Christian Faiths

The Many Faces of Christianity

There are many forms of Christianity. From Catholism to Protestant denominations there are great differences in ideas and practices. However, loosely defined to be a Christian you must accept Jesus Christ as your savuoir. This is how I define Christiantiy, and for the sake of simplicity this is what this section the site will focus on. I can only list a few denominations here but hopefully will add as I can.

Roman Catholic Christianity - Also called "Catholic" but this is it's more official name. The Roman Catholic Church is the original Christian Chruch. I have a seperate page on the Catholic Chruch and it's beliefes, and another on it's history, because it is such a great amount of information.

Eastern Orthodox - This denomination was formed early on in the history of the Church. It is found in Greece, Serbia, Russia, and most of Eastern Europe and the Eastern Roman Empire. This is a conservative church and was formed after the Pentacost by the Apostles. They believe the Bible is God's inspired word, but not exactly in "the Bible;" overall they believe in God. This denomination uses Holy Icons which are pictures as reminders of the Presence and glory of God. In Orthodox temples there are no statues however you will find icons. (Some more information can be found on the Catholic History page.)

The Amish - The Amish began as a sect of the Swiss Mennonites and was founded by Jacob Amman. Amman based his beliefs and practices on the writings of Menno Simons and the Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith (1632). In the 1720's many Amish settled in Lancaster County, PA and some groups moved to Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, New York, Illinois, and Missouri also. They have tried to preserve the elements of the European rural culture of the 17th century and reject most developments of modern society. They are a concervative faith and their belifes are the same as those of Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christian churches, a literal interpretation of the Bible and baptism are two examples. Some belifes unique to this group are: their belife in remaining separate from the rest of the world, rejection of involvement with warfare or the military, traditionally avoided attempts to seek converts although recently some groups have become actively evangelical, and the Ordnung is an oral tradition that regulates the Amish way of life, details will differe among different church districts. Another interesting thing about the Amish is they have no centralised Amish organisation. Some practices among traditional gropus of Amish are: members usuallyu speak a German dialect called "Pensylvania Dutch" (Deutsch) and High German is used durning worship while at school they learn English, the schools are one room buildings run by the Amish and formal education beyond 8th grade is discouraged though many youth are given further education at home after they have completed 8th grade, members do not own or use automobiles, electricity, radios, or televisions, they celebrate traditional Christian holy days and observe a Fast Day on the 11th or October. Marriages outside the faith aren't allowed and couples who plan to marry are "published" in late October and they are married in one of their homes during November or early December. According to laws of the Hebrew Scriptures men grow beards but do not grow mustaches, and usually dress in plan, dark coloured suits. Women usually wear plain coloured dresses with long sleeves, a bonnet, and an apron; if they are married women wear a white prayer covering, if she is single it is black. Women are usually buried in their bridal dress, often a blue or purple. Funerals take places in the home without flower decorations, eulogies, or other display with plain,unadorned caskets and simple tombstones. Religious services are held in members homes biweekly on Sunday and meet in a different home each week. They do not take photographs. Nor do they collect social security, pension plans, unemployment insurance, or welfare; they maintain mutual aid funds for members who need help with medical costs and the like.

Christan Science - Christian Science was founded by Mary Morse Baker Eddy, who studied alternative medicine, in 1870. This church is based on the teachings and words of Jesus Christ. There is no orgaisation creed but seeking and finding God is a large part of this practice. Christian Scientists daily study the Bible and Science and Health.

The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - This is the chruch of the Mormons. Mormons are a conservative Protestant Christian group. They follow the "Word of Wisdowm" and do not smoke; they also avoid black teas, harmful drugs (ecspecially abused prescription drugs and street drugs), coffee, and alcohol. Some Mormons even avoid caffeinated sodas. There are about 68 Mormon temples worldwide and aren't open to the general public. Members must have a personal "temple recommend" from their biship before attenting one. Unlike most conservative Christian groups the Mormons discourage rather than support the spanking of children. They support huge missionary movements and dedicate two years of their life to seeking converts. It is rare for a Morman to date a person not of their faith and about 70% of the population of Utah is Mormon. Mormans believe in the truthfulness of the Bible as it was originally recorded by the books' authours, atonement, resurrection, tithing, and the influence of angels and of Satan and his demons. They oppose equal rights for homosexuals and women's access to abortion.

