I didn't really know where to post this and I'm a girl and everyone posts in the "Ask a Girl" forum, so I decided to plant 'er here. :dunce: (how's that for a run-on?!)
I don't like labels, but it seems they are a necessary evil. Yes, they do help in general communication, but if two people have differing opinions of a specific idea, then it can get very confusing. I mean, there are so many different denominations of Christianity, just to be honest, I get totally confused! My idea of Catholic could be completely different than that of someone who actually is Catholic. All this can lead to hate and discontent. I think a lot of time we, as humans, misunderstand or miscommunicate because of improper labels.
Communication is so important; not just in a dating relationship, but in life in general. We communicate in so many different ways..many subconsciously. I've tried to be more conscious of it lately and it's really opened my eyes to how people might perceive me and how different that is from what I'm trying to convey.
Just something to think about......So what do YOU think?
For me there is no difference if the doctrine is biblically the same.
One example Catholicism is different is this Doctrine of Purgatory giving false hopes. Biblically, one has to be sure where he is going after death eternally. No amount of prayer will change that state after death. In effect this paid prayers for the dead is what is referred to in the bible as robbing the widows.
Another is in believing Jesus Christ as just �A� way to the Father � and creating many other ways.
Still another is putting shy and simple Mary on pedestal well decorated. There is NONE in the bible that instruct - pray to my mother Mary when I and my Father are busy.
Even in the Catholic bible, Exodus 20 is the same but on the Catholic walls the Ten Commandment is different.
�and so on.
Believers need to study and seek as materials is widely available. It is important to understand the doctrine of one�s church. Not because twosparrows said so one has to accept it as the truth� be like the Bereans. Even Paul and the Apostles compared their notes because their gospel came from different timing.
There are so many different denominations, I've lost count and have no idea what some of them believe.
MercyMay is right that we should read God's Word and know the Truth for ourself, but there are so many versions some may see a scripture one way and someone else will see it another.
Communication with each other and communication with God is the only way Christians can ever be in one mind and one accord.
Labels can be nice because you don�t have to go on and on about all of your beliefs. For example, it is much easier to say that you are a Calvinist then to explain all of your theology.
The problem isn�t with other people putting labels on you. The problem is that most people give themselves the wrong label. If you have to spend a lot of time arguing about what you meant, then you have described yourself incorrectly. It is up to you to make sure you to understand the labels, it is not the responsibility of others to try and guess what you mean.
I have said this many times. There is only one person on this earth that knows who you are and what you think. If you want others to know, it is up to you to tell them.
I have dated a couple Catholic guys and they wanted to get more serious but I could not do that because we disagreed on areas of high importance to me. Things like daily bible reading, praying together, Hell vs. purgatory, not praying to Mary or how we would minister to other people that needed answers for salvation or the bible, and beliefs that I embrace and they didn't.
I found myself thinking, "how is this going to work in a marriage? We would be on two very different pages when it came to our Christian beliefs. "
Not that I think they are not saved? Not my seat to sit in~ But secondary issues do make a difference for me in getting into a relationship with a man.
And, it is so hard to get to know someone over the internet, without being able to see their eyes, body language and spend quality time together.
It just has to be God leading the right person at the right time to you.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this.. :glow:
I was just using Catholic as an example and denomination as an example, although it does seem to cause a lot of strife. For example, I used to go to a Non-Denominational church (which, ironically is a denomination) and I don't even fully understand everything that encompasses. My non-denom church could be completely different than the one down the road, so labels aren't really all that reliable.
I've just been rabbit-trailing about some things which led me to consider how "labels" and communication, conscious and subconscious, are related.
When we go to Wal-Mart (because I live in the sticks and that's what we do) we are communicating with everyone that looks at us. Lately, I've been trying to "communicate" to others that I'm nice and approachable while hoping God's light shines through.
I've also been trying not to subconsciously label anyone. I think we might be letting some awesome people pass us by when we do this; not necessarily for a dating relationship but for a human relationship.
Here's the thing with denomination labels, there are some many differences even among the same denominations. For instance, there are at least 3 major sects of Baptist, 2 major group of Episcopals, and who knows of the Methodists. So labels don't always tell you what they mean. The only way you will be able to determine what beliefs a church is, is to go to the church and listen for yourself.
As for people, well, it's so easy to take a look at a person and just say, or there a snob, or a slob. And yet, you don't know what they are on any given day. Sometimes, they are just having a bad day. And if you manage not to label people, well hey, you are one awesome person. Yes I know, I just gave you a label. :peace:
