Reasons for being vague in which religion you follow, or omitting

[ljubim]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

 

[ralphinal]

Not to answer for someone else, but there are those who just call themselves “Christian” and do not see any denominational ties

 

[grace_singh]

well, i don’t say “Protestant” because i really have nothing to protest against.

my theology is Bible-based, as i believe in salvation by faith and grace, and that works are expected by Christ as the fruits of being grafted on to and alive in Him. faith which seeks to justify itself with a proclaimation but no walk of discipleship or genuine Godliness is not true “faith”, but rather belief.

i respect and admire much about the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and recognize that there are plenty of devout Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants who are wonderful Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and Lutherans, but who are not truly Christians, or in Christ.

traditions are wonderful, fascinating, and worth holding onto, so long as they do not take place alongside or above, or contradict the truths and words of Scripture.

i believe that as Jesus Christ is alive and the same yesterday, today, and forever, that all one needs for Christian faith is to believe in, belong to, and follow Him. Church history is fascinating and worth studying carefully, but at the end of the day apostolic succession can not save a man. only Christ can, and does.

 

[Reuben_J]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

There is nothing good that comes out of concealing one’s background, especially if one’s a Christian. So I see no reason not to disclose what my actual religion is. Yes, I am a Christian. But being a Christian can be anything as we can see even in this forum. I think its good manner to disclose our real religion besides being respectful to the other posters, being open and have nothing to hide. But then again, it’s just me and so I cannot say for someone else.

In the other thread, I mentioned that Christians can be divided roughly into three categories - Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants. When I say this many of you will not agree I am sure. Thus more specific information is required even though we can call ourselves Christians. It would be very strange for Christians to be so opposite in their doctrines if they are all the same.

 

[ljubim]

Thanks for the replies!

There is nothing good that comes out of concealing one’s background, especially if one’s a Christian. So I see no reason not to disclose what my actual religion is. Yes, I am a Christian. But being a Christian can be anything as we can see even in this forum. I think its good manner to disclose our real religion besides being respectful to the other posters, being open and have nothing to hide. But then again, it’s just me and so I cannot say for someone else.

In the other thread, I mentioned that Christians can be divided roughly into three categories - Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants. When I say this many of you will not agree I am sure. Thus more specific information is required even though we can call ourselves Christians. It would be very strange for Christians to be so opposite in their doctrines if they are all the same.

That’s so true… these are even the examples they give when you sign up I believe. So I guess for Christians it’s a process of elimination.

 

[AJTheMan]

Technically speaking, my infobox should probably say “Theravada Buddhist” but that would just confuse people here.

 

[Sagefrakrobatik]

Personally, I was raised Catholic but I have not been to mass in a while. The last church i stepped in was Russian Orthodox. (St.Theodosius, it also happens to be where part of the movie “Deer Hunter” was shot). I tell people I am a nominal catholic with Agnostic Inclinations. I dont want to blindly follow any religion that is why i am studying them carefully and meticulously so that i can feel secure in a faith that I feel nurishes my soul, challenges my mind and leads me to God.

 

[Truth_Seeker123]

I will answer for myself only…

When some people find out what denomination you are, some will do a few things…

1. Not listen to you because they do not like the denomination.
2. Assume they know what you believe because they have read a few lines in a book.
3. When you mention a certain thing, they assume they know how you feel about it because of some interpretation from someone else in that denomination who was completely wrong.

Example: I mentioned one thing from the Bible and didn’t really give my understanding of it and someone TOLD me that I was probably a JW. That’s ridiculous.

So, for those reasons and a few more, I would prefer that people know me as a Christian and no denominational name.

Also, my beliefs differ from a lot of people in my denomination. (because they don’t study)

 

[Hosh]

Maybe for the same reason Reform Judaism became so popular. They recognize there are core beliefs, but the rest is personal preference, and often just divides people.

 

[Bill_Pick]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

I see this a lot with Cult nenbers ,atreist andMuslim

 

[JonNC]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

Frankly, it is irritating to me, too.
I’ve noticed that most Lutherans and Anglicans put their faith communion in the faith box. While it would be simpler if everyone did, perhaps it would be appropriate to ask “what denomination are you?” before beginning a dialogue.

Jon

 

[Anna_Scott]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

ljubim,

In my case, I left the Baptist Church, and have not found my place within Christianity. So, I can only call myself Christian. Many times, in my posts, I do state that I am a Christian in the Protestant Sector.

I do know a few Catholics who list “Christian,” and may or may not reveal they are Catholic, expect in PM’s.

I should probably change my notation from “Christian” to “Disenchanted Protestant.” I might do that now.

Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

ljubim,

In my case, I left the Baptist Church, and have not found my place within Christianity. So, I can only call myself Christian. Many times, in my posts, I do state that I am a Christian in the Protestant Sector.

