NationStates Jolt Archive

I'd just like to know from the Christians on this board which denomination they belong to.

I tried to include as many denominations as I could, if one isn't there...that's why I have an "other" option. Just be sure to tell us which one.

Thanks!

I'm an atheist catholic (like an atheist jew).

We used to have one calvinist on the board, and he had behavior problems so the forum gods decided he wasnt 'elect' after all.

I'm an atheist catholic (like an atheist jew).

We used to have one calvinist on the board, and he had behavior problems so the forum gods decided he wasnt 'elect' after all.

VoteEarly right? Yeah that guy bugged me.

I'm an atheist catholic (like an atheist jew).

We used to have one calvinist on the board, and he had behavior problems so the forum gods decided he wasnt 'elect' after all.

We had two didn't we?

But I'm a Catholic Atheist too :D

Devoult Catholic here. :D

I was thinking of the more serious (and vocal) one, Kahta.

I voted other, because I am a Grace Lutheran Brethren, which is actually quite unlike normal Lutherans. My church is much less catholicized, and concentrates mostly on Luther's Catechism.

It is also sad, by the way, because around here, some Catholics didn't even know who the Pope was. I see the Pope as a good Christian person, but I don't believe he is any greater of a man then anyone else. God see's all men equal - even the Pope is no greater then Saddam Hussein in God's eyes.

I was thinking of the more serious (and vocal) one, Kahta.

Ach...Well VoteEarly was vocal...

But this isn't about bashing...

I am a non-denominational Christian.

Basically, we don't make stuff up and say it is what we have to do. We just use the bible - no beads or robes or water flicking in random spots.

Grace Brethren preacher, here.

Though, I do hold some Calvinistic views, I am not a 5-point. Some of the parts of that just fidn't dit (didn't fit).

I am a non-denominational Christian.

Basically, we don't make stuff up and say it is what we have to do. We just use the bible - no beads or robes or water flicking in random spots.


Indeed, but which parts of the bible do you consider valid instructions for life, and why?

Who makes those decisions, and is it part of a wide standard or just your particular local group?

Indeed, but which parts of the bible do you consider valid instructions for life, and why?

Who makes those decisions, and is it part of a wide standard or just your particular local group?

Might be similar to "Grocery Store" Catholics, those who pick and chose what is viable today and what is not.

United

I'm an atheist catholic (like an atheist jew)

A what? :confused:

I'm guessing this means you were brought up Catholic but you're now an atheist which IMO makes you an...atheist. Correct if wrong


Anyhoo, First and foremost I'm a Christian, then I'm a Baptist.

Also, most people don't classify JW's and Mormon's as Christian's as they don't hold to the essential bits of doctrine.

Non Denominational..

Well, closer to pentacostal, united, charismatic, grace preaching.. bla bla bla..

Grace Brethren preacher, here.

Cool. I'm Grace Brethren too. Of course, "we are a fellowship, not a denomination." :-P

I'm a non-demoniation christian, but not in that denomination way.

I feel that any person can hold fellowship so I find little need in picking one church to go to. I talk to Jews, Muslims, Pagans, Christians etc to understand the world around, and I use personal meditations, prayer and readings to help center myself in the spirit world.

If I find that I have questions about something, I go to where I feel that question can be be addressed. If its about the bible, I commonly read through it again myself, and then I'll go to some local churches and see their insights on it.

I'm more of a worshipper in solitude though, mainly because I tend to be vocal about how I feel, and most people take it as me being arrogent or something. I idea is that I have found a path in life that I can't force on others because their is no 100% proveable fact, so I can't say, I'm right, you're wrong, ha ha.

Also I don't get along with churches because they say that anything other then christianity is blasphmy and they insult it and the people that practice it, and thats pretty much wrong in every count, since even if the noo-christian is wrong, its not our place to say that they are.

A what? :confused:

I'm guessing this means you were brought up Catholic but you're now an atheist which IMO makes you an...atheist. Correct if wrong




i'd like to know that too. i always thought being an atheist means you do NOT believe in god. so how can a combination like that work?

I'd just like to know from the Christians on this board which denomination they belong to.

I tried to include as many denominations as I could, if one isn't there...that's why I have an "other" option. Just be sure to tell us which one.

