What Religion Do You Belong To?

[Asterdan]

I'm Christian and I still don't understand this whole 'rapture' thing...

It's a relatively recent concept.

According to the Bible, we'll still be here until the end, so I don't see where they get this.

[Othelos]

accepted jesus as your lord + savior

Doesn't this technically include all Christians? Even Catholics, the supposed "Whore of Babylon".

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

[Halstus]

Doesn't this technically include all Christians? Even Catholics, the supposed "Whore of Babylon".

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

So here's a question for you. What if you have a Catholic that prays and builds this relationship with God, but still adheres to Catholic principles and rituals?

[Goldenson]

I'm Christian and I still don't understand this whole 'rapture' thing...

It's a relatively recent concept.

Rapture is not mentioned in the Bible. It is an english to word meaning to take up.

[Othelos]

It's a relatively recent concept.

According to the Bible, we'll still be here until the end, so I don't see where they get this.

It's because they are literalists, which has sever problems, since it encourages the belief that the earth is only 6000 years old, and somehow it was possible for billions of people to originate from only two people without any widespread severe genetic defects.

[Asterdan]

Doesn't this technically include all Christians? Even Catholics, the supposed "Whore of Babylon".

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

I was always taught that being baptizing is symbolic. Riverside services are amazing though.

[Goldenson]

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

I was always taught that being baptizing is symbolic. Riverside services are amazing though.

It's not symbolic! How does one become born of the water and the spirit? "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

[Lingria]

I'm Catholic, More specifically Roman Catholicism
I believe that there is only one God and that if I put my trust in him that he will allow me to go to the beyond with a peaceful life.
I don't support the pope and I believe the crusades were useless. Many good Europeans and Muslims lost their lives over a small patch of land.

[Asterdan]

According to the Bible, we'll still be here until the end, so I don't see where they get this.

It's because they are literalists, which has sever problems, since it encourages the belief that the earth is only 6000 years old, and somehow it was possible for billions of people to originate from only two people without any widespread severe genetic defects.

See, I come from a literalist Church (I'm not a literalist, but this particular Church is the closest to my personal beliefs), and no one believes in the Rapture there. It's preached against quite often (as well as this whole 'once in grace, always in grace' thing.)

Strangely enough, our previous pastor said he believed there were other humans in Genesis. He was also a literalist.

[Othelos]

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

So here's a question for you. What if you have a Catholic that prays and builds this relationship with God, but still adheres to Catholic principles and rituals?

Evangelicals would rather be allied with other conservative Christians who believe similarly to how they do. So, if the person in question has a relationship with god and attends church and all that, then they are fine with that. They at least respect some differences within the christian community and don't want to nitpick, unless it deals with them and their families directly.

[Othelos]

It's because they are literalists, which has sever problems, since it encourages the belief that the earth is only 6000 years old, and somehow it was possible for billions of people to originate from only two people without any widespread severe genetic defects.

See, I come from a literalist Church (I'm not a literalist, but this particular Church is the closest to my personal beliefs), and no one believes in the Rapture there. It's preached against quite often (as well as this whole 'once in grace, always in grace' thing.)

Strangely enough, our previous pastor said he believed there were other humans in Genesis. He was also a literalist.

Then the leaders of your church have a different opinion of what the bible is talking about than the churches I've been to, which were pentecostal (assemblies of god) and non-denominational (calvary chapel).

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

Well, after reviewing my beliefs, I lost my belief for god, at least for the time being.

[Skappola]

I'm still surprised that we got so many "Other" votes. You wouldn't think there are so many people not part of either the Nonreligious or Christian group in Western Forum like Nationstates. You're bound to see some nontraditional creeds, especially on this very left-leaning site, but 14%?

Well Nationstates does have other participants besides those from western areas.

It's also worth mentioning that there's a higher influx of immigrants in countries like UK/US/Australia, where NS has firm grounding.