I do know a few Catholics who list “Christian,” and may or may not reveal they are Catholic, expect in PM’s.

I should probably change my notation from “Christian” to “Disenchanted Protestant.” I might do that now.

Anna

I just made the change. So, hopefully it will help people better understand where I am coming from.

So, thanks for starting this Thread.

Anna

 

[ljubim]

I just made the change. So, hopefully it will help people better understand where I am coming from.

So, thanks for starting this Thread.

Anna

You’re welcome! It does help… since we can’t actually talk face to face we sort of need a little bit of context to understand what people are saying (PS: Anna Scott like that movie Notting Hill? )

I will answer for myself only…

When some people find out what denomination you are, some will do a few things…

1. Not listen to you because they do not like the denomination.
2. Assume they know what you believe because they have read a few lines in a book.
3. When you mention a certain thing, they assume they know how you feel about it because of some interpretation from someone else in that denomination who was completely wrong.

Example: I mentioned one thing from the Bible and didn’t really give my understanding of it and someone TOLD me that I was probably a JW. That’s ridiculous.

So, for those reasons and a few more, I would prefer that people know me as a Christian and no denominational name.

Also, my beliefs differ from a lot of people in my denomination. (because they don’t study)

That does make sense… but still if somebody is in attack mode already, they’ll attack what you say regardless of what church you belong to.
Plus, like Jon said, we don’t need to have a Q&A on every thread to see what position you’re speaking from

 

[Anna_Scott]

You’re welcome! It does help… since we can’t actually talk face to face we sort of need a little bit of context to understand what people are saying

(PS: Anna Scott like that movie Notting Hill? )

That is one of my favorite movies, actually.

Anna

 

[Truth_Seeker123]

You’re welcome! It does help… since we can’t actually talk face to face we sort of need a little bit of context to understand what people are saying (PS: Anna Scott like that movie Notting Hill? )

That does make sense… but still if somebody is in attack mode already, they’ll attack what you say regardless of what church you belong to.
Plus, like Jon said, we don’t need to have a Q&A on every thread to see what position you’re speaking from

Don’t you see something wrong with that. People on this site should not be in attack mode. How can we “claim” to follow Christ and in “attack mode” at the same time. Christ didn’t go around “attacking” people because of what you call misguided.

That is exactly what I spoke of in my last post. People “think” they know how I completely stand when I post my understanding of a scripture. IMO I think some of these people are in attack mode because they can either…

1. see the truth or like the world (they force you or kill you).

 

[Janet1983]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

Well some Protestant Christians simply do not want to identify themselves with a certain denomination, but only with being Christian.
I was baptized Catholic as an infant. Then I turned away from the Catholic faith in my 20s and was baptized in a military chapel. By regulation they are not allowed to baptize into a certain denomination and there was only one Protestant Service on the post I was on. I was therefore re-baptized a Protestant Christian. I joined and attend a Baptist church, but this is rather recent and I wasn’t raised in it. I consider myself a Christian attending a Baptist church, not a Baptist. Because of this I first and foremost consider myself a slave of Jesus Christ apart from common denominational schemes.

 

[gamewell45]

What I have noticed is that most Protestants won’t put their denomination in the religion box… and will usually put simply Christian. You’ll see Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, etc, and some people get even more specific as in Latin rite, Ukrainian Catholic, Coptic Catholic, Russian orthodox.

But then along comes some guy who just puts Christian and we have no idea what he is… and likewise if you leave it blank… we have no idea where you’re coming from.

What are their reasons for doing this you think? It’s slowly turning me mad

Perhaps they are not sure what they are?

 

[ljubim]

Don’t you see something wrong with that. People on this site should not be in attack mode. How can we “claim” to follow Christ and in “attack mode” at the same time. Christ didn’t go around “attacking” people because of what you call misguided.

That is exactly what I spoke of in my last post. People “think” they know how I completely stand when I post my understanding of a scripture. IMO I think some of these people are in attack mode because they can either…

1. see the truth or like the world (they force you or kill you).

Since you said earlier that people will “Not like you because they don’t like the denomination,” and “When you mention a certain thing, they assume they know how you feel about it because of some interpretation from someone else in that denomination who was completely wrong…”

I’m saying that they’ll do this independently of your denom in most cases, more based on what you say than your info-box. It’s a terrible thing that so many people are here to argue, but they do exist (perhaps the ‘Christian’ label will equally attract suspicion… it’s typically Protestants who do this)

 

[Hisalone]

but they do exist (perhaps the ‘Christian’ label will equally attract suspicion… it’s typically Protestants who do this)

LOL
Im a Christian first that is my identity. Why should I allow anyone to attempt to define me as something else?