Thanks!
I got thoroughly disgusted with organized religion many years ago so I developed my own belief system from the ground up. For want of a better name I call it "Science-based Universalism."

I am christian. No specific denomination. Ive lived in many different places, so each time I move I look for the best church I can find in the area without regard to what denomination it belongs to. The current one is southern baptist though you wouldnt know it from visiting.

Non-denominational.

Originally posted by Upper Cet Kola Ytovia
Cool. I'm Grace Brethren too. Of course, "we are a fellowship, not a denomination." :-P
I didn't feel the need to explain the difference between a fellowship and a denomination. Besides, we are close enough to reformed Baptists that it's scary.

Those heathens! They only dunk once!!! ;) Also, I am not sure, but I don't think they do footwashings in Communion. But other than that, only very minor things exist. I actually attended a RB church in college, at the Grace Brethren capital of the world, little Winona Lake, IN.

I have to say, though, that someone was correct in saying that first, they are a Christian. Denominations, while healthy in America, have caused quite a few problems throughout church history, as well. But, being able to hold to your particular beliefs and yet have community with those who do not share some of the less important parts of theology is imperative.

I'm an Episcopalian through and through.

I don't belong to any denomination, although I am a charismatic evalngelical. In practical terms, that means that I'm a cross between a Southern Baptist and a Pentacostal, but without a lot of the rules. For example, I can drink or dance if I want.

Also, most people don't classify JW's and Mormon's as Christian's as they don't hold to the essential bits of doctrine.What are they missing? I always thought it was the general concensus that if you believe Jesus was the savior you're a Christian. It's what I've always heard. And I know JW's classify themselves as Christians.

What are they missing? I always thought it was the general concensus that if you believe Jesus was the savior you're a Christian. It's what I've always heard. And I know JW's classify themselves as Christians.

Most JW's consider everyone that is not a JW to not be a Christian. Pretty similar for Mormons. As it is, they both deny certain doctrines which are generally regarded as being fundamental to Christianity, like Jesus being God.

I'm a Catholic - Maronite Catholic.

Most JW's consider everyone that is not a JW to not be a Christian. Pretty similar for Mormons. As it is, they both deny certain doctrines which are generally regarded as being fundamental to Christianity, like Jesus being God.
True about the JW's (I know nothing of Mormonism so I'll just take your word). I guess I missed the part about having to believe other things on top of the savior business to be Christian.

True about the JW's (I know nothing of Mormonism so I'll just take your word). I guess I missed the part about having to believe other things on top of the savior business to be Christian.

The most basic set of beliefs that would generally qualify one as a Christian would be the Apostle's Creed. I figure that anything above this is optional.

Of course, as it says in James, the demons believe, and tremble. It's not just an intellectual belief that makes you a Christian, but also trust in Christ for your salvation.

I got thoroughly disgusted with organized religion many years ago so I developed my own belief system from the ground up. For want of a better name I call it "Science-based Universalism."

I knew I liked you.
I consider Unitarian Universalists to be very sensible folk. I guess you're close enough.

I'm Baptist but i have no problems with going to a diff denom. of church every now and then

I'm an Agnostic Catholic. I pray, go to Mass (not as often as I should), I go to a Catholic school and enjoy studying my religion, but I have my doubts about God.. I really don't believe in God, but I try to.

To the guy who said catholics made up their theology... it's more of just traditions absorbed from the pagans we converted. It's not really dogmatic. If you eat meat on friday during lent (this traditions was started to improve the fishing industry) you're not going to hell, though catholics are supposed to fast during lent (not necessarily food. Giving up something like TV or candy or promising to be nicer to your baby sister). I personally think it's you fundamentalists that make it up, you just do what a TRANSLATION (our priests, particularly the Jesuits, tend to be educated in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew and actually look it up in the original language) of a bible says. Also more than four gospels were written. It was just us Catholics who decided which ones were "correct". From the antics of the fundamentalists I know, I really don't think you guys know what you believe.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for interpreting the bible for yourself (I do it, and I use the protestant King James Translation because it sounds pretty in its archaic English), I just think you need to be careful what you take for fact. ALso, I couldn't take that jab at Catholicism. I'm immature.




An Interesting Fact: Choirs of Angels - no where does that imply they sing. I think a protestant who didn't know how to translate the bible didn't realize Deer have herds, and ANgels have choirs.

