if I choose to believe only parts of the Bible and only the teachings that appeal to me?
Will that make me Catholic, Protestant, or what? I just need to know which church to go to.
2006-12-20 05:45:30 · 47 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hi Kjelstad
2006-12-20 05:57:31 · update #1
that would be called hypocrite. you cant pick and choose what to believe if you cant believe it all you cant believe parts of it. the bible is a roadmap to heaven you have to follow it and not neglect some, like if i want to say it wrong to kill but okay to tell a small lie. it says if you keep the whole law and commit one sin, your guilty of it all, the same as there are no big or little sin, one spot will keep us from heaven we need a robe of pure white. you need to choose a church you can trust in the preacher and agree with what they are teaching
2006-12-20 05:50:42 · answer #1 · answered by call_me_LaLa 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I know your going to hear it from some christians about the "only parts" thing, but I think I might understand what you mean. Like the law of Moses and such is not for christians. For a new christian I would advise you first read through the book of John. It explains who Jesus is and what He did when He came to earth. The other 3 "gospels" are Matthew, Mark and Luke. But I think for new beleivers, John is best to start. Then move on to the book of Romans and see what Jesus did and life application for christians. The entire Old testament is very jewish in nature because the christians didn't come about until Christ came. So don't start there unless it is in the understanding that it is not addressed to christians. Later it is good for understanding the nature of God and such. Now each denomination is going to say, "go here"....but let me encourage you to read your bible and see what you believe and your understanding and see where the Holy Spirit leads you. Most importantly, learn about Jesus, who He is and what He did and why. Learn about how much he truly loves you. THe Bible is in a broad view, a lovenote to humanity. If you have any questions, seek out someone who knows the Bible or I can answer some questions you might have with whatever I can. Good luck and God bless.
2006-12-20 05:54:08 · answer #2 · answered by sheepinarowboat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on which parts of the Bible you feel your beliefs best correspond with. Try going to a few differenct churches and see which one you like best. There's not many big differences between the difference denominations of Christianity, but Catholics are typically more strict in beliefs (I'm Catholic, and we're a little rigid, I'll say) and Lutherans seem to be like Catholic only without the stricter rules, and from there on out the differences are pretty small. I think that's very nice that you've found something you believe in, and encourage you to try out a few different churches and see what you like.
BTW don't listen to those people telling you to read the whole Bible, I don't even think priests do that. That's not really the idea.
2006-12-20 05:50:24 · answer #3 · answered by Abcdefg 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is a great book out there called, "Christianity For Dummies". I'm not calling you a dummy; it's from the Dummy Series books. I read it front to back, but if you don't want to spend the cash to read it all, just thumb through it at a book store, as it has an easy to follow chart that gives you a quick overview of all the sects in the front of the book.
It will teach you about all the sects of the Christianity religion; such as, that Catholics believe the only way to go to Heaven is to honor all the sacraments; ie, Baptism, Marriage in a Catholic Church, Penance, Communion, etc. And, the Baptists believe you go by God's grace alone; ie, just loving God and believing in Him will get you there.
The one unifying belief you MUST have in order to be Christian, is to believe fully in Christ; that He is the son of God, that He died for you on the cross, etc.
As for those that say you are a Hypocrite for not believing everything, or not ALWAYS being Christian-like, or God-like; hogwash. Again, it depends on the which religion of the Christian faiths that you follow, as a Catholic may say I'm going to Hell for not going to Communion, but it is ONLY the Catholics that believe this, so how would that make me a hypocrite. But, on the flip side, we are ALL hypocrites. All of us; those with and without God in our lives. I'd rather be a hypocrite WITH God. He knows we will sin. That is why he had Jesus die for us.
2006-12-20 05:51:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hehehehe... that makes you a "Cafeteria Christian."
Seriously, I don't know many non-fundamental Christians who believe every line of the Bible is 100% true, and I don't know ANY Catholics who believe every single teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. If you really do want to convert, I suggest attending services at several different churches to see what tugs at your soul. Then talk to the pastor about how to learn more about the teachings of that church. For Catholics (which is the only denomination I really know about), there are Inquiry sessions where people can come in and ask questions and learn and all that with no obligation to convert.
2006-12-20 05:49:56 · answer #5 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can't choose what parts of the bible you want to believe. You must believe in the bible in its entirety. I am a christioan and have a strong personal relationship with God. But I do not belong to a church or religion. May I suggest that you focus on your personal relationship with God first. But in order to learn about the Bible and it's interpretations may I also suggest a non denominational church. This means that they teach strictly from the bible and it is a great place to start. Try many churches to see which one best suits your needs and holds your interest. God loves you and I am excited that you are interested in learning more about him. God will bless you always, even in your time of despair.
2006-12-20 05:52:12 · answer #6 · answered by Miss Crickett 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
~~~ Ann,,, Since you've already established that you are a Freethinker and will exercise your Freewill to Edit a religion's "holy scripture" whenever it "appeals to you",,, why not break the last bond of your Insecurity to Social Pressure, that you must obey some clergy's arbitrary Dogma and Interpretation of THEIR choice of what is the "true word of god", ? You just need to keep studying for yourself with an Open Mind and keep asking questions,,, especially of those more knowledgeable than yourself,. Then let your own Intellect make an informed decision,,, rather than being just another sheep within the flock while secretly using your Red Pencil.
2006-12-20 05:59:55 · answer #7 · answered by Sensei TeAloha 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Faith is a personal decision and is best made on your own. Gather as much information as you can but know the source of it before you make your decision. A Catholic Priest will say great things about Catholicism, as will a Rabbi about Judaism. We all have to make a choice at some point in our lives. Those that have chosen nothing have still made a choice.
Try www.beliefnet.com ...
They have a lot of great quizzes that can help you determine which religion might most closely relate to your interests and beliefs.
2006-12-20 05:56:45 · answer #8 · answered by AJ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am catholic and do not believe everything in the bible. I do not practice my religion , but I believe there is a god and lead a good life, in my eyes I am a christian. There are many non denominational churches that you could attend that do not following a particular part of scripture.
2006-12-20 05:57:29 · answer #9 · answered by vivib 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Episcopalian. It is like a Catholic service and ritual wise, but it is much more open to the average American who is not an "ism" like conservatism, a strong believer of some movement like the Fundamentalist Protestant Church, yuc!
2006-12-20 05:51:36 · answer #10 · answered by zclifton2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well none of us will say its ok to only choose parts of the Bible that appeal to you. Though it does happen, it is not something one denomination says its ok to do and another doesnt.When we do pick and choose, its our own fault, our own sin... to not take the Bible at it's word. There's things in there that some "like" and some do not but we arent supposed to reject anything. It's better if we read something we dont like, or dont agree with to simply say we dont understand because that's true, we don't. Man is not at liberty to throw out of the Bible what he doesnt like and keep what he does. It says what it says, accept it all or reject it all.
2006-12-20 05:50:32 · answer #11 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