Favorite Christian Sect?

[Douchebaggerry]

Not David Koresh

I know, but you reminded me of the bloke I was on about.

[Cybach]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

[Kobrania]

If god cannot defend himself or his followers without human intervention, then he is not god.

I dislike all sects of christianity, for by their own rules, they are doomed to suffer.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

Ahhh, the Kights Hospitallers. Quite the interesting militant order. They're even better than the Templars.

I do love the stories and histories about that Janissaries. Feared soldiers of the Sultan. I read somewhere (I'm trying to get the source), that the Janissaries still survive in our times.

[Phillippanoa]

I have a certain amount of respect for the Mormon.

except that "the Mormon" is not a sect

Yes, they are. I wonder if you know the meaning of the word ''sect''? Sect is referring to a group or movement with heretical beliefs or practices that deviate from those of groups considered orthodox. Mormonism deviates, totally, from the original Christian canon so, yes, they're a Christian sect.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (abbreviated as the LDS Church, often colloquially referred to as the Mormon Church) is the largest denomination originating from the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. circa 1830

[Douchebaggerry]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (abbreviated as the LDS Church, often colloquially referred to as the Mormon Church) is the largest denomination originating from the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. circa 1830

Sect = denomination, doesn't it?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (abbreviated as the LDS Church, often colloquially referred to as the Mormon Church) is the largest denomination originating from the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. circa 1830

Sect = denomination, doesn't it?

It does. That's why I keep thinking this poster has no idea what ''sect'' means.

[Reavani]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

You sir, just tickled my insides in the best way possible <3

[Ordo Mallus]

the Inquisition (lol@myname)

[Rikese]

Amish. Decent human beings, good food.

[Phillippanoa]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (abbreviated as the LDS Church, often colloquially referred to as the Mormon Church) is the largest denomination originating from the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. circa 1830

Sect = denomination, doesn't it?

sect does not equal denomination:
as it says in Wikipedia:

The denomination lies between the church and the sect on the continuum. Denominations come into existence when churches lose their religious monopoly in a society. A denomination is one religion among many. When churches and/or sects become denominations, there are also some changes in their characteristics. Johnstone provides the following eight characteristics of denominations:

1.similar to churches, but unlike sects, in being on relatively good terms with the state and secular powers and may even attempt to influence government at times
2.maintain at least tolerant and usually fairly friendly relationships with other denominations in a context of religious pluralism
3.rely primarily on birth for membership increase, though it will also accept converts; some actively pursue evangelization
4.accept the principle of at least modestly changing doctrine and practice and tolerate some theological diversity and dispute
5.follow a fairly routinized ritual and worship service that explicitly discourages spontaneous emotional expression
6.train and employ professional clergy who must meet formal requirements for certification
7.accept less extensive involvement from members than do sects, but more involvement than churches
8.often draw disproportionately from the middle and upper classes of society

Sociologically, a "Sect" is defined as a newly formed religious groups that form to protest elements of their parent religion (generally a denomination). Their motivation tends to be situated in accusations of apostasy or heresy in the parent denomination; they are often decrying liberal trends in denominational development and advocating a return to so-called "true" religion.

Leaders of sectarian movements (i.e., the formation of a new sect) tend to come from a lower socio-economic class than the members of the parent denomination, a component of sect development that is not yet entirely understood. Most scholars believe that when sect formation involves social class distinctions, they reflect an attempt to compensate for deficiencies in lower social status.[citation needed] An often seen result of such factors is the incorporation into the theology of the new sect a distaste for the adornments of the wealthy (e.g., jewelry or other signs of wealth).

After their formation, sects can take only three paths - dissolution, institutionalization, or eventual development into a denomination. If the sect withers in membership, it will dissolve. If the membership increases, the sect is forced to adopt the characteristics of denominations in order to maintain order (e.g., bureaucracy, explicit doctrine, etc.). And even if the membership does not grow or grows slowly, norms will develop to govern group activities and behavior. The development of norms results in a decrease in spontaneity, which is often one of the primary attractions of sects. The adoption of denomination-like characteristics can either turn the sect into a full-blown denomination or, if a conscious effort is made to maintain some of the spontaneity and protest components of sects, an institutionalized sect can result. Institutionalized sects are halfway between sects and denominations on the continuum of religious development. They have a mixture of sect-like and denomination-like characteristics. Examples include: Hutterites, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Amish.

Most of the well-known denominations of the U.S. existing today originated as sects breaking away from denominations (or Churches, in the case of Lutheranism and Anglicanism). Examples include: Methodists, Baptists, and Seventh-day Adventists.

Cambridge online dictionary says:

a religious group which has developed from a larger religion and is considered to have extreme or unusual beliefs or customs

a religious group which has slightly different beliefs from other groups which share the same religion

denomination and sect have two different meanings

[Bitchkitten]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

I like the Templars, because they were seriously disturbed.

[Cybach]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

I like the Templars, because they were seriously disturbed.

Templars != Hospitallers.

Two completely different military orders.

[Bitchkitten]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

I like the Templars, because they were seriously disturbed.

