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Post by geode on Feb 16, 2019 5:20:39 GMT
Like: the one that was present among believers in and during Acts 2:42 Dislike: all others Does the one you like exist as an organized institution today? |
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The Lost One
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@lostkiera
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Post by The Lost One on Feb 16, 2019 9:17:28 GMT
I was raised Catholic and so still have some affection for the church. And I think their churches are the most beautiful and awe inspiring and their services have a great sense of mystique. However, socially Catholicism is far too conservative for me and I think much of their theological thought is about protecting the status quo rather than any attempt to actually solve issues. It is in many ways a relic of feudalism. In Northern Ireland it's also connected with middle class nationalism which I have no time for.
The Anglican/Episcopalian Church retains much of the stuff I like about Catholicism but is less conservative and a bit more interesting theologically. However, in the UK it's very "establishment". It's the church attended by middle and upper class, loved and defended by the Tories which automatically turns my stomach.
Methodism is a less hierarchical version of Anglicanism. I like it's inclusiveness though theologically I find it a bit bland and it's churches and services lack any of that transcendental feel, feeling more like going to a get together in a town hall.
More Calvinist denominations tend to be bland and joyless. Which is a pity because Calvinist theology is actually quite intellectually interesting. Another downside is they tend to be very right wing. Often this is where you find science denial as well
Free Presbyterianism - probably a lot of people here aren't familiar with this church but it's very important in Northern Ireland. Not because it's particularly popular, but because the senior members of Northern Ireland's largest political party are all members of it. It's an extreme Presbyterian sect, founded by Ian Paisley because mainstream Presbyterianism was too soft. Basically imagine all the things you dislike about Presbyterianism and multiply it by 3 and that's the Free Ps.
Mormonism, JWs - I kinda like the sincerity of their believers but yeah these feel way too culty for me.
Evangelicalism - right wing politics mixed with the happy clappy stuff that I find a bit cringey but fair play for those who can buy into it.
Eastern Orthodox - theologically pretty interesting but their churches don't do it for me and again they're pretty conservative from what I've seen.
So yeah not sure what my favourite is of those. Maybe Anglicanism since my main beef with it is the kinda people who are members rather than anything the church teaches.
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 16, 2019 10:22:58 GMT
I was raised Catholic and so still have some affection for the church. And I think their churches are the most beautiful and awe inspiring and their services have a great sense of mystique. However, socially Catholicism is far too conservative for me and I think much of their theological thought is about protecting the status quo rather than any attempt to actually solve issues. It is in many ways a relic of feudalism. In Northern Ireland it's also connected with middle class nationalism which I have no time for. The Anglican/Episcopalian Church retains much of the stuff I like about Catholicism but is less conservative and a bit more interesting theologically. However, in the UK it's very "establishment". It's the church attended by middle and upper class, loved and defended by the Tories which automatically turns my stomach. Methodism is a less hierarchical version of Anglicanism. I like it's inclusiveness though theologically I find it a bit bland and it's churches and services lack any of that transcendental feel, feeling more like going to a get together in a town hall. More Calvinist denominations tend to be bland and joyless. Which is a pity because Calvinist theology is actually quite intellectually interesting. Another downside is they tend to be very right wing. Often this is where you find science denial as well Free Presbyterianism - probably a lot of people here aren't familiar with this church but it's very important in Northern Ireland. Not because it's particularly popular, but because the senior members of Northern Ireland's largest political party are all members of it. It's an extreme Presbyterian sect, founded by Ian Paisley because mainstream Presbyterianism was too soft. Basically imagine all the things you dislike about Presbyterianism and multiply it by 3 and that's the Free Ps. Mormonism, JWs - I kinda like the sincerity of their believers but yeah these feel way too culty for me. Evangelicalism - right wing politics mixed with the happy clappy stuff that I find a bit cringey but fair play for those who can buy into it. Eastern Orthodox - theologically pretty interesting but their churches don't do it for me and again they're pretty conservative from what I've seen. So yeah not sure what my favourite is of those. Maybe Anglicanism since my main beef with it is the kinda people who are members rather than anything the church teaches.Th Thanks for the your detailed thoughts on those various Christian schools. I sometimes worry about you, Kiera. I feel you are one of those non-believers who want to believe desperately but isn't a believer because she doesn't see any substantial proof given by any single religion. The worry is that ultimately one day if there is a sad event in life you might just start believing. That said, I wish that nothing sad ever happens in your life.
