I'm not trying to affend anybody in this question, if I am. Because I am a christian, and I was wondering if I was the only on that thought this...
Do you think that denominations somewhat seperate people from each other. Almost like there labels, not used in a good way.
2006-07-15 23:05:27 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes!!!
Denominationalism very definitely seperates people. But, it does not just seperate people, it fragments the "body of Christ".
The universal church, also known as the body of Christ, is composed of all Christians, reguardless of denomination and time. We are told that we should be "in one accord". We are to be a "brotherhood". But instead, denominationalism is tearing us apart. No, we are tearing ourselves apart! What do we call a person who wants to tear himself apart? Sick, mental, masacistic... And, this is what we have made the church!
Ephesians teaches that the unifying factor in the church is to be what God has done for us, what He is doing for us, and what He will do for us; not the fine points of our denominational beliefs! If we are Christians, we should have fellowship with each other, not shoot each other!
2006-07-15 23:42:31 · answer #1 · answered by Terry K 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think that denominations are the result of people disagreeing with other people. Within 10 minutes of the Resurrection, folks began arguing over "what it means" and have arguing ever since.
There are denominations...and then there are denominations within a denomination, etc. (Heck...there's even a denomination called "Non-Denominationalists.") One person believes x and y to be true so he goes to this church. Another believes x to be true but y to be false or irrelevant, so he goes to the church across the street.
The sad point is is that 99% of Christians agree on the major issues. But we let our stubbornness get in the way and prefer to spend our time criticizing other Christians whose beliefs are different in some relatively insignificant way.
We want to be "right" rather than "Right."
2006-07-16 06:20:41 · answer #2 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion can be very devisive. Each party thinks their way is the only way. There have been many atrocities performed in the name of "God". Look how it has contributed to genocide.
We are often born into our faiths and it is all we know. I am a Christian by birth, for example....but I do not subscribe to organized religion. If I have to, I will declare myself non-denominational at best. I am resistant to all labels.
I respect all faiths, creeds, and belief systems...for they all contain great truth and Universal Laws that apply to all of mankind.
In the quest for superiority; many faiths seem to encourage the atithesis of what I deem as good Christian behavior...and it is that we are all loved, regardless of who we are or where we come from...that we are all equal in God's eyes. There are God's Laws and Man's Laws...you decide.
We all have a soul...and when you learn to tap into this wisdom inside of you; you become a much more tolerant person.
2006-07-16 06:20:26 · answer #3 · answered by riverhawthorne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I somewhat agree. I think in a lot of cases denominations make us focus on differences that are really rather minor. But in some cases, there are major theological differences that can't be glossed over (i.e. Catholicism vs Protestantism).
2006-07-16 08:51:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous61245 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes, but also go a step further and say that separate religions separate people. Jews, Muslims, Christians, they all stem from the same source, but because they all have slightly different versions of a book, and believe slightly different things about certain prophets, and God, they separate themselves. All religions are the same. I wonder when people will start to realize that.
2006-07-16 06:10:23 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not all religeons are the same as one poster said. some of them have alot of differances.
like old christinaty used to condemn homosexuality (still does) yet old buddhism used to promote it as a form of worship since it was considered the purist form of love making since women were seen as inferior. but than again in asia at the time sex was more about the pleasure than the morals.
2006-07-16 06:12:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agreed.
2006-07-16 06:08:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denominations was started by Martin Luther when he decided to start his own church because the Catholic Church would not change to suit him. Blame Luther!
2006-07-16 06:09:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's why they're called denominations Einstein!
2006-07-16 06:08:31 · answer #9 · answered by rame_dean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do. More atrocities have been committed in the name of Sectarian Gods (religious bigotry) than all other crimes of humanity combined.
2006-07-16 06:11:10 · answer #10 · answered by Mary Lynn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