Bashan: great post.

First, I'm a liberal catholic.

That said, I wouldn't consider the Holy Trinity to be dogma, and not grounds of excluding Mormons and JWs from the word "Christian". It was after all the Catholic Nicene Creed in 325 that "decided" in the holy trinity - it is far from biblical fact.

[snip]
Also, most people don't classify JW's and Mormon's as Christian's as they don't hold to the essential bits of doctrine.

The essential bit of doctrine is that Jesus died for our sins and no one can get to the father except through him. Both JW and Mormons believe that. I see no reason we shouldnt include them as christians. Yeah, they believe alot of other unusual things, but they got the essential part that grants them salvation right, so there is no reason to call them something other than christian.

I bet I'm the only one here of the denomination I attend. I am a Christian and a member Of the Churches of Christ, a back to basics denomination formed durring the birth of the American states. I for one Bashan, read the texts in the language they were origionaly written, as the majority of our leadership is trained to. We believe in immersion baptism and the importance of the Communion as the central point of the worship service. Allong with a constant drive to walk closer with God.

Even though I attend this denomination at the moment I believe that Christianity is a one to one experience and that the congragations, all of them, are for the encouragement and correction of the individual Christians. They are a way of forming a sort of care group to help eachother imrove on themselves, allong with being able to worship the Father together

I bet I'm the only one here of the denomination I attend. I am a Christian and a member Of the Churches of Christ, a back to basics denomination formed durring the birth of the American states. I for one Bashan, read the texts in the language they were origionaly written, as the majority of our leadership is trained to. We believe in immersion baptism and the importance of the Communion as the central point of the worship service. Allong with a constant drive to walk closer with God.

Even though I attend this denomination at the moment I believe that Christianity is a one to one experience and that the congragations, all of them, are for the encouragement and correction of the individual Christians. They are a way of forming a sort of care group to help eachother imrove on themselves, allong with being able to worship the Father together
The church of christ frightens me. Their university here is what really makes me feel that way.

I'm not a Christian, but I am a Sin Eater.

The church of christ frightens me. Their university here is what really makes me feel that way.


OCC is one of the more concervative and domineering of the schools in our fellowship, the one that scares me is the most liberal: Pepperdine

I was raised strict Roman Catholic, but I'm less devout now than I was made to be when I was a child.

I put other because I'm Evangelical Prebyterian, which is nothing like the Calvinstic Presbyterians. We barely acknowledge the concept of predestination, because Christ died for everybody to have an opportunity to be in Heaven, not just a select few that are determined ahead of time. Yes, the concept of predestination is that even before you are born it has already been decided if you're going to Hell or Heaven. Crazy.

OCC is one of the more concervative and domineering of the schools in our fellowship, the one that scares me is the most liberal: PepperdineOCC? I'm not sure if you're referring to the school here but if you are its OCU(oklahoma christin univ). They have some ridiculous rules at the university. Unfortunately my boyfriend goes there and just me being on campus makes them act like I'm there to rape the children. As for Pepperdine I didn't know they were church of christers. I even considered applying there at one time.

In my experience people who go to church in places other than splendid, old fashioned cathedrals are less reasonable and dignified than people who do.

I wouldnt trust somone who went to church in a strip mall or an auditorium or a televangelist palace farther than i could throw him.

But then again i'm a catholic atheist, so i have multiple biases.

I'd just like to know from the Christians on this board which denomination they belong to.

I tried to include as many denominations as I could, if one isn't there...that's why I have an "other" option. Just be sure to tell us which one.

Thanks!
I'm none of those. I'm a CHRISTIAN.

I'm none of those. I'm a CHRISTIAN.


If you of european or oriental stock and arent a catholic (or orthodox) then you are a protestant.

In my experience people who go to church in places other than splendid, old fashioned cathedrals are less reasonable and dignified than people who do.

I wouldnt trust somone who went to church in a strip mall or an auditorium or a televangelist palace farther than i could throw him.

But then again i'm a catholic atheist, so i have multiple biases.
lol. there are also churches that hold services inside of movie theatres which are inside of malls. well at least in wonderful oklahoma. up until now i thought i was the only one who thought it was weird that churches are in strip malls.

