I thought this was funny

[aball1035]

If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex- monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

If you belong to the Church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to remarry.

If you are a Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560.

If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England founded by Samuel Seabury in the American colonies in the 17th century.

If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582.

If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.

If you are a Unitarian, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1774.

If you are a Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, N.Y., in 1829.

If you are a Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605.

If you are of the Dutch Reformed church, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628.

If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in 1865.

If you are a Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as 'Church of the Nazarene," “Pentecostal Gospel.” “Holiness Church,” “Pilgrim Holiness Church,” “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” your religion is one of the hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past century.

If you are Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.

 

[Cluny]

If you are a Methodist, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.

Actually, the Wesleys went to their graves loyal priests of the Church of England, and were VERY unhappy when the Methodists broke off from it.

If you are Catholic, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church.

Orthodox will make the identical claim.

 

[Marina_Karlovna]

To most members of these churches, this is like Catholics saying Peter was the first Pope. And to others in these churches it is like saying that Lord Baden Powell was the founder of the Boy Scouts or that Victor Emanuel II was the first king of the united Italy. In either case, after reading the list these folks would respond with: " . . . and your point is?"

 

[Marina_Karlovna]

And speaking of the Wesleys, in the Episcopal Church there is a feast day for John and Charles Wesley. It is found in the book *The Lesser Feasts and Fasts.***There is a Collect as well as readings and a gospel lesson.

I doubt that it is widely observed, but it created a minor sensation when my college friends and I found it some 40 years ago. But given the fact that we were in college we tended to think everything we came across was terribly profound and that we were the only ones to find it.

 

[chris_molter]

But given the fact that we were in college we tended to think everything we came across was terribly profound and that we were the only ones to find it.

isn’t that the truth??

 

[TheDoctor]

To most members of these churches, this is like Catholics saying Peter was the first Pope. And to others in these churches it is like saying that Lord Baden Powell was the founder of the Boy Scouts or that Victor Emanuel II was the first king of the united Italy. In either case, after reading the list these folks would respond with: " . . . and your point is?"

Hi Marina. I’ve always thought “the point” of lists like this (there are a number) from a Catholic perspective is that if you believe Jesus Christ to be God and you want to worship him, why are you doing it in a church founded by human beings instead of in THE Church founded by Jesus?

(BTW - I mean no slight to my Orthodox brothers and sisters as I know they have a slightly different view on “THE Church”, but we pray that one day we may all have the same view).

 

[Marina_Karlovna]

You are absolutely right! It’s just that after 500 years of separation from THE Church Christ founded, folks seem to see that situation as the norm. I’ve also observed that most members of the churches mentioned in this list will also claim that their church was founded by Jesus Christ and that these other founders were more on the order of apostles or missionaries or organizers or restorers or something else–it varies from group to group.

But we all pray for the re-union of not only the apostolic churches, but of all believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. :hug3:

 

[Ghoti]

I doubt that it is widely observed, but it created a minor sensation when my college friends and I found it some 40 years ago. But given the fact that we were in college we tended to think everything we came across was terribly profound and that we were the only ones to find it.

Now THAT was funny!