Everything was perfectly fine up until the point you used the term "Christian Atheist". This is not possible. If you truly believe in everything Jesus Christ was and is, then you cannot believe that God doesn't exist. His birth would not make sense, his death would have no value, and his resurrection would be completely a farce. The Bible also says that Jesus was fully God and fully man. Therefore, if you believe Jesus was who he said he was, then you cannot be an atheist. Either that or you just think Jesus was a cool guy and nothing more. His death would mean nothing to you, and therefore you could be a Christian. Christianity is all about the cross.

Atheists don't believe there is a God. If you believe in God, that means you're not an atheist.

Not so much a "paradox" as an oxymoron. By definition, if one is an atheist, one cannot be a Christian. Perhaps you are simply a moral atheist? : )

believing jesus existed and was a good person doesnt make you a christian

Is it not great that we all have a choice to believe as we choose? I am a christian and I think it is referred to as such because I believe as Jesus did. Jesus taught that he was God's only begotten son and that he (Jesus) was not as great as the Father. He said that he did nothing of his own initiative, and gave all glory to his Father, Jehovah God. Having said that I think the answer to your question is that it IS somewhat of a paradox (yes actually a contradiction) since you admit that you do not believe as Jesus did. The scriptures tell us that "Jesus left us a model to follow closely." But whatever the case, it is very good that you believe that he existed and that you admire him for what he did. Thanks for the stimulating conversation.

Not a bit. Jesus never claimed to be Christ. I think that was made up by Paul and his pen pals. He was a reformer and iconoclast because of all the abuses of the religious leaders. He referred to God as "Our Father" as well as just "Father." The Trinity was borrowed from the Gospel according to the Buddha which predated Christianity by several hundred years, and is equally unintelligible. The most famous Christian atheist I can think of is William Blake, the English poet of "Tiger, tiger burning bright..." fame. Sorry I am still only allowed to give two points so I couldn't completely offset the negative.

Ok - so you're not a Christian, but you have christian-like-morals.. We could go further and ask - have your read the Qu'ran? Maybe you also have Muslim-like-morals but dont realise it? - Then of course there's Ba-hai-like-morals, and Hindu-like-morals... Hopefully your search is over :)

Do me a favor Read this book. Go to the bookstore and browse thru. This man was agnostic and set out to prove Jesus was not the Savior and he ended up becoming a christian. What evidence he was at our church last week what a testimony. The book "Evidence that demands a verdict" by Josh McDowell

You are by most christian standards not a christian. For the most part, being a christian involves accepting Jesus as a divine living sacrifice. Merely admiring his message would not qualify you to be christian in any denomination I can think of. many Buddhists admire the message of Jesus but would not claim to be christians.

You're not a christian. You probably also believe Buddha existed and was a good man but that doesn't make you a Buddhist either.

I believe I understand what you mean by 'Christian Atheist'. You accept the moral lessons Jesus taught, but you do not believe in God, nor that Jesus was the son of god. Right? Here's something to think about,... Is it POSSIBLE that Jesus was just a 'good man'? Consider, to qualify as 'good' Jesus MUST have been truthful,... He himself said that he had a prehuman existence,... that he was the unique Son of God,... that he was the Messiah,... the one whose coming was foretold throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. (John 3:13; 10:36; 4:25, 26; Luke 24:44-48. Scriptural references below) Either Jesus was what he said or he was a gross impostor. Interestingly, neither option allows for the view that he was simply a good man. (John 3:13)  Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man. (John 4:25-26) The woman said to him: “I know that Mes‧si′ah is coming, who is called Christ. ,... Jesus said to her: “I who am speaking to you am he.” (John 10:36) ,... because I said, I am God’s Son? (Luke 24:44-48) 44 He now said to them: “These are my words which I spoke to YOU while I was yet with YOU, that all the things written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, 46 and he said to them: “In this way it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, 47 and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem, 48 YOU are to be witnesses of these things.

He didn't leave you that option. Read what He had to say.

Well, you're not a Christian. Just because you believe that Jesus existed doesn't mean you believe he is your savior and that you should worship him, right? I mean, I believe that Hitler existed, but that doesn't mean I'm a Nazi. So, problem solved.

Could you be agnostic?

According to Christians, you are not a christian just like said in other answers, but I think you just a rational atheist or maybe just Agnostic. Theres nothing wrong with how you think however. Dont think that way.

Whether or not you're an Atheist depends on whether or not you believe in God, not upon whether or not you believe Christ was "son of God" (or son of man, or friend of God, etc.). If you are a devout Muslim for instance, you would not be an atheist, although you would not believe that Christ is any more than a prophet.

'Christian' and 'Athiest' contradict each other. You can't be both at the same time.

It's an oximoron, not a paradox. Christ told everyone, and it was very clear, that He was God. Because He said this, it can mean three things: 1) He was a lunatic (which is outruled because He was clearly sane), 2) He was a scoundrel and blasphemer (which cannot be so because He was a good person of the sweetest nature; no one could deny so), or 3) He was God Himself.

to be called a Christian in any manner would involve you believing that Jesus was the son of God. thus you would have to believe in God, so being a "Christian atheist" is impossible. it is perfectly acceptable, however, to believe that Jesus existed and had a great message of peace and generosity. there is plenty of historical evidence to support His existence.

No. You cannot be both. Jews believe Jesus was a good man and a prophet but not the Messiah. They believe the Messiah has not come yet. As Christians, we believe Christ is the only way to God. Atheists believe in no God at all. You may be closer to an Agnostic as others have stated.

indeed the man named jesus existed he was the son of two humans not son of any virgin and/or gods you are atheist (you do not believe in god ) all religions have some real base earth ( but the gods are all lies )

That's one of the really fun aspects of religion. Without meaning to be derogatory in any way - you get to make up the rules as you go along. So if you want to follow Christ - the man, wise philosopher and all, then great. If later you feel that he was in touch with some non-deistic universal energy/truth... rock on. If after that you begin to feel that the universe loves you and Jesus spoke of this... it's all fair. . As there are no points of evidence to say X has to true in order for you to believe in Y, no one can ever tell you you're wrong. . So, no. There's no paradox - but being a Christian atheist sounds pretty cool. :-) . And I have to ask - was he lying when he claimed to be the son of god? +5

I know that there are several churches out there who have a liberal interpretation on the bible instead of the more standard fundamentalist doctrine of an inerrant and infallible scripture. They focus more on the lessons taught and demonstrated in the Bible versus the Lore and "correct beliefs" that one should have to qualify as a christian. Even the word christian means christ like. Which, in my mind, has far more to do with acting as Jesus of Nazereth would act and live versus buying into whether or not he was the Son of God. Many orthodox christian sects make the claim that other sects are not "true" christians, as if they have the corner on the market. Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons come to mind along with many liberal churches as well. Only you can decide what you really think about Jesus, morality, and the world around you, and even if your conclusions piss others off, your the one who has to live with yourself.

It sounds like you are more of an Agnostic with Deist leanings.