Already, I have noticed VAST differences just in this ONE belief system as far as biblical interpretation goes. One person who is supposedly Christian called ME a non-believer (Even though Christ is in my life) because I didn't exactly fit into their cup of tea of what a "perfect" Christian should be. LOL. Apperently a "perfect" Christian means not questioning doctrine and using your God given faculties to reason and become more mature in your faith and understanding of scripture. Even though Paul advised (and I agree)
"Let every man be fully persuaded in his OWN mind." in Romans 14:5.
The Evangelicals don't consider the Catholics REAL Christians and visa versa. The JWs think NOBODY but them are perfect Christians. The Southern Baptists think the Episcopalians are too soft. The Episcopalians think the Southern Baptists are too hard. And it goes on and on and on. LOL.
Anyone as fed up with it as I am?
2007-03-22 06:53:55 · 37 answers · asked by jessicabjoseph 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If God created us with intelligence and an ability to reason, He'll want us to use it. I agree with you that we should not be like dumb sheep who agree to everything they are told, but use our mind, and search the Bible to see if what we are told is really true.
There are some people in Acts called "more noble" because they searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul preached to them was really true. (Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.)
Some people just have their "pet doctrines" they like to promote. You'll just have to grow a "thick skin" to all that bickering. I don't know who said this, but its a good quote: "In the essentials of the faith unity, in the non-essentials liberty".
2007-03-22 07:07:48 · answer #1 · answered by pinkrose 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not fed up with it, because I feel that different people need different approaches, and understand God in different ways, which is why we have different denominations. I don't have a problem with Christian diversity.
The only time I see it as a problem is when intolerance enters into the picture (which, unfortunately, happens frequently). Many other denominations don't feel that my denomination is actually Christian, which can be frustrating. I don't have a problem with others practicing their Christian faith in whatever form is meaningful to them. And I dislike proselytizing efforts based on the fact that they think my denomination is not only automatically wrong, but should be wiped off the face of the earth. Still, if every Christian were of the same denomination and had identical cookie-cutter beliefs, I think that Christianity would become boring rather quickly.
2007-03-22 07:04:57 · answer #2 · answered by solarius 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"The Evangelicals don't consider the Catholics REAL Christians and visa versa."
SOME do. MOST don't. People who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior are REAL Christians (by definition). That's it.
"The JWs think NOBODY but them are perfect Christians."
JWs aren't even Christians to begin with.
"The Southern Baptists think the Episcopalians are too soft. The Episcopalians think the Southern Baptists are too hard. And it goes on and on and on. LOL."
Well, whoop-dee-doo. There are differences on secondary, non-essential doctrines. So what? Differing on those does not make one side "REAL Christians" and the other side not.
2007-03-22 07:02:50 · answer #3 · answered by jinxmchue001 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
See what happens whey you start thinking instead of just accepting religion on faith alone? You start getting more question than answers until absolute truth is looking back at you. Man's journey into real knowledge is just beginning if you don't let religions or governments get in the way.
The world is not what we think it is. It will take a tremendous amount of information on different subjects to really get a handle on the big picture. I devote at least 4 hours a day tracking information from a myriad of sources. If I did not do this I to would be just as confused as the everyday religious fool hoping a God will short it all out for them.
The bible is a great historical record that is also distorted for control of the masses. Don't blame our past civilization for these mistakes because what was left for us came to them in a distorted way. The civilization 2000 years ago did not have the technology to sort it all out like we have today.
Indoctrination is not our friend. It puts of all at risk.
Open your mind to what is and grow as a human being is designed.
2007-03-22 07:13:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL! Amen to you. ;-)
I am a catholic Christian and would usually find it offending that the protestant Christians [some, not all] wouldn't recognize catholics as Christians.
I think every religion is correct since all seeks to find a better way to Christ ro to God.
For me, it doesn't matter what religion one would belong to if that makes one a better person. Most Christian denominations are created based on a scripture that they read in the Bible. But one should also take into account that the Bible should be read in its entirety. If you just take the New Testament, how would you understand the changes or the promises of hope if you didn't read the Old Testament? If you just read the Old Testament, how will be able to understand the changes made during the days of Jesus? God is portrayed in different ways in the Bible. Also, one should be open-minded in reading the Bible, especially since it was handed down from a different language and now has different versions.
2007-03-22 07:11:44 · answer #5 · answered by coco_loco 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you know what Paul said in romans, why are you asking this question? You already know the answer to it? Read the word and understand it as it is shown to you by the Lord. Does it matter how all those branches see it? Why would you expect them all to be the same? Are they believers truely? I can't say for certain, as I personally don't follow a certain sect, I read it for myself and ask Him to show me what He wants me to know. The only pastor I listen to is Greg Laury from Harvest Christian Fellowship, but even then I am responsible for my own faith.
Am I as fed up as you? I'm sure we all are in some way or another. I once had someone do the same to me as you had happen to yourself. Where? Right here on these boards. When I asked what offended them, they never replied back, all they said was "How dare you call yourself a Christian" which I thought was amusing. This is the only section of Yahoo answers I come too, all my answers here are plain to see. If anyone thinks otherwise of my answer, feel free to email me hehe.
2007-03-22 07:10:30 · answer #6 · answered by Stahn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Christianity there are 2 kinds of doctrine. Essential and non-essential.
Essential: Jesus died to save us from sin.
Non-Essential: Women should have long hair
When Jesus spoke with the Pharisees and Jewish leader of the time, his message was quite clear. "You missed the point". You can't get to Heaven by doing all the right things. Nobody is without sin. It does not matter if you are Southern Baptist, Pentacostal, Methodist, or whatever denomination so long as your agree on the essentials of Christianity.
Now, you cannot throw in Jehovah's Witness or Morman in the list of Judeo-Christian denominations. They do not agree with essential doctorines like the diety of Christ. There is only one thing that really matters: Believe that Jesus died for your sins and commit you life to Him. The rest is just details. Work it out through careful research and decide what you believe, but never veer from Christ.
God bless.
2007-03-22 07:07:28 · answer #7 · answered by RedE1 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With all the differing beliefs you mention, why would anyone belong to a religion if they DIDN'T believe it was right? I completely agree that we need to test our faith and make sure what we believe is true. I'm a JW, and we are taught that.
"Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are." says 2 Corinthians 13:5. But we don't believe we're perfect. Even the Bible says that "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established." (Proverbs 4:18) Clarifications are made as time goes on, but the foundation of our beliefs are unassailable.
Over the years of going door to door, I've had innumerable people try to show me why their beliefs are right, and mine are wrong. But I can assure you, without reservation, that I can prove everything I believe from the Bible.
2007-03-22 07:08:19 · answer #8 · answered by Epitome_inc 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no division in the true body of Christ. The moment someone calls their self by a denominational name they have divided the body. The place where we gather to worship and fellowship has a name but that's not a name that divides us from other believers. If it were the way it is supposed to be each fellowshipping group would be preaching and learning what comes from the Holy Spirit. As it is now what is being preached in the denominational churches is set by a board of directors who are protecting their 501c3 status and their income.
2007-03-22 07:08:17 · answer #9 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is only One Church. The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head... only those of TheChurch will enter Heaven... God takes little or no interest in man invented "denominations"
All who come to God in The Way He prescribes will receive His free gift of Salvation. Those become part of The Body of The Church of which Jesus The Christ is The Head. Those are the ones of The True Christian Faith. Only those of The Church will enter Heaven
2007-03-22 07:01:09 · answer #10 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