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Post by Archangelwolf on Jul 31, 2003 3:29:20 GMT -5
This should be an interesting thread. However, it has the potential to become an attack thread. So, this is my disclaimer.
I do not wish to cause disharmony on this board with this thread. This is not meant to be for personal attacks. I simply wish to know what part of different denominations and religions cause the biggest obstacles for each of us to ever consider them.
I will go first in my next post.
Regards,
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Post by Archangelwolf on Jul 31, 2003 4:06:40 GMT -5
To the Roman Catholic Church: 1. Marian theology. The RCC, at one point, even considered making Mary a part of the Trinity. This is just gross. 2. The papal bureaucracy. God, in three persons, is the only head of the Church. The Church is not an institution, but the indwelling of each believer's hearts. 3. Interpretation of the Eucharist. It is symbolic. You would think that, in this day and age, this would be a foregone conclusion. We are not supposed to eat human flesh. John's reference to the Word becoming flesh is only meant to say that Jesus was indeed God clothed in human flesh. 4. The need for confession. We can ask God for forgiveness anytime, anywhere. I do it at the foot of my bed. My wife is usually asleep, and there is no priest present. The Southern Baptist: 1. Once saved, always saved. This is what we call false security. The new testament is filled with warnings about "falling away." WHY WOULD THE APOSTLES KEEP WARNING US ABOUT DOING SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO? Hello!!!!!!!!! 2. Dancing. I understand their are sexual innuendos involved, especially in this day and age. Seriously, though; I think that we are blaming the wrong thing. Dancing is a form of expression. Their are dos and donts associated with it just like anything else. If practiced in a reasonably restrained environment, it could actually be a form of art. 3. Homosexuality. This is a very controversial topic, I know. I believe that the SBC is taking too strong of an approach. I personally believe that homosexuality is a psychological problem; just like alcoholism, or gambling. It takes more than just preaching in their face to exorcise it. The deceit is not in "coming out of the closet." Alcoholics do the same thing at AA meetings. The deceit is in the fact that homosexuals believe that it is okay to admit it, and then keep on doing it. Episcopalian (or Anglican): 1. Why don't you guys just give up the act, and say that you are Catholic? Give me a break! Presbyterian: 1. The whole emphasis on pre-election. It is a dreary life to live your whole life not knowing whether you are the elect or not. If I had to live that way, I would just say the heck with it. I would just live, and hope that I am elected. If not,....hey, I had fun trying. Lutheran: 1. Baby sprinkling. I believe that salvation is a conscious choice made by each individual. This is just a waste of water, unless you think of it as a bath. ;D 2. I have to say that I agree completely with the Lutherans on one thing; the fallen nature of man. More denominations need to realize this characteristic. Assembly of God: 1. It is very clear, according to the Apostle Paul, that only certain individuals are gifted with speaking in tongues. It is not meant for everyone. Many members of this denomination stumble on this everyday because of obvious false doctrine. Latter Day Saints: 1. The ludicrousies of the founder of this church should be enough to discredit it; however, that has not been the case. I could go through the discrepancies of this "denomination," but it would take the rest of this thread; so I will state the most obvious. The Church of Mormon is creating an institution that is almost identical to the very institution is claims is the apostate Church of Rome. It is a glaring contradiction that shows the hypocrisy of this church from its very roots. Islam: 1. The Quran gives several pkmtyolpages that institute "jihad" against anyone who denies Al-lah's sovereignty. Rebuking Islam is considered an act of war against Al-lah personally. Anyone who refutes this also refutes the very book for which Islam is founded on. Islam, regardless of the media's claims, is a violent religion. 2. Islam degrades the value of women in society. Obviously, this must change in this day and age; or Islam will begin to fade in the future. Church of Christ: 1. Besides the misleading arrogance of the surname, I disagree with the denial of the supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a supernatural being that exists within all believers. Besides that, God Himself is supernatural. To deny the supernatural is to deny God. 2. The whole "music in church" thing. I believe that God gave me the ability to play the piano. If I wish to give this back to Him in the form of performing at a service, I should be allowed to do so. ................................................................................................ Again, I do not mean to offend anyone. These are my obstacles to all of these churches. In fact, if someone would be so kind as to clear up some misunderstanding I have; feel free to do so. Be kind to one another.
