Christians, stop this beckering and put aside your difference, so we can be one faith!

[Nine_Two]

Yes you are foolish. We all came from the same God, I would quess that unity means nothing to you if some one is in a different religion. You don’t know what unity is.

On the contrary. Unity is not accepting everything for the sake of a claim to unity. Unity is complete and total communion in doctrine.

I was like you once, I remember having conversations with friends about how great it would be if we just set asside our “denominations” and joined with each other as Christians first and formost. Funny thing, back then I actually held membership in a denomination, now I hold membership in The Church.

The problem with calling for a total christian unity is not getting past the bits that are mutually exclusive of each other, but of defining what a Christian actually is. Are Oneness Pentecostals christian? Is the Emergent Church? Mormons? JW’s? Unitarian Universalists? Mandians? What is the base requirement to gain the title “Christian?” Is it simply belief in Jesus Christ? Are some Hindu’s then Christian, certainly they believe in him, many even recognise him as a god!

The bottom line is you can talk about unity all you want, but you can’t just will it into existence. If I am a fool for this, then so be it, I am a fool with principles.

Edit:
Nearly missed this. You should be careful about writing stuff in other people’s quotes. Makes it harder to spot.

Sugar coating this ha ha ha ha, I gave you what religion is, If you don’t accept it who cares, Believe what you want it makes no difference to me.

I agree with what you posted is a religion. I don’t see what that has to do with anything.

 

[Mannyfit75]

In what terms to do you want unity? Do you still believe that the Catholic Church is the One True Church in which all Christians need to submit as final authority in what is true? I don’t think you can have your cake and eat it too.

Unity like the way it was before the Schism. Look at that Church and they were far better off than we are. Christianity today is more divided than it was during the first 1054 yrs.

 

[rev_kevin]

On the contrary. Unity is not accepting everything for the sake of a claim to unity. Unity is complete and total communion in doctrine.

I was like you once, I remember having conversations with friends about how great it would be if we just set asside our “denominations” and joined with each other as Christians first and formost. Funny thing, back then I actually held membership in a denomination, now I hold membership in The Church.

The problem with calling for a total christian unity is not getting past the bits that are mutually exclusive of each other, but of defining what a Christian actually is. Are Oneness Pentecostals christian? Is the Emergent Church? Mormons? JW’s? Unitarian Universalists? Mandians? What is the base requirement to gain the title “Christian?” Is it simply belief in Jesus Christ? Are some Hindu’s then Christian, certainly they believe in him, many even recognise him as a god!

The bottom line is you can talk about unity all you want, but you can’t just will it into existence. If I am a fool for this, then so be it, I am a fool with principles.

Edit:
Nearly missed this. You should be careful about writing stuff in other people’s quotes. Makes it harder to spot.

I agree with what you posted is a religion. I don’t see what that has to do with anything.

I believe you are missing or missunderstanding the meaning of unity here. No one is saying that we need to be of one group. Look what is going on in the United States or the world. Religion rights are being taken away. They want God out of everything. You can’t pray in schools, you can’t have a licens plate on your car that has a cross and the words I Believe, you can’t have the 10 commandments on public areas, they want the words “in God we trust” taken out of the pledge, the chrismas tree is called a holiday tree, they want the words “in God we trust” taken off the money, and so on. Don’t you think that we should unit as Christians to do something about this. We bicker over which religion is right and which is wrong. Jesus said believe in me, not believe in a certain church or religion. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave hi only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 21:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, It is through faith that a rightious person has life. John 6:29 This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent. Ephesians 1:23 The church is his body, it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence.
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ {Acts 11:26,26:28 1 Peter 4:16}. One who belongs to Christ. Christians commit themselves to Christ and become increasingly like Him. The trust Jesus Christ to guide their decisions, actions, and attitudes. The name apparently was first used by pagans to ridicule Jesus’ followers, but it bacame a label Christians wear proudly. You asked I responded to what a Christian is.

 

[rev_kevin]

Kevin, have you ever considered that perhaps the concept of unity has serious consequences and important implications for those of us who believe in maintaining the doctrinal integrity of the faith? If you could see beyond your desire for a surface, exclusively corporal type of unity at all costs, you would understand why your ideas and characterizations have been opposed at every turn.

I don’t know why you think any of this has anything to do with you, anyway. Frankly, I can’t imagine that it is among the top priorities of any bishop to unite with the self-professed “non-denominationals” by any definition of “unity”.

So in otherwords you are saying that we can not have unity among all Christians unless it is of one religion.
Unity: the quality or state of being one
a condition of harmony
{Latin-unitas, from unus-one}
Why can’t we have a condition of harmony {unity} among us. It is at no cost to anyone, no cost of any one faith.
See I work with the homeless and in dealing with them other religions have united together to help the less fortunate. The religions are Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Luthern have all united in unity to work with one another. We don’t bicker over who’s religion is right. We all understand that there are differences between us but we put that aside and work to gether in unity. What’s so hard about that.

