Why are there so many different denominations of Christianity?

Question

Shouldnt there be only one truth?

Answer 1

Because God doesn't exist, so Chrstians have to guess about whatever the bible leaves ambiguous.

Or perhaps it is because their invisible, omnipotent cloud leprachaun isn't very good at getting his message across.

Lat I knew, there are over 22,000 different denominations of Christianity, and all think they have it right, but the others are wrong.

Maybe there are 22,000 different Holy Spirits to lead them.

El Chistoso

Answer 2

Everything has denominations. The more you know the subject, or the more people there are, the more denominations you will see. Since you are probably more familiar with Christianity than any other religion, and live in a Christian environment probably, you see more differences. But to someone who knows little about a religion it may appear like that religion is very unanimous. Buddhism for instance has just as many divisions as Christianity. Christianity has Protestantism, Catholicism and Greek Orthodox, Buddhism has Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen, and each one has many sub-divisions. If you do not know much about Buddhism though, or know very few Buddhists, you may think they all see things eye to eye.

Islam is the same, with Sunni and Shia. Judaism is the same with Conservative Orthodox, Reformed, Messianic. Even agnostics have divisions - some who say they personally have not seen any evidence for or against any Supreme Being, and others who say no one can see any evidence for any Supreme Being.

But if you put any one of these religions in another environment where they are the minority, they will put their differences aside. If two Christians lived in Saudi Arabia they would put aside all their little differences and be very united, but if you put two hundred million Christians in America, they will scattered to many different denominations.

If you have ten million Muslims in the Middle East they may fight amongst each other, but if you put 2 Muslims in the United States they will unite more.

It is the same with anything. Language. Skin color. Whatever. If your type is the majority, you will bicker amongst each other. If your type is the minority, you will unite more.

Answer 3

There are different denominations because of the sins of persecution, schism, and heresy.

When Church authorities unjustly persecute Church members, these members more often than not have been forced to leave the main body of the Church. Some say that Luther's split from the Catholic Church could have been avoided had the Pope had a little more sensitivity. Persecution is a sin against the love which seeks the good of one's brother or sister rather than one's own political power.

When people break away because they do not want to be inconvenienced to grow in love with the actual sinners who constitute the Church. This is the sin of "schism," and it is a sin because it is contrary to the love which is patient and kind with one's neighbor. The Donatists are an example of these schismatics.

Heresy is the willfull denial of articles of the Church's shared faith. The heretic exalts his or her own personal ideas over the faith which Jesus Christ handed on to be shared in love. The Gnostics are a good example of heretics. Heresy sins against this love of Christ and of neighbor by putting ones own religious tastes above the rest of the Body of Christ.

I know a lot of people think that the differences that set Christians apart make no difference. When Jesus himself prayed to the Father that "they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:11), I cannot see that it is in any way God's will that we be divided.

And if it is God's will that we live together in a loving unity that is like the Trinity itself, then I can only think of one reason for so many denominations: Christians, in their sinful unlove, have divided the Body of Christ through persecution, schism, and heresy.

Answer 4

Afraid not.

"The only universal truth is that there is no universal truth."

(That's an original quote, by the way.)

There are different denominations of Christianity for the same reason that there are so many different religions; everyone has a different idea of divinity. And we can't all be right...

...or can we?

I submit to you; what if each individual makes his or her own truth? What if each of us is, in fact, right?

Suppose, just suppose, that the divine spirit takes whatever form is most pleasing to the individual.

Answer 5

There is one truth but Satan tries to tempt people in different ways away from the truth.

Burning Hell is a central doctrine (not neccessary biblical) that makes God a mericless torturer of those who oppose him. Satan tries to turn people away from the truth that God is love and God doesn't torment rather he will just do away with the wicked as in death not torment.
People are turned off from God through the false teachings and hypocrisy of the world's mainstream religions and people are becoming more secular in thinking.
A true christian faith should be singled out as like Jesus being non violent, peaceable and not part of this world.

Answer 6

The doctrine and churches constitutions are different some churches don't want sting instruments... some worship on Saturday rather than Sunday...just minor differences like that... which make up their denomination....some are silly but is just like governments in a way they're just ran differently than others and also traditions are different

Answer 7

When Jesus sent his disciples to spread the good word, he put Peter in charge of the church but never gave him a list of specific rules. The Bible is open to so much interpretation that no two people seem to be able to agree on everything. It doesn't help that the history of the Roman Catholic Church is so full of evil deeds that people have trouble believing in St. Peter's church even today. Plus, Christianity is a very emotional religion. If someone gets upset at the church it is not difficult to find followers to help create a new Christian community.

Answer 8

There are many interpretations of the Bible and different doctrines and emphases on particular parts of the Bible. I agree that the church shouldn't be divided, but I don't really have a problem with different denominations, provided that they can work together. For example, where I live there is a fair number of inter-church activities, such as youth groups and church trips.

Answer 9

Because Jesus said 'Many will come in my name'. Religious leaders telling people how they should live their lives and all the while they themselves living lives of obscene opulence. You'll never find a true man of God on TV wearing designer clothes and flying private jets around the world 'spreading the good news'. A true man/woman of God is the person who has their sleeves rolled up helping the poor, the sick and the orphans.

Answer 10

Well, it started as one denomination - Catholicism. But people like the King of England didn't agree with minor details, such as no divorce, so they broke off and created their own form of Christianity. The minor differences mean nothing though. As long as all denominations believe in Jesus, the Holy Trinity, and look to the Bible, we're all on the right track.

Answer 11

Jesus Christ started the only true church, the Roman Catholic Church with St. Peter as first pope. The other denominations were started by men for their own gain and purposes.