I don't know what to do?

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takes off sunglassesthat would be... biblicalpurses lips, puts on sunglassescue Roger Daltry

Personally, I don't see why anyone would give a damn about thor's denomination, but that's me. I just never did get why that shit was so important why people get so worked up about what someone else believes. But, there's a lot of shit I don't understand about the world. To me it's such a personal thing it's beyond categorization. I guess my inability to understand this is a product of my own multi-dimensional beliefs. Myself, I'm an agnostic Catholic-Peyoteist that takes a heavy peppering of native beliefs that involve ancestor intersession and appeal with select aspects of spiritualism all combined to a new non-homogeneous mixer of belief. Beyond all this, my beliefs are tempered by reason yet I find no need for them to agree with scientific observation. Thus my beliefs, unlike what I observe in the world around me, while no less important to me have no basis in the reality we live in. Actually I hold both science and belief beyond each other.In short, I'm a very fucked up person... by most peoples standards.

Originally Posted By: Rad

Neither you, nor anyone else seems ashamed of the source of their beliefs.

You are the only one who continues to evade the question. You said (past tense) what church you went to...not who/what you follow now. You have NOT answered my question, while I HAVE answered yours. Since you don't seem capable of "getting it", let me expound some on this, from my perspective...

First, I am what is known as a "born-again" Christian. Some may know (or think they know) what this means. But, just as a man will never know what it is like to give birth, so it is that a person who has not been born-again will never quite understand what it means to be born-again.

Second, I am also what is referred to as "non-denominational". Some folks feel it necessary to pigeon-hole others into place so that they can feel comfortable about knowing what place others occupy in the grand scheme of things. I would classify such people as insecure, but that is another story. I believe we all are unique...no two people, even in the same church, believing exactly alike. At least that's been the truth of it for me. I believe as I do and attempt to find a church that fits the majority of what I believe, based on my spiritual needs at the time. As such, I have been to a variety of Baptist churches, Pentacostal churches (not really my style), an Episcopalian church and even a Mormon church (which is where some of my ideas about that church come from). Currently, I attend a North American Baptist church...mainly out of deference to my family. You see, different denominations have different things to offer...and since a Baptist church is very much a teaching church, I decided it is what is best for my family for now. We've only been going there about six months. If I was single, I'm afraid I'd still be searching for a church to attend as the church we're going to now has some things going on that I disagree with. So...in a nutshell...I decide, based on the Bible and my relationship with Christ, as to what I believe...then find a church to attend based on my decisions/needs. I DON'T decide on a church and allow it to dictate to me the meaning of the Bible. And that's the biggest gripe I have with the Catholic church. They say the Pope is God's mouthpiece...sort of like a gateway between the common Christian and God. The Bible mentions no such gateway, but that we have direct access to God through Christ.

So, if I'm non-denominational, why choose a church to go to at all? First, it states in the Bible that we are not to fail to assemble ourselves as Christians. Second, we can get more done as a group than we can individually, many times.

Let me also say that most churches do have something good to offer. For example, though I disagree mightily with the Catholic church, the concept of going to confession is something I think most churches would benefit from. As for the Mormon church, they follow man...not Christ. They are not even really Christians at all. I could tell you some things that go on in that church that would shock the lot of you. But I found those things out from others...I didn't experience them myself. You don't find out much in that church until you've been in there a long time. Don't be harsh on the young missionaries that come around to your house...they don't know any better. They have no idea what goes on in their own church, and so don't have to lie to you about such things. (I think that's one reason why they choose young folks instead of those who have been in the church a long time and know what really goes on.) I think Mormonism, for these and other reasons, is a cult.

Anyway, hope this anwers Chance's question...since I already answered yours long ago. Now...how about you answer mine? I think you owe me one.

Quote:You never answered my question, until today.Malarkey. I answered it straight up...it just wasn't what you wanted to hear. And I note that you STILL haven't answered mine. Don't expect me to be paying much attention to your posts anytime soon if you can't even return the curtesy. Quote:So, in other words, you think you know better than any church?LOL! Typical liberal attitude...assumes everybody else thinks as they do. But no...what I think is that I am the one responsible for MY salvation...not the church, or any other person. It is therefor MY responsibility to see to it that I know what it is I'm supposed to be doing. I do not hand the responsibility for my salvation over to somebody else. I might end up following somebody like you and end up in real trouble. Quote:You'll never find one that agrees with you.No two will agree 100% with each other...since you missed what I said concerning this already.

Originally Posted By: RadAll I am able to locate is a reference to North American Baptist being all Baptist in North America, regardless of how small the splinter. If you really want to find it (because you feel the need to pigeon-hole), keep looking...it's not very big. But understand that by the time you find it, I might be going to a different church altogether. Have fun.

I can appreciate your answer here thor. To me, belief is to much and individual thing to be confined by dogma. For instance if someone were to ask me about my faith I would probably respond that I'm Catholic or agnostic, in my case the answer would be whatever is most expedient to avoid the conversation. However any noun I could assign to my quagmire of beliefs really has little to do with what they are. The question is beyond simple answers by it's very nature I think.

thank you thor

Even though I haven't been involved in this, I'd also like to say thanks. A nice bit of honest information about yourself is always welcome.

I agree, and echo the thanks.

Just wondering how this thread got from point A to point B or C??

that always happens. Thread evolution is no longer just a theory :grin: