I would like some opinions of yours on the question of denomination. Does it matter what denomination of Christianity you belong to? Are there any certain Biblical verses that support your opinion?

Whats the point in even having a religion if you're just going to take one, pick and chose the parts you dont like, and then get rid of them? Yeah, edit the shit to make it easier on you. Way to believe.

Edit: BTW I'm agnostic

Edit2: I jumped back to athiesm



[This message has been edited by unchewed_meat (edited 01-31-2005).]

Agnostic is a pretty broad term.

Perhaps you'd like to clarify that a bit more for us.. are you a weak or strong agnostic? an atheistic agnostic, apathetic agnostic or do you base your beliefs on model agnosticism?

yeah, Only one of the hundreds of demonations is correct. ITs pick and fucking choose. Lets see... Ham, i like ham but the bible says i cant eat it. its unclean... But what if i wash it? what if i fucking take it on a stick and cook it.

Then its ok. Its weird that Christians dont realize that their bible is a pick and choose bible. At least the Kuran has some validity. Christianity was created co that people could feel better about their sins.

IT makes me sick to see evangelicals say they know god.

"god" is everything , in everyone. Its like a huge ass soul. a force. Hes not one hes infinity. God is an entity. the thing that makes up know whats right and wrong. No one needs to tell me what god is. god is what I make him.



I met god while on shrooms. Thats where you meet god. on those magical mystery tours. not in a book you read. God is the experience.

A-fucking-men.

quote:Originally posted by bushy:

"god" is everything , in everyone. Its like a huge ass soul. a force. Hes not one hes infinity. God is an entity. the thing that makes up know whats right and wrong. No one needs to tell me what god is. god is what I make him.



quote:Originally posted by bushy: IT makes me sick to see evangelicals say they know god.

Bushy what makes you so confadant your view is the corect one?

And what Denomnation says eating ham is wrong, and is right if you eat it on a stick

[This message has been edited by madamwench (edited 01-29-2005).]

Christian Denominations vary.

Many beleive that all denominations are on the right path, they just have a different way of going about it. Most denominations have differences only in ritual, not beleif.

The ones that do beleive differently, most will say that its not their place to judge the others, and that only God can know if they are doing things right.

I'm not a Christian, but I know much on the topic. I've taken trips to 6 different denomitional churches, all came up with these answers.

There are some though, that beleive only their denomination is going to heaven, but I found that rare amongst Christians.For that means that that denomination has taken the position of God and laid judgement on another.

I think that your personal relationship with God is more important than which denomination you follow. There are likely true believers in most if not all denominations, and there are also pretenders in each that just go through the motions. As a believer grows in their knowledge of Scripture, they may change churches or denominations if they see inconsistencies in doctrinal teaching, but people are saved in most denominations. Some believers choose one denomination over another due to aesthetic or methodological reasons, like my uncle who enjoys the traditional style (robes and big choir) of his Presbyterian church.

quote:Originally posted by bushy:

Christianity was created co that people could feel better about their sins.

Isnt it funny that Chistianity's birth was from the Jews? And the Jews werent too worried about their sins... just follow the Law and throw another sacrificial lamb on the alter for the few Laws that you slip up on.

Isnt it also funny that so many people think that there is no God, therefore no sin, therefore no need for salvation?

And isnt it funny that someone would alter their mind (shrooms) and think that they have the answer?

quote:Originally posted by Zman:

I would like some opinions of yours on the question of denomination. Does it matter what denomination of Christianity you belong to? Are there any certain Biblical verses that support your opinion?



Zman, i'm guessing your question has something to do about your discussion with Digital concerning what she said about the Catholic faith.

I'm of the oppinion that the various Christian denominations each have somethings that are right, and somethings that are wrong.

I am basing this idea on scripture vs. the different denominational doctrines of scripture (i.e. when one church says "this doctrine is right and the other church's doctrine is wrong".. and both churches use scripture to back up their belief).

I think that all Christian Denominations fall into the catagories that are described in God's Word. Specifically in the Book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3.. the seven letters to the seven churches.

It has been awhile since i studied Rev., but i seem to remember many parallels to churches today.

Hope this helps. God Bless

I am just answering the original post by ZMan, not any of the replies.

Z, you answered your own question without really knowing it (I think it is a very good question).

