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Philosophy/religion

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Christian denominations

13 replies

jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 09:20

Hi there, I am interested in Christianity but admittedly know very little as was brought up in a very atheist family and taught to be suspicious of any religion, especially Christians. Now when I look back I realise in my parents attempt to be open minded they actually became very narrow minded!

Can someone give me a description of the different denominations and how they differ from eachother?

Thanks Smile

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jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 10:53

bump

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jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 11:14

Just realised Christians will be in church hence no answers, duh!

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MaryBS · 06/02/2011 11:27

You could try here, scroll down the page, there is a section called "subdivisions" which may help.

TotallyUnheardOf · 06/02/2011 11:36

Grin. I am just back, but was going to post to say that I'm sure people will be along soon.

There is such a huge range of different denominations and styles of worship that it's hard to know where to start. There will be others here who can respond better than I can.

I am 'bog-standard' CofE, but even within the Anglican church you get a huge range of styles from - err - 'happy clappy' (I never know if that's a bit offensive... so apologies to anyone at the evangelical end of things that I've just upset!) to very traditional (quite old-fashioned language, choir, sung responses, bells, incense). Some may have Holy Communion every week, others once a fortnight or once a month. Either way services will consist of songs/hymns, prayers, Bible readings (usually one from the Old Testament and one from the Gospels, and maybe also one from one of the other books of the New Testament) and a sermon or homily (which will often take the form of an explanation of one of the readings - most often, IME, the Gospel).

In general (huge generalisation here), the non-Conformist denominations (e.g. Methodist) will tend also to have many of these elements, but may be 'freer' in terms of not following a set pattern of service, though they will vary in how 'free' they are. My experience has been almost wholly in the CofE (with a bit of Methodism thrown in), so I can't be a lot of help here. Sorry.

I have heard good things about the United Reformed Church, too, and the dh of one of my friends is a URC minister and is extremely socially and (as far as I can tell) theologically liberal, and someone who clearly lives his faith and kind of exudes 'goodness' iykwim. That's not a lot of help to you, though, I'm sure... I've never been to a URC service.

I'm talking rubbish now, so will shut up. Just keeping you company till someone more informed comes along! Wishing you luck with your journey of exploration.

jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 11:41

Can someone explain what is meant by God the fath, god the son and the holy spirit? Was Jesus God's son or God?

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jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 11:47

I have just read about the assumption, which as I underatnd it says Mary went straight to heaven to be with her son as she had never sinned wheras everyone else needs to wait until the end of time to go to heaven. So where do souls go when they die then and is it only Mary Jesus and God in heaven? Where's Joseph?

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jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 11:53

Have just read about original sin and wondering if you get many Christians called Adam?!

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madhairday · 06/02/2011 12:40

Wow lots of questions :) TUO has given a good explanation of some denominations, there are also what are called 'free churches' which don't necessarily have a denomination but may be part of a large network of churches, eg Vineyard churches, they tend to be the more evangelical side of things but again vary hugely in style.

(TUO no offence taken at happy clappy :D But just to say they're not always happy and not always clappy, in fact most are a real mixture and try to reflect all human emotions, being real before God etc - sorry that's an aside!)

Father Son and Holy Spirit - the Trinity, basically God is three persons, but one God. Very difficult to explain in human terms, but it seems there are different facets of God, there is the loving Father, who is judge and protector, the son who is the saviour, the Holy Spirit who is what Jesus called the 'counsellor' or 'comforter', God's presence on earth with us today. This is much too quick an explanation and you;d be best to read up on it a bit, but I heard it described once as like water; water can be steam, ice and water, and they are still one essence. Not an ideal analogy but something in there.

Assumption of Mary - can't really comment as am not catholic but I am sure somebody can explain it better than I, for me it is not something I believe in, it is not found in the bible. But no it's not only God in heaven but it is people too. :)

HTH a bit - sorry a bit rushed!!

TotallyUnheardOf · 06/02/2011 12:40

In haste, jinglebelly, but am wondering if an Alpha course would be helpful to you. I have no experience, but others on here do, I know. Perhaps if you started a new thread asking specifically about Alpha or similar...?

madhairday · 06/02/2011 12:42

Yes Alpha or a similar seekers course would be ideal for you to explore these questions for yourself, if you google it you should be able to find one in your area. All the best :)

jinglebelly · 06/02/2011 15:30

Thanks guys Smile

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TotallyUnheardOf · 06/02/2011 22:57

Blush Sorry, btw, MHD! Good luck, jinglebelly.

thanksamillion · 08/02/2011 11:53

Re the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) you might like to read The Shack which tries to explain this. Not all Christians agree with all the things it says but it might help you as a starting point, and it's not at all heavy theology. Alpha or Emmaus course definitely a good idea.

Also I'd say if you're interested just to go along to a few services in different churches and see what kind of 'style' interests you. Churches love to see new people (and if they don't then you probably wouldn't want to be going there anyway!).

Have you got a book that you're reading that has brought up the questions re the Assumption/Original Sin etc? They're quite Catholic ideas and aren't necessarily a part of other denominations beliefs.

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