The Positives and Negatives of Christian Diversity

[Socrates4Jesus]

St. Augustine said: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.”

I’d have to agree with him. I suppose the important thing is to determine what constitutes an essential doctrine and what should be treated as a non-essential doctrine.

I’m not a Catholic, but it seems to me we are all wired differently and have different cultures and experiences. There are beliefs we should be able to debate vigorously and then go out to enjoy a pizza together afterward. The disagreements and dialogs that result can be a good thing.

 

[ryanoneil]

Greetings and peace be with you ryanoneil;

I have noticed a change in myself, and I find a greater joy working with people of other faiths rather than with people of my own Catholic faith. The reason is this, when you work with people outside your own group you are more vulnerable and you have to strive harder to work together through the spirit.

I are very aware of our differences but despite all the things that separate us there are still ways to strive to bring glory to God

In the spirit of praying for peace on Earth

Eric

May God bless you all. I pray your work bears much good fruit.

Peace,

Ryan

 

[Eric_Hyom]

I have just come back from a meeting with the police, social services, local council and schools, everyone was very enthusiastic about ‘Street Pastors’ The police superintendent said that in her 24 years in the police force that this is the most exciting initiative that she has been involved with and she is starting to see the churches in a more positive light.

Our training finishes in January and we are out on the streets from Feb 8th

In the spirit of praying for peace in our communities.

Eric

 

[paarsurrey]

I would like Islam to be united by peaceful dialouge, that could end confusion in the believers of that religion.

See how that one works?

Hi

yes, that is equally correct. One United Christianity, One United Islam, One United Judaism, One United Hinduism etc is more suited to the peace in the world that all divided, that is my thinking . I think you also agree with me.

Thanks

 

[AgnosTheist]

St. Augustine said: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love.”

I’d have to agree with him. I suppose the important thing is to determine what constitutes an essential doctrine and what should be treated as a non-essential doctrine.

many catholics believe that every catholic teaching is essential. like in the poll i made about mary, about half of the catholics here believe that one must also believe in mary’s perpetual virginity in order to be saved.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Christianity is very very diverse. Dozens of major sects with conflicting beliefs spread over thousands of independently running congregations. Is this a good thing or mostly a bad thing?

Hello, Agnos. Peace be with you.

Let’s take a long.

Negatives:

1. The competition sometimes turns violent.
2. Leads some people to believe there is something deeply wrong with the religion.

1. I have not seen any competition betweeh mainstream Protestantism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy that turn violence in our time. In the past, yes there were. The 300 years year, the Crusades, Iniquistition, etc.
2. Each Church claim to the One true religion of Jesus Christ. Of course, there is only One. We Catholics believe our Church is it. Anyone else thinks theirs is the true church.

Positives:

1. It promotes religious tolerance and various freedoms.
2. It promotes debate & criticism, keeping the mind sharp, which in turn…
3. …keeps each sect in check, which moderates corruption & misdeeds among the churches.
4. It promotes competition which keeps spirituality active.

1. Recently Christians have come to grown to tolerate one another. There are a few bad apples. I have to say that in the US Army, I rarely see any debating Catholics and Protestants compared to my experience here. They have been very friendly. Not everyone is brushing their faith over someone elses.

There are a few in my last Army unit who is a Baptist who is completely bias against the Church. I don’t blame him, he was taught erroneous beliefs about the Catholic Church. I presume from his pastor or some book he might have red.

1. It does. There is always room for improvement. I still lack many skills in Apologetics.
2. It does moderate the good and the bad.
3. It does strengthen our faith and our love for Jesus.