Category: philosophy/religion topics
What really goes through my mind a lot lately is the fact that christianity is split in so many denominations. Now, of course I know why this happened. I'm badat history abut at least this I know. But why did they do this? I mean didn't they know that in the bible, Jesus speaks of unity in the church? The bible speaks of one body = one church, not 100 bodies = 100 denominations. It makes me kinda sad because - I mean we all believe in the same God (all the christians I mean) and work for the same goal: To get to heaven and to be with God. All believe in the bible. Some want to have their traditions, some don't - each to their own, but why quarrel? Why not just accept each other in love? I'd love to hear your opinions about this. That is also why I don't like it when people ask me what denomination I am in. It makes me go aggressive and sad. So - go ahead, what do you think?
Ines! Absolutely, brilliantly put! And 100% agreed. I ama christian, a bad one it's true, but a Christian. Isn't that enough? It is, you're absolutely right, very sad when people pick and choose bits they want in religion, like going to the store for the weekly shop. If you live at home, you have to follow mum and dad's rules, at least until you're old enough to get out of there and do things your own way. God and Jesus, and those who were inspired to write the bible, gave us clear, direct, and unambiguous, (if that's indeed a word), guidelines to follow. It's very unfortunate that some took it upon themselves to pick and choose which bits they wanted, and added bits in, to make it more palitable to themselves or their subjects.
I'm lucky enough to have found a branch of Christianity who, for me, speaks sense about such things, and so much more. I don't, however, want to be labelled with this denomination. Yes, that's right, I'm an inessist! grin. Seriousuly, A christian is a Christian in my book. Just as people, no matter the creed, colour, race, or number of heads, are people.
OK, getting off my soapbox now lol.
I also agree. I don't understand myself why there are so many divisions of christianity.
I wish we all could be called christians just like that. No orthodox, catholicks cherch of England etc.
I am wondering if other religions such as muslims are devided like that.
The reason, as far as I see it, is that people have their own private interpretations of the Bible, and when a man gets one of these, and begins teaching it as doctrine, a group splits, and a denomination is formed. I don't consider myself non-denominational, however I don't claim a denomination as my own. I believe the Bible as a literal book, and know how to rightly divide it, which is to say put different parts in the proper context. I trust nothing else besides the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to get me to Heaven, and a belief that He is God, and my personal saviour. It has nothing to do with my church, or the good things I have done, but what Jesus Christ did for me.
I believe in Baptism after salvation, and eternal security of the believer, and I have Scripture in its proper context to back these beliefs up. The key is the Bible, and what it says, not what it is presumed to say. Stick with that, and you'll be ok.
here here. not only is it interpretation though, it's also man's need/desire to use things, including religion to his own ends.
Agreed! Isn't that just what religion is? It's nothing more than a man-made set of rules and regulations that have their foundations in Biblical principle, but that have been evolved by power hungry people!
I have to agree, too many people decide what they want out of religion and go to a church because of that. The bible gives us the rules we should go by, I understand people not agreeing on certain theological points, but that is not important only the belief in Christ's, death, resurrection and the washing away of sin from us. As so one I know put so well "The only important thing is Christ," when he was speaking about the many denominations. I personally have gone to a wide variety of churches mainly because I know what I believe and I don't care if they are theologically different, if they believe in Christ they are brother and sisters in Christ. I do enjoy the discussion of theology as long as everyone involved agrees that it is only to further our knowledge of the bible and not a matter of saving faith.
I don't think humans are ready to get along and accept each other in any capacity. Some of us are trying, I admit, but too many others still justify the old ways. "It's human nature" they say in order to justify war and hate and racism and man's overall inhumanity to man. It's probably going to take a bunch of people who basically believe that the majority of society is full of lies and overall silliness in order to start changing things. As for organized religion, I'm afraid a lot of it is about power and money myself.
Religiopn is ust a couple of outer rituals and all that. What I really think is important is a relationship with a loving God as the heavenly father, and Jesus made the way for that. That's all that saves us. His grace. I sometimes think someday I will go to the catholic and protestant churches, just to talk to them kindly, just to tell them that
1. the baptism they do is not the baptism in the bible, and I have no idea where they got it from. Baptism comes from baptizo and that means something like "under water" and baptism should be done when someone is willingly giving their life to Jesus, not as a baby.
2. that God is the same yesterday, today and for iternity and thus still can heal and people still prophecy. That the holy spirit still is at work. If someone doesn't want that because they don't trust it, that is another thing, but you can not claim that the holy spirit finished his work already.
I don't hate other denominations or criticize them for their traditions. They all just have to be reached by God's ove and conviction.
daughter of light that with the babys is called dedication not baptism. The one where the pastor goes after salvation is the one. In protestant wise. I like some other Christians only kind of believe Catholic is a different branch of Christians, and certain types are different too, but people choose to believe in different things, and it's okay to have different denominations. What's not okay is when one picks on another. Why be angry over separation? Gee, let them believe whatever the hell they want. If they want to believe let them. What if I tell you you can't believe your thing and have to think like everyone else? This thread is full of hate, and I ask all this stop. Let people be whatever they want. As long as they don't pick on each other they are fine. If they want to separate, so what? Let them. You are not God, so you have no say in it. Well, good day...!