Religious Affiliation
 

Ive saw several of you posting things about your beliefs or church, so I am curious.........LOL! who is what?

I am in the process of converting to Catholisicm (did I spell that right) myself.
I also consider myself somewhat pagan..........

so everyone, whats your faith?

I am Christian, but I don't belong to any denomination. We stopped going to church when my parents split up. It's not that we aren't spiritual, but we were just kind of disgusted by the fact that everyone who previously liked us, all of a sudden wouldn't even make eye contact with us on Sundays. I attended a UCC church when we lived in Philly, and I liked that a lot. When my dd is old enough to understand religion, I plan on taking her to one of those churches.

hey jess, whats UCC?

United Church of Christ. It was nice because they didn't care if you were gay, straight, married, whatever. I'm not saying that they are the only church who is like that, but they had a very nice way of making everyone feel welcome.

wonder if there is a difference between united and just plain church of christ? we have ALOT of church of christers around here! oh, jemmor is one!!!!

did they have music in the service?

I don't know. It might be the same thing. We did have some music, but it wasn't going on all the time.

United Church of Christ and Church of Christ, are two very different identities. Actually there isn't a central Church of Christ(like the Vatican is to the Catholic Church) so pretty much every church of Christ can be different, unfortunately many are liberal and some are conservative, so you can't judge one by another.

The basis behind the church of Christ is the Bible and nothing but, no human creeds or traditions. Musical insterments are a big debate and the easy way to identify a liberal one is their presence. As we have no examples of musical insterments being used in worship in the New Testament they are largely avoided, with congregational A Cappella singing being the form of musical worship. ("Eph 5:19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." says to sing, not play insterments)

If you haven't guessed yet, I am a member of a church of Christ, but I'm not a church of Christer. Another way to tell a liberal vs a conservative member is their willingness to assume that title. I am not a member of any denomination, I am simply a member of the Lord's church as explained in the New Testament. I speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where it is silent. Thus I do not believe in musical insterments being used in worship, I do not believe women should be allowed to preach (our role is elsewhere), and I believe that God left the path to Salvation in it's perfect form in the written Word and there is nothing more needed, thus human creeds and traditions are a hinderance to our ability to attain salvation. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." John 12:48 - "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." Mat 15:8-9 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" I'm not willing to risk my soul creeds and traditions, Mat 7:21-23 : "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' " So I put my faith in the Bible and nothing but.

I have no denominational affilliation, I am simply a member of the Lord's church that happens to meet at a place called the University church of Christ in San Marcos, Texas.

We attend the Assembly of God church where my whole family attends, from my Mother to my grandchildren. Our church is a very active church and there's always things going on to keep you busy. Right now I'm teaching a Sunday School class (You only have to teach for 6 weeks at a time.), I sing solos, I'm suppose to be helping in Children's church (just started), and I try to help where I'm needed. We have a great pastor and my church family feels like family to me.

I am a Spirit-filled, born again believer. I love the Lord with all of my heart and my desire is to live a life directed by Him. The Lord has been good to us. I have a family that was always brought up in church and my family life has been blessd by God. To make things short, we have the kind of family that most people would want to be a part of. I can only give the credit to God.

I think I would get banned from here for my beliefs, so I'll keep quiet! ;)

Amen. Isn't she wonderful!?

BTW, on this forum, don't ask if you don't want an answer. :)

:goodpost: Thelma :yelrotflmao: When I first saw the topic title, I could have sworn it said "Religious Affliction"!

Technically, my fiance' and I were both raised Catholic. Went through all the motions... baptism, communion, Sunday school, confession...
Haven't stepped foot in any kind of church in some years though.

Catholics, especially Roman Catholics are very strict and getting married is a huge process so we are hiring an ordained Catholic Priest to come to us, at our location to perform the ceremony.

Oh Marylin, I wanted an answer, no problem!

LOL! @ Lissa, I promise not to call you a Church of Christer!!!

We have Church of Christ on every corner in Tn so I am somewhat a little familiar with the belief. As mentioned my best friend is one. She was FLABBERGASTED when I started RCIA to become Catholic. I use to live over near Henderson Tn, and their University is there.

Becky, I know what you mean!! LOL! just try joining the Catholic church when you have been married before :D I can't even participate in the sacrements until that marriage is anuled. Which I am in the process of now. Its been interesting. But Father is awesome! I have so enjoyed it.

Heather, I already know your beliefs and how your gonna convert to catholicism anyway, *wink* so dont sweat it!!!!!

"Heather, I already know your beliefs and how your gonna convert to catholicism anyway, *wink* so dont sweat it!!!!!"


