Do you think the denominations of Christianity diminish the strength of the religion?

Question

For both believers and non-believers. Please present serious responses. I wish to know how others view this serious issue that I have always questioned.

There are quite a few denominations in Christianity - not just Protestant and Catholic. Such as Baptist, Presbyterian, Fundamentalists, to name a few.

Do you believe that such division amongst the Christian believers lowers the standard by which non-believers view believers?

Does the fighting/disagreeing between denominations make the Christian religion appear uneducated (as if the Bible has so many translations, how can it be trusted?) and unfounded.

Answer 1

Christianity diminished by denominations? Jesus came to earth to free us from religions. He wanted to teach us to have a personal and life changing relationship with God. I think denominations or non-denominations are making Christianity stronger because if you do not like the worship style, you can change your church. I think that where ever is yout church, it is important to start to serve at that church and not to be just church consumer. Make your church stong with your own contribution of service, time, skills,money, help and love. I belong to non-denominational Christian church, because I want to serve God and have my teachings from the Bible. Religion is almost a bad name, word.

Answer 2

There are many denominations because there are many people. A certain group within a denomination will take issue with some part of the denomination's dogma and form a denomination of their own. Perhaps there is an advantage to this, as it gives people the choice of a denomination that more closely matches their own beliefs. The bickering between some of these denominations is deplorable and does in fact lead to non-believers thinking all Christians are a bunch of nuts. The name of the game here is leading people to Christ, if that is their wish. As for the Bible translations, search for one that has been translated by a large group of scholars and theologians from around the world, using the original manuscripts still available. My personal choice is the New International Version. Then find a denomination that preaches from that Bible, not one of the Jim and Tammy Faye translations (which is, by the way, changed to fit the Bakers framework).

Answer 3

Yes I do.

I see major inconsistencies with the Protestant religions. Jesus created the Catholic Church. All Protestant churches were founded by men.

How can anyone who follows Jesus reject the church that he founded? Isn't that admitting that he made a mistake?

There are those who say that they don't follow a church created by men -- they follow the word of God as seen in the Bible. But they don't even know where the Bible came from. Who was it who said that some books were the holy word of God and others weren't -- the answer is Catholics! It was St Irenius who put the Bible together & the Council of Rome (headed by the Pope) who verified that certain books were the word of God. Many of them don't know that Martin Luther later decided that several of those books were not the word of God. How is it that these Bible thumpers believe the Catholics about some books but not others?

Another major inconsistency in the Bible is the translation. Most Protestants in the US believe that Jesus had siblings. Why? Because the King James Version of the Bible says so -- and the Bible is the holy word of God. The only trouble there is that the Original Greek doesn't say that. It refers to these people as close relatives. They also believe that Mary and Joseph had sexual relations -- why -- because of a bad translation in the KJV where it makes it sound like Mary was only a virgin until Jesus was born. Again -- the Greek says something different.

I don't see how anyone can be a Christian and not be a Catholic.

Of course, I also don't understand how anyone could be a Catholic, either. But 16 years of Catholic school will do that to you. I do not agree with the Catholic Church on much -- but I do admit that they are the only Christian religion that has a consistent set of beliefs.

Answer 4

Yes, unfortunately. This could be one of the reasons why so many non-believers don't like Christianity. They think we're all a bunch of idiots. The religion would be much stronger if it was not divided among so many different sects. Many of the arguments brought up against Christians don't necessarily apply to every denomination, and the non-believer may not realize that there could be a Christian church out there that believes the same way they do on a particular issue. Regardless of this problem, the New Testament does predict that there would be a falling away first, and that later there would be a restitution of all things. I believe that the restored gospel will stand out above all other denominations. Perhaps then Christians will be more united.

Answer 5

There are about 34,000 denominations, each one claiming to have THE one-and-only true way to interpret the Bible, each one claiming to be instructed by the Holy Spirit. Either the HS is very confused, or it is deliberately telling different people different ways to interpret the same book and worship the same God--or else Christians are just making it all up as they go along. The third option is the most logical and requires the fewest assumptions. If there were a God, and if it were all-powerful and all-knowing as Christians say he is, then he would have found a way to have only ONE church to represent him EXACTLY as he wants to be represented--not thousands of them having thousands of contradictory opinions.

Christians are not united, they disagree on every issue of biblical doctrine--even the really important issues, such as whether or not Jesus was God!--and you would be hard-pressed to find two agreeing Christians even within the same congregation, let alone within two or more sects. Why should I take them seriously if they can't even agree on what it is they believe?

Answer 6

I don't believe it is the number of denominations that lowers the strength of a religion. I believe it is the way the followers of that religion conduct themselves that lowers it. If there is in-fighting between groups, it lowers the whole because neither side is conducting themselves according to Christian standards. People whose lives reflect their beliefs bringth strength to the religion. If all the different groups would come together and say we differ but we are one under God, then that would strengthen it. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. It is hard for a non-believer to trust a faith that says "Love thy neighbor" and "Turn the other cheek" when they do the exact opposite and aim it at fellow Christians.

Answer 7

Much of that fighting is from years past (due to their strong stances and convictions). In modern times, there is more understanding and support between the groups. To many people it is not so much a division as it is a diverse expression of christianity. Not only are the protestants growing closer but also catholics are reconciling. There may be some different opinions on certain matters but that's what makes us humans. I also see the church trying to reconcile with the jewish faith and somewhat with the muslims to find equal grounds.

Answer 8

I think diversity is a good thing.

Imagine if all of us belonged to the same denomination; there would be problems there too.

Problems arise when we don't respect the interpretations or practices of denominations different than our own.

I hope that this generation of Christians (and all people of faith) will learn to find common ground, and see that all of us are trying to connect with a higher spirit, but not always in the same way.

Answer 9

When God puts us back together again (with the aid of our willingness to cooperate) this great Church will be marked by:

-The dignity and scholarship of the Anglicans.
-the order and sacraments of the Catholics.
-the warm fellowship of the Methodists.x
-the Presbyterian desire for good preaching.
-the Lutheran respect for sound theology.
-there will be the Baptist concern for individual salvation.
-the Congregational respect for the rights of lay members.
-the Pentecostal reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit.
-and the Quaker respect for silence.
-We will find there the Mennonite sense of community
-the social action of the Salvation Army.
-The social justice of the United church.
-And the Reformed love of the Bible.
-All wrapped in Orthodox reverence

Before the mystery of God.

Answer 10

boy that's weighted question. the problem isn't the many denominations, its their failed attempt at finding the truth, there is only one God one Christ and they only have one true church on the earth to help guide us back to them. we as individuals need to search and find that one if it exists i believe it does. but we need to watch out for false prophets and churches, only the holy ghost can tell you which one is right. i have found it and if your interested let me know. BE HONEST IN HEART in your search for Truth