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Why are there different denominations, anyway?

BeeWrangler

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I have often wondered the same thing Ssammoh. I have only been to Catholic and Baptist churches, Don't know about any other kind. I enjoy the Baptist church because it is simple and there is no song and dance, and for the most part it follows scripture rather than making up its own teachings. But I find it to be very proud, a lot of Baptists will fight tooth and nail to prove a point and will be relentless about it. I had become like this until God showed me how wrong it was. I also don't like that in my last church the pastor was amazing, but he stepped on a few toes and they gave him the boot. Turns out it is the people who have the most money and give the largest tithes that have the last say. I have come to find this happened in most of the Baptist churches in this area. If the tithers don't like being rebuked they will kick and scream until they get their way.
I would love nothing more than to find a simple church where the people do not walk around prouder than peacocks. Where there is no song and dance and the teachings are only from scripture in the bible. A church where the members welcome newcomers, not strut around with their noses in the air gossiping in the corner who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. I have found my time on this Christian forum proof that people don't use the church anymore to teach, they use it to brag and prove how much smarter they are than others. The sarcasm that a lot of people have on here is mind blowing.
 
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SilenceInMotion

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Protestantism and Catholicism are so incredibly different from each other that the only thing they have in common is the cross, and even that differs

The monumental thing that split them is not the papacy or anything one may initially think- it is the difference in belief in justification for salvation. That is a very crucial disagreement that cannot go ignored.

Being that you are not Catholic, you probably believe in something along the lines of imputed righteousness from Christ. You also hold to Sola Scriptura, it seems.
Well, that was invented in the 16th century. The Church believes in synergism and apostolic tradition. They cannot both be right- in fact they are diametrically opposed to each other.

Christianity is split in the general sense of traditional vs reformed.
 
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Albion

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Several different ideas there. For one, I can appreciate that you wouldn't care for a church which has a lot of gossips, peacocks, and etc. BUT it is not hard to find one that is not like that--unless you live in a very rural or remote area with few churches. Regardless of denomination, congregations have their own tempo, and you can indeed find a good one.

As for the last part of your post dealing with using the church to brag...if you look carefully, it's only a few denominations that produce people who do that. Most of the people here couldn't even be identified by church membership if all you had to go by was the content of their posts and not the little icon on top of the page. But those who are easily identified according to their affiliation make sure that everyone else knows it in almost every post they make. Take a cue from this when deciding from where to steer clear.
 
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