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?

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 28 by JehovahsWitness]



[center]

The neutrality of an outsider[/center]

We JW, like you, also believe that the majority of people are in a religion that we don't believe to be true. The only difference between our belief and yours is WHICH religions we are referring to.

I believe that the faithful have an enormous burden of BIAS to overcome before they can think clearly about the problem of other religions claiming to be the "one true faith".

That's where the outsider, who is more objective than the two of you can POSSIBLY be, comes in so very handy.

We outsiders can help you think like an outsider to your faith does, WITHOUT promoting our OWN brand of religion. We outsiders can be more neutral.


I'd be happy to help out.

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 31 by Blastcat]

I believe that the faithful have an enormous burden of BIAS to overcome before they can think clearly about the problem of other religions claiming to be the "one true faith".

That's where the outsider, who is more objective than the two of you can POSSIBLY be, comes in so very handy.

We outsiders can help you think like an outsider to your faith does, WITHOUT promoting our OWN brand of religion. We outsiders can be more neutral.

Hello BC!! I hope you are fine and dandy!!

I agree with you somewhat. Sometimes, an outsider in a situation is EXACTLY what is needed to get a clearer picture of something. An unbiased person in a situation can offer good input, without emotional strings getting in the way. In certain situations however, an outsider would be the worst candidate for the issue. If a surgeon was needing to decide how he/she should approach a surgical situation, it would be best if he didn't heed advice from a plumber. Sometimes, the only understanding can come from people who are in the trenches with you!

Best wishes for a beautiful day!

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 27 by postroad]

Hello Postroad!

Could you please clarify your question?

Thank you!

[postroad]

[Replying to post 33 by Peds nurse] The author indicates that Christ's return must be near. The concept that schism was ocurring from within itself is so contrary to the concept of the new covenant that the author could not concieve that Jesus would stand by and allow it for any length of time.

[OnceConvinced]

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'.

Indeed. If there really is such a thing as a true Christian than I would class Peds there as one. The bible tells us that we know who the true Christians are by the fruits of the holy spirit; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Peds would appear to have those fruits... at least judging by her posts here on this website.

People who claim to be true Christians but don't exhibit these qualities don't show themselves to be true Christians. I also don't see how accusing others of being false Christians while "Our denomination is the one true Christian church" is showing love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control.

Talk is cheap. Let's see who people are by their fruits, not by which denomination they are part of. That, according to Paul, is the only way to identify the true Christians.

......

Getting back specifically to the opening post...

Jesus once prayed for unity. He prayed that Christians would be in unity with one another so as to prove that Jesus himself was divine and sent by God...

John 17:20-23, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be as 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. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."


Jesus prayed this but yet there are still thousands of denominations, most believing they are tne true denomination of Christians. Jesus prayed that prayer but didn't get what he asked for. If Jesus didn't get what he prayed for then surely that's a detriment to him and his followers?

Denominations are a detriment to Christianity for sure. They show that there is a lack of unity and that the holy spirit is not actually managing to achieve anything (or worse is non-existent). It is damning evidence that perhaps there is no such thing as a real Christian. That perhaps it is nothing more than a fantasy.

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 32 by Peds nurse]



[center]


Slowly going towards skepticism.. one small step at a time.[/center]

Sometimes, an outsider in a situation is EXACTLY what is needed to get a clearer picture of something. An unbiased person in a situation can offer good input, without emotional strings getting in the way.

We agree again, Peds.
I'm getting IMPRESSED.

That's how science works, and all good thinking, anyway.
We dont want a strong bias to get in our way.

In certain situations however, an outsider would be the worst candidate for the issue. If a surgeon was needing to decide how he/she should approach a surgical situation, it would be best if he didn't heed advice from a plumber.

So, in some way, I am not equipped to evaluate your claims.

I always got the "A"s in religion when I was a kid. It was all rote learning. and I had a pretty good memory.

I was a great student of religion, apparently.


Could you elaborate on what I'm missing, or lost?

Sometimes, the only understanding can come from people who are in the trenches with you!

Yeah, but we MAY want to know if there is a WAR on first.
Why do into any trench if there is no real NEED?

I'm fighting irrationality in here.
What war are you fighting, Peds?

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 1 by Peds nurse]

I believe this is refering to the true religion (Jehovah's Witnesses) and the hundreds of thousands of true Christian congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses around the world that are united, not to different denominations. No matter which JW congregation you are in or what language one speaks we are all one united brotherhood just as the bible says.

Your unity is organizational, not organic.

It is based on toeing the party line in doctrinal matters.

[JehovahsWitness]

Denominations are a detriment to Christianity for sure. They show that there is a lack of unity and that the holy spirit is not actually managing to achieve anything (or worse is non-existent). It is damning evidence that perhaps there is no such thing as a real Christian. That perhaps it is nothing more than a fantasy.

I believe your conclusions are logical.

When so called Christians claim that since we all have the label "christian" attached to our names, that this is actually some kind of "unity" they are not fooling anybody. Just saying "Well yes we all believe different things, we've spent years literally fighting each other and we can only agree that Jesus existed and was good" isn't "unity" by any stretch of the imagination.

And on the other extreme claim are those in a "denomination of one"; not belonging to any organized religion but laying claim to being part of the religion of Christianity nonetheless. This only increases the "denominations" from 20,000 fairly big denominations to 20 million tiny ones with a membership of one: the individual and their dog. Same tune, different sandals.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 38 by JehovahsWitness]

When so called Christians claim that since we all have the label "christian" attached to our names, that this is actually some kind of "unity" they are not fooling anybody. Just saying "Well yes we all believe different things, we've spent years literally fighting each other and we can only agree that Jesus existed and was good" isn't "unity" by any stretch of the imagination.

True enough.

However, that description is a caricature of the many genuine believers out there, including some who post on this forum.

[OnceConvinced]

[Replying to post 38 by JehovahsWitness]

Don't you believe that it's as Paul said and that a true Christian is identified by the fruits of the holy spirit? If so should doctrinal issues be considered the thing that determines the true Christians from the false Christians? What denomination you are part of should surely be irrelevant?