Should the churches re-unite?

[naomi24]

I've just heard a report that the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches may be planning to re-unite. Should they?

[Theland]

Lighter and I seem to be agreed. John Paul 2nd has hosted muli faith conferences, the first in Assissi, those attending included Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and others from various pagan groups. They united under calls for world peace, respect for human rights etc.
I think it will be the calls for world peace that may one day dupe millions into a form of ecumenism.

[luna-tic]

I think in "The end days", as spoken of earlier that who's religion,belief, god, church or nationality isn't going to make a whole lot of difference to the individual or mass.
If nature decides to rebel on us all for being greedy, wasteful creatures or some nutcase crosses the line between nuclear deterrents and destruction, apart from praying to whatever or whoever you like, the details wont mean diddly-squat.
Perhaps if there's anyone remaining and they want to start up another religious movement then that is the time to decide who their saviour might be or if they're lucky, might have been.

[Theland]

Well there are certainly moves afoot in the world, to unite religiously and politically, the daily news affirms this.
The point to note is that these events fit in with the Bible prophecies.
Whether or not you believe in God, these facts remain.

[naomi24]

A world religion is a lovely idea, and I truly hope it will come to pass and we will eventually see peace in the world, but may I put the same question to Theland as I put to Lighter? Would you compromise your faith and give up your basic beliefs to achieve it, or would you want others to give up theirs and fall into line with you? I find it very difficult to understand how anyone with a strong and binding conviction could give it up. And by that I mean any faith - not just Christianity.

[Theland]

naomi24 - On the contrary, I don't think that a world religion would be a lovely idea, but I think it will happen.
I would never give up my faith, or compromise my belief in the supremecy of God as revealed in the bible, but I think that Christians worldwide will be persecuted if they don't.
This is already happening in countries where the muslim influence is greatest, and Christians have been attacked by Hindus in India.
Bethlehem was once predominently Christian, but the persecution has been so bad that now Christians are in the minority there. (We are talking about Arab Christians here, as so often, the word, "Christian," conjures up images of white Europeans going to church on Sunday)

[Theland]

Mani Hussain - Why?

[Theland]

I agree with you that the whole concept of denominations is wrong.
There is only one Church, and Jesus Christ is its head, we are the body.
God has revealed Himself through the scriptures, and they are our only authority.
Denominations occur when people take the scriptures out of context, or twist the meanings, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Denominations also occur when people give credence to some other authority other than scripture.
In the Roman church, equal weight is given to "holy tradition". With the Jehovahs Witnesses, it is the writings of Russell, their founder, and with Mormons, it is the Book of Mormon.
So, if Rome gave up its "holy tradition", and acknowledged only the authority of scripture, then maybe there would be some hope of true unity.

[naomi24]

Theland, a one world religion would bring peace to the world, but if everyone adheres doggedly to his own belief - be it Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or anything else - and I can understand why those of faith do - then there doesn't seem to be much hope of the prophecy reaching fulfilment.

If only everyone would dispense with all this nonsense of doctrine and division and just follow the most basic of Jesus' teaching to love one another, what a wonderful world we would live in. Rose coloured glasses. Yes, I'm afraid so - fool that I am! But that's the way I prefer to live my life.

[Theland]

naomi24 - No, not rose coloured glasses, but hope! Your wishful thinking is my hope!
You are spot on saying if only everybody in the world would follow Jesus' teaching.
But you don't have to wait for the other religions to come to their senses, you can make a choice for yourself right now. Like I did.

[naomi24]

Theland, as those you say read the scriptures out of context, you've read my message out of context , which is precisely what happens with the churches and the bible. They interpret it as they see fit and ignore that which doesn't suit. I didn't say 'if everyone would follow Jesus' teaching', I said 'if everyone would follow Jesus' most basic teaching to love one another'. The two phrases have entirely different connotations.

I've belonged to churches since childhood, and I've believed what ministers have taught me, but since then I've studied Christianity, the bible, other ancient writings and history for myself, and I've concluded that the Christianity of the churches is man-made.

I don't believe that Jesus was the Son of God, nor that he died to save our sins. Why would an almighty, compassionate, loving God, who, the bible tell us, did some terrible things, need to inflict such suffering in order to save our sins? He could save our sins anyway - he's all-powerful. You'll probably say it was to demonstrate his love for us, but this terrible act hasn't proven anything. If it had given us absolute and undeniable proof of it's reason, it might make more sense, but we're still arguing over it.

Furthermore, I don't believe that Jesus, as a Jew, ever intended a new religion to emerge in his name, and I'm convinced he would be appalled to see what men have made of his ministry.

So I have chosen to follow the simplest of Jesus' teaching, which is to love one another. The world doesn't need anything else.

I do have hope for the future, but sadly conflict between different faiths - and between the various so-called Christian churches - will continue until people, as you say, come to their senses. In my view that will be when organised religion is no more.

[Theland]

Mani Hussain - What happened to your Islamic beliefs? Why did you become disillusioned?

[Theland]

naomi24 - I would agree with you that there is a tremendous amount of "man made" stuff incorporated into organised religion.
I differ from you in that I really do believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and if the Bible accounts are not convincing enough, then the Bible prophecies are certainly too accurate to be dismissed.

[naomi24]

Theland, it was prophesied that Jesus would be born of the House of David. If Joseph was his father, then that prophecy would have been accurate. However, if God was his father, it wouldn't.

[naomi24]

Mani Hussain, I'd like to know why you became disillusioned too.

[Lighter]

Hi Naomi - I don't think this new world religion will be a good thing! It certainly won't encompass biblical Christianity, and as Theland mentioned will be a time of great persecution for Bible believers like myself.
But one of Jesus' teaching swas His second coming, when He will come to receive His church, (not a denomination, but all those who have trusted in Him as Saviour). The devil's one world religion will then be toppled by God Himself at that point.

I will never give up my Jesus Who died for my sins, no matter what religion men come up with.

[Lighter]

Naomi - <<He could save our sins anyway - he's all-powerful>>

Well to try and explain. God is God, He is the great I AM. He is eternal, self existing, never changing, omnipotent, omniescent. He must be true to Himself and His Divine nature.
God is just, righteous and abhors sin. He must punish sin to be true to His Nature.
But He is also loving, merciful and forgiving. He must also be true to those characteristics of His Being.

That's why He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, (showing His Love), to die for our sins (showing His Justice).
So being true to His Divine Nature He can freely forgive and be merciful whilst still be just and righteous.
He must punish sin, either by Christ on the cross or by ourselves in Hell.

And as Jesus is God the Son, we have the beauty and majesty of Christianity - that the Creator paid the penalty for the creature!

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" I John 4:10

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom 5:8