Protestants lose members to 'unaffiliated'

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bcven86: Praise God, and my living Saviour; I get Living Water every day from the heart of my Lord!👍👍
 
exoflare:Easy, grasshopper, you don’t want to flame out! Besides I have other replies to get to, in order of precedence! So I didn’t conveniently overlook yours, I just plain overlooked it:p Just kidding, hey what would life be like without humor? Any way, before you post, do you also consider the rocks and glass houses, or is this just directed at non-catholics? I’m sure there probably are some former Christians, even may be some in this forum. My remark was a dig at those I have encountered in certain threads, who for whatever reason make it sound like"if you aint catholic, you aint nothin’".
 
chewchoo: I didn’t church hop too terribly much. There were what I would call PODS(Periods Of Darkness) where I fell away from God, and wandered,much like the Israelites, and was very spotty on church attendance. During these times, I was supporting my share of breweries and tobacco firms.As far as my present church home, I have no idea how long I will be there, but I know that God has plans for me, that He will reveal to me when the time is right! When I retire, which will be within the next five years, my wife and I would entertain the idea of missionary work, or some other type of full-time volunteer work.I thank God everyday for His faithfulness, during my time of straying. It’s kinda like the prodigal son, who even though He disrespected and turned his back on his father, did not lose his sonship:thumbsup: His father welcomed him back, with love and open arms, much as God does. Could we parents of the 21st century, be like that, without saying things like, “I told you so,” or “You made your bed now lie in it!”
 
bcven86: W-O-W! You said a mouthful.It sounds like you’re satisfied with your decision to become a catholic; although I have never understood infant baptism, you know, the need.Do babies know what’s going on? Thank you for the invitation, but just like with the Mormons, too many things I can’t agree with, least of all, the obligation to confess sins to a mere mortal man, and accepting the pope as the leader of all Christendom.😉 1John 1:9, John tells us that if we confess our sins unto Him, He is faithful to forgive. Mary may not have been a perpetual virgin:cool:Have you ever noticed, that when someone leaves ajob, school, or church, they almost immediately start badmouthing their formers? I don’t bash or condemn, just disagree; which is taken as hate, or bashing by some:D Anyway, bc, may the grace of our Holy Father(God) be upon you. Bless you my brother in Christ!!!
bcven86: When someone says,“Are you saying that the catholic church does not do these things,” when I have not specifically targeted any church, or individual, that’s screams sensitive!
I was not defending my Church. Instead I was pointing out that the Catholic Church teaches from the Apostles and your non-denominational one does not. Can you really call your church’s teaching on infant Baptism “Christian” if it teaches contrary to the Apostles?
The jury is still out on whether your argument is solid and sound:thumbsup:
How then, can I fill in the gaps? I presented a large set of evidence for the supporting the notion that infant Baptism is Apostolic teaching. The only way that the jury can still be out is if a) You present evidence that says the opposite and b) You tell me how I misinterpreted those early Church passages. Otherwise I would say that the jury is not out.
 
. So no, in answer to your question, I would not tell anyone to practice immorality!Let’s say you weren’t catholic, and a similar situation happened to you;your husband didn’t want to make the marriage work. Would you just live a chaste single life?:cool:
sometimes life gives us crosses that we have to bear, and if one was in a sacramental marriage that was sound at the beginning and even tho there was infidelity later on, then the injured spouse would have to live a single, chaste life. otherwise they would be committing adultery. staying in God’s good graces trumps human needs everytime. whether or not the human has the will do this is another story.
 
chewchoo: I didn’t church hop too terribly much. There were what I would call PODS(Periods Of Darkness) where I fell away from God, and wandered,much like the Israelites, and was very spotty on church attendance. During these times, I was supporting my share of breweries and tobacco firms.As far as my present church home, I have no idea how long I will be there, but I know that God has plans for me, that He will reveal to me when the time is right!
this is what i don’t understand about church hopping, whether often or once or twice. what you have basically said is that you are not in the true church because there is the possiblity of you leaving this church. why would God send you there only to change is mind later and send you some place else. are you saying that God is wishy-washy?

God does not contradict himself. God may have plans for you , but church hopping is not one of them. God’s truths are taught by the apostles and their disciples as BC has already stated many times in this thread.
 
exoflare:Easy, grasshopper, you don’t want to flame out! Besides I have other replies to get to, in order of precedence! So I didn’t conveniently overlook yours, I just plain overlooked it:p Just kidding, hey what would life be like without humor? Any way, before you post, do you also consider the rocks and glass houses, or is this just directed at non-catholics? I’m sure there probably are some former Christians, even may be some in this forum. My remark was a dig at those I have encountered in certain threads, who for whatever reason make it sound like"if you aint catholic, you aint nothin’".
Okay, if it’s just a joke. I really thought you were serious.

As for your question, as to whether or not I consider the rocks and glass houses myself… Well, if you ever spot a time where I don’t just feel free to call me out on it. I won’t even cop-out afterward by claiming it was only a joke. 😉
 
this is what i don’t understand about church hopping, whether often or once or twice. what you have basically said is that you are not in the true church because there is the possiblity of you leaving this church. why would God send you there only to change is mind later and send you some place else. are you saying that God is wishy-washy?