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Feb 16, 2019 10:28:28 GMT
I was raised Catholic and so still have some affection for the church. And I think their churches are the most beautiful and awe inspiring and their services have a great sense of mystique. However, socially Catholicism is far too conservative for me and I think much of their theological thought is about protecting the status quo rather than any attempt to actually solve issues. It is in many ways a relic of feudalism. In Northern Ireland it's also connected with middle class nationalism which I have no time for. The Anglican/Episcopalian Church retains much of the stuff I like about Catholicism but is less conservative and a bit more interesting theologically. However, in the UK it's very "establishment". It's the church attended by middle and upper class, loved and defended by the Tories which automatically turns my stomach. Methodism is a less hierarchical version of Anglicanism. I like it's inclusiveness though theologically I find it a bit bland and it's churches and services lack any of that transcendental feel, feeling more like going to a get together in a town hall. More Calvinist denominations tend to be bland and joyless. Which is a pity because Calvinist theology is actually quite intellectually interesting. Another downside is they tend to be very right wing. Often this is where you find science denial as well Free Presbyterianism - probably a lot of people here aren't familiar with this church but it's very important in Northern Ireland. Not because it's particularly popular, but because the senior members of Northern Ireland's largest political party are all members of it. It's an extreme Presbyterian sect, founded by Ian Paisley because mainstream Presbyterianism was too soft. Basically imagine all the things you dislike about Presbyterianism and multiply it by 3 and that's the Free Ps. Mormonism, JWs - I kinda like the sincerity of their believers but yeah these feel way too culty for me. Evangelicalism - right wing politics mixed with the happy clappy stuff that I find a bit cringey but fair play for those who can buy into it. Eastern Orthodox - theologically pretty interesting but their churches don't do it for me and again they're pretty conservative from what I've seen. So yeah not sure what my favourite is of those. Maybe Anglicanism since my main beef with it is the kinda people who are members rather than anything the church teaches.Th Thanks for the your detailed thoughts on those various Christian schools. I sometimes worry about you, Kiera. I feel you are one of those non-believers who want to believe desperately but isn't a believer because she doesn't see any substantial proof given by any single religion. The worry is that ultimately one day if there is a sad event in life you might just start believing. That said, I wish that nothing sad ever happens in your life.
I fail to see why that would be a sad event. |
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Post by Arlon10 on Feb 16, 2019 10:38:44 GMT
Now, this thread has very clearly implied we are talking about our subjective liking for Christian denominations on a relative scale. So even if you don't like Christianity itself you can prefer one school over others. Say in terms of having less dislike for any particular school relative to other schools if you do not actually like any Christian denomination at all.
I like Catholicism the most. It has an interesting history and has culturally influenced western world a lot. The major cultural changes that the western world underwent in early modern era were more or less directly or indirectly related to Catholicism or opposition of Catholicism. Eastern Orthodox would be my second favourite though I admit that I have very little knowledge of this school. I do love to read about the Russian Church's history.
The school that appeals the least to me is the Protestant religion. I find it extremely boring and this is a sort of religion that never makes me inquisitive at all. Different Protestant denominations make me feel totally repulsed.
I can't say which one I like but definitely not Catholicism. Yes it puts on a nice show, but I think by calling Mary the mother of God and having all those saints, as well as priests being able to forgive sins, it's more akin to paganism. My favorite would be the one that puts on a "nice show" that isn't just a facade. Which one would that be? |
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 16, 2019 10:42:18 GMT
Thanks for the your detailed thoughts on those various Christian schools. I sometimes worry about you, Kiera. I feel you are one of those non-believers who want to believe desperately but isn't a believer because she doesn't see any substantial proof given by any single religion. The worry is that ultimately one day if there is a sad event in life you might just start believing. That said, I wish that nothing sad ever happens in your life.