Templars != Hospitallers.

Two completely different military orders.

I know that , silly. But can the Hospitallers boast a leader like Jacques Demolay, who went through torture and burning at the stake, all the while screaming his innocence. And the Templars were seriously insane on the batlefield.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

I like the Templars, because they were seriously disturbed.

Templars != Hospitallers.

Two completely different military orders.

I know that , silly. But can the Hospitallers boast a leader like Jacques Demolay, who went through torture and burning at the stake, all the while screaming his innocence. And the Templars were seriously insane on the batlefield.

No, they can't boast such a leader. But you need to remember that the only similarity between Templars and Horpitallers was that they were both military orders. Templars were warriors, Hospitallers were more on the help/medical attention of pilgrims.

[Dyakovo]

Please, enough with the bashing. If you do not believe in one religion, or another, that is good and well for you. For those of us who do believe in things such as Christianity, it is quite annoying.

As is having christian try to pass laws based upon their morality.

It is also against rules,

Really? Since when?

and laws.

What laws?

So please, enough.

I don't think so.

Yes, there are humorous demotivational posters, but is it necessary here?

Yes.

You know, one of these days, when I have the time, I would like to really sit down and converse with you about your views on religion as an atheist. Seeing your posts on the forum for the better part of the year I've been here have always made me wonder. IN a good way, that is.

Check your email...

[Cybach]

I have a weakness for the Hospitallers. Or the warrior soldiers of Christianity, I suppose they represented the alternate Christian version of the Hashashin. Also very elite, making the rest of the European Knights look rather amateur. Single handedly stopping a Turkish invasion , at the height of Ottoman Power. Definitely a cool sect, that kicked ass. 2,500 Knights stopping over 48,000 Turkish soldiers, among them the elite Turkish Janissary units.

I like the Templars, because they were seriously disturbed.

Templars != Hospitallers.

Two completely different military orders.

I know that , silly. But can the Hospitallers boast a leader like Jacques Demolay, who went through torture and burning at the stake, all the while screaming his innocence. And the Templars were seriously insane on the batlefield.

No, they can't boast such a leader. But you need to remember that the only similarity between Templars and Horpitallers was that they were both military orders. Templars were warriors, Hospitallers were more on the help/medical attention of pilgrims.

Yeah. The Hospitallers have an interesting history. Starting out as an order primarly concerned with providing medical assistance to the poor and ill pilgrims. They were mostly Monks serving as Samaritans for the less able.

Then in the face of increased aggression from Muslim forces, as well as the starting of the Crusades they received their own charter. They proved so effective that they were also given the charge of the defense of the Holy Land. Slowly evolving away from their medical assistance history towards a full military order. Kind of amusing the concept of warrior monks, who held vows of chastity, poverty and glory to god.

They withstood two invasions in the 15th century, one by the Sultan of Egypt in 1444 and another by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1480 who, after capturing Constantinople 1453, made the Knights a priority target. In 1522 an entirely new sort of force arrived: 400 ships under the command of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent delivered 200,000 men to the island.] Against this force the Knights, under Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, had about 7,000 men-at-arms and their fortifications. The siege lasted six months, with Suleiman losing over 20,000 of his soldiers and over half of his army was reputed to have suffered from injury and the Knights estimated at less than 1,500 casualties.

Then the Siege of Malta took place in 1565. The Knights won the siege, one of the bloodiest and most fiercely contested in history, and one which became one of the most celebrated events in sixteenth century Europe. Voltaire said, "Nothing is more well known than the siege of Malta," and it unquestionably put an end to the European perception of Ottoman invincibility. With the Knights losing only 2,500 men to the Ottomans losing upwards of 35,000, among them many elite Janissary units. The Knights having endured a bombardment of some 130,000 cannon balls.

Following the Knights' re-establishment on Malta they had found themselves devoid of their initial reason for existence; their initial raison d'etre of assisting the sick and joining the crusades in the Holy Land was now an impossible mission for reasons of military and financial strength along with geographical position. The Knights turned to policing the Mediterranean from the increased threat of piracy, the Knights set about protecting Christian merchant shipping to and from the Levant and freeing the captured Christian slaves that formed the basis of the Barbary Corsair's piratical trading and navies.


So yeah. I find it somewhat of a shame they disappeared. They seemed pretty badass. And almost always at least seemed to have altruistic goals (the security of the Holy Land, the securing of hospitals and care for the sick/poor,....then later helping bring an end to Barbary slavery and piracy) There is something tantalizing about what was essentially an order of warrior monks, who called themselves Knights of God more or less.

[Maurepas]

Catholics, you just cant beat the classics,

[Dyakovo]

Catholics, you just cant beat the classics,

Well, you can, but you get charged with Assault...

[New Xania]

If god cannot defend himself or his followers without human intervention, then he is not god.

I dislike all sects of christianity, for by their own rules, they are doomed to suffer.

and we're intolerant

[Dyakovo]

If god cannot defend himself or his followers without human intervention, then he is not god.

I dislike all sects of christianity, for by their own rules, they are doomed to suffer.

and we're intolerant

At least you admit it...