I believe that the whole Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Independent Churches, etc. arguments are ridiculous. They should have been left in the last century and they shouldn’t have made it even that far. We Christians have to realize that we must become more united regardless of doctrinal or ritualistic differences. Most importantly this is what Christ wanted when he prayed for this to be so; all of you should read the Gospel According to John chapter 17. We also must remember that the most powerful enemies of Christianity today are not other Christians from other denominations. Personally, I believe that we are far better off united rather than divided and our divisions should be discarded, or at least reduced to the lowest level possible.
Well, my Centrist sibling in Christ, this is not possible. Unity does not come by setting aside the Truth revealed to humanity through Jesus.
Col 2:8-11
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.
Unity is created when each one adheres to the fullness of Truth revealed through Christ. I agree, Jesus wants unity, but part of that prayer is:
John 17:17-19
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that **they also may be sanctified in truth. **
John 18:37
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.
Truth is not relative, and it does not oppose itself. Doctrines that are contradictory are obviously not all the Truth. So long as there are doctrines that oppose the Truth revealed by Jesus, divisions will exist. And the Apostle shows us the reasons for such division:
1 Cor 11:18-20
18 For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. 19** Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine**.
Those who are genuine will be united to the successors of the Apostles, the Bishops, and will embrace the doctrines taught by Jesus through them. In this way there will be One.
Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
1 Cor 1:10
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.