My Church, etc

[Ó Cathasaigh]

In order to properly communicate about religion, you must first educate others about your religion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disciples_of_Christ

The Disciples of Christ declare only one essential tenet of the faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In addition, the Disciples affirm that Jesus is the son of God and that he offers saving grace to all, as all persons are God’s children. Beyond this, there are several central practices generally associated with the Disciples:

Open Communion: Communion is celebrated weekly during the worship service; no individual is ever refused Communion.
Baptism by immersion: Disciples practice "Believer's baptism" by immersion, however, other baptism traditions are honored in converts. Re-baptism may be performed for converts or existing members if requested, but this practice is not normative of the denomination at large. Most Disciples ministers will not administer re-baptism.
The unity of the church: Disciples believe that all Christians are called to be the Body of Christ; they deny that any denomination (including their own) is the "one Church." Disciples seek opportunities for common witness and service with other denominations. As early Disciples leader Barton Stone declared, "Unity is our polar star."
Common ministry: Disciples ministers are ordained by their respective regional church, based on criteria established by the general church, and after an intensive in-care process with the region. They must have sponsorship by at least one local congregation, and normally the ordination service is hosted by that congregation. An ordained Disciples minister normally holds a Master of Divinity degree from a theological seminary. Laypersons often lead worship, and lay elders and deacons preside at Communion. Disciples belive in a "clergy of believers", meaning services normally conducted by an ordained minister, provided that there are no legal issues which restrict an act to being conducted by an ordained minister, i.e. conducting a marriage ceremony, may be performed by a layperson. As such, it is not unheard of for a layperson to substitute for an ordained minister in the ministers normal duties, i.e. giving sermons, home visits, baptisms, etc. Even youth are permitted to take part in these roles.
Freedom of belief: Individual members are free to follow their consciences; they are expected to extend that freedom to others. Members are encouraged to seek guidance from scripture, study, and prayer, but to develop their own opinions about most issues.
In addition, Disciples churches practice congregationalist church governance and utilize a "bottom-up" hierarchy. While other denominations utilize a top-down hierarchy where the senior church official or church council holds ultimate authority, the ultimate authority of the Disciples of Christ church lies in the individual, independent congregations. A General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a biannual gathering of congregations, expresses only the views of that particular assembly and holds little power to bind the denomination as a whole, although decisions may be made that affect the general manifestation of the church. The denomination is governed by The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Any questions, comments, concerns?
Post yours too. :spammer:

[shenmueguru]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodist

What I like about Methodism is it's method of guiding your decisions - based on tradition, experience, reason, and the word.

[Black Francis]

Ave,

THE HOLY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Unam, Sanctam, Catholicam, et Apostolicam Ecclesiam.
(One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.)

The Roman Catholic Church, also called the Catholic Church, is the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope, who is currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original undivided Christian community founded by Jesus, with its traditions first established by the Twelve Apostles and maintained through unbroken Apostolic Succession.

Its catechesis makes use of the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed, which are accepted also by most major Christian denominations.

Catholics place particular importance on the Church as an institution founded by Christ and kept from doctrinal error by the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and as the font of salvation for humanity. The seven sacraments, of which the most important is the Eucharist, are of prime importance in obtaining salvation.

The Church teaches that salvation to eternal life is God's will for all people, and that God grants it to sinners as a gift, a grace, through the sacrifice of Christ. Man cannot, in the strict sense, merit anything from God. It is God who justifies, that is, who frees from sin by a gift of holiness. Man can accept the gift God gives through faith in Jesus Christ and through baptism. Man can also refuse the gift. Human cooperation is needed, in line with a new capacity to adhere to the divine will that God provides. The faith of a Christian is not without works, otherwise it would be dead. In this sense, "by works a man is justified, and not by faith alone," and eternal life is, at one and the same time, grace and the reward given by God for good works and merits. Faith, and subsequently works, are a result of God's grace - thus, it is only because of grace that the believer can be said to "merit" salvation.

The Catholic Church teaches that through the graces Jesus won for humanity by sacrificing himself on the cross, salvation is possible even for those outside the visible boundaries of the Church. Christians and even non-Christians, if in life they respond positively to the grace and truth that God reveals to them through the mercy of Christ may be saved. This may sometimes include awareness of an obligation to become part of the Catholic Church. In such cases, "they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it, or to remain in it."

Unless a Catholic dies in unrepented mortal sin, which is remitted in the Sacrament of Penance, it is believed that person has God's promise of inheriting eternal life. Before entering heaven, some undergo a purification, known as Purgatory.

Catholics believe that God works actively in the world. Catholics grow in grace through participation in the sacramental life of the Church, and through prayer, the work of mercy, and spiritual disciplines such as fasting and pilgrimage.

Prayer for others, even for enemies and persecutors is a Christian duty. There are four types of prayer: adoration, thanksgiving, contrition, and supplication. Catholics may address their requests for the intercession of others not only to people still in earthly life, but also to those in heaven, in particular the Virgin Mary and the other Saints. As Mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary is also considered to be the spiritual mother of all Catholics.

The Church is not only the largest Christian Church, but also the largest organized body of any world religion. According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, the Church's worldwide recorded membership at the end of 2004 was 1,098,366,000, or approximately 1 in 6 of the world's population.

There you go. :wink:

[scottishranger]

Well Pretty much what Black Francis said, I am a Catholic and proud of it. Though I do have some Lutheran tendencies towards religion that has to do with my geneology.

[Da Skinna]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism


This religion almost perfectly puts into words my feelings about the Lord. I was Christian, and I still consider myself to be, and I have no real regard for the Church, though I do have a respect for them. Their history, policies and such have turned me off to following them and as such I like to find my own inner peace and balance with God through myself.

EDIT: I state it as a religion though really it is my belief, and I'm not sure if religion is as great a term for it...

[HorseArcher]

If I would ever get into the details of my own personal religion, some of you start screaming all sorts of things.

....If i would have been living in the medieval times in the christian world, I would be either killed on the stake for heresy or burned on the fire for antichrist, meanwhile if i would be satanist I would be sacrificed. If i would have been in a muslim world, I would be beheaded. If I would have been any other part of the world with different religions, I would still be an intruder.

[Sétanta]

If I would ever get into the details of my own personal religion, some of you start screaming all sorts of things and of course.

We can't execute you without a reason.

Maybe if you told us we would let you off on charges of insanity, instead of going into the righteous flames of God.

Oh, and my religion is the same as Black Francis'.

[Confederate Soldier]

Same as shenmueguru. I was recently baptized within an Methodist church. I have been going to one since I was of young age too. However I never have considered myself to be a Methodist. When asked what I am I just say I am an Christian, Protestant. I know its backwards but for some reason that’s how it comes out.

[RZZZA]

I'm agnostic, I have no church. I hope to discover spirituality through study and life experience.

"Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. "- Sagan

Through critical thinking and practical reason, along with decades of study, I hope to come closer to finding "religion" or "God" or "the great unknown" or whatever you wanna call it.

[Richard the Lionheart]

If I would ever get into the details of my own personal religion, some of you start screaming all sorts of things.

....If i would have been living in the medieval times in the christian world, I would be either killed on the stake for heresy or burned on the fire for antichrist, meanwhile if i would be satanist I would be sacrificed. If i would have been in a muslim world, I would be beheaded. If I would have been any other part of the world with different religions, I would still be an intruder.

Well I don't have any specific religion either, although my belief system is derived from the Abrahamic concept and is mostly influenced by Christianity and Islam.

[MaximiIian]

Well, I don't attend a church, but my beliefs are interesting to say the least.
I believe in a mixture of secular humanism and atheism. Something like the Soviet Union stance on faith + UN Declaration of Human Rights. On one hand, I believe in no gods or afterlives, but on the other, I believe that human rights are somewhat sacred and inaliable.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

....If i would have been living in the medieval times in the christian world, I would be either killed on the stake for heresy or burned on the fire for antichrist, meanwhile if i would be satanist I would be sacrificed. If i would have been in a muslim world, I would be beheaded. If I would have been any other part of the world with different religions, I would still be an intruder.

Amazing, oddly enough that isn't entirely unique. I would be fed to the Lions in Rome, Killed by Jews for not renouncing Christianity, not to mention the Sassanids, the Goths, the Ottomans, Islamic nations as a whole, the list goes on and on and on....even the Catholic Church....


Clicky

amazing how well I play the victim too

[JP226]

Amazing, oddly enough that isn't entirely unique. I would be fed to the Lions in Rome, Killed by Jews for not renouncing Christianity, not to mention the Sassanids, the Goths, the Ottomans, Islamic nations as a whole, the list goes on and on and on....even the Catholic Church....

yea i'd be killed by all those peope as well, except the catholics. I gotcha there.

[Kscott]

My religion can not be found in a wiki link or even in the English language(or any for that matter)

[MaximiIian]

My religion can not be found in a wiki link or even in the English language(or any for that matter)

Then think up a word for it on your own and define it by yourself. Do not bound yourself by other's definitions.

[JP226]

what religion is that???

technically i'm of the religion of footbal and joe montana is our savior.

[Kscott]

what religion is that???

The one of my heart

Then think up a word for it on your own and define it by yourself. Do not bound yourself by other's definitions.

Well my friend and I already made up a religion and called it Engouism, but I dont really believe in it.

What I really believe has no name, but I suppose it will one day. Im just lacking the creative thought at the moment

[JP226]

ohhh wait, you're not a seventh day adventist are you???

[Kscott]

ohhh wait, you're not a seventh day adventist are you???

Not to my knowledge

[harm]

i have no idea why you would pick a religion..... lame.