Um yeah, that's gonna happen! No organized religion for me. If the people I hate most and who have stabbed me in the back repeatedly are all in "heaven", then how is Heaven "heaven" if I won't even like the people there? But if all of my friends and loved ones (outside of my family) are going straight to Hell, then can it really be that bad of a place? I mean, why would I want to spend eternity with those I hate in "heaven", and never see the ones I love? I know it sounds stupid, but so is the ridiculous judgement and backstabbing that's gone on at every church I've been to! If god decides to stop hating me, and I feel like believing in him again, it won't be in a church!

I have a strong belief in God, but do not attend an organized church. I used to belong to a very small (30 members) church - but was told that I had lost my salvation when I divorced my husband who had been beating me up and refused to get help (said it was the medication he was on and there was nothing he could do about it - I just needed to learn not to aggravate him.) He didn't want the divorce, so he was allowed to stay and I was kicked out.

I think I made it worse when I told the elders that I thought that their sin (taking on the role of God and declaring that I had lost my salvation) - was worse than mine.

I do not believe that God would want me to stay in a relationship where I was being physically abused.

i'm with you there, dobie.
i go to a methodist church but my beliefs are not traditional. i believe the life of jesus was an inspiration, and that there have been several prophets that we can learn from the life of. i try to follow those teachings.
i don't literally take the immaculate conception as reality, but i also think it doesn't matter what we believe about what or how things really happened back then. how a person lives their life is more important.
my main way to live life is take care of myself, help other people, and take care of the earth.
i like a lot of things other rreligions say...buddhism, taoism, etc.
i get a lot of spiritual things from nature, my friendships, the way the whole universe works, and music; i see a lot of god there.

My family are members of the First Church of the Nazarene. I started there as a child. Now, I attend (and not every Sunday) a nice country church a couple miles from us...Hopewell United Methodist Church. The people there are all my neighbors and a lot of the families whose kids ride my bus. It's not very big, maybe 100 or less members, but it sure feels good to be there.

aw Dobie, I'm sorry! Thats what I tell my mom........she is a charismatic holy rolling believer, and when she found out I was converting to the "great whore in the book of revelations!" she almost had a stroke. In fact I need testimony from family members as to why my previous marriage ended. Getting testimony from family members so you can become catholic when they think you should have stayed in the relationship has proven difficult in the extreme. Never mind that he settled arguments by pointing a gun in my face on more than one occasion. Had I had the sense god gave a monkey he would have done time for aggravated felony domestic assault. But its in the past now, and I wish him only blessings.
Anyway, after we split, most of my former friends and family totaly turned against me. So I told my mom, that while I would never set myself on the level of god himself, that like him when he said "these wounds I got in the house of my friends". thats me. every bad thing that has ever happened to me has been at the hand of a so called christian. I have learned that most have forgotten that christian is suppose to mean christ like.
My desire to become catholic, is that they are an extremely formal church and I believe it is a human need to have a ritual of worship. I find that there. My personal convictions of my inner soul are simply between god and myself. he knows me, the good the bad and the ugly, and amazingly enough he still sent his son to die for me. thats all I need.
Thanks for sharing Dobie. I needed that! {huggie}

I'm a Roman Catholic.

I'm a Roman Catholic .

These kinds of threads scare me, lol. I guess I will just say that I take things from a lot of different religions and incorporate that into what I believe or not believe. There's at least one thing in each religion that I can agree with, as well as at least one thing that I don't :o

i'm kind of there too, gwen. i'm a blend! sometimes my beliefs don't make sense to other people, but only what works for me and what i can hold on to and live by is what's important.

Organized religion makes me nervous as well. I do believe in God, I do believe God sent his son to die for me. I also think however, that the bible might have been manipulated by the original translators to get the people to do what they wanted without a revolt. Because the leaders could say don't get mad at me this is coming from God, like the scripture that says to pay your taxes, don't know exactly what verse it is, but I know there is one because it was brought up in my church not too long ago.

I was raised methodist, I loved the old hymns we sang, we had wonderful singers, my grandma was one & a wonderful organist. That chuch however believed that drinking, gambling, & smoking were sins along with tattoos & multiple other things. I have come to the realization that where they got these sins was because it says that God should be #1 in your life. If you become addicted to any of the things mentioned they will take that #1 spot from God. So rather then saying these things are fine in moderation they deemed doing them at all sinful & evil. My family also have something against the catholics that I don't understand. I do not understand the catholic faith therefore i can not judge it. In fact I don't feel I can judge anyone or anything that's not my place. My current church is a missionary church, i like the music & most of the services, some of the things they preach i do not agree with, but I enjoy the fellowship there.

Ponyup.......dont know if this will help but I think that after the original christians came out of the catacombs, Catholicism was the first organised church. Therefore all the protestant churches of today came from catholic originally. Thats not my opinion it is a historical fact. Naturally they had a reason for leaving or they would have stayed. I think most protestant groups have a long history of dislike for catholic and alot of misinformation. The catholics do not have a clean history either. historically they did many evil things. However there isnt a religious group that hasnt. your religion is only as nice as the peole who claim it. if your evil, then the religion you claim becomes evil as well.

