Why are there so many branches of Christianity and how is it possible for them all to be right?

Question

I have heard countless interpretations of the Bible and what it really means. Jesus doesn't really have a big speaking part in the book and He repeats himself. (Love your neighbors, love your enemies more. Treat others as you'd like to be treated. Make loving God more important than anything. Put God and others before material wealth. And a person's heart is more important than their actions.) Not really a lot to dispute or be confused about. So, why are there so many different branches? Since they don't agree and only one way could be correct, which one is it. Who's right?

If these church leaders are all inspired by God, why didn't God inspire them all with the same story? Does God want the masses to be confused?

So, if the Bible is the only true word of God. Why do people bother to go to church? Just so they can condemn people to hell as a group or just so they don't have to read the Bible themselves and would rather have someone tell them what it means? God forbid they read it and see that it preaches tolerance

Answer 1

Though more than one Christian denomination could be right, in all probability not all of them are right, just as there are several interpretations of world history. As long as the essential truths have been grasped, I doubt that it really matters to which denomination one belongs to. The countless denominations of Christianity are a natural result of the Bible's open-ended quality.

The fact that there is a lot of freedom in reading the Bible is a reflection of its timelessness and flexibility. Think about it. A classic work (like Romeo and Juliet or Plato's Republic) is "classic" precisely because we can relate to it and ponder the various shades of meaning within. By the same token, the Bible was written with one object in mind - to guide Christians throughout their lives, regardless of the time or place. No, it was not intended to confuse, though that is an often enough result.

Christians, contrary to the stereotypic image of packed pews and thundering pastor, go to church because God wishes us to worship and better each other in that manner. You may have heard of something called "fellowship" - one could also call it solidarity. Christians gather together to help each other out in fellowship, discuss the Bible, and essentially work together towards the goal of becoming more Christian in the sense of fulfilling the expectations set out in the Bible (Kindness, Love, Charity, Temperance, etc.)

Answer 2

because organized religion in itself is manmade. like u said, they are interpretations of the bible. so each branch is the "mans'" interpretation. i honestly believe that whatever "branch" works for you and makes u happy, gives u the answers u seek and makes u feel whole is whats right. i think religion was an ingenius idea. whether there is a god or not, i think religion gives people answers to lifes tough questions. if you want an answer to "who's right?" in the general sense. lets say that the bible is right. create or figure out your own interpretation and have faith in it. when it comes to religion, you need to seek out what works for you. but keep in mind that it is highly unlikely you'll find one organized religion that either a)doesn't contradict itself, or b)that you believe and follow everything to the letter. let me leave you with one more thing to think about.....what about all the other writings that were not put into the bible and are lost forever? is it at all a possibility that there was some sense of corruption when the books of the bible were put together and that the bible (whether inspired or otherwise) is also man made and by default, flawed??? we all were "born with origional sin." even the men who wrote the books of the bible. think about it, then study different religions and take the parts from each that work for you. you'll find your way. good luck
peace

Answer 3

There are different brands of churches and different religions due to some man's, (or group's), ideas on how "they" feel their religion should be set up... each with their own ideas on rituals, ceremonies, service structure, etc., but mere Christianity is anyone who just simply believes in Christ.
And nowhere does it say that church leaders are inspired by God! These are just simply men, like you and me... some may be inspired , some not. In order to recognize those who are, you need to know your Bible well enough to detect the Truth. The masses are basically lazy, in that they don't want to read and understand the Bible... they want someone "else" to teach them and therefore subject themselves to the potential for deceit.
This is as simple as I dare make this statement!

Answer 4

There are many branches on one tree.Symbolically the tree of christianity represents all these different branches of religion all around the world today.They are all right because they all belong to the same prosperous tree.When the tree of religion is not right its fruits are usually rotten.So we can discern a good religion from a bad religion by the quality of its fruit.God does not want the masses to be confused.Confusion is the seed and fruit of the devil only.Confusion is best cleared up by a good dose of scripture reading and bible study and holding fast to the iron rod of truth

Answer 5

1. It is NOT possible for them to all be right.
2. "Church leaders" are NOT inspired. The SCRIPTURES were.
3. God is NOT the author of confusion... 1Cor 14:31 Those who prophesy can all take turns. In that way, everyone can be taught and be given hope. 32 Those who prophesy should control their speaking. 33 God is not a God of disorder. He is a God of peace...

Why...? Differences arise because humans are involved. Even the perfect will of God can be distorted when men bring their ideas into it, use it to try and settle fights... We need to handle scripture properly: 2Timothy 2:15 Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly.

Answer 6

Now this is only an OPINION...

I think that most Christians have a fear of being alone in this vast world...but they are too caught up in the moment of free-will that they sort of "shapeshift" their personal beliefs to abide by the ways of their stubborn lifestyles, even if it does go against certain criteria that the Bible holds true.

But come on....let's face it. The human race had matured mentally since the Bible was created...I feel that it's about time we start thinking for ourselves.

Answer 7

Because the simple plain fact of truth is, mankind does not like to follow God's rules. So if something God has said seems to harsh or the people don't like it. then they change it to suit their own selves. The bible is inspired by God and his words should be listened to instead of being ignored.

Find out which religion is DOING the will of God and then you will have the true religion.

Answer 8

Ahh,no,that's not the way it works.
There are different denominations of Chrisitanity.We all believe that same fundamental doctrines,but some of us differ on the noon-essential ones,such as whether babies should be baptized,what form church leadership should take,and other small things like that.There is absolutely nothing wrong with that,and we are told in the Bible that it's okay to have differences of opinion in that regard.No one (except,perhaps,the RCC) is claiming that their denomination is the only,true Christian one.
No one ever said that the Church leaders are inspired by God.The Bible is inspired.God is not confusing anyone.

Answer 9

There are different kinds of Christianity just as there are different kinds of people.
The one to believe is the one that is based on the Word of God, the Bible.
God has no part of any confusion.

Answer 10

Every religion claims to be God's true religion and God never gets involved with the disagreement. Something is wrong with this picture, but people are not supposed to talk about it.