Non-debating religious thread...let's learn!! :)

[Cataholic]

As a presbyterian, we also follow the baptism of infants, with a vow from the family/congregation to bring the infant up as a child of God. Then, in 7th or 8th grade, we go through Confirmation, and make a personal statement to the church of our faith.

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by KBlaix
I'm Baptist. We do have a ceremony in which parents dedicate their baby to the Lord and vow to love and raise them in his name. However baptism is totally different we don't baptize a person until they are saved. I didn't mean to offend you or any one, that is just the way and beliefs of a baptist.

KBlaix,

I assumed from your post that you were batptist or something simliar, becuase I have many friends with your same beliefs and they are. (I know never assume!) I have no problem with your belifes. I was just trying to point out ( and I think I did so poorly) that while baptism as a child means nothing in your religion, it does have a meaning to others. Since Popcornbird was asking and she is not a christian, your answer could have been interpretted to mean it is a pointless thing to all christian religions. Maybe a better explain by you would have been, "while my religion does not recognize a baptsim as a child others do blah blah blah" I did not mean to offened or imply that I was offended. Just trying to clear up the point for a non-christian.

Does that make any sense?

[smokey the elder]

This thread is neat.

I was brought up Congregationalist, and there's a lot to like about that brand of Christianity. It is a quite simple denomination, in terms of ceremony. We had baptisms of infants, Holy Communion, and special Christmas and Lenten/Easter services. One went through Sunday school and confirmation, and affirmed themselves as a member, typically on Maundy Thursday, which was also first Communion.

I don't attend church regularly, but sing with a group who performs as a guest choir at different churches so I see a number of variations of the theme of Christianity. They are more similar than different.

My personal beliefs would be considered convoluted at best. I don't think you can fully describe God. I believe there is a Supreme Being, who shows different faces at different times to individuals and/or groups. My view of the whole Trinity thing is that it's a matter of faith, and one can go nuts trying to make logic of it. There's logic, but it's God's not of man.

My "religion" doesn't really have a name, I guess. I do believe in the many equivalents of the Golden Rule, and most definitely in karma, or you reap what you sow.

[popcornbird]

How many sects are there in Christianity? I always knew there were several, but I didn't know they differ so much.

[CathyBogart]

Originally posted by popcornbird
How many sects are there in Christianity? I always knew there were several, but I didn't know they differ so much.

I've never tried to count, but there are quite a few!!

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by popcornbird
How many sects are there in Christianity?

There is alot of sects in Christianity.

The problem is they don't believe in birth control.

[Logan]

Originally posted by RICHARD
There is alot of sects in Christianity.

The problem is they don't believe in birth control.

Richard!!! You are too funny for your own good!!! LOL!!

Popcornbird, that is not true, although there are some people of Christian faith who do not believe in birth control, most are not that way.

Logan

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Logan
Richard!!! You are too funny for your own good!!! LOL!!

Popcornbird, that is not true, although there are some people of Christian faith who do not believe in birth control, most are not that way.

Logan

I knew I didn't need to believe Richard anyway, Logan.

LOL!

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by popcornbird
How many sects are there in Christianity? I always knew there were several, but I didn't know they differ so much.

I would be interesting to know, but I am not sure it would be possible to count.

Even within Catholic, there is Roman, and Eastern Orthodox. Some catholic churches are very traditionalist and others are more "modern" . And that is true of any christian religion.
My ex-boyfriend could only go to Baptist churches that belonged to the Council of Regular Baptist churches ( or a name similiar to that).
I have two friends who both go to fundalmentalist churches and their beliefs are almost indentical, expect that one friend believes in speaking in tongues, the other does not. Tothe non-tongues speaking friend, that is a major point and she would not consider dating someone on that point alone.

[ramanth]

Originally posted by ChrisH
Great thread WolfChan! And special thanks to you, Kimmy, and Popcornbird, very interesting.

Awww. Thank you Chris.

Kudos to all.

[sirrahved]

As a Lutheran (LCMS), we believe in grace alone saving through faith. We baptize infants, believe that women should not be pastors, elders, or the president of a congregation. Most of us believe that speaking in tongues was something that had a specific purpose when it was used, and God no longer uses it. We believe in the trinity, that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three beings and one being. I can't think of anything else particularly special...

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Originally posted by Cincy'sMom
KBlaix,

I assumed from your post that you were batptist or something simliar, becuase I have many friends with your same beliefs and they are. (I know never assume!) I have no problem with your belifes. I was just trying to point out ( and I think I did so poorly) that while baptism as a child means nothing in your religion, it does have a meaning to others. Since Popcornbird was asking and she is not a christian, your answer could have been interpretted to mean it is a pointless thing to all christian religions. Maybe a better explain by you would have been, "while my religion does not recognize a baptsim as a child others do blah blah blah" I did not mean to offened or imply that I was offended. Just trying to clear up the point for a non-christian.