Organized religions are scary because we tend to follow them without checking things out for ourselves. How do I know if what I believe is correct? Go to your Bible. I believe that it is the inspired Word of God and He can speak to me through His word. The "correct church" is the one that lines up with Biblical teachings. You'll find that sometimes religions interpret things a little differently but the basics are still there:

1. Admit that you are a sinner.
"There is no one righteous, not even one......for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, 23

Ask God's forgiveness and repent of your sins.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10-13

2. Believe in Jesus (put your trust in Him) as your only hope of salvation. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Become a child of God by receiving Christ.
"To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord.
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

So you see, whether you have music in church or don't, if you go to an organized church or a church that is freer in their worship doesn't matter, but what does matter is if I have asked Jesus to forgive my sins and invited Him into my life. That IS what's important!!!!!!

great post Diana!!! can I just add.........(LOL! my pet peeve.) If you claim to be a "christian, at least attempt to act like Jesus! Jesus forgave the people who murdered him, he loved Judas who betrayed him. He hung out with a tax collector, became friends with a prostitute, he died willingly between thieves. I do realise some christians are into charitable works, and maybe go to the shelter to fix a dinner for the homeless, but when was the last time they invited the dirty lice infested homeless person into their home?

I could not agree with this more. WE should reach out to the people who are struggling not condemn them. We should love everyone has ourselves so that they may see the love of God radiate through us.

& Coyote that you for the insight on the Catholic faith, my parents main problem is they allow drinking. When I brought up that they drank in the bible she told me they weren't drinking actual wine, now I don't know if she actually believes this or if it was just what she told a questioning child.

Great Post Diana!!
 

QUOTE=DianaB]Organized religions are scary because we tend to follow them without checking things out for ourselves. How do I know if what I believe is correct? Go to your Bible. I believe that it is the inspired Word of God and He can speak to me through His word. The "correct church" is the one that lines up with Biblical teachings. You'll find that sometimes religions interpret things a little differently but the basics are still there:

1. Admit that you are a sinner.
"There is no one righteous, not even one......for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, 23

Ask God's forgiveness and repent of your sins.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10-13

2. Believe in Jesus (put your trust in Him) as your only hope of salvation. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Become a child of God by receiving Christ.
"To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord.
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

So you see, whether you have music in church or don't, if you go to an organized church or a church that is freer in their worship doesn't matter, but what does matter is if I have asked Jesus to forgive my sins and invited Him into my life. That IS what's important!!!!!![/QUOTE]

Diana,
:thankyou: I needed that! :hands: :goodpost:

Amen, Diana!

I'm the good ole Southern Baptist, married to a Methodist, so we don't go anywhere. I watch TV on Sunday mornings for Houston Second Baptist's preacher and then Joel Olsteen @ Lakewood Church. My Dad always called me a closet worshipper because I read my Bible and worship God in private. I do witness, but don't go out of my way to do so. I do talk alot to my g-kids about having Jesus in my heart!

Diana, My company had a booth at the last general assembly. I worked it. Did you go?

Yotes, I was watching something the other night about the conflict between Protestants and Catholics. It was about northern Ireland, and how the conflict there has shaped the country. I honestly didn't know anything about it, it was interesting but sad.

I've never been to General Assembly, but our pastor and associate pastor were there. That's cool that your company had a booth there. I also have a friend that sings in the choir but I'm not sure if she was there last year or not.

lmao, they were drinking actual wine. In fact most european countries drink wime as a normal part of daily life. Its just we americans who are so afraid of drinking!
many people say that..........

i found it! this essay that has been in my mind. the minister in my church read this aloud several years ago...i think it has some good thoughts and expresses some of how i feel and believe.

http://www.humankindness.org/godletter.html

I believe that many will be deceived into thinking that they have found the "way" but the Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14--

13 "Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. 14 But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.

This letter definitely describes a "broad" way of thinking when it comes to what to accept as far as a religion and this verse definitely says "to enter through the narrow gate".

There is no other decision that is more important than to invite Christ into your heart. Your decision, whether to accept or not to accept, will affect your life, not just your life now but your eternal life. Nothing is more important than this decision.

Pearl, that's cool! I like that :)

yeah, it's the "message" i've gotten through my "spiritual journey."

Ok, Yotes, so I've been a little down lately, so I decided maybe I should go to church. I went last night...boy was that a mistake! Same superficial people. My stomach was in knots the entire bus ride over and the message just brought back the memories of how much god hates me. I tried, I'm done.

So sorry this happened to you. God does not hate you. You just haven't found the true church, yet.

Heather,

God does not hate you. He is always with you and always loves you. Just don't go back to that church. You'll find one when the time is right.