In Christianity why are their so many denominations?

Question

I understand that their is a core idea to the whole Christianity thing... that Jesus Christ was real. Why is it though that Christians not only fight other religions... but people in their own as well?

I do not mean to sound rude but it just seems silly. I am an atheist and I know many atheists have different views on atheism... but we don't fight each other... and definatly don't believe it is us against the world...

I would just like a little clarity as to how Christians percieve this.

opps... grammer mistake... my english teacher would kill me... there not their...

opps... once again I made a mistake... I didn't meant that I at least hadn't seen or known any atheists that had fought with each other... sorry...

Answer 1

Because Christianity, like every other religion, was created by man. Different groups of people have their own opinions/delusions about things, so they form different clans.

Answer 2

The point of different denominations is not to disagree on issues, but mainly worship differently. What one denomination might see as a small practice (taking Communion once a month) another might see as a more regular practice (taking Communion once a week). However, it is those churches that completely throw off Christianity that are not truly following the Bible, and are not part of Protestant Christians. The two big ones that come to mind are Mormonism (The Church of Latter-Day Saints) and Jehovah's Witnesses. These two religions take the Bible out of proportion; in fact, they’ve made their own Bibles. The problem is they make their own version of the Bible. These versions are not translations-they cut out entire verses from the original manuscripts, and alter them ever so slightly to make their religion fallible.

I once heard it said that if you wanted to make a million dollars, you should start a religion. I’m afraid that’s just what the founders of these two religions have done, and these are only two examples. In terms of actual denominations, I would only give to churches that I trust will use the money to further support organizations, like missionaries. You’ll find out quickly that genuine Christian churches will use the money toward these types of things, and not horde it away for themselves, or to serve a greater position. Notice how JW has a main HQ. That’s where the money goes.

But enough about those things. It does seem silly that there are different denominations, but as long as they follow the true Bible, they can be considered Christians. The main idea is how they worship, or the different points they have. I attend a non-denominational church, which I think serves God the best. But there are certainly true denominations of Christianity in which one can feel most comfortable.

Answer 3

I honestly believe that there are so many denominations due to the fact that most of christiandom has not seen the matter of the central thought of the bible. Which is that God has had a desire and purpose from the beginning... He wanted to show His manifold wisdom through the Church which is NOT a denomination or a sect having an emphasis on a particular dogma, but that
The Church is the Body of Christ..
This Church is also the Household of God
The Kingdom of God
The One New Man
The Dwelling place of God
The Bride Of Christ
The Warrior
Each of these 6 aspects are seen in the 6 Chapters of the Book of Ephesians

Satan.. since after the early church has sort to divide and conquor as a means to confuse the truth of Who the Church is.
Jesus said that the gates of Hades cannot prevail againts the BUILDED Church and this has been satans tactic for the past few hundreds of years.. Stop the CHurch, which is the body of Christ from being built up.
He fails to realize though that The building that God is working on is not something with human hands.. but that its a dwelling place of God In spirit. Made up of all the believers throughtout time and now.
Satan cannot touch this no matter how much outward confusion there is. Those who know to touch the Lord and live by Him in spirit are those living in the reality of the Church...this is the key. Not those professing some kind of faith in God only.

The important thing to note about the church is the proceedure or the means to bring all the believers into the reality of the Body of Christ.
it is not the end in itself.. but the way for God to accomplish His purpose..

Answer 4

Part of the problem with your question is that you are assuming that there is one answer. There is no good answer or one answer to this. Beliefs can change over time and are based on interpretations. If one person or group interprets teachings differently, an offshoot of the religion can occur. Look also at Judaism and Islam as there are varying beliefs within every religion which is why you may have orthodox jews and reform jews, muslims who follow some teachings but who are not extremists like others. Diversity is what makes the world go round. Enjoy it! Generally the fighting within religions is based upon other factors and the religious side is used sometimes as an excuse. Like I said, there is no one good anser.

Answer 5

Because they are all busy doing their own thing. They call it being about the Lord's business.

The Holy Spirit moves on a few people and a group starts up. Out of that group God works with individuals. When He is done He moves on but "the group" Always fails to follow. Another is touched and the process repeats.

Think of it this way. If the Holy Spirit was a horse; real believers, with what John Wesley called true religion, would be the riders and churches would be the droppings.

That is true for church one to the present day. Finally you must understand that where religion is most active, evil is most active.

The devil is a religious spirit who desires worship and is the principal Deity of this world. He blinds the minds of people. He especially enjoys traveling with the religious, riding his own horse, building his own institution(s), and promoting his various brands of falsehood.

