Confused Christian

What social teachings are you having trouble with? I'm not catholic and many who are not won't have much of an idea of where your struggling without some help to know what you mean. There really is no harm to explore around at all. Its hard to find a new home now I think with the abundance of false teachings out there.

I would say go to a bible teaching community church. They are more into the teachings of the bible than tradition. I used to be a catholic and I couldn't be happier with a few of the churches that I have found.

Sure come and visit this thread, there are believers here regularly,

[link to www.godlikeproductions.com]

But I love the tradition of the Church. I was even in seminary briefly. In terms of social teachings, I refer to gay marriage, social justice (although Pope Francis has really been an inspiration). I don't know. Maybe I just need to find a parish I feel at home at.

I wish you luck is all I can say. I have given up on organized religion. Jesus Christ is my lord and savior but I have given up on the church.

This was my problem a while back. Lost that feeling of home and you go through a time where you feel lost and more than a little tossed about. Sometimes its the people and not so much the leaders that can make or break it for a person. It is good to be surrounded by people who support and are more than just casual friends that believe as you do. May I ask what is it about the Protestant denominations that has caught your eye and made you wonder? Sometimes God moves us around because what we were to accomplish or what needs to be accomplished has changed.

Check out Michael Tsarion or Mark Passio.

Specifically, at times it feels the Protestants are more reasonable people and just live the gospel more truthfully. The simplicity and openness are also appealing. While I love a high and authentic liturgical experience, ... I don't know. There is something that appeals to me about the Lutheran community after very topical research, I just can't put my finger on it.


I realize that the Protestant churches also have their own issues and the above is probably idealized. Who knows.

I apologize for how this must sound. I am having trouble correctly expressing my feelings.

Honestly, you should check out an Eastern Orthodox Church in your area.

I have thought about that too. I haven't ruled it out. THe only thing with the Orthodox is that they are so ethnically informed. As an Irish Catholic, I don't know where I would fit into the Orthodox if I joined.

I want to check out these other faith communities, but I guess for whatever reason, I seem unable to take that first step out.

That's the beauty of Orthodoxy. It's universal. There is the OCA (the Orthodox Church in America). Also the Antiochian church of North America. And the ROCOR (russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia). And many many more that pass right through any ethnic barrier. You would fit right in, trust me. I commend you for desiring absolute truth. I really believe you would love orthodox liturgy. There are way too many misconceptions about the Holy Orthodox Church. Historically speaking, it is the one true unbroken and unmolested holy catholic and apostolic church. And be wary of some Protestant secs out there; they will only lead to confusion and frustration. There is a reason why there are tens of thousands of differing denominations outside of traditional Christianity. Good luck with everything, my friend.

It seems that Gnostic Christianity, Coptic Christianity, and Greek or Eastern Orthodox Christianity are the deepest forms of Christianity.

From a former Christian (raised and education through college) this is a struggle to embrace! The ultimate answer is within us as individuals connected together. We all must decide for ourselves. However, if it's real truth you seek then you must challenge every belief, concept, historical event(s) to build a path to understanding. Here's some highlights from one journey:
- I believe Christ lived. The message he delivered was intentional and the timing was not an accident.
- However, the Bible and most of what is accepted as fact in the Catholic church and Christianity is a lie. The Roman republic "packaged" and created Christianity, it's a well established fact if you do the homework. That so many people rely on spcific verbiage, parables and lessons from a book written over countless times by political interests trying to utilize it as a tool for society blows me away.
- The afterlife is real, it is well established and we are here on Earth to experience a dimension that is like a "training school" for souls, full of negative and positive polarities. A path of serving others and love naturally elevates someone for ascension. There is not a "pass/fail" judgement! What divine being would create such a system. It's a silly notion. The purpose is to provide the setting for gaining experiences and growth.
- The painful truth is that non-Earth dark-side entities play a controlling role here. It's been that way for thousands of years. It's a long story, however the galactic history of Earth involves four "resets"- four previous "graduations" (Noah was the last) in which our creator cleaned house essentially. Another one is possible imminent :)

Love how you think, Whats your take on Jesus?

Only one true church dude ..
Not many get this one right

Regarding office of Bishop to have one wife.
When one consults STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE, an amazing piece of evidence becomes revealed. In most cases, the word for ONE in the Greek is "heis" (hice), meaning the primary numeral "1". Yet, in the references to "ONE WIFE", the Greek word for ONE is not that word for the primary numeral "1". Indeed, in those three cases, ONE is "mia" (mee'-ah), meaning "one" or "first".

You'd probably like a Lutheran church then if you like the tradition or a more formal type of service depending on which synod your with.

Just find one that isn't timid in boldly speaking the truth and that focuses on Bible teaching.

Well, if you truly read what credible scholars and researchers say Jesus was a complete fiction. There's a ton of evidence. I'm not making this up.
But, I believe Jesus was one of many "messiahs" (John the Baptist) that preented themselves during a crucial time. And, while he lead with love and preached forgiveness, Jesus was a radical. The good kind! I think he saw the Pharises and the way these zealots had taken over the Jewish faith and traditions and he called it what it was. Even if he were not the true son of God, dying on a cross with the hope that perhaps God would intervene was simply incredible. Realizing at the end that God wasn't going to save him he then forgave his killers and sent a message by example that moved the world.

Well, if you truly read what credible scholars and researchers say Jesus was a complete fiction. There's a ton of evidence. I'm not making this up.
But, I believe Jesus was one of many "messiahs" (John the Baptist) that preented themselves during a crucial time. And, while he lead with love and preached forgiveness, Jesus was a radical. The good kind! I think he saw the Pharises and the way these zealots had taken over the Jewish faith and traditions and he called it what it was. Even if he were not the true son of God, dying on a cross with the hope that perhaps God would intervene was simply incredible. Realizing at the end that God wasn't going to save him he then forgave his killers and sent a message by example that moved the world.

but what do you know

I've definitely added a local Orthodox parish to the list of churches I will investigate.

You don't need labels or men to have a perfect relationship with God. Believe in Jesus. You do not need to be in any of those places. If you like the fellowship, then find a small church that teaches Jesus's teachings and nothing else.

Do you think he was raised from death? Just curious, I study ancient history. You seem to think a lot like I do.

watch out, orthodox churches have been heavily infiltrated like the protestant denoms.

Exactly, your grace doesn't depend on whether you attend church or not. Especially now considering.... nvm :)

OP write down a few questions you would like to ask (the pastors)before you visit these different churches. It will help massively.

I believe in the Trinity. I believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist, and I believe that only validly ordained priests can consecrate the bread and wine. I believe that sacraments are outward signs of God's grace. Salvation is through the crucifixion of Christ. I also believe in the one, true, catholic, and apostolic faith.

That's what I believe.

That's helpful advice thank you.

Investigate everything from source(s) OTHER THAN A CHURCH (a library) if you truly seek truth. Otherwise you're asking for directions in a maze from someone already lost in a maze.

Not much. But I do know that Christianist Evangelism (Zionism), Christianist Neoconservatism (Zionism), and Roman Catholicism aren't the way to go.

Well I do think that there have been genuine saints within the Roman Catholic church at times (such as Thomas á Kempis). In general though, the Vatican reeks of corruption.

And it just seems that Gnostic Christianity, Coptic Christianity, and Greek or Eastern Orthodox Christianity are the closest to the original Christianity. Or the Nestorians (don't know if they're even still around though).

It would be worthwhile to look up the writings of the Desert Fathers. The Philokalia for example.

Last Edited by Asuralikeproduction on 08/29/2014 03:27 AM

Can I remind you of something?
Jesus said Follow me