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jeff_osu
Tiger
Joined: 17 Sep 2003
Posts: 838
Location: Oklahoma
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 Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:33 pm Post subject: Switching Denominations |
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I was raised as a Baptist and attented quite regularly untill about 8th grade. Even at that age I saw what I thought are alot of 'holes' in the logic, so I eventually started going less and less, and after a year or so stopped going. My senior year I started going to a Methodist church which has a phenomenal preacher.
But both denominations are very similar, with the difference being that Baptists are a tad more strict. The "Warm fuzzies let's love everybody" feel just misses me. Not saying you shouldn't be compassionate and what not, just that the 'church camp' attitude doesn't work for me.
So I've been thinking about Catholocism. I have read up on early Christianity and some gnostic gospels and even a little bit on hell and that sort. It seems like in the last couple of hundred years something was left behind. This is all my personal perspective by the way, I know that everyone has a different approach and I am by no means disrespecting theirs. The "warm fuzzy" approach just doesn't strike me as practical or real, and I've been to Mass a few times in the past year and I liked it. It's very structured and just has an 'established' feel to it, like it's been undiluted for 2000 years.
So, would you say this is a calling? I'm going to attend mass this sunday, because I try not to jump into anything blindly. Thoughts? |
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Herb
Labrador
Joined: 07 Mar 2004
Posts: 306
Location: Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| If you want strict structure, Catholicism is the way to go. It's whatever makes you comfortable. Personally, I think all Christian religions are the same, they just go about the rituals differently. Heck, try them ALL out, you've got your whole life ahead of you, plenty of time, and I really don't think Jesus cares how you worship him, as long as you do worship him. |
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Meridian
House Cat
Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 154
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:31 pm Post subject: Re: Switching Denominations |
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| jeff_osu wrote: | | So, would you say this is a calling? I'm going to attend mass this sunday, because I try not to jump into anything blindly. Thoughts? |
I grew up in a non-denominational/interdenomination/ecumenical church, so my preference is for membership in the Church, not a particular denomination. After all, we're all part of the same body - different parts (functions), but the same body. I recommend trying to find a local non-denominational fellowship. That way you'll never get attached to a "them" versus "us" problem.
Mer |
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PunkStar
Moderator
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 1183
Location: Wodonga, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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Well, if no one else will, I'll stir the pot and mix in an unhealthy amount of controversy. 
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Catholicism. I disagree with many of their doctrines on many assorted subjects. I won't go into all of them here.
I actually disagree so much with them that I've made a decision. If I am ever to marry, it will not be to a Catholic girl. We would disagree on too many things for it to be a successful relationship. And we'd end up raising some very confused children. So, for the sake of keeping the peace, I ain't marrying a Catholic. By the way, I have actually discussed that with a Catholic girl at my school. And she feels the same way, so it's all good.
I'm apparently a Bretho (Brethren) actually. But I just find it easier to say I'm just a Bible believing Christian. Maybe a Protestant if I really want to annoy that girl at school. 
Here in Wodonga, there is a large Pentecostal church as well. I've been going to their youth group. It's interesting, I disagree with a few things they say. But most of it I agree with. I just ignore the bits on speaking in tongues. 
I could go on, but I won't. I seem to disagree with a lot of denominations. So let me make my point. If you are considering switching churches, compare what they say to the Bible. If it doesn't agree with God's Word, find a new place to worship brother. |
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jeff_osu
Tiger
Joined: 17 Sep 2003
Posts: 838
Location: Oklahoma
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:26 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | If you are considering switching churches, compare what they say to the Bible. If it doesn't agree with God's Word, find a new place to worship brother. |
That's why I stopped going to the Baptist church. The hypocrisy drove me crazy.
I don't think one denomination is "best", just thinking Catholocism may be the best for me. You have to realize I'm an accounting major, I live a pretty structured and organized life. I also took 3 years of Latin and have read up on early Christianity, and my dad was raised in a Catholic school so I've heard about their screw-ups too (mainly the nuns though). My brother became Catholic about 5 years ago, so I've heard alot from him and have seen the difference it's made. The only reason I'm not Catholic is probaly my mom and dad went to a baptist church a few years before I was born.
I've been to a Pentecostal church, not for me. Baptist church is definately not for me, and Methodist is great but I just think I need something more defined and concrete.
I started this thread asking for advice and my posts are just steering me more in the direction. Thanks for the input guys. |
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fenderman
Not So Newbie
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | but I just think I need something more defined and concrete. |
Hey there Jeff,
I’m fenderman, and I’m new here. It's good to make your acquaintance.
If you read through the following, the ending may be of interest to you. Bear in mind as you read that I'm not endorsing any particular denomination here.
My mother studied Latin in Rome for seven years. She also studied classical piano in school. She was a devout Roman Catholic as were her parents. The family was involved so deeply with Catholocism that her uncle was a Cardinal in the Catholic church. He was in the top five considered to be strong candidates to be Pope. Fast forward some years…my brother heads off to a Free Methodist church. I head off to an Evangelical Baptist church with my wife. My mother (who is now with the Lord) and Dad and us kids headed to a Baptist church after trying an Anglican church (that’s a story for another day). My sister and her husband and kids head out to Brethren church. He’s an ordained Brethren minister. In WWII, my dad was a Sargeant in the British 8th Army, 14th Armored Division. He was a WASP (respectfully stated, white anglosaxon protestant). During the war, one of the campaigns he was assigned to was the “North African Campaign.” With a “lights out” rule at night (because of opposition bomber squads), he would often go to a nearby hillside and gaze at the stars. He instinctively knew there was a God, but that something was missing in his life. He would later realize that the void or missing part of his life was a relationship with Jesus.
Wow!…where’s this going you might say? Read on…
In 1955, Billy Graham came to town (city of Toronto). My dad (alone, my mother wasn’t interested at the time – Catholic) went to listen. The next night of the crusade, he convinced my mother to go. At the end of the evening the invitation was given to get to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. In my mother’s words “I didn’t want to go forward even though I knew I had heard truth, but it was as if something or someone lifted me, physically lifted me right out of my seat to go forward”.
If you knew my mother, she was an academic. If I had to describe her other than being a loving mom, I would have to say she was always studying the Word…methodically. She wanted to know Jesus and his love for her. Every day, day in and day out, studying. Concordances, study books, but as always the Bible was front and center of her study space.
To wrap this up, I’m posting way too much here – sorry, I believe that if you look at your fellow man, no matter how great or nice, even charismatic, you will in time eventually find fault or even hypocrisy. If you focus on Christ, now and in time, you will only find love and perfection.
Perhaps you may wish to find a church that you are comfortable with, and preaches a crucified and risen Saviour as written in God’s Word, and make a daily time with God the structure you are desiring.
It’s a thought…
I hope this helps in some small way,
Humbly, your brother
fenderman |
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