Protestants, if I were an atheist considering becoming Christian, which denomination should I choose?

Question

I would be looking for the denomination that has the true teachings of Christ. I would not base my decision on what I “feel in my heart” or which one is “right for me”. I would want the one that has the truth, the correct interpretations of scripture, and better still, the history to back it up. Which one should I choose?

After reading the first 12 or so answers, none of them got it right. The basic message was the same: essentially, “do what feels right”, which is not what I asked for.

For clarity, I am not an atheist. I am Catholic. The point my question was to provoke thought among the Protestants. If an outsider was looking to become Christian, where are they to go? The Baptists will tell me they have it right, so will the Lutherans, the Anglicans, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of Christ, the Calvinists, yet neither believes in the same things as the other while each with claim that the other is wrong. Do they all have it right? Wrong? Why so much division when they’re all supposed to be Christian? Can you see the confusion cast upon the unbelieving outsider looking in?

Answer 1

well.. i have done some research on this before, because i was looking to find the same thing that you are. i looked at many textbooks and throughout the internet, and the only religion that has not changed is roman catholic. from the beginning, lutheranism, protestantism, calvinism, and many other "isms" have branched off from the original "christians." but the roman catholic denomination of christianity has stayed the same and held strong throughout many, many downfalls and corruptions. at the moment the catholic church is going strong, and i suggest you do some research about it yourself, too. visit a local church and talk to one of the priests. this is one of the ways that helped me decide, and i think it would work for you also. i'm very happy with my decision, and i hope you find what you're looking for also.

Answer 2

I think it is a very personal choice to decide what church you would like to become a member of. I think what you should consider doing is investigating each church - attend the services, talk to members of the church, and talk to the various ministers until you find one that fits you the best.

What do you want in a church is a big question that you have to ask. Are you preferntial to a more traditionally structured instituion - such as the Catholics, some of the Anglican/Episcopalian branches, or a denomination with a different structure? And what do you see as a "correct interpretations of scripture?" You'll have to look around to see what church most closely matches your idea of the correct interpretations of scripture.

Answer 3

Well to answer that question my question to you would be are you saved and what i mean by that is written in the Bible in the book of Romans in chapter 10 verses 9 and 10 know if you've done that you would want to find a fellowship that has a balance of Word and Spirit think of it as a bird, to fly it needs both wings so the Word is one wing and the Spirit is another I personally am not a follower of denominations because you don't see them in the Word the early church were called Christians because they were followers of Christ and that's it. John 16:13 tells else that the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us to all Truth and once your saved that's one of the promises we receive the Holy Spirit, you can find that in Ephesians 1:13 God Bless

Answer 4

As someone who is in the process of joining the Catholic church I highly recommend it. I have been a Christian (protestant) most of my life. For a long time I felt the draw of the Catholic church and ignored it. I finally answered that call and I have never been happier. There are so many ups to being a member of the Catholic church. As a Catholic you are a member of the original church and the only one founded by Christ Himself. The power and the presence of God during the Eucharist is beyond my words to describe. Being a Catholic is being the Christian God intends you to be. I honestly cannot think of any negatives. It can be hard being a Christian. It can be even harder being a Catholic Christian. I just went to confession the first time and it was one of the hardest and yet most freeing things I have done. I was sitting here and it feels like something is missing. I suddenly realized what it was. The guilt and the weight of those sins I carried for years is gone. I have begged forgiveness for them over the years but I finally truly feel forgiven. I wept in the confessional as I told my sins. I want to weep again as I think of them being gone. Being a Catholic is the best thing you could do.

Answer 5

Orthodox or Catholic... I know that orthodox teaches more about the New Testament = life and love; Catholic more about the Old Testament = past, death. I am an orthodox.

But you should research in books better about all of religions and see what is the best one; though there is no such things cause let`s say: Catholics pray more to Maria then to Jesus; Muslims say that Jesus was only a prophet and not the son of God; orthodox pray to: God, Jesus, Holly Spirit; Maria and all saints equally. But at last... all believe in one main god... God.

edit: well as I said: "you should research in books" to see what is right... -.-` anyway you did not provoke.

btw: I seen that the Pope tries to destroy all other religions and leave only Catholic religion, cause he says that was the first, but even so why? - as you said: we should all be called Christians and stop fighting each other as little kids.

Answer 6

To answer that question "could" start a civil war between Christians (because everyone thinks their denomination/church affiliation is the right one.) *LOL*

I am a Christian, I am a part of a denomination; but I think it is very close-minded to interpret one denomination as being right and all others not...

And despite the fact you told us not to answer with "Go wherever 'you' feel led..." that's exactly what I'm telling you.

Since Christ is the head of the church body (referring to all Christian churches), than who best to give you wise council as to what part of it you are "suppose to be" a member of?

We all have different purposes (as do the various denominations); and despite differences in doctrine we are united in the body of Christ. (And personally, I don't think ANY of them are 100% completely right...simply because none of them have been given complete understanding yet.)

God bless.

Answer 7

When looking for a church, the believer should start with its Statement of Faith. What that church believes and practices should be in line with the doctrines of faith as outlined by the Bible. What we should be seeking is a body of believers where the Gospel of Christ is preached, the authority of the Bible is the governing truth, the sufficiency of Scripture is affirmed, where we can grow in our relationships with the Lord, where we can minister to the body with our spiritual gifts, spreading the Gospel and glorifying God. Church is important and all believers need to belong to a body that fits the above criteria. We need relationships that can only be found in the body of believers, we need the support that only the church can offer, and we need to serve God in community as well as individually.

Recommended Resource: The Master's Plan for the Church by John MacArthur.

Answer 8

Come home to the Catholic Church if you're looking for a faith community. If it's historicity you want, we are the oldest. Protestantism was founded by man only in 1517 starting with Martin Luther. ALL Protestant groups are break-aways of break-aways. For example, Anglicanism departed from Catholicism. Methodism broke from Anglicanism. Holiness churches broke from Methodism; the Church of the Nazarene is one such community.

Come home straight to the source: Catholicism. You are in my prayers.

Answer 9

Any Church that teaches that Jesus dies on the cross to save the world from their sins. If they don't do that then leave. Some Churches have went away from these teachings and should be avoided. Do some investigating first then make your decision.

Answer 10

No denomination has it 100% right about the minor things. But they are all pretty much right about the core doctrines, and can back them up historically and scripturally.