Denominations

[Menotu]

Under the Christian umbrella, there are many denominations believing in the same god. But they tend to have differing ways to get the same end result.

An outsider comes along and looking in with no bias (having never heard of such a concept), he says "Wait: if you believe in the same god, and want the same thing, why are you arguing among each other? Shouldn't the same god have told you all the same thing? Why all the different denominations?"

Once the outsider reads the four gospels, they will understand a bit more:
"Wait: your god talked to a few different guys over different years and told them the same story, but different?"
You may say "Well, it was interpreted differently by these different people."
The outsider would then say " OK, but this god...he didn't change his story yes? So why didn't he tell each of these people the same thing in a manner in which they would write the same thing? Even if it was a different writing style, the jest of the story would remain true, right?"

So the outsider already has his eyebrow raised in suspicion.

Then he sees all the different denomination and their specific means to the same end (once saved always saved, Purgatory, Hell, asking for constant forgiveness, Jesus reappearing in the Americas and South Africa, people ascending, Adam/Eve/Ruth, etc) and he asks you the following set of questions:

"How can you accept these differences from a god that, you indicated, hasn't changed?
Why do you have to have faith in all this confusion and, at times, contradiction, in order to have something to believe in?
Why can't your god provide to you - all of you - the same story that's believable, especially considering he can do anything he wants?
Why does your god allow all these denominations?"

Is there a definite answer other than "'cause God says" or the like?
Is there something that we can point to that says "My thinking is right because...."?
Or is it all a personal belief system?
And if that's the case, why all the concern over what others believe in (or not), how they live their lives and what they do in their families?

[Zzyzx]

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Or is it all a personal belief system?

Personal opinion / preference / belief.

Thousands of 'denominations' / splinter groups -- reading the same book and reaching different conclusions and promoting different worship practices and rituals. None have verifiable evidence to indicate their claimed 'knowledge' is anything more than imagination.

Just pick one (or have one chosen for you) and swear that it is 'the one true path to salvation' -- and that all others are mistaken or false or fraudulent. But count all in the umbrella of Christianity when trying to show importance or to argue Christianity is true via argumentum ad populum.

[ttruscott]

Why can't your god provide to you - all of you - the same story that's believable, especially considering he can do anything he wants?

What is your proof that GOD does NOT give HIS people exactly what they need to fulfill the reason HE gave them life here? The fact that HE gives other people other things or allows other people to make up things??? That is illogical.

Does the fact that many of these OTHERS hide in the Christian community as Christians bother you? You have heard of wolves in sheep clothing - it would be silly if the wolf after sheep hid out in muskrat suits wouldn't it. The lies of the world all come from Satan. Christ even warned us openly that our enemies will be the people of our own house.

Christians are the few who live everywhere amongst all peoples, a few in every church, in all religions. They have the unity in Christ that sanctifies them to GOD's righteousness no matter what beliefs their church teaches. To equate churches, sects or denominations with GOD's people is naive.

[Zzyzx]

.
Since 'Christianity' can mean whatever an individual chooses (there is on consensus in Christendom), they can make up their own version and claim to be Christian.

This is convenient in debate. When Bible tales are challenged, the 'Flexible Christian' simply disavows that part as 'not part of my beliefs' -- and talks about something else (as is evident in threads).

[Diagoras]

Does the fact that many of these OTHERS hide in the Christian community as Christians bother you? You have heard of wolves in sheep clothing - it would be silly if the wolf after sheep hid out in muskrat suits wouldn't it. The lies of the world all come from Satan. Christ even warned us openly that our enemies will be the people of our own house.

Im not sure, but you seem to be implying that some members of the Christian community are others (enemies), presumably agents of Satan. If so, then Menotus question, Why does your god allow all these denominations? should rightly also ask, Why does your god allow these OTHERS into his community?

Christians are the few who live everywhere amongst all peoples, a few in every church, in all religions.

Im not sure that this means what you intended. It comes across as if every religion (muslim, hindu, etc) contained some Christians within their community. Maybe you meant something like, there are Christian communities everywhere.

They have the unity in Christ that sanctifies them to GOD's righteousness no matter what beliefs their church teaches.

No-ones denying that there are some beliefs common to all Christian denominations. But if what you say is true, and there is genuine unity, then there should be no need for separate denominations calling themselves Catholic, Baptist, Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Episcopalian, Methodist, Coptic, etc. The fact that there are suggests personal beliefs are the deciding factor, not some divinely-run enterprise.

[JehovahsWitness]

Why does your god allow all these denominations?"

For the same reason he allows atheists, pedophiles or wicked people ...namely because for now it Is not his time to take action for or against any such groups. God does not, in my opinion, have to approve of all He allows or desire all he permits.

Is there a definite answer other than "'cause God says" or the like?

There might be, but that wouldn't make it correct. Logically if there is an omnipotent God anything that exists does so because He allows it. That is a logical inevitablity given the premise.

[JehovahsWitness]

continued from post #6 by JehovahsWitness NOTE All posts I write represent my personal faith based beliefs as one of Jehovah's Witnesses


DOES THE BIBLE INDICATE ALL RELIGIONS (AND THEIR THOUSANDS OF SECTS AND DENOMINATIONS) ARE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD?

• ANSWER Absolutely not no. Rather than advocate many roads leading to the same place he spoke of only one road (singular) which has a "gate" *.

  MATTHEW 7:13, 14
  Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate * and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.

  * A gate is usually used to select access and/or to keep out the undesirable
  
  
  Did Jesus indicate all who accept him as Lord as professed Christian religions would be acceptable to him?

  MATTHEW 7:13, 14
  
  Not everyone saying to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works* in your name?And then I will declare to them: I never knew* you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!

  Does the above not indicate individuals would be rejected rather whole religions and/or denominations?
  
  • While people will indeed be judged in an individual basis, the bible indicates RELIGIONS will also be judged (compare Revelation 18:4). As soon as He established organized worship God has always dealt with just ONE and expected complete unity of standards and beliefs. The nation of Israel for example was not to splinter into different "sects" but were to worship at the one temple in Jerusalem, regardless of their personal location or situation. Anyone who wished to join them from other nations could do so but they were not at liberty to "modify" his law according to local custom or cultures or personal preferences. Indeed Jehovah (YHWH) was highly displeased when the ten tribe northern kingdom set up an alternative alter, claiming to still worship Him but at a different location with an alternative priesthood.
  Did Jesus not free people from the confines of organised religion to worship as individuals under the "umbrella" of a few common beliefs?
  
  • No. Jesus emphasised unity of belief urging his disciples to stick together . He picked 12 "church leader" charging them to instruct and guide the growing group. The book of Act shows the first century Christians understood these fundamental truths as rather than scattered individuals following their personal relationship with Christ, they remained an identifiable, organised body under a clear leadership even as they spread to different countries, looking to the same body of men in Jerusalem to settle doctrinal questions and clarify standards for the entire international group (read Acts 15).

CONCLUSION The bible indicates that "religions of one" made up of people that reject the idea of organized religion and worship independently and the thousands of denominations in Christendom do not reflect the bible model. Jesus did however indicate that one true organised religion would exist and be teaching biblical truths during our present period of time (20th /21st century)

To read more please go to other posts related to...

CHRISTIANITY, CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS and ...JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

[Tcg]

Why does your god allow all these denominations?"

For the same reason he allows atheists, pedophiles and wicked people ...namely because for now it Is not his time to take action.

What is your justification of including atheists in a list that includes pedophiles and wicked people. As we know from reports about both Catholics and Jehovah's Witnesses, their ranks include pedophiles.

Are you suggesting that he allows Christians to commit pedophilia because it is not time for him to take action to protect children from abusive Christians?


Tcg

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 8 by Tcg]

Okay Ive changed my list from "and" to "or" to avoid indication of judgement. The point being all that exist do so because in my opinion God allows it not necessarily because he approves it.

[Tcg]

* A gate is usually used to select access and/or to keep out the undesirable

An effective gate would keep pedophiles out. Apparently no such gate is used by Jehovah's Witnesses who have been known to protect the pedophiles in their ranks.


Tcg