Religious journey.....?

Question

I was baptized Lutheren, and raised (though never confirmed Catholic). I have attended Baptist, Congregational, Apostolic, Spiritualist, Wiccan and a few others...trying to find my place. I feel comfort in the Catholic religion because I am most familliar - though I don't appreciate the "fear God" approach. I am wondering if there is a "Christian" saint for Mother Earth. And how I can honor them without "praying to a false God". Does anyone see a positon that would best suit me? I am in a small town in Michigan and there is not a Catholic church for many miles around. I am concerned about having my son baptised as my husband will not attend church. He believes he connects with the Lord best in the outdoors, that God hears his prayes outside of a congregation. I want my son to be raised with some conformity to religion. As my step-son is not, and it shows in his manners and attitude. Can anyone offer assistance?

Answer 1

Roman Catholicism is #1 in the major branch of Christianity



Christianity began in the 1st century AD as a Jewish sect, and shares many religious texts with Judaism, specifically the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament (see Judeo-Christian).

There is a diversity of doctrines and practices among groups calling themselves Christian. These groups are sometimes classified under denominations, though for theological reasons many groups reject this classification system.Christianity may be broadly represented as being divided into three main groupings:

1) Roman Catholicism: The Roman Catholic Church, the largest single body, includes the Latin Rite and totals more than 1 billion baptized members.

2) Eastern Christianity: Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, the 100,000 member Assyrian Church of the East, and others with a combined membership of more than 300 million baptized members.

3) Protestantism: Groups such as Anglicans, Lutherans, Reformed/Presbyterians, Congregational/United Church of Christ, Evangelical, Charismatic, Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Anabaptists, Seventh-day Adventists and Pentecostals. The oldest of these separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century Protestant Reformation, followed in many cases by further divisions.

Estimates of the total number of
Protestants are very uncertain, partly because of the difficulty in determining which denominations should be placed in this category, but it seems to be unquestionable that Protestantism is the second major branch of Christianity (after Roman Catholicism) in number of followers.


Wikipedia:
Some Protestants identify themselves simply as Christian, or born-again Christian; they typically distance themselves from the confessionalism of other Protestant communities[11] by calling themselves "non-denominational" — often founded by individual pastors, they have little affiliation with historic denominations. Others, particularly some Anglicans, eschew the term Protestant and thus insist on being thought of as Catholic, adopting the name "Anglo-Catholic."[12] Finally, various small communities, such as the Old Catholic and Independent Catholic Churches, are similar in name to the Roman Catholic Church, but are not in communion with the See of Rome. The Roman Catholic Church was simply called the "Catholic Church" until other groups started considering themselves "Catholic." The term "Roman Catholic" was made to distinguish the Roman Catholics from other groups.[13][14]

Restorationists, are historically connected to the Protestant Reformation,[15] do not usually describe themselves as "reforming" a Christian Church continuously existing from the time of Jesus, but as restoring the Church that they believe was lost at some point. Restorationists include Churches of Christ with 2.6 million members, Disciples of Christ with 800,000 members,[16] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 12 million members,[3] and Jehovah’s Witnesses with 6.6 million members.[17] Though Restorationists have some basic similarities, their doctrine and practices vary significantly.

Answer 2

Thorn I think I can help maybe not much but a little. To start with all churches are wrong and that is a truth you can take to the bank. Another example is that all parents are wrong and that is a truth. My authority for saying this is the Bible which states that everyone is a sinner. The churches are doing much wonderful stuff and Jesus loves then and we should also, the same with parents, they aren't perfect. but God tells us to honor them. Outside of Jesus you will never find a perfect person and that includes you and I. I think that no matter what church you go to you should be wonderfully glad that no matter how flawed the church is the church is serving a flawless God and ask him to help you love them. I am so grateful for the R.C. Church because of some wonderful members that love the Lord and serve Jesus, They have helped me both spiritually and physically. I have always felt that any church that would have me for a member is somewhat flawed to start with Thorn just follow Jesus example who loved his flawed disciples and Love the church people as much as you can. I will now offer my insight : Ciaphias the high priest that crucified our Lord, had not very much good about him but he was the one that offered up the sacrifices to God and he offered up Jesus and God honored this rascals position and accepted the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. If God could so honor a rascal like Ciaphias, the corrupt high priest, at least I can be grateful for what the church I attend is offering to me, This may be not much help now but think on it Love in Christ to you Thorn.

Answer 3

Being baptized and belonging to a church has nothing to do with manners. That is upbringing and role modeling.

I think Hb has the right idea, natures own. No bullshit sermons, holy water, smoke signals, rich embroidered robes, Gold chalises and mumbo jumbo folowed by a collection plate!

Just pure fresh air, wind in the trees the sweet smell of wild flowers and the freedom to think for yourself.

Answer 4

I understand your desire for organized religion. I attended many churches as a child and I too feel comfort there.

12 years ago I started attending a church that is bible based. No denomination. I also joined several ladies bible studies. The church teaches directly from the Bible and encourages people to read on thier own. I have grown as a person because of this teaching. My pastor admits he is only a man and asks people to read the bible for themselves and to point out any error he might have in his teachings. It is a very open enviroment.

I encourage you to get a Bible that you can understand. Start by reading the book of John. Look around for a bible study that you can join.

God is not in the church, he is everywhere.

God bless you on your journey.

Answer 5

You seem to be interested in joining organizations and pasting labels to make things tidy.

Sometimes it's just best to appreciate that your feelings are legitimate, no matter who agrees with you and who doesn't. Our feelings are never our choice, and so they're nothing to apologize for.

I think religious education is fine, but it won't turn a bad egg good, or vice versa. Your other son would probably be just as nasty no matter what school he went to. =)

Answer 6

Our church doesn't have a fear God approach, if you want to worship mother earth i believe that Gaia but if your a christian you just worship God

Answer 7

No such thing as a Christian who worships a make believe mother earth.Jesus is the only one to follow.

Answer 8

Sounds like you're a Universalist Unitarian type.

Answer 9

Pray about it and ask God to give you direction and He will :)