Is there a religion you would choose if you couldn't be a catholic

[KingAlfred]

If I couldn’t be Catholic, maybe I’d be Salvation Army.

I think they try to help those suffering & in need.

Is *Salvation Army *a denomination? I’ve always thought of it as an organization.

 

[Cajetan]

Within Christianity: either an Anglican (Anglo-Catholic wing) or a Presbyterian (Calvinist).

Outside Christianity: either Jewish (Orthodox) or Muslim (Sunni).

 

[Miserissima]

Given all of that, and considering that the Jews were the chosen people, I would imaging that in the absence of Christianity , I would be a Jew.

I second that.

I would say that I would have to be an Eposcopalian because they have valid ordinations – though the “pedigree” needs to be researched to verify each individual minister and Bishop has a valid line of succession. (Yes, I understand that it came from the Catholic Church, and see the irony in this.)

 

[consumedconvert]

Is *Salvation Army *a denomination? I’ve always thought of it as an organization.

It started out as a denomination. It’s more of an organization these days. Although they have preachers come in and give sermons, there are no “Salvation Army Preachers” any more, that I know of.

 

[yellowbird]

Is *Salvation Army *a denomination? I’ve always thought of it as an organization.

From their website - it said they meet weekly for Bible study, hymn singing etc. Not sure if they have “Pastors” or if it’s led by members of the congregation? I think I’d be drawn to them because of the good works they do - and I don’t disagree with their main beliefs:

We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice.

We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.

We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.

We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience, they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall, all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.

We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy Spirit are necessary to salvation.

We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.

We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.

We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, in the general judgement at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked.

**Still, I’ve very thankful I am Catholic and would not choose to leave. **

 

[Podo2005]

I used to think if I was not able to be a Catholic I would be an Anglican, but seeing the mess that faith has become, I have reconsidred that

I guess if I couldn’t be a Catholic I might have to be Jewish…Since I firmly believe Christ is the Son of God, I don’t know I would manage that one

Unless the Catholic church died off I would NEVER abandon the catholic faith( so therefore I cant imagine myself as anything else)

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I used to think if I was not able to be a Catholic I would be an Anglican, but seeing the mess that faith has become, I have reconsidred that

I guess if I couldn’t be a Catholic I might have to be Jewish…Since I firmly believe Christ is the Son of God, I don’t know I would manage that one

I would be some kind of Anglican again: I still miss it, a lot, & its troubles are not an objection, because one thing one learns from seeing a religion in a ghastly mess is that it is capable of getting in a ghastly mess. A religion brought to its knees by its troubles is in a very good position - it can’t fall much further ​

 

[Ghoti]

I would be some kind of Anglican again: I still miss it, a lot, & its troubles are not an objection, because one thing one learns from seeing a religion in a ghastly mess is that it is capable of getting in a ghastly mess. A religion brought to its knees by its troubles is in a very good position - it can’t fall much further ​

As my drill sergeant used to say…“Wait for it!”

Or as the old army joke goes:

“The sarge said: ‘Cheer up! Things could be worse!’ And he was right. They got worse.”

 

[Ghoti]

I can’t think of a scenario where I wouldn’t be Catholic…unless, say, I found the Papal ring and it had a Masonic symbol on it and was engraved “Congrats on your coronation, Brother Pius” or some such…

I’d have to go with the Orthodox. Altho’ I’d really have to study their theology, because I know they are more than “non-papal types who cross themselves the other way”.

If there were no Jesus, I don’t know. If He merely hadn’t come yet, I’d imagine I’d be Jewish. But if “there were no Jesus”, I’d probably be atheist. I think if there were no Jesus, there’d probably be no God. So, yeah, I guess, Flying Spaghetti Monster…“touched by His noodly appendage”. (Oooh! Ramen Catholicism! )

But I can’t even say that it’s merely academic. There is a God, there is a Jesus, the Catholic Church is His bride…assuming that didn’t exist is sort of like, “If reality didn’t exist, what would you do?”

Now, if you’re not serious, and asking the kind of question you ask when you’re young and lying on the roof of your house watching the stars on a warm summer night with a few friends, shooting the breeze and pondering the mysteries of the universe the way only the young and naive can…

Well, I’ve always though Zoroastrianism seemed kind of cool.

Or maybe make up my own celebrity religion, like Oprahism (Oprahtology? Oprahdoxy? Opraha’i?), and get filthy rich.

 

[Ghoti]

I’d probably join a Cthulhu cult and seek to make ready our sleeping lord’s way in preparation for when “the stars are right.”:hypno:

Either that or Scientology. They’re kinda close.

Actually, they are quite different.