Anyone else go to a Vineyard church?

I don't know what the parallel in the Vineyard is to being a Catholic, a Lutheran etc.

Maybe I'm a Grape!

:D

If you of european or oriental stock and arent a catholic (or orthodox) then you are a protestant.
Jesus never mentioned that we should make such divisions.

But the Bible does say:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, {Even} Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever. (Psalms 133:1-3)

I misread the title as "Christian Domination" and thought this was going to be a Nazi thread or something.

:D

/willy bibble



All the same, if you are a european christian and not a catholic or greek orthodox, you are a protestant.

"non denominational" is protestantism.

All the same, if you are a european christian and not a catholic or greek orthodox, you are a protestant.

"non denominational" is protestantism.
No, because that would not be NON-DENOMINATIONAL, as in, they have their own beliefs, regardless of the Protestant Reformation.

Protestant (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=protestant)
#1. A member of a Western Christian church whose faith and practice are founded on the principles of the Reformation, especially in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of revelation, in justification by faith alone, and in the universal priesthood of all the believers.
#2. A member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theologies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli.

Your definition is incorrect.

No, because that would not be NON-DENOMINATIONAL, as in, they have their own beliefs, regardless of the Protestant Reformation.

Protestant (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=protestant)
#1. A member of a Western Christian church whose faith and practice are founded on the principles of the Reformation, especially in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of revelation, in justification by faith alone, and in the universal priesthood of all the believers.
#2. A member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theologies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli.

Your definition is incorrect.


My definition is functional, catholicism was traditionally christianity until the protestants broke away from it,

Catholicism is the default, "non denominationalism" is an explicit rejection of catholicism.

It is therefore protestantism.

By the way, what sources of revelation are there other than the bible?

Jesus never mentioned that we should make such divisions.

But the Bible does say:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, {Even} Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever. (Psalms 133:1-3)

Well, the bible is wrong. It has very little to do with christianity, and anyone who views it as authorative is mistaken in their christainity.

My definition is functional, catholicism was traditionally christianity until the protestants broke away from it,

Catholicism is the default, "non denominationalism" is an explicit rejection of catholicism.

It is therefore protestantism.

By the way, what sources of revelation are there other than the bible?
Well, if you want to include all non-Catholics in with you, just to make you feel good about yourself, go ahead and use whatever "functional" definition you want. You're still wrong.

Because, as explained above, Protestantism is not anti-Catholicism and anyone who says that is ignorant.

As for "sources of revelation." There is nothing in the world which is not a "source of revelation." You simply have to see it.

Anyone else go to a Vineyard church?

I don't know what the parallel in the Vineyard is to being a Catholic, a Lutheran etc.

Maybe I'm a Grape!

:D


I think Vinyard Churches fall somewhere in the Gospel area. Somewhere between Charismatic and Baptist ( yeah that helps alot!). Anyway, I am non-denominational. My church calls itself full gospel. http://www.gospelcom.net/reslife/ :p


BTW, funny joke.

Anyone else go to a Vineyard church?

I don't know what the parallel in the Vineyard is to being a Catholic, a Lutheran etc.

Maybe I'm a Grape!

:D

My church isn't officially Vineyard, but we do get a lot of stuff from them and do stuff with them.

Here in the US, more Protestants belong to churches independent of an official denomination than to any other religious group.

In the US, that would get you a lot of "Other".

Plutophobia, do you view the Pope or one of the other Patriarchs as the guy who filled St. Peter's position? No? Then you're protestant.

Plutophobia, do you view the Pope or one of the other Patriarchs as the guy who filled St. Peter's position? No? Then you're protestant.
OK, I know people are often willfully ignorant, but let me reiterate this, in nice, large letters for you.

PROTESTANT (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=protestant)
#1. A member of a Western Christian church whose faith and practice are founded on the principles of the Reformation, especially in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of revelation, in justification by faith alone, and in the universal priesthood of all the believers.
#2. A member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theologies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli.

Well, if you want to include all non-Catholics in with you, just to make you feel good about yourself, go ahead and use whatever "functional" definition you want. You're still wrong.

Because, as explained above, Protestantism is not anti-Catholicism and anyone who says that is ignorant.

As for "sources of revelation." There is nothing in the world which is not a "source of revelation." You simply have to see it.


