Non Denominational

[angelgirl8]

I am non denominational because I don't believe that in a world with so many different types of people with different personalities and moral beliefs there cannot be any one religion that can possibly be right for everyone.
I personally have studied many different religions and have come to the conclusion that they are all right and they are all wrong. I agree with parts of them all and disagree with parts of them all.
I absolutely hate it when people choose to hate each other over doctrinal differences. Or when they say that their religion is right and everyone else is going to hell.
I do not believe that our Loving Father would send anyone to hell over minor details. What he wanted to be clear, he was very very clear on - Thou shalt not..... All the rest is up for interpretation.
I grew up in the Baptist church and watched them ridicule and slam other religions from the pulpit without even bothering to find out exactly what they believed. When I started investigating myself I was genuinely surprised at how much ALIKE we all are.
I also saw churches completely split up and people who were friends become enemies over the dumbest things. ex: whether you should drink real wine or grape juice during communion - like that's what you're supposed to be focused on during communion, Jesus did not come to earth and die for our sins so that we could argue over what to drink while remembering his death and resurrection. When I was in high school l saw another baptist church split over whether women should be allowed to wear pants.
I worry that religion has become a battlefield with people looking for any excuse to fight with each other rather than encouraging one another. Jesus said to love everyone - not just the people who believe exactly the same way you do.
People are getting so caught up in minor details that they're missing the big picture.
Just my opinion anyway.

[whateveristrue]

Yes, I agree. I've been through the Baptist experience too... and it wasn't good. Most of the people there don't even know what they believe... they just believe what they're told to believe. In any case, never again will I be part of a church that majors in secondary issues. It's easy to be angry, and stay angry... but if we viewed them as the enemy, we'd be just as bad as they are, right? Instead I just view them as "confused".

There are denominations out there which are more rational in their doctrine... but I think non-denominational is the best way to go.

[angelgirl8]

Yes, I agree. I've been through the Baptist experience too... and it wasn't good. Most of the people there don't even know what they believe... they just believe what they're told to believe. In any case, never again will I be part of a church that majors in secondary issues. It's easy to be angry, and stay angry... but if we viewed them as the enemy, we'd be just as bad as they are, right? Instead I just view them as "confused".

There are denominations out there which are more rational in their doctrine... but I think non-denominational is the best way to go.
I didn't mean to come across as angry. I just get passionate sometimes about my beliefs and start 'ranting' LOL. I really am not angry, but believe they are confused as well.
It actually makes me more sad than anything.

[GettingIntoYou]

I have a question, what do YOU believe non-denominational is?

And do you believe the church of Christ falls into that?

[whateveristrue]

I have a question, what do YOU believe non-denominational is?

And do you believe the church of Christ falls into that?

Jesus came into the world, died on the cross for the sins of the world, was risen from the grave... And if you confess your sins and accept Christ into your heart as Lord and Savior, you will be saved. That is basically the doctrine of a true non-denominational Church. Most other issues are considered secondary.

During communion time, observe what the church does. If the Pastor welcomes all believers in Christ to the Lord's table, then it is most likely non-denominational. If they say something like "members only" can take the cup, or if a group of "elite" christians get up and go to another room for communion... then that is the mark of a denomination or a cult... because only those who do things their way are the only REAL christians. Denominations love building walls.

I do not believe the 'church of Christ' is non-denominational at all. I don't know everything about it, but from what I've heard... you are required to do a great many things to get into heaven. If that's what you believe, then fine I respect that. But I do encourage everyone to know what they believe, before they believe it. Please don't just do what you're told.

[Kelly]

replace 'religions' in your original post with "denominations" and I think you'll get a lot more agreements here. You did mean the denoms, right?

[SteelDisciple]

I've been to just about every kind of CHRISTIAN church out there...none of them really spoke to me...many of them felt so rigid or legalistic.

But the thing I saw the MOST was that many were so consumed in ritual. That's the one thing that makes me leave a church pretty fast. I believe that ritual can really dull your closeness to God. Ritual and relationship are not friends.

[twistedsketch]

I do not believe the 'church of Christ' is non-denominational at all. I don't know everything about it, but from what I've heard... you are required to do a great many things to get into heaven. If that's what you believe, then fine I respect that. But I do encourage everyone to know what they believe, before they believe it. Please don't just do what you're told.
There's the International Church of Christ which has the reputation for cult-like activity, and that is seperate from many other "Church of Christ" churches.