Christian misconceptions?

Ajani · 03-02-2006, 02:08 AM

I was wondering about a thread for Christian misconceptions. I wonder how it would work, though. With so many denominations and the whole Catholic/Protestant thing... Any ideas? I know there are misconceptions out there. I just don't know if a thread about them would work.

DiamondInTheRough · 03-02-2006, 04:52 AM

Ajani, I think it is a good idea. But I understand the confusion that may arise considering the number of groups out there.

I would still encourage you to start your own, maybe highlighting your denomination could help avoid any clashes down the road.

Take care.

sleepydumpling · 03-02-2006, 06:18 AM

I think it's a great idea!

The misconception about Christians I hate is that all Christians are out to convert everyone else into Christians. That's so not true. I'm a Christian, and I couldn't care less what OTHER people's religions are. My faith is part of me and important to me. And I fully believe that everyone's faith should be part of them and important to them, and respected.

I hope we can get past the whole denominational thing, and just talk about what Christianity means to US.

Ajani · 03-02-2006, 03:33 PM

See, and there already we have differences. I care very deeply about the path that others take. I'm not out to talk anyone into Christianity, as I believe that God changes people's hearts, not us, and that our responsibility is to live as an example of Christ's love and sacrifice for all, rather than preaching people into heaven as some try to do. I am not on street corners shouting "REPENT OR BE SENT" at passersby. I don't think that's helpful in the least.

Because I believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father, of course I care that others don't. My heart's cry is for others to come to know Jesus as their Saviour too, because I sincerely believe that any other path leads to death, and that hurts me. It's not about disrespecting other faiths. It's about believing fervently in the faith that I have and desiring the same salvation for others. Not all who are Christians feel that way, though. So already there are discrepancies.

As for my denomination, if anyone has any questions about the Mennonite Brethren faith, I'll endevour to answer, but the big one is that we do have hydro and we do drive cars (well, I don't, but that's got nothing to do with religion) and we don't all build barns (though I know many great carpenters and cabinet makers, by coincidence).

DiamondInTheRough · 03-02-2006, 11:35 PM

Well, I think that any misconception thread should be about dispelling stereotypes, and generalizations. We all believe strongly, and probably exclusively in our own faith/religion. Since we all agree that 'converting' can only come from God - that shouldn't be a factor in our discussions at all!

As women who share a common bond of not only pcos, but love of God - we should be able to share with an intention of understanding (not necessarily 'accepting') but understanding eachother and the way we live our lives.

You are free to reject my 'beliefs,' as I am your's - but at least let's understand what it is we are really rejecting!

Take care, and I do hope you or another Christian sister start a thread!

PollySis · 03-03-2006, 12:24 AM

I'd be interested, too. I've never heard of your particular branch of christianity, so it would be very interesting to know some more.

sleepydumpling · 03-03-2006, 12:37 AM

Ajani - my problem wasn't with Christian people wanting to be involved in outreach - but that people make generalisations that ALL Christians want to convert, you know what I mean? It's the generalisation that I believe is a misconception. Some branches of Christianity it is important to, but I find it offensive that if I say I'm Christian, non-Christians immediately assume I want to convert them. Does that clarify it a bit?

Tell us about the Mennonite Brethren faith. We have a Bretheren community (or communities) in Australia, but I don't know if they are Mennonite. There aren't many here in Brisbane - but there are huge communities elsewhere.

GabrielsMom · 03-03-2006, 05:20 PM

I know of some Mennonites where I live. I go to a Methodist church and there are some there who were brought up in the Mennonite faith and/or were influenced by it. There are some on my college campus who wear dresses and bonnets at all times. I think they are Mennonite, too. Is that possible?

I grew up in an independant Charismatic church, and my husband is a former Catholic. We go to a Methodist church because it is sort of in the middle of the two. But they are a bit too liberal for my taste, sometimes. But it's a good congregation, and we love the people. From the internet, I have learned a lot about different denominations, and sometimes I get so confused I feel like giving up. But there are things from each denomination that I can agree with and I love finding common ground. I think that a lot of things that we disagree on are things that we can't possibly understand, and maybe the different denominations find a piece of the larger truth. But I think that the Apostle's Creed is mostly what we can all agree on:

Quote:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. AMEN.

*In protestant churches, it is always noted that "catholic" means universal, not Roman Catholic.

