The Christian Discussion Thread X: Originally there were 15

[Lord Dominator]

munches popcorn over in Protestant land while watching the above

[Second Empire of America]

So, the common thread seems to be that the cross symbolizes Jesus Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Thank you very much for the responses. It's always interesting to learn more about other religions.

What religion do you affiliate with, if you don't mind?

I'm a Hellenic Pagan.

[Greater Cesnica]

What religion do you affiliate with, if you don't mind?

I'm a Hellenic Pagan.

Oooh, that's unique. How spiritual would you say you are?

[Lower Nubia]

I’m technically Baptist, but I disagree in thought to such an extent that I consider myself Higher/ancient Church.

I was referring to SEA, but I actually find that interesting because I am also a Baptist who has disagreements in thought with most Baptists (I'm not the same sort of Creationist as most Baptists, I don't believe that other denominations are spiritually inferior, I'm not a Dispensationalist, and while I don't think there is a physical change I do believe that the Eucharist holds within it a spiritual power, rather than being purely symbolic) but I agree with the founding premise and hold a great deal of admiration for the stances of historical Baptists so I stick around, at least for now.

See, it was the dispensationalism that tipped me off to the incongruity, if I can’t trust the Church to know the future events of that very same Church. How am I to trust them in producing doctrine? Even holding authority to produce true teaching when something like the hope of the Church’s future is not understood by those who I trust to produce other, supposedly “true” doctrine? After that it was like a “set of small stones that starts an avalanche.” The Church requires ordination, but who has a valid ordination? It must require an unbroken chain, unless Christ descends to restart the process, but Christ ordained only the apostles. The only groups which can are those who can show a succession from the apostles. As far as I’m concerned very few denominations fit that bill. Then there was the Eucharist theology...

[Second Empire of America]

I'm a Hellenic Pagan.

Oooh, that's unique. How spiritual would you say you are?

Pretty average when compared to the general population, but less spiritual than most other Pagans. The vast majority of Pagans are converts from another religion, and I've found that converts to any religion tend to be more spiritual than people who grew up with their religion like me.

[Hakons]

Oooh, that's unique. How spiritual would you say you are?

Pretty average when compared to the general population, but less spiritual than most other Pagans. The vast majority of Pagans are converts from another religion, and I've found that converts to any religion tend to be more spiritual than people who grew up with their religion like me.

What happened to the Greek gods? In other words, why do you think they were said to be so actively involved with the greeks, yet they let their temples be destroyed and their worshipers leave en masse without punishment. Considering Hellenic paganism was destroyed thousands of years ago, how do you know you're honoring the gods as you should?

[Tarsonis]

Pretty average when compared to the general population, but less spiritual than most other Pagans. The vast majority of Pagans are converts from another religion, and I've found that converts to any religion tend to be more spiritual than people who grew up with their religion like me.

What happened to the Greek gods? In other words, why do you think they were said to be so actively involved with the greeks, yet they let their temples be destroyed and their worshipers leave en masse without punishment. Considering Hellenic paganism was destroyed thousands of years ago, how do you know you're honoring the gods as you should?

MR CARRIGAN: Hear how they talk to us? Heh heh. To Gods? Listen, pal, back in the day, we were worshiped by millions.

DEAN: Time have changed!

MR CARRIGAN: Tell me about it. All of a sudden, this Jesus character is the hot new thing in town. All of a sudden, our – our altars are being burned down, and we’re being hunted down like common monsters.

[Nordengrund]

I’m technically Baptist, but I disagree in thought to such an extent that I consider myself Higher/ancient Church.

I was referring to SEA, but I actually find that interesting because I am also a Baptist who has disagreements in thought with most Baptists (I'm not the same sort of Creationist as most Baptists, I don't believe that other denominations are spiritually inferior, I'm not a Dispensationalist, and while I don't think there is a physical change I do believe that the Eucharist holds within it a spiritual power, rather than being purely symbolic) but I agree with the founding premise and hold a great deal of admiration for the stances of historical Baptists so I stick around, at least for now.

I’m Southern Baptist, but mainly because it was the denomination I was raised in and I don’t think I have any disagreements significant enough to warrant leaving. I have been influenced by Quakerism and Neo-Orthodxy, though. I’m not necessarily a Dispensationalist, though I do still believe I a eschatological significance for modern Israel.

My biggest concern is politics. While I’m glad to see the SBC calling off the culture wars and attempting to distance itself from partisan politics, I sometimes think Inmat be a bit too politically moderate to be a Southern Baptist. I take conservative stances on abortions and guns, but I’m more moderate on the environment, immigration and the economy. I also have some libertarian tendencies.

[Stonok]

I went on a trip with a church yesterday, and had the most amazing time I've ever had in relation to religious worship. We went to the northern end of the state and listened to an evangelist preach and his sermon really pierced the hearts of a lot of people in the congregation, converting a visiting girl in our group to Christianity, which broke the entire group down to tears (of joy, obviously).