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Post by Flipper on Jul 31, 2003 7:41:32 GMT -5
archangel said: Lutheran: 1. Baby sprinkling. I believe that salvation is a conscious choice made by each individual. This is just a waste of water, unless you think of it as a bath. 2. I have to say that I agree completely with the Lutherans on one thing; the fallen nature of man. More denominations need to realize this characteristic Flipper: I don't want to get into a debate on baptism because frankly, the issue gives me a headache. I've heard all sides so revisiting it will be a waste of time (not water ). However, I will say that somewhere between ages 11 and 13, the kiddies are given intense instruction, and they are then asked to make a choice on whether to accept God's Gift (accepting Jesus as your savior), and if they do, then they are confirmed in a ceremony. Kind of like Catholic confirmation except the kids are given the opportunity to say no.
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Post by babysis on Jul 31, 2003 12:47:07 GMT -5
archangel said: Lutheran: 1. Baby sprinkling. I believe that salvation is a conscious choice made by each individual. This is just a waste of water, unless you think of it as a bath. 2. I have to say that I agree completely with the Lutherans on one thing; the fallen nature of man. More denominations need to realize this characteristic Flipper: I don't want to get into a debate on baptism because frankly, the issue gives me a headache. I've heard all sides so revisiting it will be a waste of time (not water ). However, I will say that somewhere between ages 11 and 13, the kiddies are given intense instruction, and they are then asked to make a choice on whether to accept God's Gift (accepting Jesus as your savior), and if they do, then they are confirmed in a ceremony. Kind of like Catholic confirmation except the kids are given the opportunity to say no. I was just talking to a Lutheran the other day about that and he said while he was going through confirmation none of it made sense. It wasn't until he was older that he understand. He thought the confirmation process was "silly" (for lack of a better term) because the age of confirmation isn't always the age of understanding.
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Post by Citizen on Jul 31, 2003 13:02:32 GMT -5
This should be an interesting thread. However, it has the potential to become an attack thread. So, this is my disclaimer. I've got no bones to pick ... God guides each of us individually. Who am I to argue with where God places someone else to do His work? Only one person on earth ever had 100% understanding ... that was Jesus. All the rest of us are sinners, who make mistakes and have honest disagreements. I can live with that ... and still love all my brothers and sisters in Christ!
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Post by Flipper on Jul 31, 2003 13:08:41 GMT -5
Our church is doing something a bit different than many of the others. The kids go to the cpkmtyoll with the Pastor one week, then the next week, they are split off into small groups of 10, boys and girls separate, that meet at people's houses (kind of like our adult small groups, but those are usually co-ed). The Small Group Leaders work with them on projects try to apply what they learned in cpkmtyoll to the world through their eyes. I was a Small Group Leader and all I could say is I wish the Catholic church would have done the same thing. Also, confirmation is a 2 year process with the summers off instead of a 1 year.
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Post by keikikoka on Jul 31, 2003 21:46:48 GMT -5
I think this topic is a little.. not right.
It seems that original poster is grouping all people of a denomination into the same catagorey. And even at that they are misinterpreting peoples beliefs.
All denominations have had there problems. Almost all protestant denominations were racist at one point. There are fingers to point at everyone. But where does finger pointing get us? No where.
As long as people have the bare bones of the christian faith, the rest shouldn't matter.
(I've read through the baptist faith and message-dancing isn't in there)
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Post by michaeldark on Jul 31, 2003 22:21:37 GMT -5
You forgot Snake Handlers!
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Post by Archangelwolf on Aug 1, 2003 0:52:23 GMT -5
I am not pointing fingers. I am simply laying out the obstacles to each denomination that I have experienced in my lifetime. These obstacles are the reasons that I have not found a "church home" in any of the churches of these denominations. Maybe I am being too picky.
Personally, I believe that when Paul warned of the "falling away," he meant the church as well as the world. The church, to me, seems to be in a fallen state across the board. I have lost my faith in the current churches of this world.
I guess I need to pray for guidance. Feel free to pray for me if you like.
Regards,
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HITR
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by HITR on Aug 1, 2003 1:39:50 GMT -5
I dunno...I think as long as people keep their own selves in check, and stay civil, this could be a good learning thread. These are, after all, some of the more prominent complaints people have with the some of these listed churches. If we can talk about other controvercial issues, why not this in the debate section? **shrug** The key would be to just be sure that it's being moderated adequately. Just my pov... Assembly of God: 1. It is very clear, according to the Apostle Paul, that only certain individuals are gifted with speaking in tongues. It is not meant for everyone. Many members of this denomination stumble on this everyday because of obvious false doctrine. At this point, this is the only thing I've really looked at and focused in on in the OP, the reason being that I'm an AoG member. I was previously affilitated with the Church of God, which is practically a mirror of AoG. Being a member of both organizations, I'd say they equally share in this complaint overall. I, myself, take exception to the way that speaking in tongues is sometimes used as a measuring stick for salvation. It does occur; I've seen it happen as well as the aftermath. Not a pretty sight! While I am unconvinced that it is not meant for all believers, I am convinced that a lack of the gift does not impede/negate a person's rebirth/regeneration. Not all who are covered by the blood of the Lamb do speak in tongues. I will say that not all that are affiliated with AoG (or CoG) believe in a salvation evidenced by speaking in tongues (salvation does not equal baptism). Most that I've known don't believe this at all. There are always some, however, that will teach it and cause many to stumble. Such teaching is a real danger that is, at times, seen in the AoG (as well as other similar affiliations). That's it in a very thin-skinned nutshell for speaking in tongues in the AoG. Blessings, HITR Edited for typo[/i]
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Post by Blemonds on Aug 1, 2003 1:51:35 GMT -5
I am not pointing fingers. I am simply laying out the obstacles to each denomination that I have experienced in my lifetime. These obstacles are the reasons that I have not found a "church home" in any of the churches of these denominations. Maybe I am being too picky. Personally, I believe that when Paul warned of the "falling away," he meant the church as well as the world. The church, to me, seems to be in a fallen state across the board. I have lost my faith in the current churches of this world. I guess I need to pray for guidance. Feel free to pray for me if you like. Regards, You say this isn't going to be an attack thread, then you lower the boom on anyone and everyone. If you want to attack people just do it instead of hidin behind a phony remark (This isn't an attack thread" Be a real man, not a metrosexual. So much for that. As long as you're looking for the perfect church, you'll never have a church home. But, maybe that's exactly what you really want. No church home, no commitment, no accountability.
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Post by Flipper on Aug 1, 2003 7:52:47 GMT -5
Episcopalian (or Anglican): 1. Why don't you guys just give up the act, and say that you are Catholic? Give me a break! It's Catholic Lite. All the benefits, half the guilt. Robin Williams said so. ;D
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Post by Maranata on Aug 1, 2003 9:26:57 GMT -5
Hi archangeldream,
Like HITR said and you, this could be a good debate thread if we do not take it personal. You mention several denominations and other religions in your opinion that have shown you a stumbling rock for you not to follow.
An instructor of mine in the pkmtyolp give us some papers with 10 questions and answers to look upon. Then he ask us to give our comment on them. The bast mayority concentrate in the bad things or wrong answers in the papers saying, "well this person have 3 answers wrong". The instructor after hearing all of us told us that he new that but no one focus in the 7 right. Why we allways are looking for the negative side even if is less than the positive side? Why as humans we are condition to see the fault and not the virtue of things and people? Some one said that you may do 100 good deeds but if you make 1 misstake the people will remember you for that 1 misstake. Why? Now, can you tell me of all the denominations and religion that you mention, what will atract you to them as you said what did turn you away from them?
GOD Bless,
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Post by Himmel on Aug 1, 2003 22:05:36 GMT -5
:-/Let me see now,should I just toss a dart?(just kidding). I would have to say Islam, hands down is the worst of the lot. There's not much love and peace in that faith, plus I don't like the way they treat women as if they were lower than dogs or something. The "latter day saints", just come out and say Mormans, are not on my list of favorite religions either. To me, this was set up by a couple perverts who just wanted to have mulitiple wives. I believe they made up that angel visit stuff. I have heard horror stories about young girls forced to marry some old creep and become one of his wives. I believe this faith played a part of the abduction of Elizabeth Smart, as well as her clue-less parents! I don't like to hurt anyone's belief, but when it threatens women and kids, it really makes me angry!
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Post by CatholicChristian on Aug 1, 2003 22:50:03 GMT -5
archangel said: Lutheran: 1. Baby sprinkling. I believe that salvation is a conscious choice made by each individual. This is just a waste of water, unless you think of it as a bath. 2. I have to say that I agree completely with the Lutherans on one thing; the fallen nature of man. More denominations need to realize this characteristic Flipper: I don't want to get into a debate on baptism because frankly, the issue gives me a headache. I've heard all sides so revisiting it will be a waste of time (not water ). However, I will say that somewhere between ages 11 and 13, the kiddies are given intense instruction, and they are then asked to make a choice on whether to accept God's Gift (accepting Jesus as your savior), and if they do, then they are confirmed in a ceremony. Kind of like Catholic confirmation except the kids are given the opportunity to say no. Hey Flipper, The kids can say no in Catholic Confirmation also. I have has several who have sat through the two years of Confirmation cpkmtyoll who opted not to be confirmed. They wanted to do it later on in life! Their choice. God Bless!
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