Why did you join or why do you stay?
I'm currently looking around at various denonominations and congregations and am curious why people are the sort of Christians they are. So what is it about being Baptist or Presbyterian or Catholic or whatever that is so very special?
2007-03-28 13:00:25 · 27 answers · asked by YourMom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Presbyterian, Nazarene, assembly of God, i have been to them all.
but i love the free spirit of the non denominational charismatics.
2007-03-28 13:07:27 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The differences are how they interpret the Bible. In my search for the truth, I was a Baptist, Pentecostal, and studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. Since then I have not found one that knows 100% what the Bible is saying. They go by the same book, yet have different interpretations, and we could see their point on all of them, but yet none could completely convince us that their ideas were more proven to be true, when compared to other verses in the Bible. The Jehovah's Witnesses go by the New World Translation only, because it is a very literal interpretation of the Bible, which is how they choose to worship. The Mormons of course have the book of Mormon, but we were a little iffy on whether or not it was truth or not. Alot of it did not fit with the original Bible. At the moment, I am not of any religion, and have not yet found one that can completely back up their beleifs on what the Bible is saying. If I were to ever find one, I would be happy to study with them and learn more about their beleifs. It very much confuses a person on what God really wants. Right now, we have not been able to find a religion that has the beleifs my husband and I have come to realize through the evidence we see about God all around us. Therefore, at the moment, I choose to stay out of religion. It seems to be a method of control, and greatly misinterprets what the force we call "God" actually is.
2007-03-29 10:43:41 · answer #2 · answered by Lindsey H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My family and I had a similar problem. We attend a Baptist church. However we do not believe every single aspect of this denomination. Ex. We believe it is a sin to get drunk but alcohol consumption is not necessarily a sin. We stay because it is a good pastor that preaches the Bible. The atmosphere is wonderful and the programs it has fit what our family needs. My suggestion to you is not to worry so much about denomination. The most important aspect is to find a church that preaches the word of God. Visit several or many churches and narrow it down to a couple churches that fit your family and go back several times and then decide. No church or pastor is perfect. As long as the creed does not completely go against what you believe a few disagreements can be healthy. My rule is not to believe what the people say unless it is backed up in the Bible.
2007-03-28 20:41:32 · answer #3 · answered by linnea13 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm Catholic. I was born into it but I stayed because as I explore other Christian churches and read about the Protestant Reformation I trusted more Catholicism. It was the first Church established before any other came along. I've seen Protestanism do many things the Catholic church does and there are passages in the bible that support Catholic teachings. This is why I decided to stay in it and continue being Catholic.
2007-03-28 20:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by cynical 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
having enough experience to understand your confusion I will offer my belief and finding. I have been identified with two or three different religions during my lifetime beginning with the Baptist Bible Belt. Over the years if you follow the growth of your heart and grow what you believe and take from the harvest of knowledge the best there is to reap you will find that a religious congregation of any religion has a vast cross section of hypocrites, liars, deceit and those who would persecute unfairly in the name of good. Then you would also find those like yourself the believers with a thirst for the relief of the bonds of all of the material and addictive things our world has to offer and support of all the good things. The religion is not relevant to your status with Jesus. That is not determined by anyone but you solely. The intention of fellowship within a religion, I believe, is to give a cross section of the types of people that you will be tempted by in life and the religion gives two benefits. It shows the attributes of those that are non-believers, rich, and the like but at the same time will help you identify and bask in the fellowship of those who are following the directions of our creator. If you follow the doctrine with faith, you will reap the benefit without realizing its affect. If you follow the doctrine waiting for the proof prior to its direction you will be in the part of any religion that stays lost because they believe only in the things they can touch, taste, feel, see or hear. Does it really matter if what you believe to be good regardless of its origin or devine attributes. Look at what that belief provides for your fellow man. How many of us look for people with bad attributes to associate with?
2007-03-28 20:17:50 · answer #5 · answered by g_menagerie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm an Episcopalian. I was brought up that but looked around for a while. However, I came back to the Episcopal church because of the reverence of the service and it seems no matter where I go, the churches are friendly and welcoming. The service also gives me a sense of peace that I can't describe.
2007-03-28 20:05:12 · answer #6 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptist - but that's British Baptist, which I think is a little different from US Baptist...
I suggest trying out different churches. See which suits you best, which you find the most nurturing. At the end of the day it's all about God, wherever you are, it's just the details that are different.
2007-03-28 20:04:59 · answer #7 · answered by Ceri E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no denomination. Nor do I belong to an organized church. These things tend to lock you in dogma and/or rituals. I find the spirit of God to be free of such confinements. Since I was made in the image and likeness why would I want to chain myself to the doctrine of what others have been doing for generations! Especially since it is plain for me to see that they do not have true happiness nor do they know how to live in the love that Christ taught to be in. But let the blind lead the blind!!
I am a follower of Jesus Christ I live by his teachings as best I can. It is the road map he laid down to live to get to his fathers kingdom! Any other path is wayward and worldly. Strong words I know, but true!
I'm not condemning anyone nor judging them by what I said, it's not my job! My job is to speak the truth as I know it! All have free will choice!
Larry T
2007-03-28 20:28:17 · answer #8 · answered by Larry T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i like the non-demoniational evangelicals. When I praise God, I raise my hands and fall to my knees in regard to my sin and repent.. Even if you felt compelled to do that in a Catholic setting, 1 people would look at you like you were crazy and 2 they would ask you to leave. I also liked my church because they into the bible at every level and are very into being a "with you" church.
2007-03-28 20:12:36 · answer #9 · answered by nolet93 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Presbyterian... I grew up going to a Presbyterian church because that's where my parents had always went. I never really questioned it and it has stuck ever since.
2007-03-28 20:05:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