Jashobeam · 03-03-2006, 07:47 PM

I agree the Apostle's Creed is a great way to express the basics of the Christian Faith. We also take catholic in that to mean the universal Body of Christ.

We had some Mennonites at LU when I was there. Some were more liberal than others. Some wore head coverings, some didn't. I didnt' talk to any about their beliefs, but I have been reading some Amish and Mennonite books and the history of the AnaBaptists is amazing!

Swingin' Cyster · 03-03-2006, 07:52 PM

I think I've become known as the "Catholic" cyster. (Much to my amusement!) I'd be happy to answer any questions about the Catholic faith as well. I'm not saying I know everything, but I'm always willing to hunt down the answers!!
blessings, Kara

Jashobeam · 03-03-2006, 08:08 PM

I guess we could start with some basics like:

* Sinless life, substitutionary death, & physical resurection of Jesus Christ our God as necessary for the removal of sins; accepted by those who are born again as payment for their sins to be reconcilled to the Father (John 1:1; 3:7-8, )
* Gift of the Holy Spirit to all Believers (sent from the Father after the Son ascended into Heaven after His Resurrection John 14:26)
* The virgin birth of Christ (mentioned above)
* The Return of Christ (pre-tribulation, mid-trib, post-trib are three basic views)
* Trinitarians (those who hold to the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, coexisting as one, but Three Persons, equal in Diety and Holiness, eternal in nature and supreme in authority) Matthew 28:19
* Water Baptism (some dunk, some sprinkle, etc.) Matthew 3:13

Ajani · 03-03-2006, 08:35 PM

Boy, I didn't think that answering questions about the MB faith would be tricky, but honestly, since it's the only church I've known as an adult (nominally Catholic family, went to a United church with my grandmother as a young child), to me it's just "church."

I can say that we are not like the "Old Order" Mennonites. No headcoverings, no horse and buggies, etc. We do share the basics of faith, though. Jashobeam covered that nicely. We are anabaptists. In part, that means that we baptize believers upon confession of faith, rather than infants and children. We use immersion rather than sprinkling, following the biblical model (but aren't bound by it... if for some reason a person cannot be dunked, we'll sprinkle.) We firmly believe that it's a symbolic act, not one required for salvation. We have dedication services for our children, rather than baptizing them, where we (the parents and the church) commit to raising our children to know and love God, and we commit to live our lives as the best possible example of His love and grace and mercy.

Actually, there is an amazing resource >>here<< about what the MB church believes. There is a deep cultural history to the Mennonites, much of which I am coming to learn about and cherish, but I do not profess to know it all.

Our particular church is a little different from other MB churches in the area. We have more contemporary worship than some, and we dance, which is frowned upon by many in the MB family. Deeply held beliefs, passed on for generations, are hard to let go of. Again, it's not an issue of salvation. Just a denominational thing.

bonnieboo · 03-03-2006, 08:53 PM

I attend a Unitarian Universalist church, and the title describes it all...one God and universal salvation. To my Christian mind, I do not think God would exclude any of his good children from everlasting life because they were Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, etc (yes, some Christian faiths teach Catholics are damned). It just doesn't jive with the kind, loving, inclusive Jesus I read about in the New Testament. You will never catch me "witnessing" to anyone. Talking, yes. Persuading, no. Never. And much evil has been done in the world under the guise of saving souls for Jesus. I'm not sure Jesus is too happy about that.

So see, we are all very different.

ETA...I reread this, and thought I should add that I don't think people who do witness are doing evil...I know the world is full of good, kind evangelical Christians who truly are doing good, and they include the women who feel this way on this board. I'm just noting that at some points in history horrible things have been done in the name of Christ.

CelticSpirit · 03-03-2006, 10:13 PM

I've been trying to get on here to start a Catholic misconceptions thread for the longest time since I'm SICK of hearing the things that people have to say (and some of them argue with me about it...)

I'm off to do that and hopefully we can work from there...

I know that I've learned a TON from the cysters here willing to share about their faiths. I hope to help others learn more about MY faith (as another Catholic cyster--Swingin' Cyster has been an inspiration to me in my faith, I MUST say it!)

GabrielsMom · 03-03-2006, 10:37 PM

I love my Catholic cysters! I would love to see a Catholic misconceptions thread. But I think it would also be appropriate in this thread.. whichever way you want it.