Not all non-catholics.

People with churches that existed before the protestant reformation but are not catholic certainly arent protestants.

Since the protestant reformation, rejection of catholicism by europeans constitutes protestantism.

The last line of the first chapter of "Threshold of Hope" is genius.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bashan
Plutophobia, do you view the Pope or one of the other Patriarchs as the guy who filled St. Peter's position? No? Then you're protestant.


OK, I know people are often willfully ignorant, but let me reiterate this, in nice, large letters for you.

PROTESTANT
#1. A member of a Western Christian church whose faith and practice are founded on the principles of the Reformation, especially in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of revelation, in justification by faith alone, and in the universal priesthood of all the believers.
#2. A member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theologies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli.

I'm glad the letters are now large enough to read. I no longer need to be concerned about my vision. So you're non-Catholic/Orthodox, non-Protestant... non... anything really. So you're some kind of non-demoninational, kind of made up religion? I just think it seems that by not following a partriarch you may have almost broken away from from the Catholic or Orthodox church. Also you seem to follow the Priesthood of all believers (Interpret the bible yourself, have "Ministers" or somekind of Lay Person presiding over mass/whatever you call your church's service, not "Priests"), the bible/personal experience with God being the sole source of revelation (basically you don't follow the Catholic or Orthodox traditions), which according to your definition are Protestant beliefs. I don't think you need all of the beliefs you so kindly listed in rather large and friendly letters to be protestant. I'm pretty sure Anglicans, for example, have priests and they're considered protestant.

Also, the dictionary definition according to my Webster's New World Student Dictionary is "a member of any christian churches that grew out of he Reformation or DEVELOPED SINCE THEN" Your church seems to have mayber, perhaps, have slightly on some level developed since the Reformation. Maybe.


Quick Trivia Question! What exactly are protestants protesting? Not the Catholic Church... that's two broad of an answer, and an incorrect one at that! What exactly?

I'll reveal the answer tomorrow if this thread is on the first page, If I'm not banned for being politefully unpolite.

(I left my history book in my locker at school. It was a council or document of some sort. I don't think it was Worms. I need to study this, I have an exam on it May 6th)

I WAS a devout protestant once, most of my family still is, but as for me I'm an agnostic Protestant if there is such a thing.

I'm glad the letters are now large enough to read. I no longer need to be concerned about my vision. So you're non-Catholic/Orthodox, non-Protestant... non... anything really. So you're some kind of non-demoninational, kind of made up religion? I just think it seems that by not following a partriarch you may have almost broken away from from the Catholic or Orthodox church. Also you seem to follow the Priesthood of all believers (Interpret the bible yourself, have "Ministers" or somekind of Lay Person presiding over mass/whatever you call your church's service, not "Priests"), the bible/personal experience with God being the sole source of revelation (basically you don't follow the Catholic or Orthodox traditions), which according to your definition are Protestant beliefs. I don't think you need all of the beliefs you so kindly listed in rather large and friendly letters to be protestant. I'm pretty sure Anglicans, for example, have priests and they're considered protestant.

Also, the dictionary definition according to my Webster's New World Student Dictionary is "a member of any christian churches that grew out of he Reformation or DEVELOPED SINCE THEN" Your church seems to have mayber, perhaps, have slightly on some level developed since the Reformation. Maybe.


Quick Trivia Question! What exactly are protestants protesting? Not the Catholic Church... that's two broad of an answer, and an incorrect one at that! What exactly?

I'll reveal the answer tomorrow if this thread is on the first page, If I'm not banned for being politefully unpolite.

(I left my history book in my locker at school. It was a council or document of some sort. I don't think it was Worms. I need to study this, I have an exam on it May 6th)


They were protesting the joie de vivre and the dignity and reason that was starting to charactarize the catholic church.

wow somebody brought reason and religion together....what a weird connection...but could please somebody explain the atheist thing from the first page? an atheist catholic, or what did he call himself? What is that?

Most JW's consider everyone that is not a JW to not be a Christian. Pretty similar for Mormons. As it is, they both deny certain doctrines which are generally regarded as being fundamental to Christianity, like Jesus being God.
For the record, mormons do not deny anyone else being a christian. If you have met some that do that is an individual. It is not a church teaching.

