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Upgrade25
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Unless if there is one invisible church extending across denominational lines, why would God let so many schisms happen from Catholicism?
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Servant19
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It’s the reason why Christ said He would return! An All-Knowing Lord knows what path His religion will take.
I believe He has returned, and He came to unify mankind under one common Faith.
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MT1926
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As I stated on my post on the other thread we need to start thinking logically here and stop trying to over think everything. Any statement you make that has the words "why would God let" can only be answered with ***“because he gave us free will.” *** We are not his puppets, any other answer denies us of the gift of free will he has given us.
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Randy_Carson
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adamhovey1988
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I think you’re confused. I have a Sunni Muslim friend. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Islamic_schools_and_branches#Sunni_Islam There are different denominations of Sunnis. Where do you get there are only three Jewish sects? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_religious_movements there are three major ones, but much like in Islam, those can be divided as well.
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Padres1969
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Thank you for beating me to it. It’s a Christian fallacy that there are only 3 Muslim sects and 3 Jewish sects. Muslims in particular have divisions on divisions within the 3 major families, particularly the Sunnis.
And as for the “divisions” within Christianity, I’d argue that we’re all part of Christ’s Church even if we all are in our own little corners of it. I mean even the RCC admits that all baptized Christians are Christians, so in that regard there is one universal church that all Christians are members of be they Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist, etc…
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SyroMalankara
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You are comparing Christian denominations to Jewish and Muslim Branches. The more apt comparison would be comparing 3 Christian groups - Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant - to the three Muslim - Sunni, Shia, Sufi; and 3 (4) Jewish - (Reconstructionist), Reform, Conservative, Orthodox.
There are multiple subsets of each of these “branches” - except for Catholicism in union with the visible Pope, of which there is only 1.
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ComplineSanFran
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Not to forget Anglicans, who are via media, and humanist Jews.
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Deditus_Domina
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A big difference between Christianity, Judaism and Islam is the notion of authority. In traditional Christianity there is a hierarchy - an institution. People rebelled against the authority and the institution. Once you break off from a hierarchy you form your own group.
In Islam there isn’t a central authority or hierarchy unless it is imposed by the secular authority. In America all Sunni mosques are essentially independent of each other - just like those non-denominational and mega churches popping up everywhere. All the Muslims I know consider all Sunnis to be united in one true faith - but there are a whole slew of mosques that they wouldn’t have anything to do with because “the people there are weird” or “too strict” or “too liberal” or “too cultural”. Everyone is searching out mosques where people practice true Islam which means, of course, they are just like them.
In Muslim countries the government sponsors and promotes a particular brand of cultural Islam and a particular school of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh/shariah). There are 5 different schools of jurisprudence. Thats like 5 different versions of Canon law - choose the one you like!
The difference between Lutherans and Anglicans is no bigger than the difference between Lebanese Muslims and Emirati Muslims. By keeping the prayers simple and in Arabic, everything appears the same but the interpretation and teachings vary radically from place to place.
In Islam there isn’t a central authority or hierarchy unless it is imposed by the secular authority. In America all Sunni mosques are essentially independent of each other - just like those non-denominational and mega churches popping up everywhere. All the Muslims I know consider all Sunnis to be united in one true faith - but there are a whole slew of mosques that they wouldn’t have anything to do with because “the people there are weird” or “too strict” or “too liberal” or “too cultural”. Everyone is searching out mosques where people practice true Islam which means, of course, they are just like them.
In Muslim countries the government sponsors and promotes a particular brand of cultural Islam and a particular school of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh/shariah). There are 5 different schools of jurisprudence. Thats like 5 different versions of Canon law - choose the one you like!
The difference between Lutherans and Anglicans is no bigger than the difference between Lebanese Muslims and Emirati Muslims. By keeping the prayers simple and in Arabic, everything appears the same but the interpretation and teachings vary radically from place to place.
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Iron_Donkey
Guest
First, to answer your question: God allows us to sin via schism for the same reasons He allows us to sin in other ways: free will. The argument that the Church is purely or primarily invisible fails on the grounds that this purported invisible Church would be entirely ineffective at promoting truth even on such basic questions as how a human gets to heaven. And on many other grounds. Of course, it is true that all Christians are united by a common baptism, and so that we are all united in that way, but these invisible bonds that we share do not in any contradict or diminish the need for a visible Church.
Second, and forgive me if this seems rather blunt, but I’ve seen several of your posts in the last couple days, and it seems as though you are reaching and stretching to find things to worry about and consider as obstacles to your faith. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have and ask questions. I’m only saying that from the way you pose them, it seems as though you look for something that you can worry about, and then start worrying about it as soon as you see it and before examining it. So you may find it helpful to take a step back and ask why each particular question is really bothering you before allowing yourself to worry about it. And then ask it anyway, of course, if you don’t know the answer. But you seem to be bothered by a lot of things before determining if they are worth worrying about.
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flower_lady
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He has not returned so that we can see Him literally, but He has never left us spiritually. He’s everywhere!! The Holy Spirit is always here to guide us, so keep asking questions and studying and He will lead you to the right answers. God bless you for wanting to know and for your love for God. There are so many young people who could care less. He may be using you to teach them as you learn. Holy Spirit guide him, Amen
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Servant19
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There is no proof a Pharisee can produce that denies the coming of the LordWhich hasn’t happened, so that notion has proven to be false.
God bless you.
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thecolorsblend
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Schism is inherently wicked. Modern judaism poses no real threat to the devil. So why would he attack organized judaism? They reject Our Lord which is really all the devil wants.
Islam also poses no threat. And for the same reason. So why would he attack that?
Christianity affirms Our Lord. It’s not only a threat to the devil but it’s probably the most powerful and subversive force ever unleashed in the universe. I could easily see the devil doing all in his power to create scandal, schism and chaos in the Church every way he can.
On that basis, the proliferation of Christian denominations speaks to the core kernel of truth inherent to Christianity. It can be seen as an unintentional endorsement of the truth. Even Protestants of good faith are grasping at the truth. They know Our Lord offers it even if they don’t recognize that the fullness of truth is most completely contained with the Catholic Church.
Islam also poses no threat. And for the same reason. So why would he attack that?
Christianity affirms Our Lord. It’s not only a threat to the devil but it’s probably the most powerful and subversive force ever unleashed in the universe. I could easily see the devil doing all in his power to create scandal, schism and chaos in the Church every way he can.
On that basis, the proliferation of Christian denominations speaks to the core kernel of truth inherent to Christianity. It can be seen as an unintentional endorsement of the truth. Even Protestants of good faith are grasping at the truth. They know Our Lord offers it even if they don’t recognize that the fullness of truth is most completely contained with the Catholic Church.
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