Author	Thread: Denomination
Admin	Denomination Posted : 29 Jan, 2012 05:53 PM I just thought about this to ask the guys. Do you date outside your denomination? If so, how much different are you willing to go? Does it make a difference to you at all? It seems to me that a lot of people are Baptist in the south, but they tend to marry Baptists only. Should they marry Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, etc? Why should they? Why should they not? Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 29 Jan, 2012 08:42 PM Hi HeartDogs,curious, are You my friend Ladonna a.k.a. Dondi ? You really do look like Her.... to answer Your question,if the Lady believes Jesus Christ is the only Begotten Son of GOD,who in the flesh came to earth,lived,died for the sins of the world,arose from the grave,and accended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of GOD in Glory.... it really does not matter what denomination she prefers. as denominations are a manmade concept... Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 29 Jan, 2012 09:20 PM I would date outside of my denomination, as long as our beliefs are similar. That�s what is important to me. It is easier, though, to find someone with similar beliefs within your own denomination. Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 30 Jan, 2012 08:13 AM I dont believe God sees denominations. As long as her beliefs do not require me to violate my beliefs, aka Snaked Handling (tempt not the Lord thy God) or some of the beliefs of 7th Day Adventists (which a purely ceremonial restrictions...eating pork), it doesnt really matter. Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 30 Jan, 2012 09:10 AM I'm not looking for Baptist in particular (though I imagine it'd be easier if we both were), but I don't know enough about any others to comment. I'm undecided on dating Catholics... Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 30 Jan, 2012 06:23 PM Thanks for the thoughts guys. I was thinking along the same lines. One God. The denominations, liturgy, worship style, etc. are all things we do ourselves to differentiate among one another. The important thing should be whether the theology is biblical. Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 30 Jan, 2012 10:00 PM I don't think dating outside denomination is really that different. Methodists got their name because they methodically get up every morning to read, study, and pray the bible for a few hours (at least in the old days) prior to the work day. 7th Day Adventists just view the laws regarding Saturday and not leaving the house as something that MUST be upheld for rejuvenation of the body and spirit. Because god rested on the 7th day. Baptists got their name because they follow more closely to the teachings of John the Baptist, and take more importance on the symbolism of the death, burial, and resurrection of the body through baptism. The symbolism finally takes root when Jesus gets baptized by John in the wilderness. It's not so much the denomination as it is that as long as they believe the Bible is the inerring, infallible, Word of God and that they have salvation through Christ as Lord and Savior that's the important part. Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 30 Jan, 2012 10:03 PM now though, I'd wager the only major differences that can be accounted for are "Christian" and "Catholic" and obviously Jewish faith. We all worship and give praise to the same God, but Catholics and Jews are a bit different in customs and how they go about the 'religion' aspect of the 'relationship.' And even within Jews and Catholics you have your own subgroups, like the popularized Opus Deis and Messianic Jews like we have our Baptists, Methodists, 7th Day Adventists, Lutherans, etc. Post Reply
View Profile History	Denomination Posted : 12 Feb, 2012 12:14 AM That's a tough question. I use to think that I saw no denominational lines, but some denominations are so far from what I believe that it makes it difficult. Case in point, I was raised Free Methodist. Then I started going to Assemblies. My then girlfriend was United Pentecostal in S. Mississippi. I've always called myself a conservative. Amongst most people I would be considered a staunch conservative. But when placed up against the beliefs of UPC I felt like a radical liberal. Our relationship quickly ended after I visited her church camp. It was okay for me...I tried to roll with it, but even having been comfortable in an Assemblies church, their church services were way over the top and it didn't work out. I'm just giving a specific example from my life. God may not see denominations, and at the level of simply Brothers and Sisters in Christ I don't object to most denominations, but as equal marriage partners some denominations come with beliefs and lifestyles that may make a marriage very difficult. I would personally have no problem dating most Baptist, Methodist, Nazerenes, Assemblies, Four Square, Messianic Jews, or non-Denominationals. There are a few other denominations that I would be open to given the right person. But then, there are some denominations that I don't just disagree with, but feel are downright wrong, even dangerous in their beliefs. Some of them would find my convictions borderline heathen, despite the fact I could justify each with Scripture and be completely void of any conviction or guilt. A relationship with someone inside of those denominations would be disastrous. Please understand, I'm a very open-minded guy who firmly believes that God allows for differences that can be justified by Scripture and don't contradict Scripture. And even some of the denominations I think are wrong, I respect under the Biblical standards of 1 Cor 10, Romans 14, etc (Romans 14:4 NIV -- Who are you to judge someone else�s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.) At the same time, I realize that an intimate relationship requires some level of intimate agreement. How could I raise children with someone who I believe we need to forgive our sins to a priest when I, as a Christian, know that is wrong? If my wife felt the KJV was the ONLY acceptable translation, and I believe that the best translation is the one that is understood by its reader...how would we co-exist? What if she believes that women shouldn't cut their hair and only wear dresses, yet I believe it'd be wrong to force my daughter to follow a legalistic belief? It can and does happen, but at the same time I think that some delude themselves thinking that all they need is love and "God". The fact is, just because you have a strong attraction and chemistry with a person who shares your basic faith in God, does not mean it is God's will for you to be with that person (it might be, of course, but it doesn't mean it is) Many times we convince ourselves it is God's Spirit telling us we're to marry someone, when in reality its our spirit. If you can turn away from someone because of something like a personality, or dislikes and likes, hobbies and interests, without questioning whether that's okay...but find disagreeing with deeply personal convictions not acceptable condition to avoid a relationship then there is a problem there. (I'd like to add that I don't wish to nor will enter into a debate about my beliefs and my opinions of certain denominations. As I mentioned, I do not judge God's Servant's. I don't hold any true Christian in contempt for their denomination, at the same time, under the freedom of Christ, I do have the privilege of disagreeing and I do so politely and respectfully) Post Reply