Denominations?

[Portalguy]

What's everyone's Denom? I'm Evangelical but was raised Roman Catholic.

[dollydagger]

I dont believe in denominations.....im a christian and that is enough.........but I must say, you jumed from one end of the spectrum to another

[Portalguy]

Yes. I suppose I did. Actually you can throw Buddhism in between. A religion I still admire in a lot of ways.

[dollydagger]

incorporating aspects of buddhism into christianity is something that i have been doing as of late......i think the buddha and christ were brothers, in a sense. I am begining to recognize the Buddha as a spiritual father.

[natural philosophy]

i think the buddha and christ were brothers, in a sense.
i agree with you here. i'm not actually 'christian' by the normal definitions, but i am a reader of the bible and i take christ's teachings as examples of love and forgiveness. i don't take christ as anything more than a man, so name it what you would.

it would also be safe to say that i am a buddhist and a nazerite.

i was raised as roman catholic until i was about 18. i was a staunch believer and defender of the religion.

i like to discuss christianity, though. that's why i am intruding on your forum :D

[dollydagger]

i like to discuss christianity, though. that's why i am intruding on your forum :D
its not intruding!!! welcome! i look foward to having great discussions with you, natural philosophy......and this forum is for all....

[dollydagger]

for all those who have questions about denominations, read 1 Corinthians... the whole book

[BudToker]

i agree with you here. i'm not actually 'christian' by the normal definitions, but i am a reader of the bible and i take christ's teachings as examples of love and forgiveness. i don't take christ as anything more than a man, so name it what you would.Same, I was wondering if I could post here too. Any objections of an Agnostic Christianity supporter posting in this part of the forums?

[dollydagger]

i have absolutely no objection! everyone here seems to maintain a level of respect of everyone's views, so long as we dont lose sight of that..... different views make for great conversation, wouldn't you say?

[Portalguy]

No, I think from the very beginning it was supposed to be for Christians and their supporters. You're more than welcome here if you're either I'm sure.

[dollydagger]

I believe that everyone here who has posted does have Christian views or supports them. Like I said in the above post, as long as there is a level of respect. I like opposite views, and I like to be questioned. To me, they are both tools to strengthening my beliefs, and they make my convictions more concrete...I think that to better understand others, we must understand ourselves. And others' views give me a better sense of my own.

[natural philosophy]

I like opposite views, and I like to be questioned. To me, they are both tools to strengthening my beliefs, and they make my convictions more concrete...I think that to better understand others, we must understand ourselves.
i wish more christians had this view. i might be generalizing, but i live in the south, under the 'bible-belt' as they call it, and 90% of people i've spoken to about philosophy just want to close their eyes and reference scripture to counter my arguments. it's rare that i meet a christian that is willing to listen to me talk about buddhism or other philosophies. it blows some people's minds lol.

[dollydagger]

where in the south are you?

[natural philosophy]

south texas

[dollydagger]

im in south carolina....that's bible belt!!!

thank you for your kind comments.....i hope that i can somehow demonstrate to people that not all christians are close-minded (i have met the same people that you speak of). I am an avid student of philosophy, and i have always been turned on by buddhism....im one of those few christians that can believe that ther is one central truth hidden in all faiths.

thank you, brother! and i look foward to having many a great discussion with you!!

[AT98BooBoo]

I'm Seventh-day Adventist. Most of us are peace luvin vegetarians.

[GuruLite]

I'm a UU. *ducks for cover* Please don't hurt me.

Most UUs don't consider themselves Christians, and most Christians don't consider UUs Christians either, but I'm a bit of both...just a Christian with a strong sense of openness.

And just because I have a feeling someone will ask, UU stands for Unitarian Universalist. The Wikipedia article is half-decent if that isn't satisfying enough.

[dollydagger]

I have become interested in the UU.....anything you would like to share about it? Also, I live in the city that has the oldest UU church in the country....Ive been thinking about going to a service there

[GuruLite]

I have become interested in the UU.....anything you would like to share about it? Also, I live in the city that has the oldest UU church in the country....Ive been thinking about going to a service thereIMO, a UU church is generally a good community, when compared to other spiritual groups. In my experience, there's a lot more dialogue between members on contemporary topics, but there's also an emphasis on personal spiritual development.

Most people generally get overclouded by the "liberal theology" present, but it's a really good spiritual community to find yourself in. There's no specific creed, and often times you have overlap with UUs who identify as Christians, Buddhists, or Pagans, and it's nice to have that kind of interfaith dialogue going on because it forces all religions present to be grow in their personal faith.

[Okiefreak]

Man, this is great! I thought if I wandered into the Christian ghetto I'd be nailed up by Bible thumpers and end up like that Jesus photo FedUp Amereican keeps putting up on the main Christianity site. I'm from Oklahoma, the "buckle of the Bible Belt", and I think of myself as Christian, but I'm pretty much like y'all in beliefs.

I'm unchurched but am thinking of checkin' out the UUs. I've heard they also have Jews, agnostics and atheists--whatever turns you on! Is that right?

[Okiefreak]

Same, I was wondering if I could post here too. Any objections of an Agnostic Christianity supporter posting in this part of the forums? I guess you're in man. I'd like to hear more from you.

[GuruLite]

I'm unchurched but am thinking of checkin' out the UUs. I've heard they also have Jews, agnostics and atheists--whatever turns you on! Is that right?Pretty much. There's a big emphasis on finding the path you're supposed to be on. Lots of non-identification. While some people are of specific faiths, most are of the deist/agnostic/maybe-kinda-Christian-let's-talk variety.

[Okiefreak]

Thanks. What's a Universalist? Did the Unitarians and the Universalists have some kind of merger?

[Lilyrayne]

Back on topic - I have said for the longest time that I am not and will not ever consider myself to be any one denomination. As someone else said, I follow God, that's enough for me. Even if I attend a church of a specific denomination, it'd only be for the sake of attending church and fellowship, not for the denomination it is. There are things I disagree with in EVERY denomination. I respect most of them, even if I don't agree with them. There are very very few that I do not respect.

[galaxi]

I am a SEVEnth Day Adventist. I love my religion for the most part..the cornerstone of this movement is the health message( vegetarianism/veganism.sunshine.excersize..etc) and worshipping on saturday is another feature that sets us apart. other than that a true SDA with god in their heart and soul deems the qualities of the lord. very peaceful/loving/compassionate people.
unlike most SDA folk i am open to some of the views of eastern religions and so forth. i most certaintly respect others and feel like my religion is right for me..i try not to push it upon others..although sometimes i get overthrilled and carried away.

[Hryhorii]

I had been floating around in a sea of Christian obscurity (i didn't belong anywhere) but now I am going through the RCIA to be baptized and confirmed in the catholic church (roman rite)

[Orsino2]

Protestant -- Southern Baptist.

Some Bavarian ancestors of mine were reformers in the Lutheran church. I also believe my family has been linked to Martin Luther.

I have been a member of a Southern Baptist church for over ten years. I do not always agree with everything people have to say themselves about religion, you know... you also can't blame people either, but it's just that I started going a long time ago and I know the people well by now.

[natural philosophy]

ive been looking at a UU church near where i work. they have buddhist meditation nights on wednesdays. sounds pretty badass to me.

[Moon_Beam]

I seem to get a lot more from Evangelism, makes me much happier and can really praise Jesus!

But I agree with what is being said about Buddhism, I like to include a bit, especially yoga, into what I do and how I live each day.