Questions about Other Denominations...

[Catsmeow]

I was raised a Methodist Christian, but I have had some problems with it. I am mostly interested in Quakerism, but I might discover something new! So here are some questions for your denomination (whatever it is):

1. What does it believe about Heaven and Hell?

2. How traditional is it?

3. Are there a lot of rituals?

4. What does it believe about creation versus evolution?

And... that's all I have for now. But if you find something that you should mention that is important, please say!

 

[james2ko]

I was raised a Methodist Christian, but I have had some problems with it. I am mostly interested in Quakerism, but I might discover something new! So here are some questions for your denomination (whatever it is):

1. What does it believe about Heaven and Hell?

The vast majority go to neither after death.

2. How traditional is it?

see answer 1

3. Are there a lot of rituals?

Foot washing ceremony at Passover service.

4. What does it believe about creation versus evolution?

All creation, no evolution

And... that's all I have for now. But if you find something that you should mention that is important, please say!

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of problems are you having with Methodist teaching?

 

[Catsmeow]

I'm having issues with the fact that I know so little about it in the first place. When I say that I was raised on it, I mean that I was raised on it. I have known nothing else my whole life, and I only practiced it because it was expected of me. It sounds stupid, I know. But I just can't get over that... When I listen to the preacher now, I can't help but only see the questions that are underneath all of the answers I'm given, I can't help but listen and think "but that makes little sense". Maybe it was never for me in the first place, but I never knew it. I was never educated on what being a Methodist is, and that bothers me to no end. I was just told to be a Methodist.

 

[james2ko]

I'm having issues with the fact that I know so little about it in the first place. When I say that I was raised on it, I mean that I was raised on it. I have known nothing else my whole life, and I only practiced it because it was expected of me. It sounds stupid, I know. But I just can't get over that... When I listen to the preacher now, I can't help but only see the questions that are underneath all of the answers I'm given, I can't help but listen and think "but that makes little sense". Maybe it was never for me in the first place, but I never knew it. I was never educated on what being a Methodist is, and that bothers me to no end. I was just told to be a Methodist.

It seems as though you are looking for something but not sure what. I was once in your shoes. Once God lead me to it, I knew I found what I was looking for, if that makes any sense. Pray and ask God to lead you to the truth. He won't disappoint.

 

[Karl R]

So here are some questions for your denomination (whatever it is):

I was raised Methodist. I later joined a Presbyterian church. Currently I am a member of a Unitarian Universalist church.

The Presbyterians are very similar to the Methodists. The main differences seem to be church history and how the church is governed. There is some variety between Presbyterian churches (just like with Methodist churches), but the conservative churches match up fairly well, as do the liberal churches.

Unitarian Universalism would seem less familar to you. While some UUs are Christians, many are not. Some UU churches are predominantly Christian, while others may be predominantly atheist, humanist, Pagan, etc. Because of that diversity, there's not an official church stance on too many topics. I can give you a general idea what UUs (in general) and UU Christians may be likely to believe.

1. What does it believe about Heaven and Hell?

Universalists (historically) reject the idea that a loving god would condemn anyone eternally to hell. A few individuals may believe in the existence of hell, but not many.

Other than that, there is no consistent belief in an afterlife. Some believe in heaven. Others believe in reincarnation. Some believe that there is no soul, and death is the end.

2. How traditional is it?

Not particularly traditional. Depending on the church (and the Sunday), it may seem extremely un-traditional.

3. Are there a lot of rituals?

That depends on the church. If a church tends to be predominantly Pagan in nature, there will be a lot more rituals than if the church is predominantly atheistic/agnostic in nature.

There are two rituals which are widely practiced across UU churches as a whole. I can think of three others that are regularly practiced at my church. (Each of the aforementioned rituals is practiced once per year.) Other rituals may be added or removed as the minister chooses.

In most cases, there will be fewer rituals than you are accustomed to, but most (or all) of the rituals will be completely unfamiliar to you.

4. What does it believe about creation versus evolution?

The official church stance is that our beliefs should not ignore science. Every UU that I've met believes in evolution, but there are probably a few who disagree.

 

[CaptainXeroid]

I'm a member of the Disciples of Christ.

1. What does it believe about Heaven and Hell?

We don't have a hard and fast belief. Some Disciples believe they are physical places for the good and bad respectively, while others view them as spiritual realms for the soul.

2. How traditional is it?

Disciples' congregation are not bound by a central edict, so this varies from one church to another.

3. Are there a lot of rituals?

Not really, except communion as Christ directed in the Last Supper just about every time we get together. Baptism by immersion.

4. What does it believe about creation versus evolution?

Most Disciples I've met believe that God created Man but do not deny the evolution of our species over time.

Under the category of something else I think is important...most Disciples I know seem to view the Old Testament of the history of our ancestors, as told in a metaphorical sense. We view the Bible as divinely inspired but not necessarily inerrant, so we don't have a problem with dinosaurs or the world being older than 6,000ish years.

Hope that helps.

 

[Katzpur]

I was raised a Methodist Christian, but I have had some problems with it. I am mostly interested in Quakerism, but I might discover something new! So here are some questions for your denomination (whatever it is):

Well, my religion is Mormonism. Please don't stop reading.

1. What does it believe about Heaven and Hell?

In a nutshell (since I'm pretty sure you aren't interested in a huge amount of detail at this point), Mormons are pretty much universalists. That comes as a huge surprise to most people, but the truth of the matter is that Mormons probably believe in what I would describe as the biggest Heaven and the littlest Hell of any Christian denomination around. That doesn't mean salvation is a free-for-all, but it does mean that hardly anybody will end up spending an eternity writhing in torment for having picked the wrong religion while on Earth. If you want more info, I'd be happy to provide it.

2. How traditional is it?

That all depends upon what you mean. An LDS worship service is probably fairly similar to the worship services of many Protestant denominations -- minus the hellfire and damnation sermons. We sing hymns, study the scriptures, take the Lord's Supper, etc. We have never claimed to be part of "traditional" or "mainstream" Christianity, but our church is very, very Christ-centered. We look to Jesus Christ for salvation and believe He is the Only Begotton Son of God. The actual basis for our existance is the belief that Jesus Christ established His Church during His mortal ministry, that after His death and the deaths of His Apostles, men changed that Church and it fell into apostasy, (as was predicted by Paul), and that it has been re-established in this day and age.

3. Are there a lot of rituals?

With respect to regular Sunday worship services, there is almost no ritual at all, no clerical robes, no incense, only a couple of prayers which must be said verbatim, no making the sign of the cross, etc.

4. What does it believe about creation versus evolution?

The Church does not take an official stance as to the age of the Earth. Most Mormons today are not young-earth creationists. We definitely do believe that God created our universe, but as to how He did it and how long it took, we're allowed a pretty significant amount of latitude in our own personal beliefs.

And... that's all I have for now. But if you find something that you should mention that is important, please say!

I hope what I've said is helpful. Please feel free to ask additional questions as they arise.

 

[DavyCrocket2003]

I'm having issues with the fact that I know so little about it in the first place. When I say that I was raised on it, I mean that I was raised on it. I have known nothing else my whole life, and I only practiced it because it was expected of me. It sounds stupid, I know. But I just can't get over that... When I listen to the preacher now, I can't help but only see the questions that are underneath all of the answers I'm given, I can't help but listen and think "but that makes little sense". Maybe it was never for me in the first place, but I never knew it. I was never educated on what being a Methodist is, and that bothers me to no end. I was just told to be a Methodist.

Hi! Let me tell you, reading your post made me REALLY excited. I can hear the hunger coming through. And when we "hunger and thirst after righteousness" we really start to go places. It is so exciting to see that you are truly seeking for truth and understanding.

I don't think it would be productive for me to try and sell you my religion. Of course I believe in it and all but I think people really need to figure stuff like this out for themselves. And no one religion has a monopoly on truth. Truth is truth, regardless of where you find it. Treasure it, value it. Store it up and study it. As you (or I, or whoever else) do this, you will find more and more.

Here is my advice to you (as a friend).
1. Start with what you already believe. Who are you? What do you believe about God? Deep down in your heart, what is it that you want? How badly do you want to learn more truth? I believe that the biggest influence on our progression and learning in this life depends on our personal desire for more. When we desire more, we will find it somehow.

2. Have faith. I know that God lives and I know that he loves us. He has a plan for us. Don't worry, things will work out. I don't mean we should be complacent and stop yearning to build up Zion and to better ourselves an draw closer to God. What I mean is God is in charge. Something I've sort of taken up as a personal slogan lately is this: "I don't have to be all powerful, I just have to believe in someone who is." Trust in God. Remember, he is your father and wants the very best for you. Follow your righteous desires and he will help you fulfill them.

3. Keep a searching and open mind. Whenever people start thinking that they've "found it." They stop growing. When people think "I'm good, I've got all the truth I need," inspiration shuts down. You just have to keep an open mind and a willing heart.

Good luck. I hope you start getting some answers soon.