Furthermore, there's often freedom of religion to at least SOME degree in these areas. It's not like there's a mandate in any of these areas that one MUST be Christian, Jewish, or an atheist.

It can seem that way though. I have to knock myself out of surprise when I see someone of European descent who isn't one of the three. Bad habits die hard, unfortunately.

Yes, but if the "other" category was due to immigration and/or nonwestern members, then you would also see a larger Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu sect, which is not present in this poll. Granted, the number of Buddhists is very, very slightly larger, but it's small enough that it's almost statistically insignificant.

The only nonwestern religions that I can think of which would be present in "Other", other than the ones I've mentioned earlier, would be Confucionism and Shintoism. Shintoism, however, could easily fall under traditional (And many Shinto practicioners also practice many aspects of Buddhism). That leaves Confucionism, which would likely come with a large number of Buddhists due to intermixing between people of the two faiths.

The other religions I mentioned earlier all exist in areas with large numbers of either Muslims or Hindus, which are mostly absent from the polls, except for Unitarian Universalism. I know that not many people practice Unitarian Universalism on these forums, which leads me to believe that the "Other" category is likely made up of Western Neo-Pagan belief systems (Note that I'm using that as an umbrella term, since it best describes these religions) and more vague spiritualist belief systems. I come to this conclusion after seeing the large number of participants on threads such as those which celebrate the solstice and other pagan discussion threads.

I find this interesting, because there has to be a reason why so many people on the forums follow these creeds. The Liberal Social attitudes play into this somewhat, but normally that leads to a mostly nonreligious community. That there is such a large spiritualist and/or neo-pagan community on here is interesting.

[Asterdan]

See, I come from a literalist Church (I'm not a literalist, but this particular Church is the closest to my personal beliefs), and no one believes in the Rapture there. It's preached against quite often (as well as this whole 'once in grace, always in grace' thing.)

Strangely enough, our previous pastor said he believed there were other humans in Genesis. He was also a literalist.

Then the leaders of your church have a different opinion of what the bible is talking about than the churches I've been to, which were pentecostal (assemblies of god) and non-denominational (calvary chapel).

Ah, we're Free Will Baptist. That may have something to do with it.

[Alsheb]

I was baptised as a Roman Catholic, but that was more out of habit than anything else. I generally grew up in a non-religious environment, and shifted gradually from Catholicism to (vaguely theistic) agnosticism.

Nowadays, I'm considering converting to Islam, so I've looking up more information about it in the past few months. Since I have serious doubts about any form about later added religious texts, dogmas or rules though, I'd most likely go for Quranism.

[Othelos]

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

I was always taught that being baptizing is symbolic. Riverside services are amazing though.

Yep, I was taught that as well, but that it also literally changes someone's standing.

Ah, we're Free Will Baptist. That may have something to do with it.

Is that an evangelical or charismatic organization?

[Skappola]

I'm Catholic, More specifically Roman Catholicism
I believe that there is only one God and that if I put my trust in him that he will allow me to go to the beyond with a peaceful life.
I don't support the pope and I believe the crusades were useless. Many good Europeans and Muslims lost their lives over a small patch of land.

It gained the Catholic Church many religious artifacts and Christianized Iberia and Eastern Europe (Though these weren't official crusades, they are often included in discussions of the crusades due to their status as Major Holy Wars with Papal Support). It also helped stop the Muslim advance in Southern Italy and Iberia, and helped Unify the quarreling Eastern European Principalities (They were still quarrelling after the Christianization, just to a much lesser extent).

The official crusades, while less useful, did set up a safe kingdom for Christian Pilgramage to the Holy Land for 2 Centuries. Early on, they also strengthened relations with the powerful Byzantine Orthodox Church, and provided refuge for persecuted Armenian and Coptic Christians.

The Crusades were terrible, but they were by no means useless when looking at them pragmatically.

[Dei Gentem]

I belong to a religion that is my own. My friend and I sort of took different aspects from the three religions that surround the god of Abraham (Ibrihim) along with other eastern religions (such as Buddhism, Taoism, etc...) and combined them to create our own belief system. We believe that all religions, like the types of people and races, were scattered around the world by G-d in order to provide a challenge after the age of prophets. A way for someone to travel the world and experience the beauty of people, nature, and the wonderful ways of different religions. A way for us to grow closer to G-d in an age dominated by the tangible belief system rather than the spiritual. So I guess I don't belong to any one religion, but if I had to choose to identify with one it would be Christian. Though as a joke we always say we're Booslumitain XD

[Pope Joan]

Well, in evangelical Christianity, a person has to pray to god and specifically say that, so that 'Jesus enters you heart' so to speak. Once someone is old enough, they're also supposed to get baptized (not mandatory, but it basically improves your standing in relation to god - it's like getting married instead of just cohabiting), and in certain sects, get baptized in the holy spirit, which helps people to speak in tongues.

I was taught that Christians who don't do those things are 'church christians' - that is, people who attend church but never really open a relationship with god, which is what is needed to get into heaven.

So here's a question for you. What if you have a Catholic that prays and builds this relationship with God, but still adheres to Catholic principles and rituals?

Then you might have Henri Nouwen, who I think is a true evangelical Jesus-loving Catholic teacher and a saint.

Here is one of his pearls of wisdom: When we hate and reject ourselves, who rejoices? God? Or Satan? When Jesus tells us to love others as we love ourselves, does that mean we should hate and despise them because He wants us to hate and despise ourselves? No! "God so loved the world", right? So stop despising yourself.

[Asterdan]

I was always taught that being baptizing is symbolic. Riverside services are amazing though.

Yep, I was taught that as well, but that it also literally changes someone's standing.

Ah, we're Free Will Baptist. That may have something to do with it.

Is that an evangelical or charismatic organization?

Evangelical. I've not heard of a charismatic one. Is this like those megachurches on television?

[Distruzio]

So... I was hesitant to post at first because... you know... the other thread was so recent but if, after 4 pages, the mods haven't descended like fat kids at a cake eating contest I suppose I'll finally join.

Eastern Orthodox Christian here.

The fullness of the faith lies in the Eastern/Oriental Orthodox and Anglican/Roman Catholic expressions. The rest are heretical schismatics.

What about High Church Lutheranism? It's sort of like Anglo-Catholicism, but Lutheran instead of Anglican. Is it heretical?

Of course. It's, of course, less intense a heresy than, say, Calvinism or the other reconstructionist heresies but, being reformist in nature (reforming, here, being the repudiation of an actual reformation of the Catholic Church) it remains, nonetheless, heretical.

[Othelos]

Yep, I was taught that as well, but that it also literally changes someone's standing.


Is that an evangelical or charismatic organization?

Evangelical. I've not heard of a charismatic one. Is this like those megachurches on television?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that they're kind of like evangelical-lite. Or something.

[Skappola]

What about High Church Lutheranism? It's sort of like Anglo-Catholicism, but Lutheran instead of Anglican. Is it heretical?

Of course. It's, of course, less intense a heresy than, say, Calvinism or the other reconstructionist heresies but, being reformist in nature (reforming, here, being the repudiation of an actual reformation of the Catholic Church) it remains, nonetheless, heretical.

I can't tell whether you're using Heretical to be derogatory or to just as a statement of facts. I see it used in both ways.

[Aklontosaurus]

I believe in the Aklontosaurian Religion who believe in the God Yan.

[Skappola]

Evangelical. I've not heard of a charismatic one. Is this like those megachurches on television?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that they're kind of like evangelical-lite. Or something.

No, Charismatic Christianity is a movement which is a part of nearly every Christian Organization, including Catholicism. The idea is to mix the Rituals & Beliefs of your religion with the dancing, singing, and participation of Pentacostalism.