 

[dzheremi]

So in otherwords you are saying that we can not have unity among all Christians unless it is of one religion.

What I am saying is that unity entails agreement in fundamental belief, yes.

Why can’t we have a condition of harmony {unity} among us.

Because we do not agree on fundamental issues. Orthodox do not believe in the primacy of the Pope, for instance. Protestants often do not believe in intercession, and have for the most part completely thrown out any notion of apostolicity or tradition. How can such differences exist in a state of unity (agreement)? They can’t.

It is at no cost to anyone, no cost of any one faith.

Oh, I beg to differ…!

See I work with the homeless and in dealing with them other religions have united together to help the less fortunate.

That is wonderful. May God bless you for your work.

The religions are Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Luthern have all united in unity to work with one another.

“United in unity”, huh? I have to admit, this conversation is starting to make me angry in angriness…

We don’t bicker over who’s religion is right.

Why would you? How would that help the homeless?

We all understand that there are differences between us but we put that aside and work to gether in unity. What’s so hard about that.

No one is saying that we cannot work together on humanitarian projects. This is not unity of faith, however. The title of this thread is “Christians, stop this beckering and put aside your difference, so we can be one faith” (emphasis mine). To unify in this manner, we need to be in agreement as to what is part of the faith and what is not. The Orthodox do not believe that things like Papal supremacy and infallibility, purgatory, or the Immaculate Conception are part of the faith (or, at the very least, they ought not to be dogmatically defined). Catholics obviously do believe that these things are part of the faith. As long as such disagreements (and more) exist, we remain in disunity, even as we may meet in various extra-ecclesiastical capacities (humanitarian projects, etc).

 

[Nine_Two]

I believe you are missing or missunderstanding the meaning of unity here. No one is saying that we need to be of one group. Look what is going on in the United States or the world. Religion rights are being taken away. They want God out of everything. You can’t pray in schools, you can’t have a licens plate on your car that has a cross and the words I Believe, you can’t have the 10 commandments on public areas, they want the words “in God we trust” taken out of the pledge, the chrismas tree is called a holiday tree, they want the words “in God we trust” taken off the money, and so on. Don’t you think that we should unit as Christians to do something about this. We bicker over which religion is right and which is wrong. Jesus said believe in me, not believe in a certain church or religion. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave hi only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 21:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, It is through faith that a rightious person has life. John 6:29 This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent. Ephesians 1:23 The church is his body, it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence.
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ {Acts 11:26,26:28 1 Peter 4:16}. One who belongs to Christ. Christians commit themselves to Christ and become increasingly like Him. The trust Jesus Christ to guide their decisions, actions, and attitudes. The name apparently was first used by pagans to ridicule Jesus’ followers, but it bacame a label Christians wear proudly. You asked I responded to what a Christian is.

Of course I believe in uniting for pan Christian goals, as indeed has happened with the World Council of Churches, however that is quite different than “unity” for if we accept that it is simply moving towards common goals together, we already have it.

As for those horrible things happening to Christians in the United States, I’m Orthodox, although I didn’t live them, we have seen far worse in very recent memory. Why do you need to have the Ten Commandments on display? If you feel the need you can preach them regardless, who cares if someone calls it a holiday tree? The tree isn’t what Christmas is about. Why do you need a vanity license plate on your car which says those things when you can put a bumper sticker on that says the very same thing?
These matters are quite triffling when you consider what Christians go through throughout the world. I know a woman whose mother had to kidnap her to take her to be baptized in secret, my patron saint nearly became a martyr except that he managed to convert his tormentors (And he died less than a century ago). St. Tikhon became a passion bearer (and possibly a martyr) because he refused to supplicate himself to the Bolsheviks.
You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t get upset over trifling matters. Christians in North America and Western Europe don’t know how good they have it.

 

[1beleevr]

While I am no expert on things spiritual, I do believe that UNITY in the Body of Christ(all Christians) will start with humility As long as there are stiff necked people, and arrogance, sprinkled liberally with pride, we will have problems! One side will say,"So, are you saying that if we were all catholics, we’d have unity, or if we were all Mormons,etc.Is there not division inside of all churches to some degree? I hear the term “cafeteria catholic,” which I guess means someone who doesn’t totally embrace the full catholic experience. Why do you allow them to be confirmed, and partake of communion then?Jesus abhors division, and yet we continue to see it, among evangelicals! Let us all pray, that someday, we will ALL be able to humble ourselves before His throne, and before each other, and work for the good of the Kingdom, and not our own desires:thumbsup:

 

[benidict]

I am fed up with the Christians beckering about authority, doctrines, etc. The fights between Catholics, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestants is STUPID and counter productive. I am done. I tell you why this Christian faith of ours is not UNITED! You all keep on arguing amongst yourself! This displeases me so much. I often check on news about unity concerning Christian unity, and our leaders HAVE BEEN working their time and offer their own sacrifices for a possible UNION with all Christian faith. WHILE YOU ALL continue to promote disunity.