Does that make any sense?

I apologize, I did say that very poorly.
I do have a question, do you have a second baptism after you've been saved?

[Cincy'sMom]

Originally posted by KBlaix

I do have a question, do you have a second baptism after you've been saved?

In general, most Catholics, will say they have been Confirmed, not saved. In my interpretation, the underlying meaning is the same. You are making an adult to decision to live your life in the teachings of the church, you ask God into your heart and to help guide you. There is no second Baptism associated with this, and no Baptism by submiersion is done at any stage. There is, however, a renewal of baptism vows, in which you state these intentions and promsie to reject Satan and all his evil ways. You are also anoited with a special oil.

[NoahsMommy]

How on earth did I miss this thread?

My beliefs are similar to those of Sirrahbed and Sara.

Some beliefs I'd like to add:

-I don't like to call myself anything more than Christian...even then, that's only because I believe in Jesus Christ.

-The woman/church thing. I believe that if God called me to a leadership role in a church, I'd take it. I'm a big time feminist, but also close to God. I pray all the time and go to Him for everything...I feel that if I were wrong, it would have been put on my heart a long time ago. My inlaws do believe women shouldn't hold certain leadership roles in church, my husband may very well believe the same...but they all know not to utter even the slightest opinion around me.

-Baptism. I was baptised a year ago. I believe baptism is something one should do when they are old enough to fully grasp what it is. Baptism is desplay of one's faith in Jesus and God. I personally don't feel a child is capable of doing that and having it truly mean something.

-Children and sin. I think Sara and Serrahbed explained it exactly how I would have. Its kind of like if someone living in some remote wilderness dies....what if they didn't know God (any religion), would they go to hell? No, God bases where we're going on our heart...if one that died in that desolate wilderness enjoyed torturing animals, they most likely wouldn't meet me in heaven. Does that make sense?

-Here's a hot topic...tithing. I feel that by giving $$ to God's children "counts" in the giving category. Not all giving needs to be at a church. I believe God puts certain things on people hearts, for me its His animals and sick children.

-Another hot topic...church membership. Its not for me. I think its good that people join together, they are stronger and can accomplish a lot more. Its great, but not for me. I don't feel I need to be tied to ONE specific church or religous label to be the person God wants me to be. I love attending church because I learn more every time and I get to praise the Lord through song. But I don't feel I need to stay in one place to do that. I can praise Him at home or at my grandmother's church.

Those are just my beliefs, not those of Sara or Sirrahbed. Don't want to sound like I was talking for them.

This is a great thread. I didn't know ANYTHING about Paganism and I find it so very interesting. Thanks for starting this thread.

[primabella]

This is a great thread! I didn't get a chance to read through it all but I did learn quite a bit. Thanks for starting it WolfChan.

I am also a Christian.

Some beliefs I'd like to add:
-I don't like to call myself anything more than Christian...even then, that's only because I believe in Jesus Christ.

-The woman/church thing. I believe that if God called me to a leadership role in a church, I'd take it. I'm a big time feminist, but also close to God. I pray all the time and go to Him for everything...I feel that if I were wrong, it would have been put on my heart a long time ago. My inlaws do believe women shouldn't hold certain leadership roles in church, my husband may very well believe the same...but they all know not to utter even the slightest opinion around me.

-Baptism. I was baptised a year ago. I believe baptism is something one should do when they are old enough to fully grasp what it is. Baptism is desplay of one's faith in Jesus and God. I personally don't feel a child is capable of doing that and having it truly mean something.

-Children and sin. I think Sara and Serrahbed explained it exactly how I would have. Its kind of like if someone living in some remote wilderness dies....what if they didn't know God (any religion), would they go to hell? No, God bases where we're going on our heart...if one that died in that desolate wilderness enjoyed torturing animals, they most likely wouldn't meet me in heaven. Does that make sense?

-Here's a hot topic...tithing. I feel that by giving $$ to God's children "counts" in the giving category. Not all giving needs to be at a church. I believe God puts certain things on people hearts, for me its His animals and sick children.

I totally agree. As for attending church, I haven't been in a while and I don't think you need to go to church to be a "good Christian". Maybe I feel this way because our local church bothers me...the priests mutter everything and I just sit there not learning at all. I actually feel more comfortable praying to God at home. I pray during the day but mostly at night. I feel like I have a good relationship with God and He has truly helped me through some difficult times. Faith is just important to me.