God does not contradict himself. God may have plans for you , but church hopping is not one of them. God’s truths are taught by the apostles and their disciples as BC has already stated many times in this thread.
Except, of course, we want 1beleevr to do one final hop back Home! 😛
 
Let’s say you weren’t catholic, and a similar situation happened to you;your husband didn’t want to make the marriage work. Would you just live a chaste single life?:cool:
I’m not sure what being Catholic or not has to do with it. But if I was going to ignore Christ’s teachings about His Church, then why would I care what He says about divorce?

I’d do what I felt was right by my own authority.
 
I’m not sure what being Catholic or not has to do with it. But if I was going to ignore Christ’s teachings about His Church, then why would I care what He says about divorce?

I’d do what I felt was right by my own authority.
I would add, however, that if you fully understood the power of chastity and the full value of what a marriage is you would not get remarried. i.e. it is the teaching that is compelling, not the fact that we have to follow it because the Church said so.
 
I would add, however, that if you fully understood the power of chastity and the full value of what a marriage is you would not get remarried. i.e. it is the teaching that is compelling, not the fact that we have to follow it because the Church said so.
Yes, you are correct.

Just like abortion is wrong whether you’re a Catholic or not. One need not be a Christian to understand that abortion is morally objectionable.
 
1beleevr, by what mechanism do you believe that infants are saved? But this salvation can be lost, right? That is, not every single soul that’s created gets saved, so at some point this “infant” or “child” loses his salvation, yes?

How and when does he lose it? The first time he sins?
 
1beleevr, by what mechanism do you believe that infants are saved? But this salvation can be lost, right? That is, not every single soul that’s created gets saved, so at some point this “infant” or “child” loses his salvation, yes?

How and when does he lose it? The first time he sins?
This actually is important. Knowing that it was Apostolic teaching to Baptize infants could change for you what the act of Baptism actual is at its very root. This is one reason why I don’t agree with the Protestant sola-fide doctrine. The apostles clearly showed that it wasn’t the case because a baby can’t express faith. Infant baptism has a lot of implications that affect a lot of different things.
 
prmerger: Post#87 is a bit vague; which nail did bc hit right on the head? I hope you aren’t talking about “Living water”, that we Christians get from our Saviour;) Besides, bc can’t give me any more than I get from Jesus! If I didn’t know any better, I would think that he was inviting me to join the catholic church. And my final hop will be to my Heavenly Home, to live for eternity with my Lord! I put that part in about being catholic, because it seems like, from talking to catholic friends, and reading your posts, that catholics are forced to live with a cheating spouse, who may or may not repent, and ask for forgiveness.I guess you glossed over my story concerning my ex-wife. Unfortunately in America, one cannot make their spouse stay in a relationship if they don’t want to. Remember, she was the adulteress! What does Deuteronomy 24:1-4, and John 19:9 mean to you?
 
prmerger: How do you know that babies are really saved? And if they lost their salvation, the first time they sinned, then we would all be in trouble! So, when this catholic infant who was supposedly saved and baptized, at say eight days, because as you claim,baptism replaces circumcision, does he/she have to get saved as a teenager or young adult:confused:And marriage; ah, marriage, a supposedly sacred institution. A catholic co-worker and friend, named George, has been married to Debbie for 37 years. George is a practicing catholic, however Debbie is not; which infuriates George:mad: Debbie has told George, "You may raise our son as a catholic, but don’t ram your religion down my throat!"I would have a lot of difficulty in amarriage like this(you know, unequally yoked and all) And that’s all for now:thumbsup:
 
chewchoo: I wasn’t sure if I provided the name of my"no-name church for you, but it is called: The Way Fellowship.And can you believe that some people actually leave churches, because of music or dress codes! Since I was raised in the 50’s&60’s, I grew up on old hymns, but have developed a passion for contemporary Christian music ie., Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman. I was reading in 1 or 2nd Samuel about how the people rejoiced and worshipped God with cymbals, lyres, and trumpets; even dancing! How awesome, to have the freedom to sing, dance and praise our Heavenly Father:thumbsup:👍
 
chewchoo: I wasn’t sure if I provided the name of my"no-name church for you, but it is called: The Way Fellowship.And can you believe that some people actually leave churches, because of music or dress codes! Since I was raised in the 50’s&60’s, I grew up on old hymns, but have developed a passion for contemporary Christian music ie., Chris Tomlin, Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman. I was reading in 1 or 2nd Samuel about how the people rejoiced and worshipped God with cymbals, lyres, and trumpets; even dancing! How awesome, to have the freedom to sing, dance and praise our Heavenly Father:thumbsup:👍
can you actually believe that some people leave “no name” churches because they have affairs with fellow choir members, and then they can’t face the congregation any more, and then they just go start “fresh” at another no name church where nobody knows their history. 🤷
 
prmerger: Re: Post#57,metaphor:(n) a figure of speech, in which a word or phrase normally means one thing, is used of another thing, to suggest a likeness between the two! So, you see, another word for “blueprint” is “plan”, which does appear very prominently in Jeremiah 29: 11. You sort of acted like a non-catholic, asking for a scripture to support a point of view!
 
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