Answer 6

YOU ARE VERY RIGHT! the matter is that Christians have something to prove. There is an urge to have a clear interpretation of what living in Christ is. However, atheist don't really care. They don't want to worry about anything or anyone who will intervene in whatsoever he/she does. Now the denominations case is something that has been around very long know before you and me were even born. Churches have divided due to interpretation differences. Just as Muslims. it happens in many organization not only in religious wise. Jesus Christ didn't come to establish an organization but to bring grace and salvation to all the people of this world. By faith Christians continue to be Christians. just as you by your belief (values) continue to be atheist. "We learn" that is what makes life full of flavor we never stop learning. We learn even til the last breath of life we take. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". JUST HAVE IN MIND NOT ALL CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE THAT.

Answer 7

The denominations come from the various groups believing in the core concepts, but approaching the details quite differently. Some groups interpret the Bible literally, while others view it as a moral guidepost.

It divided sometime around 431 AD into the Nestorian branch and the Oriental Orthodox branch. It further divided in the 11th Century into Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Roman Catholicism further branched into several subsects - Restorationism, Anabaptism, Protestantism, and Anglicanism in the 16th Century.

Answer 8

Denominations are simply "people's interpretation" of the Bible.

Each person has thier way of "percieving the Word... And, when they dont "like" what is being preached in the pulpit, they often start thier own Church.

A lot of times, you have "break away" groups, who have radical ideas, and start thier own church also.

The basic theme is still sound, but people "pick and choose" what they want as a main theme from the bible, or they will focus on one verse, and make it "thier" way of life, instead of using the entire book!

I am a Christian. I go to several denominations to worship when I am able to, but, basically I am just a Christian, who loves the LORD. I can see what brethrens do "wrong", and I am slowly getting over each one of their picadillies that they percieve as the "ultimate thing" that they need to "authenicate" themselves and justify themselves that "they" are the "true church".

I wish you well...

Jesse

Answer 9

I've always wondered this too, and I'm a christian.
The way I see is like each denomination and church are like creeks & rivers, they all go lead to the same pace, they all lead to the Ocean but have many branches. Some are dead ends, and others are nothing more than dry creekbeds. Jesus drew water from a well and said "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again"

Christ is my life, not my religion or my denomination, I follow Him, He is everything the Bible says He is and more. I believe the whole Bible, not just parts of it, and as of now, I just go some where by myself, just me & the Lord, That's my church. Just being alone with the Lord. I pray and talk to Him, some times I sing songs to Him and give thanks Him to worship Him and give Him the praise for answering my prayers for me.

A person doesn't have be a member of a religion or part of a sect to believe in Him. After all, it says that "whosoever" believes in Me, shall not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16 and that "Whosoeover lays down his own life for My sake shall find it, and whoever tries to save his own life, shall loose it"

When everything is all said & done, it's just gonna be me and God, not a church or anybody else. A church and a religion isn't going to save me or anyone or get anybody into heaven. It's my life, my soul, my future, my choice, not theirs. Besides, sitting in church every Sunday doesn't make a person a christian no more than sitting in your garage once a week, will make you a car!

Don't get me wrong, there are some beautiful churches out there filled with awesome people, and you can just feel the Love that is there as soon as you walk in the door. I'm just saying, that simply going to church doesn't make anyone a christian, and neither does being able to quote from the Bible.

All it takes is a little faith, some belief in God and having your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many on here who claim to be believers, don't even know God, When that's what christianity and the entire Bible they read is all about: being reconciled with God through God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Anyway, I apologize for their insecurities and foolish behavior, because I know for a FACT, that the Lord Himself does not approve of this, neither does He condone it. I can see what you're saying & how bad it must look--it IS wrong! It goes against everything the Bible and Jesus teaches about loving each other and forgiveness. I think sometimes people forget, that the Holy Bible wasn't given just to be memorized, it was given for instructions in righteousness, It's not enough to read the words, as christians we are supposed to do what it says.

When they beat Jesus and hurled all kinds of insults at Him, some even spit on Him and yet He never uttered a word in return. Even after they nailed both His hands & feet to a wooden cross, He just lived up His head toward heaven and said "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do"--that's Love...........................................................................

Answer 10

You're right, the divisions are a huge emabarrassment, showing that we can't even get along with our own brethern on the Word of God. However, it does show we are just as human and falible as anyother human on earth.

*ADDED as for Martin Luther, he was witnessing the gross manipulation and distortion of God's Word for earthly power. Martin Luther encouraged people to READ the word of God, as it is plainly written. Before Martin Luther, it was against the law of the land to read the bible, as priests did not want to loose their ability to pervert the Word.

As for saying that atheists don't fight with eachother, that's a blantant lie. Everyone has passionate disagreements. Even over silly things too.

Answer 11

Christians are divided because some believe in the heresy of Sola Scriptura where each person believes he is his own theologian.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph