Why can't Church of Christ believer date someone who is not in the same religion as them? What kind of lifestyle and religious practices/beliefs do they have? Why do they condemn other religions?
2006-07-27 06:37:50 · 15 answers · asked by equality 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Are these true : Going to church is "compulsary", they take attendance. You have to pay dues (too much dues). They get too involved in you personal life. IS THIS SOME KIND OF CULT?
2006-07-27 06:45:02 · update #1
It is a Cult - My sister used to belong to the Church of Christ (actually there are two branches, they split some years ago, the split started in Indiana, look it up and read about it). The original branch pretty much brainwash you and you are required to do alot of things not right. The church chooses marital partners for most. They are verbally disciplined for even thinking of dating outside the church, they have to actually turn in their taxes to confirm they are giving 10% if not more. They are very verbally assaulting on many other issues as well.
Unfortunately, their are Churches that go away from God because they get on a control trip and greed trip of their own. Punishment will be harsh on judgment day for those leaders.
Please, do not get involved with this Church, seek out another. My sister suffered for years of emotional stress during and after. She is great now, but question everything and look to the Bible for truth and pray for guidance from God.
Read about this incident which happened about 10 years ago online, just type in split of Church of Christ in Indianapolis Indiana
Yes this is true of the original CoC, hence, this is why they split, there are two branches now, one is okay, one is not.
2006-07-27 06:45:56 · answer #1 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, some of the answers have confused the (mainstream) "church of Christ" with the "United church of Christ". Although the names of these groups are almost the same, they teach very different doctrines.
Second, I have never heard of any in the church of Christ families that forbid dating outside of the church. There may be some, and it is often taught that it is advisable because a difference in religion can be a large obsticle that can cause trouble in a marriage. But notice 2 Corinthians 6:14, which advises against christians marrying non-christians. If you practice any religion that you believe to be right, then if you marry someone that teaches the opposite, you must believe them to be wrong. This is a huge stress to place on a marriage, especially when they decide how to raise children.
Do church of Christ members believe they are the only ones right?
If you believe something to be right, then things that contradict what you believe to be "right", you must believe they are "wrong". No matter what the subject.
If you don't believe anything is "right", then you have no beliefs at all.
Examples:
A person who believes evolution is "right", must believe the 6 days of creation described in the Bible is wrong.
A person who believes there is no God, must believe that all the people who say there is a God are wrong.
Everyone has a belief. Yes, everyone has some things they believe to be right, true, and correct. By accepting these things, these people automatically state that the things contrary to this view are not right, false and incorrect.
Christians believe the God of the Bible is what he claims to be, tho only true and living God. This being said, we believe any other "god" is not-true and non-living. If we don't reject the opposite of our view, then we don't truly believe what we claim to affirm.
Members of the church of Christ believe that they are trying to restore the New Testament church. They believe that the things taught in the C-O-C are the right things according to the scriptures. That being said, since they believe those things are scriptrually "right", anything that is taught that contradicts these teachings, by default they must believe those are wrong. Not being judgemental, but anything that contradicts something you believe as right, you must believe it is wrong if you actually believe what you say is right.
Now, if you disagree with the church on a subject, they encourage you to go to the scriptures to settle the matter. (Acts 17:11) It doesn't matter what the church teaches. What matters is what the Bible says about it. We should follow God and not men.
Now one final observation, if the church of Christ is not the only church going to heaven, then who's church is also going? Church of Satan? Church of Elvis? The name "Church of Christ" indicates that this is a church that belongs to Christ. So, yes in that aspect, Christ's church is the only one saved (even if the local congregation happens to not have "Church of Christ" on their sign.)
No one is saved because they are a member of a church. Acts 2:47 says that people are members of Christ's church because they are saved! When you are saved, the Lord adds you to His church! You are a member of the church because you are saved, not the other way around.
For your follow up questions, the church of Christ encourages faithful living, and they encourage regular attendance, as do the scriptures (Hebrews 10:24-25). Unfortunately ,many members of the c-o-c miss worship services, as is the case in many other religions.
No members of the church don't pay dues. A free-will collection is taken up on Sundays and each person is encouraged to give as he has purposed in his own heart. No one checks to see how much any person gives or if someone does not give at all.
2006-07-27 15:00:51 · answer #2 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nobody can convert anyone else. We are told to go forth and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. As far as dating, a couple shouldn't be unevenly yoked. There are reasons for that. How can ppl be together if they cannot agree? As far as condemning other religions, there is only one way to the Father and that is thru Jesus alone, not Mohammed or Buddha.
2006-07-27 13:43:22 · answer #3 · answered by nite_raideress 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i ama member of CoC and I was just reading stuff about CoC on wikipedia. It didn't really cover the dating guidelines though. But genreally MOST CoC members allow their kids to date people from other religious beliefs. Sometimes parents might think it would be good to date someone of the same religion because of how serious an issue it is. I do not believe it is wrong or sinful to date someone who is not CoC and all but 1 of the girls I've dated have been non CoC and my parents did not mind.
I hope that helps. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_christ
2006-07-27 13:43:55 · answer #4 · answered by stratos201_2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not quite understand your question.
I believe that Jesus came to the earth to free us from religions. He taught us to have a personal, life saving, life changing relationship with God.
Why condemn other religions...
My God does not want me to have any other gods..so I don't.
When you believe that the Bible is God's life manual to you, written by humans and inspired by God...You know that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, no one will enter to the Father's house expect through Him. So when I want to be with God forever, I want to do what He asks me to do. I play by His rules, I do not try to take part of some kind of popularity contest here on earth.
I am His servant. I do not totally understand His business...but I want to serve Him, because when you do business with the Lord, you are in the winning team.
As we have a lot of choices here on the earth due to the free will...there is only two choices what comes to the eternal life:hell and heaven. And you get to choose. Fair enough? That is why we share Gospel. God does not want to lose anybody. I am happy to run His errands.
2006-07-27 14:48:08 · answer #5 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Church of Christ believes no other demonination is going to enter heaven. Similar to Mormonism-ish.
2006-07-27 13:41:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
2006-07-27 13:40:10 · answer #7 · answered by Angel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Church of Christ"is not as active as they used to be.
2006-07-27 13:40:25 · answer #8 · answered by kathy6500 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
throughout the ages most churches have had as part of their credo that attractive parishoners of both genders be available to the officiating "priest" on alternate wednesday evenings.
2006-07-27 13:42:41 · answer #9 · answered by drakke1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow wee. I didn't know that.
Jesus has a "Church".
When did churches start they're own?
What member of a church hung on a cross, for they're congregation?
.
2006-07-27 13:54:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