While both were devised by speculative fiction authors (Lovecraft and Hubbard), when compared, one is actually plausible and logical in its way, modern (and actually quite forward-thinking) in its doctrines, attended by intelligent and sensible people, and has a vibrant and growing base of adherents who have no difficulty applying the faith’s many esoteric (to the public anyway) practices to their own physical, spiritual, and mental betterment. Compared to the other, it can actually offer hope to those who find the world its “traditional” religions empty, devoid of real meaning. It can add a whole new dimension of thought, liberating the mind from the chains of banality that are the bugbears of modern man. It can allow man to escape the surly bonds of mediocrity, and ascend – no, transcend – to before-now unthought-of levels of consciousness, to achieve levels of greatness that would beggar the imagination of the most learned “philosopher” – they would truly become gods.

The other is Scientology.

 

[EasterJoy]

The only reason that I would not be Catholic would be if the Catholic Church itself did not exist. So lets analize it a bit.

If there was no Catholic Church there would be no Orthodox Churches so they are out.

If there was no Catholic Church there would be no Protestant communities, so they are out.

If there was no Catholic Church there would be no Anglican Church, so it s out.

If there was no Catholic Church there would be no Mormons, Adventists or any of the the other splinter groups, so they’re out.

In short if there was no Catholic Church, there would be no Christianity at all.

If there was no Catholic Church, Islam would not exist so it’s out,

All that would really be left would be Judaism and various pagan groups and philosophies which would include Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism etc etc.

Given all of that, and considering that the Jews were the chosen people, I would imaging that in the absence of Christianity , I would be a Jew.

Yes. If the Church were not the Church, it must mean I have gone back in time! In that case, I’d want to be Jewish.

 

[piojunbabia]

Islam.

hahaha

 

[Orpheus2112]

Actually, they are quite different.

While both were devised by speculative fiction authors (Lovecraft and Hubbard), when compared, one is actually plausible and logical in its way, modern (and actually quite forward-thinking) in its doctrines, attended by intelligent and sensible people, and has a vibrant and growing base of adherents who have no difficulty applying the faith’s many esoteric (to the public anyway) practices to their own physical, spiritual, and mental betterment. Compared to the other, it can actually offer hope to those who find the world its “traditional” religions empty, devoid of real meaning. It can add a whole new dimension of thought, liberating the mind from the chains of banality that are the bugbears of modern man. It can allow man to escape the surly bonds of mediocrity, and ascend – no, transcend – to before-now unthought-of levels of consciousness, to achieve levels of greatness that would beggar the imagination of the most learned “philosopher” – they would truly become gods.

The other is Scientology.

Ooh. I was waiting for the punchline from the get-go. It still had me laughin’ when I read it though.

Now let me get a Sanity roll.

 

[Ghoti]

Ooh. I was waiting for the punchline from the get-go. It still had me laughin’ when I read it though.

Now let me get a Sanity roll.

Pardon me, boy,
Is this the lair of Great Cthulhu?

Believe it or not, there are actually people who believe that the *Necronomicon *is a real book.

I really want to get one of those “Hello Cthulhu” dolls. They’re hilarious!

 

[eelpis]

There is no other true religion.

 

[Orpheus2112]

Pardon me, boy,
Is this the lair of Great Cthulhu?

Believe it or not, there are actually people who believe that the *Necronomicon *is a real book.

I really want to get one of those “Hello Cthulhu” dolls. They’re hilarious!

Oh yes. I remember that there used to be a guitarist for some death metal band years ago (Morbid Angel I think) who would warrant interviews in the teen-oriented guitar magazines because he was weird and played really fast (grounds for bestowing the title of “musical genius” upon anyone amongst the readership at that time). He used to insist up and down that Cthulhu and the Great Old Ones were real and so was the Necronomicon. I believe that he even went by the name Trey Azeroth (or maybe approriately Azathoth) and worshipped The Great Cthulhu. Good luck with that bud.

 

[JasonB]

Before converting to Catholicism this year I did a LOT of reading on Buddhism. So I guess that’s what I would be if i couldn’t be Catholic. Buddhism has such interesting philosophies and ideas. They have a very interesting world view. And the Dalai Lama is such a cool dude!

 

[chrisb]

Holy Orthodoxy.

 

[Lapell]

It is a only question, for the sake for making you think about other faiths

I am not stupid ,I do understand you can be a Catholic

Frankly, I can’t see myself other than Catholic… I would rather at times attend masses in other rites, maybe. If I were in an area where the next Catholic Church is hundreds of miles away, I probably would hope there would be an Orthodox Church, and i would like to visit synagogues and mosques and also churches of other denominations on special occasions. Like during an ecumenical or interreligious event, for instance…
But I can’t see myself other than Catholic!

 

[Lapell]

Although had there been no Catholic Church at all, like a previous poster pointed out, if the Catholic Church didn’t exist, then I probably would have liked to be a Jew…