The Division of faiths

[Bex.]

As an atheist I find a great deal of commonality with my fellow Atheists. The same can be said for those that might call themselves Agnostic, Secularist or Humanist. I've not once been engaged in heated debate or even sensed the slightest aggression towards me or my religious stance from people of these groups. Sadly, the same cannot be said of people of faith. I'm very open to discussion on the subject of religion and the bible, and find myself frequently engaged on the subject with hostility from those who place their beliefs in it. You'll have to take my word for it that I'm polite and try to stick to the facts, but that is the pattern I notice.

On the flip side, as an outside observer, we see religions constantly clash, even those that share a similar ethos. I'm not just talking about Muslims clashing with Jews and Christians (clearly the most notable conflicts); but also Christians and Catholics and their widely different interpretations of scripture. The same can be said for a great many Christian based religions, Catholicism was just an example.

I don't pretend to have the answers, I merely seek discussion, but is it possible this unity amongst non believers is because the evidence of life and the creation of the planet is being explained in logical terms and through rigorous testing via the scientific method and that religion has been, and shall remain to be, divided for ever more, as their scriptures are always in need of interpretation?

That which is definitive for one Christian will often be dismissed as 'Pseudo Science' by another, using Young Earth Creationism as an example.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts. =]

 

[Nanopants]

I don't pretend to have the answers, I merely seek discussion, but is it possible this unity amongst non believers is because the evidence of life and the creation of the planet is being explained in logical terms and through rigorous testing via the scientific method and that religion has been, and shall remain to be, divided for ever more, as their scriptures are always in need of interpretation?

I think you have a good point here, but imagine what would happen in subsequent generations if the academic community lost all of its empirical data and the understanding held by the scientific minds of today is no longer taught to the effect that all that would remain are bits and pieces of their commentary. In my estimation, this would be analogous to what Christianity is today, except that there seems to be no method of reconstruction nor of disproving anyone's attempts at it.

 

[Bex.]

I think you have a good point here, but imagine what would happen in subsequent generations if the academic community lost all of its empirical data and the understanding held by the scientific minds of today is no longer taught to the effect that all that would remain are bits and pieces of their commentary. In my estimation, this would be analogous to what Christianity is today, except that there seems to be no method of reconstruction nor of disproving anyone's attempts at it.

That had occurred to me, actually. The thing is, the substance of science, that which is physical evidence, would still remain. Even if all information was lost, eventually it would be rediscovered.

 

[Dark_Lite]

On the flip side, as an outside observer, we see religions constantly clash, even those that share a similar ethos. I'm not just talking about Muslims clashing with Jews and Christians (clearly the most notable conflicts); but also Christians and Catholics and their widely different interpretations of scripture. The same can be said for a great many Christian based religions, Catholicism was just an example.

Catholicism is not non-Christian, nor is it a "Christian based religion." It is Christianity, and has been around for many, many centuries longer than what you're probably calling Christianity (Protestantism).

As for your main point, division over theology arose long before YECism ever entered the scene. That division has carried on into the modern day. Division over creationism is only one particular example. Theological divisions still persist.

 

[Daniel25]

you have very homogenous friends. There is far more division between a neomalthusian ecofascist, a confucian traditionalist, and a epicurean hedonist than between a methodist and a catholic. The christian adhere to the same canon, and agree on the nicene/apostolic/athanasian creeds. No such documents link our above mentioned atheists.

 

[Exiledoomsayer]

you have very homogenous friends. There is far more division between a neomalthusian ecofascist, a confucian traditionalist, and a epicurean hedonist than between a methodist and a catholic. The christian adhere to the same canon, and agree on the nicene/apostolic/athanasian creeds. No such documents link our above mentioned atheists.

While homogenous friends is one explaination, it could also just be a shared tolerance of differing opinions, at which point large differences do not lead to aggression.

 

[Bex.]

you have very homogenous friends. There is far more division between a neomalthusian ecofascist, a confucian traditionalist, and a epicurean hedonist than between a methodist and a catholic. The christian adhere to the same canon, and agree on the nicene/apostolic/athanasian creeds. No such documents link our above mentioned atheists.

It's fair to say that the examples you've given have never crossed my path due to their relative obscurity. I don't know, perhaps you were trying to babble me with bulldust; it happens a lot. You'll have to excuse me as I stick to the dominant groups; I'm fairly sure you wouldn't like me comparing your faith to a religous cult of 15 members who get together in the woods and worship their founder as Christ reborn, would you?

 

[Paul.]

I agree that there are many denominations within Christianity and a diverse range of interpretations and therefore beliefs. The fact is however that we do have unity of core beliefs as demonstrated in these Christian Forms. When you look down the list of faith icons used in these forums you will see many groups represented (24 on the list I saved to my computer), yet despite their diversity each denomination agrees with the core beliefs spelt out in the Nicene Creed which is the litmus test in these forums to identify a Christian. That is evidence of the unity of the faith amongst Christians.

Within these forums, we also see many debates between many Christians on many topics reaching far beyond the core beliefs we all hold true and dear to our Christianity. I am a person who has contributed in these debates. I come here and discuss differences by choice for two reasons. Firstly, if I talk to another person at my church after the service about the question, Is speaking in tongues for today? the conversation lasts for less than two minutes and goes something like this.

Do you think that speaking in tongues is for today?
Yes, I do. Do you?
Yes, me too. ….. What are doing for lunch?

It is much more interesting to debate with people who do not agree. Secondly, by debating issues with people who have a different opinion, you to see where there are holes in your interpretations and you find out about scriptures that challenge your interpretation of other scriptures. You never find out about them when you’re discussing the subject with people who use the same scriptures you use to support the interpretations you both hold to be correct.

Yes the debates do get heated at times. We are not perfect but we are all striving to become more like our role model, Jesus. I would be disappointed however if no debate ever got heated. It would denote a lack of passion and apathy about the subject matter that is being discussed. We are not apathetic about the topics we discuss because we do find the things of God something that is worthy to be passionate about. Yet we are still human and fallible. I am sure that many a Christian in these forums has said sorry to God for something they said because it that was not a good witness of how Christians should act. I know in my own Christian life that I have not always been the good witness that God wants me to be and I have had to turn to God in repentance for my actions.