I fail to see why that would be a sad event. I didn't say believing in religion would be a sad event. I said it would be sad if belief in religion is triggered by a sad event happening in one's life. I have no problem with people believing in religion but it should be based on one's decision with free mind and not because of force, coercion or some specific circumstances that made a person vulnerable. |
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 16, 2019 10:43:26 GMT
BY the way @fjh - After reading the first post of this thread do you really believe that I am a Ranger's fan?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 10:46:16 GMT
BY the way @fjh - After reading the first post of this thread do you really believe that I am a Ranger's fan? Who is Rangers? Oh, you mean Sevco, the hun. |
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 16, 2019 10:47:42 GMT
I can't say which one I like but definitely not Catholicism. Yes it puts on a nice show, but I think by calling Mary the mother of God and having all those saints, as well as priests being able to forgive sins, it's more akin to paganism. My favorite would be the one that puts on a "nice show" that isn't just a facade. Which one would that be? After many years of carefully observing your views, I can say that Judaism (pure form of Judaism) is closest to your viewpoint. That said I appreciate the fact that you are a very moderate person when it comes to religion. You don't care what name one gives to her religion as long as her religion holds on to certain ethical values. |
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 16, 2019 10:48:58 GMT
BY the way @fjh - After reading the first post of this thread do you really believe that I am a Ranger's fan? Who is Rangers? Oh, you mean Sevco, the hun. There are Rangers fans here. You might know a few of them. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 10:55:33 GMT
Who is Rangers? Oh, you mean Sevco, the hun. There are Rangers fans here. You might know a few of them. No thank you. |
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Feb 16, 2019 11:08:04 GMT
I fail to see why that would be a sad event. I didn't say believing in religion would be a sad event. I said it would be sad if belief in religion is triggered by a sad event happening in one's life. I have no problem with people believing in religion but it should be based on one's decision with free mind and not because of force, coercion or some specific circumstances that made a person vulnerable. Maybe the problem is with me, my dear Aj, but I still fail to see why a sad event in one's life triggering a belief in religion would necessarily be sad. You can believe in something, or you can believe in nothing. I choose to believe in something. Chalk it up to the difference between me and thee. I've encountered atheists who said they had seen too much in their lives to believe anymore. I'm the opposite. I've seen too much to not believe.  |
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 16, 2019 11:11:37 GMT
I didn't say believing in religion would be a sad event. I said it would be sad if belief in religion is triggered by a sad event happening in one's life. I have no problem with people believing in religion but it should be based on one's decision with free mind and not because of force, coercion or some specific circumstances that made a person vulnerable. Maybe the problem is with me, my dear Aj, but I still fail to see why a sad event in one's life triggering a belief in religion would necessarily be sad. You can believe in something, or you can believe in nothing. I choose to believe in something. Chalk it up to the difference between me and thee. I've encountered atheists who said they had seen too much in their lives to believe anymore. I'm the opposite. I've seen too much to not believe. I I haven't got any problem with people believing in stuffs after having a long experience of certain things as in your case. A sustained gradual change in someone is Okay. But split second changes may not always be good. You can disagree with me, of course. |
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Feb 16, 2019 11:15:15 GMT
Maybe the problem is with me, my dear Aj, but I still fail to see why a sad event in one's life triggering a belief in religion would necessarily be sad. You can believe in something, or you can believe in nothing. I choose to believe in something. Chalk it up to the difference between me and thee. I've encountered atheists who said they had seen too much in their lives to believe anymore. I'm the opposite. I've seen too much to not believe. I I haven't got any problem with people believing in stuffs after having a long experience of certain things as in your case. A sustained gradual change in someone is Okay. But split second changes may not always be good. You can disagree with me, of course. Surprisingly perhaps, I don't disagree with you. Split second changes are how people get sucked into cults. |
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Post by CoolJGS☺ on Feb 16, 2019 11:53:18 GMT
Like: the one that was present among believers in and during Acts 2:42 Dislike: all others Does the one you like exist as an organized institution today? I can't imagine any of them not imitating that verse. Funny enough, the tough part would be finding Christians that adhere to circumcision, kosher meals, & primarily converting Jews. I better put that I'm j/k |
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Post by Stammerhead on Feb 16, 2019 13:02:18 GMT
The Quakers
Quaker meetings for worship take place in meeting houses, not churches. These are simple buildings or rooms. A meeting begins when two or more worshipers come together to be in the presence of God. They usually sit facing each other in a square or a circle.
Nice and simple.
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Post by Vegas on Feb 16, 2019 13:08:58 GMT
I think JW’s are most accurate Scripturally, but add too many of their own tenets. My sentiment, exactly.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 13:38:13 GMT
Oh, Catholicism all the way. Drink, smoke, fuck, confess... repeat. It's not quite that simple... Yes, you are absolved of your venial sins by participating in the Penitential Rite at Mass... but you have to mean it, understand your error, and intend to try not to repeat it. You can't just mouth the words and be forgiven.  |
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Post by Aj_June on Feb 17, 2019 0:50:58 GMT
The Quakers Quaker meetings for worship take place in meeting houses, not churches. These are simple buildings or rooms. A meeting begins when two or more worshipers come together to be in the presence of God. They usually sit facing each other in a square or a circle. Nice and simple. That's all good and nice but you got to answer this question as a litmus test for your true leanings. Are you a Ranger or a Celtic? |
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Post by Stammerhead on Feb 17, 2019 1:22:44 GMT
The Quakers Quaker meetings for worship take place in meeting houses, not churches. These are simple buildings or rooms. A meeting begins when two or more worshippers come together to be in the presence of God. They usually sit facing each other in a square or a circle. Nice and simple. That's all good and nice but you got to answer this question as a litmus test for your true leanings. Are you a Ranger or a Celtic? I'm not a football fan but I do get concerned every time West Ham lose a game. |
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