True about the JW's (I know nothing of Mormonism so I'll just take your word). I guess I missed the part about having to believe other things on top of the savior business to be Christian.
You didn't miss anything. It is people who are trying to get down on religions that belive the trinity to be three seperate people, rather than one, saying this. Simply to discredit others, or to build themselves up.

wow somebody brought reason and religion together....what a weird connection...but could please somebody explain the atheist thing from the first page? an atheist catholic, or what did he call himself? What is that?


That, mon cheri... fus moi...


And an atheist catholic is somone who has reverence for certain catholic traditions and institutions but does not believe in god or jesus or anything along those lines.

Catholicism as a piece of culture rather than faith.

Sort of like a jewish atheist.

They were protesting the joie de vivre and the dignity and reason that was starting to charactarize the catholic church.

Um... I don't think that's the correct answer. According to page 454 of The Western Experience

Nevertheless, the appeal of the new faith eventually tipped the balance for enough princes to create a formidable party capable of resisting Charles's Power. While they were attending an imperial Diet at Speyer in 1529, they signed a declaration "protesting" the Diet's decree that no religious innovations were to be introduced in the empire. Thereafter, all who acepted religious reform, including the Lutherans, were known as Protestants; and adherents of the traditional Church, led from Rome, which continued to claim that it was universal (or catholic), came to be known as Roman Catholics.

They were protesting the Diet of Speyer's decree according to my source.

Weslyan :)

Southern Baptist!

Um... I don't think that's the correct answer. According to page 454 of The Western Experience



They were protesting the Diet of Speyer's decree according to my source.


Incidental and petty.

Gnostic Christain currently...but raised and confirmed Lutheran. I have 12 different types of Christain in my family if you go out as far as first cousins. One of the joys of being from a small town in Wisconsin...you can be any religion you want as long as its Christain. ;)

I'm a United Methodist

Christian Identity ;)

I am surprised there is no Protestant up there. I'm not surprised my denomination isn't up there, people don't tend to take warmly to us, but Protestantism is huge.

The White Nations,
Protestantism is not a specific denomination. Rather, it is a large grouping of non-Catholic denominations.

In essence, a lot of those up there are Protestant belief systems.

I'm glad the letters are now large enough to read. I no longer need to be concerned about my vision. So you're non-Catholic/Orthodox, non-Protestant... non... anything really. So you're some kind of non-demoninational, kind of made up religion?
Exactly!

And I don't formally adhere to the theologies of any Christian church or leader.

Catholic of the Roman Catholic variety.

United Methodist

And for a side note - Mormons and Jehovas Witnesses are not be any means Christian! There beliefs are far different then that of Christianity.

I am a Seventh-Day-Adventist Christian.

BTW, protestants were protesting a whole bunch of things, from confession, to the priesthood, to pennance, to infant baptism, to the church allow people to pay a dollar amount in advance to be able to commit sin, to the claims of the Pope to be the "vicar of Christ", to church tradition being held in higher esteam than scripture. It all depends on which particular "Reformer" an individual identified themself with.

Presbyterian... specifically, PCA (Presbyterian Church in America)...

As far as I know Jehova's Witnesses are not Christian, but I may be wrong...

P.S. I'm Catholic.

What the Frap'ee is a Calvanist?

What the Frap'ee is a Calvanist?

A Calvinist believes they and select others have been chosen by God to inherit heaven. They have no free will in the matter, and are gauranteed to accept Christ as their Savior. Likewise, someone who is predestined to hell has no opportunity to be saved.

It's really just a cop-out to avoid having to engage in missions work and accurately defending the gospel.

Sorry if that ticked any Calvinists off.

I am a Roman Catholic.

As far as I know Jehova's Witnesses are not Christian, but I may be wrong...

P.S. I'm Catholic.
Trust me they are just as Christian as you.

I go to a Baptist church, but many of the differences 'twixt the denominations matter little to me.

Trust me they are just as Christian as you.
No, not really:
They believe that the 144,000 mentioned in Revelations are the only people who are going to heaven, and only 2,000 remain today. They think that everyone's duty is to serve the remaining 2,000 on hand and knee.

I'd just like to know from the Christians on this board which denomination they belong to.

I tried to include as many denominations as I could, if one isn't there...that's why I have an "other" option. Just be sure to tell us which one.

Thanks!

Babtist, most of, or all, of my family is Cathlic though, my dad used to be Cathlic, my boyfriend's Cathlic, was worried it'd be hard for us to be together since we're different religions, but I'm almost not religious in real life, so he knows its OK, if we get serious enough to get married, he knows I'll convert since his whole family's Cathlic while my family's only a tiny bit Babtist "blood-line." Wow, I type tons of words in a minuet :D

This post is to attract people via "recent posts" on the Nation States toolbar.

I am a Roman Catholic thinking about becomming a Maronite or Melkite Catholic because of both of their beautiful traditions , theology, and many other reasons. Since I'm still a Roman though, I consider myself a traditionalist as far as canon and doctrine go. I personally think a Vatican III should be held to correct certain errors in Vatican II and to put the Latin Church back on the right direction.

A Calvinist believes they and select others have been chosen by God to inherit heaven.
Wrong. That is merely one point of it.

They have no free will in the matter, and are gauranteed to accept Christ as their Savior.
Are you telling me that if God wanted to save someone, He wouldn't be allowed?

Likewise, someone who is predestined to hell has no opportunity to be saved.
Refer to above response.

It's really just a cop-out to avoid having to engage in missions work and accurately defending the gospel.
Actually, there is an aweful lot of evidence that supports "Cavinism" in Scripture. All of it doesn't fit with me, but I suppose you could consider me a four point something Calvinist.

Sorry if that ticked any Calvinists off.
Nah, I find myself defending my position all the time.

A Calvinist believes they and select others have been chosen by God to inherit heaven.

Yes... Well, in the terms of election.

5 Point Calvinists believe in election in both directions. To heaven and hell. 4 Pointers believe in election to heaven part only. And believe the second is related to the first. (I think the answer is somewhere between those two points). But, more or less. It is the principle that God chooses the elect from all of fallen mankind. And acts, by grace and the Spirit, to work in them the aspects of saving faith. The two distinctions are between infralapsarians and supralapsarians. The first are 4 pointers. And is "Calvinism proper"; that is the original doctrine of election of the Reformed churches. The second was a doctrine created by Theodore Beza, Calvin's successor at Geneva. It is a standard practice by Arminian supporters to paint all Calvinists as supralapsarians (the majority have always been infralapsarians...)


They have no free will in the matter, and are gauranteed to accept Christ as their Savior. Likewise, someone who is predestined to hell has no opportunity to be saved.

That isn't Calvinism, that is Hyper-Calvinism, two different soterologic theologies. And it is important to make the distinction between the two. I'll expound futher.


It's really just a cop-out to avoid having to engage in missions work and accurately defending the gospel.

That is what Hyper-Calvinists do. A Calvinistic theologian, A.W. Tozer, made a good distinction between the two theolgies of Hyper-Calvinism and Calvinism...

Hyper-Calvinists believe the concept of "Once saved, always saved; and it doesn't matter what you do."

Calvinism would be better put as, "Once saved, always saved; and it DOES matter what you do."

That is the concept, that saving faith works in the person all aspects of missions work and carrying the gospel (along with other aspects of the faithful), that is, saving faith is shown in works. Someone not having works in association with their profession of faith, does not necessarily have grounds for claiming to be saved based upon their profession alone. "For it is God who worketh in you both to will, and to do of His good pleasure" [Ph. 2:13]

Calvinists believe in the concept of "free will" (Review: "Man's Will Free, yet Bound" by Walter Chantry/ "The Sovereignty of God" by A.W. Pink, and "God's Will, Man's Will and Free Will" by Earnest C. Reisinger; for an acurate exposition on Calvinist Theology). Calvinists believe in free will, but at the same time understand that the will of man is only free to act in accordance with its nature (in the state of reprobation, or in the state of grace; depending).

The Reformed churches are second only to the Catholics in missions work. So your description is inaccurate.


Sorry if that ticked any Calvinists off.

It's a common practice for arminians and pelagians to mis-interpret theologies they do not understand. You're forgiven.

I might add, the present, major Calvinistic churches still operating in America...

The Association of Reformed Baptist Churches in America.
The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA)
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)

All of them are major missions players in North America and abroad (in association with the (WARC) World Alliance of Reformed Churches.