[Greater Cesnica]

Hey uh, is this correct?

God made a covenant to the Jews, promising a Messiah to save their spiritual beings and souls.

Jesus was the fulfillment of that covenant, and died for our sins. Jews today reject that Jesus was the Messiah, and are still waiting for one.

The Holy Spirit is God's very Spiritual essence, the medium through which God acts.

[Tarsonis]

Hey uh, is this correct?

God made a covenant to the Jews, promising a Messiah to save their spiritual beings and souls.

Jesus was the fulfillment of that covenant, and died for our sins. Jews today reject that Jesus was the Messiah, and are still waiting for one.

The Holy Spirit is God's very Spiritual essence, the medium through which God acts.

More or less.

[Greater Cesnica]

Hey uh, is this correct?

More or less.

Alright, thanks!

[Tarsonis]

More or less.

Alright, thanks!

You better not be one of my students doing their homework.

[Greater Cesnica]

Alright, thanks!

You better not be one of my students doing their homework.

I'm using that definition in the IDT3.

[Tarsonis]

You better not be one of my students doing their homework.

I'm that definition in the IDT3.

Just a heads up, homework help is actually against forum rules.

[Lord Dominator]

I went on a trip with a church yesterday, and had the most amazing time I've ever had in relation to religious worship. We went to the northern end of the state and listened to an evangelist preach and his sermon really pierced the hearts of a lot of people in the congregation, converting a visiting girl in our group to Christianity, which broke the entire group down to tears (of joy, obviously).

That's pretty cool, haven't personally had that happen to me yet

[Diopolis]

I went on a trip with a church yesterday, and had the most amazing time I've ever had in relation to religious worship. We went to the northern end of the state and listened to an evangelist preach and his sermon really pierced the hearts of a lot of people in the congregation, converting a visiting girl in our group to Christianity, which broke the entire group down to tears (of joy, obviously).

That's pretty cool, haven't personally had that happen to me yet

It's like the reproaches from good Friday. As we approach the cross to venerate, the choir chants "populus meus, qui feci tibi?..." and, through meditating on the crime of the Jews, we come to realize our own wretched sinfulness. It's the most powerful service in the liturgical year, I think.

[Lord Dominator]

That's pretty cool, haven't personally had that happen to me yet

It's like the reproaches from good Friday. As we approach the cross to venerate, the choir chants "populus meus, qui feci tibi?..." and, through meditating on the crime of the Jews, we come to realize our own wretched sinfulness. It's the most powerful service in the liturgical year, I think.

I remember one year the Good Friday sermon (and stuff before the sermon) rather moved me

[Diopolis]

It's like the reproaches from good Friday. As we approach the cross to venerate, the choir chants "populus meus, qui feci tibi?..." and, through meditating on the crime of the Jews, we come to realize our own wretched sinfulness. It's the most powerful service in the liturgical year, I think.

I remember one year the Good Friday sermon (and stuff before the sermon) rather moved me

I think there's no better preparation for holy communion.

[Lower Nubia]

Hey uh, is this correct?

God made a covenant to the Jews, promising a Messiah to save their spiritual beings and souls.

Jesus was the fulfillment of that covenant, and died for our sins. Jews today reject that Jesus was the Messiah, and are still waiting for one.

The Holy Spirit is God's very Spiritual essence, the medium through which God acts.

Yes, but Rabbinical Judaism is not particularly Messianic, most Jews today reject the idea of any messiah.

The Holy Spirit is the spiritual essence, and a medium, but also more than a medium, having his own personage which is perfectly aligned to the will of the whole trinity.

[Lord Dominator]

I remember one year the Good Friday sermon (and stuff before the sermon) rather moved me

I think there's no better preparation for holy communion.

Indubitably, though I think this particular sermon was prior to my Confirmation (and thus taking of Communion)

[Benuty]

I took part in an Anglican Eucharist on the Tuesday, I was expecting something less... Catholic. I had never truly realised that "High church" was Anglo-Catholic rite, definitely didn't start me on a rabbit hole of an internet search for this rite that I never knew existed.

It certainly is something, isn't it?

[Benuty]

I’m technically Baptist, but I disagree in thought to such an extent that I consider myself Higher/ancient Church.

Come home to Rome.

I can understandably sympathize with this viewpoint.

[Benuty]

Was at the mother church for Episcopalianism in Georgia today, and I must say it was certainly the experience. The head bishop of Georgia was visiting to handle the confirmation of believers, and those reaffirming their faith today. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I couldn't partake of communion at the end of the service but will attempt to later in the week.

[Salus Maior]

I’m technically Baptist, but I disagree in thought to such an extent that I consider myself Higher/ancient Church.

Come home to Rome.

Ooooooo country roooooooad