Are denominations beneficial?

[Peds nurse]

Colossians 3:15-"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."

Do all the different denominations help or hinder this verse?

[Elijah John]

I have heard Evangelicals consign Pentacostals to hell and vice versa over the doctrine of "speaking in tongues".

Yet both groups believe that Jesus is "God" and both groups believe that he died to "pay for" our sins.

How divisive can one get?

Their justification? A verse from Paul in which he states that "if anyone, even an angel of God preaches another Gospel other than what he preached, let him be accursed"*.

Each group accuses the other of preaching a "different Gospel" over minor difference of doctrine.

To this "outsider" such disputes seem like utter nonsense.

(*Seems all of the division and hatred between Christian sects can be traced right back to Paul, and that repulsive verse.)

[benchwarmer]

[Replying to post 7 by benchwarmer]

And I should care because ...?

Did I say you should care or even ask if you care?

This forum is to debate ideas, give our opinions, and maybe even learn something along the way. Your response only tells my I've struck a nerve. You might not care, but maybe others who are trying to convince outsiders to come to their savior will take notice that such statements do nothing but put up walls.

I was not put on this earth to say what people want to hear, I will say what I believe to be true and truth will appeal to those that love truth.

Well, I love truth and your words are not appealing in the least as you provide no evidence to back up your claim of belonging to the 'true religion'.

Those such as Peds, who I may not agree with on many things, but clearly show humility and appear to be striving for unity are much more convincing of a loving God than those who go around proclaiming ownership of 'truth'.

There are countless people that see the conflict and disaccord in so-called Christian religions, while at the same time they claim that all christians religions are pleasing to God. This not only makes God appear incapable of keeping his own house in order but conflicts with scripture which states there are those that claim to be Christians but will be classified as "workers of lawlessness".

Actually, as an outsider now, what I see is not a God incapable of keeping His house in order, but groups of people claiming they know what order God's house should be in. Some of us prefer to wait for God (if he is there) to make Himself clear rather than listen to various groups of people claim to know God's mind.

There can be no harmony between true and false religion. Only those, like by far the majority of atheists with whom I have spoken, that believe that true religion cannot possibly exist in the first place and that there is no such thing as a "false religion", attempt to negate this fundamental biblical truth.

The only thing I take issue with is those that proclaim truth and show no evidence of such, biblically or otherwise.

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 2 by dio9]

The desire for one practice to be above another, has caused great Chaos in the history of Christianity....and currently too!

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 3 by Divine Insight]

Hello DI!!!

Thanks for your insight, and I actually agree with some of what you said. It is all too true that sometimes Christians can be far too critical of one another, making it very difficult to not only be a Christian, but to want to be one. I also feel that all this division doesn't really set a good example for outsiders looking in.

[JehovahsWitness]

This forum is to debate ideas, give our opinions, and maybe even learn something along the way.

Just gave my opinion, so I'm apparently in the right place.

The only thing I take issue with is those that proclaim truth and show no evidence of such, biblically or otherwise.

If you read my post carefully I proclaimed my belief of what is true. I did not insist that anyone share my beliefs. I will consider writing more when you ask for evidence for someone else for their belief, but generally speaking, especially in this sub-forum, beliefs are not up for debate, they are simply what each individual holds.




JW

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 6 by JehovahsWitness]

Hello JW!! I do hope this finds you well and blessed!

I have a very honest question for you. How do you come to the conclusion that Jehovah Witnesses are practicing true religion, while everyone else is not?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 6 by JehovahsWitness]

Hello JW!! I do hope this finds you well and blessed!

I have a very honest question for you. How do you come to the conclusion that Jehovah Witnesses are practicing true religion, while everyone else is not?

Hello there PD, I'm well hope the same for you. To answer the question, yes, absolutely; you put it very well.

Regards,

JW

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 17 by JehovahsWitness]

I appreciate your reply, but I am asking you HOW you know that Jehovah Witnesses are practicing true religion.

Sorry, perhaps I was not clear

[postroad]

[Replying to post 14 by Peds nurse] In fact it is evidence discrediting Jesus's claims.

John 17:20-23New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one" 23 I in them and you in me"so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

It doesn't bode well for Christianity if Jesus can't get his prayer answered.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 17 by JehovahsWitness]

I appreciate your reply, but I am asking you HOW you know that Jehovah Witnesses are practicing true religion.

Sorry, perhaps I was not clear

Oh sorry, I must have misread. I believe JWs have the true religion from my bible study as to the criteria for a religion that claims represent the teachings of Christ. I believe the entire bible to be the word of God and the standard by which all religions must be measured.

Hope that helps,

JW