"Every atheist and satanist knows of a historical figure names Jesus as well. And it does not make them a Christian. Just ask AspE. He will agree with that."

I don't think that Jesus was a historical figure.

I believe he was an historical figure. I don't believe he's the "Son of God," though.

Wasn't Jesus mentioned in the writings of one or more Roman contemporaries (non-Christian)? I think it's fairly well-established that he at least existed as a human being.

The entries attributed to Josephus are considered later forgeries. It is not at all well established that the Jesus figure we know about really lived. There are no contemporary accounts.

Tacitus wrote about him. Not quite a contemporary, but close.

Well, for being "non existent", it's a pretty amazing thing how even our historic time line has been split into B.C. and A.D. because of Jesus. I don't know of any other "non existent" historical figure who has achieved that feat.

Here's another command that Jesus gave to those who want to be real Christians:

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Luke 14:33

Like 80 years later. That's like me writing about the early Nazi party. Doesn't count.

AD BC was 500 years after Christ, so that doesn't count either. Christianity had already become popular in Europe.

I'm merely noting how incredible it is that a "non existent" person had such an impact on our way of making historic eras. I did not say that was or was not proof of His existence.

Of course I do believe in Jesus as my God and Savior, though.

I think Jesus was an historical figure. What I don't believe is that he's the Son of God.

I believe he was a very persuasive preacher, and wanted to take people out of the yoke of the corrupt establishment. Then other people saw that he had the Divine in him--and "spread the word."

He must have done something right for people to have wanted to risk life and limb to worship him.

The legend of Jesus surely did have an impact.

Love poking that stick in the hornet's nest, don't you?

I don't know what you're talking about. Are Christians hornets?