Community of Christ - This Chruch was formally known as the Reorganised Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or RLDS. They were organised in 1860 in Amboy, IL but finally settled in Independence, MO in 1920 after many moves. They do not refer to themselves as "Mormans" because they do not believe this was a part of the original church and it's associats with polygamy. The temple was dedicated in Independence, MO in 1994. Unlikes the LDS they do not baptise or marry by proxy their ancestors, they reject the "Eternal Progression" theory, they reject the sexism of the LDS (Women have been ordained since 1984), and they reject polygamy (and always have). They see God as teh "eternal Creator, source of love, life, and truth." They believe in Jeusu Christ, and his crucifixion and resurrection. Salvation and eternal life in heaven after death are available to those who accept the gospel; those who do not accept the gospel will have a second opportunity after their death. God's revelation expands in the present day. There are eight sacraments: the blessing of children, adult baptism by immersion and the laying on of hands, confirmation of membership, the Lord's supper (communion), marriage, administration to the sick, ordination, and the evangelists blessing.

Gnosticism - Gnosticism is a philosophical and religious movement that started in pre-Christian times. They claim to have secret knowledge about God, the rest of the universe, and humanity. It was one ot the three main belief systems in the 1st centruy Christianity. This faith was remembered for it's unusal beliefs about Gods, the Bible, and the world that was different from other Christian groups, it's religious tolerance, and lack of discrimination against women. They believed they alone really understood Christ's message and other streams of Christianity had misinterpreted Jesus' sayings and mission, knowledge had a redeeming and liberating function that helped the individual bread free of bondage to the world, the Supreme Father of God (or Supreme God of Truth) is remote from human affairs. God created a series of supernatural finite beings called Aeons, one was Sophia, a virgin, who gave birth to a defective, inferior Creator-god called Demiurge. The lower God created the earth and its life forms. Another beliefe is the spirit is of divine origin and good, the body is inherently earthly and evil. Salvation is attained by learning secret knowledge of their spiritual essence; a divine spark of light or spirit. Humanity was also divied into three groups: the spirtiual, who would be saved irrespective of their behaviour on earth, the Soulish, who could be saved if they followed the Gnostic path, and the Carnal, who were a lost cause. An interesting thing to note is that many Gnostic texts were written by, or attributed to, women. Mary Magdelene played an important role in many Gnostic writings, sometimes second only to Jesus. Both male and female images were used for the Supreme God. In some Gnostic groups members were expected to remain celibate while in others ritual sex magick was practiced.

Quakers - Also called the Religious Friends of Society. The Religious Society of Friends rely heavily on spiritual searching by individual members, individual congregations and meetings. Some basic belifes of the founder, George Fox, were: every man and woman has direcet access to God and that no priests or churches are needed, every person is of equal worth, there is no need in one's religious life for elaborate ceremonies, rituals, creeds, dogma, gowns, or the like, and following the inward light would lead to spiritual development and towards individual perfection. He also encouraged his followers to worship in silence. Longstanding Quaker belifes are simplicity, pacifism,a nd inner revelation. Many do not see the Bible as the only source of belief and conduce and rely upon their intuition and take advantage of science and pholosophy.

Seventh-Day Adventist Chruch - Seventh-day Adventists follow most conventional conservative Christian belifes such as: the creation, fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, origiinal sin, the virgin birth, divinty of Christ, nature of the Trinity, belife in Satan, the scriptures, the resurrection, salvation by the atonement of Christ, and the like. However Ellen White is recognised as a phrophet. They deny the concept of "innate immortality" and believe people are not naturally immortal; when a person is dead they are unconscious until resurrected eternal life is a gift God gives only to righteous Christians, and that the second coming of Christ is immiment. They observe Saturday (from sundown Firday to sunset Saturday) as the sabbath. Baptism into church is done by full immersion. Members are expected to abstain from tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco and avoiding red meat. Members are also expected to dres simply and modestly. They should only watch uplifiting entertaiment and avoid "worldly amusements" like dance adn theater. Inter-faith marriages are discouraged. Divorces are only premitted under certain conditions (adultery/fornication or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, or physical violece. Adultery/fornication includes child sexual abuse, homosexual behavior, and incest. Abandonment by a fellow SDA member is not grounds for divorce. Remarriage is only allowed if one's spouse is guilty of fornication/adultery.

United Pentecostal Church International - There are many non-traditional beliefs in this church. They believe that the ability to speak in tongues is a necessary indication of a valid religious conversion and deny the legitimacy of the conversion of "born again" Christians from other denominations where tounges are rarely if ever spoken. As with other "oneness pentecostals" they baptise in the name of Jesus Christ only. Also they believe anyone not baptised in the name of Jesus only will not be accepted into heaven upon death. They reject the traditional concept of the Trinity and do no believe God is composed of three persons. Their service includes footwashing and members are forbidden to join the Masonic Order and other "secret societies." Members are not allowed to attend movies or watch televisoin. Strict dress and hair codes are followed, especialy for women.