"Christianity" is all that is required. That is, the belief in "Christ" as savior of the world.

Religion, as I have said MANY times, is man-created, and therefore the implications of each denomination applies only to each individual man's perception of God.

God is God, Jesus is Jesus, and the Bible is the Bible, no matter what color you choose to wear them in.

As long as the basic principle is understood, I think it matters very little what denomination you succumb yourself to, in regards to salvation.

I believe strongly that religion and denominational identification serves only to limit a man's understanding of God's intended purpose in our lives.

To seek Him with purity (without the shackles of ceremony, ritual, or repetition) allows for the clearest perception of Him. Religion complicates our relationship with Him, because we begin to focus more on religion, than we do on Him.

It's like pouring Cornstarch into warm water...it clouds it up, and disguises the object containing it.

I prefer clear water.

quote:Originally posted by xtreem5150ahm:



Zman, i'm guessing your question has something to do about your discussion with Digital concerning what she said about the Catholic faith.

Oh, I hope not. http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/frown.gif)

I would actually feel bad for that, if that was the case.

quote:I am basing this idea on scripture vs. the different denominational doctrines of scripture (i.e. when one church says "this doctrine is right and the other church's doctrine is wrong".. and both churches use scripture to back up their belief).

Careful, friend.

Even the devil can quote scripture, and he does it better than any man on the planet.

If you don't understand what I mean by that, I will expound.

For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have ever lasting Life.

End of discussion.

quote:"Christianity" is all that is required. That is, the belief in "Christ" as savior of the world.

amen

however as soon as you move beyond that central truth things get sticky.

although i truly believe he was the messiah i still wouldn't be classed as a christian by most christians as i refute (or rather can't find in the bible) that he is god.

Jack - Jesus WAS God, and here are some verses for you to consider:

Matthew 1:23 - "...they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US."

John 8:24 - 23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” 25 “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been claiming all along,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” 27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Notice how this verse says that Christ created all things.

Now look at what Isaiah 44:24 says about God:

"This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself..."

The identifier here is that when speaking of either Jesus or God, it is said that they were the Creator of all things.

If they were not one and the same, this could not be possible.

Here is another comparison:

GOD IS THE WORD

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

JESUS IS THE WORD

John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Since it is said that the "Word" became flesh (Jesus Christ), we have to read this verse to solidify the fact that Jesus is God: 1 John 5:7 - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

This is mentioned more than once.

John 10:20 - I and my Father are one.

GOD IS 'I AM'

Exodus 3:14 - And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

JESUS IS 'I AM'

John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."



I hope this clarifies it for you a little.

If you need more examples, I cna provide them.

Oh, I hope not.

I would actually feel bad for that, if that was the case.

there is no need for you to feel bad, if this were Zman's reason for this topic. (and aside from that, if it were the reason, he did a good job of circumventing the "no members names in title rule" lol)

There have been things in this forum that have brought questions to me. None of us know everything, but we do learn about things because of questions that we have. http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

Careful, friend.

Even the devil can quote scripture, and he does it better than any man on the planet.

If you don't understand what I mean by that, I will expound.

Yes i understand what you mean. When i refered to "the seven letters to the seven churches", I was looking at it as why it would be in the Bible. Just historical background? To a Book reguarding the End Times? Or could this be a way of "self-correction" of the church? Those letters speak of the things that are right and the things that are wrong with the churches of that day. And by looking at those things, the churches should be able to compare what was right and wrong TO the different denominational teachings and actions of our (and every) day.

I was trying to be careful. That is why i said that i was basing my opinion and idea, from scripture.

But thanks for making me clarify. I hope this was helpful to everyone. http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif (http://www.totse.com/bbs/smile.gif)

digi thank you for making the effort to list out those verses.

however you have to remember i'm too familiar with the bible not to know the variant readings and translation possibilities.

for example the 'en arche ho logos' antiphonal hymn can be translated 5 different ways at least-all valid according to the koine. (which is why the more accurate bible translations tend to go with the safe 'the word was divine').

oh btw- 1 John 5:7 - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

is a 12th century (?) forgery. i think even the catholic church admits that now. which is why in a lot of bibles it is now only to be found in the footnotes.

Pick Catholicism or Judaism.

Basically worshipping the same God, as the two religions descend from the same dude.

Any other form of Christianity is worthless.