Don’t you want to be one Christian Church like it was before the Schism of 1054? Come on, Christian unity begins with us and the posts here between all of us and reading disagreement after disagreement, sickens me. STOP IT!

When Non-Christians see our UNITY, they will ponder who JESUS CHRIST IS. Is he truly a God-Man, or a DECEIVER!

Any Christian here who continues to foster disunity, I will pray for your soul. I will offer the Divine Mercy Chaplet on your behalf. That way, your lukewarm heart will OPEN UP to God’s will, and NOT YOURS.

Christian Unity is the will of Jesus Christ, and everyday, you dishonor him by your STUPID ARGUMENTS!!

i agree, we need unity. when the protestants come back into the fold we will have it. and no, Jesus is not the deceiver. the reformers are. so what are you willing to give up to have unity? the real presence? the wonderful traditions handed down from the apostles? MARY? just what are you willing to give up to have unity? i dont see any Catholics causing disunity. on the contrary, i see alot of caring people sharing the truth. a a former protestant, i have absolutly no desire to go back. if you want to join with them, go right ahead. but please to say we are decieved because we defend a much maligned faith, or that we cause disunity? im sorry but that is insulting. i will offer up the
Divine Mercy Chaplet on YOUR behalf. since YOU are luke warm in your faith. look at all protestantism wants you to give up. is it worth the price? i say no thank you. will be praying for you. God bless you and yours.

 

[gamewell45]

Seems to me peaceful co-existence should be tried first… you know, refraining from harsh words, turf-ism, worrying who is “right” according to whatever… we latins cannot even seem to be united with each other let alone with orthodox or non-Catholic and certainly not non-christian faiths. We are “liberal unfaithful,” “orthodox faithful,” and “moderate trying not to step on anyones toes and do anyway Roman Catholics.” At least from what I have seen. But, I have also seen cordial and open respect here. So there is hope. Best way to facilitate unity is to practice living like Jesus, which I guess includes challenging those that would divide through what you said above and I said above here… carry on…

I concur; peaceful co-existence is the way to go; let the higher-ups work on a compromise where all Christians can re-unite as one. But it would take a compromise on all sides, not just one-sided.

 

[agiosotheos]

Who are you to say that I don’t really know who Christ is.

Someone who has done quite a lot of study in Christology and has found that quite a lot of Christian groups do not have sufficiently orthodox Christologies.

You have no right to say such things

Sure I do.

I take offence to your statement about my belief and faith in Jesus Christ.

That’s unfortunate. I did not mean to suggest that you were not sincere, just that you are probably mistaken in your understanding of who Jesus is.

 

[agiosotheos]

I would quess that unity means nothing to you if some one is in a different religion.

Full unity cannot be accomplished without being one religion.

 

[agiosotheos]

Unity like the way it was before the Schism. Look at that Church and they were far better off than we are. Christianity today is more divided than it was during the first 1054 yrs.

Oy. You’ve got Chalcedonian blinders on. 1054 was not the first significant schism in Christendom.

 

[agiosotheos]

No one is saying that we need to be of one group.

We are saying that everyone needs to be of one religion for real unity.

 

[agiosotheos]

Jesus said believe in me, not believe in a certain church or religion.

Fully believing in Gospel of Christ in an unadulterated fashion requires not only believing in a certain religion but a certain church as well.

 

[agiosotheos]

So in otherwords you are saying that we can not have unity among all Christians unless it is of one religion.

Yes.

Why can’t we have a condition of harmony {unity} among us. It is at no cost to anyone, no cost of any one faith.

We can have toleration and cooperation but we cannot have full harmony with each other if we are not of the same faith. It is impossible.

See I work with the homeless and in dealing with them other religions have united together to help the less fortunate. The religions are Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Luthern have all united in unity to work with one another. We don’t bicker over who’s religion is right. We all understand that there are differences between us but we put that aside and work to gether in unity. What’s so hard about that.

That would be called ecumenism and cooperation. It is not full unity.

 

[agiosotheos]

I do believe that UNITY in the Body of Christ(all Christians) will start with humility

The Body of Christ cannot be divided.

 

[agiosotheos]

when the protestants come back into the fold we will have it.

LOL

Cause that’s the only schism that matters.

 

[Nine_Two]

Is there a reason you need to respond to every post individually?

 

[1beleevr]

Yes,the Body of Christ cannot be divided:thumbsup: We are to edify the Body, and not tear it down. But until we get away from,“My church is better than your church,” or “My church is the only one that has the full deposit of faith,” sadly, we will continue to have disunity! Is this what Christ wanted? Did He want us ALL to be catholic, or Muslim, or does He want us all to love each other and promote unity! Doing Matthew 25:31-40 work really shows you how people of different faiths can come together and put their differences aside and help others in the Name of Jesus, and not in the name of one’s religion. Unity is an elusive thing, which will take the effort of all Christians who claim to be in the Body of Christ

 

[agiosotheos]

Is there a reason you need to respond to every post individually?

I don’t respond to every post. Just every post that interests me.