Evangelicals and non Episcopalians appear to have broken with the rituals and practices of the Church. \nThey are more like Muslims;\nThe read [the Bible] a Holy Book.\nThey have no priests or have lay Priests\nThey do not ornate their Churches.\nThey have no Monasteries\nThey give Aams to the poor not the Church.\n\nAre they Christians, or what are they.
201021
yes evangelicals are christians. scary buggers.
321250
I agree with you 100%. It is very sad to think that these people are missing out on the privilages of marriage just because of some moral objection to their lifestyle. I was under the impression that there was a separation of church and state in this country.
320126
I think that they're afraid to admit that parts of their religion weren't handed down straight from their god but rather adapted from religions that existed as Christians were gaining power and converts.  They don't want to admit that the religion itself changed to accomodate those converts; there wouldn't have been nearly so many "saved" if they hadn't been allowed all of the holy days and religious beliefs they'd held for centuries.  You forgot about the May Pole, the Corn Dolly for the Harvest, and All Saints' Day, a day that you revere those who came before.  Sounds pretty familiar to me as a Wiccan and one who is knowledgable about the practices of pagans before the advent of Christianity.\n\nYou might notice that the Jews do not claim those holidays.  At least they're honest about their beliefs.  This is one of the issues that really gets to me.
480213
Well, through history different churches broke away from each other and formed their own religions. IE the Church of England (Episcopals) broke away from Cathololicism, Methodist broke away from the Church of England. There are huge differences amoung many of them. I suggest visiting local churches to really know. beliefnet.com is a great religious resource.
117359
The early churches, the Catholic and Orthodox still practice the ancient ways.  Protestant churches, shocked by the extensive sin in the Church of the 16th century broke away and developed their own beliefs.  Episcopal and Lutheran Churches are similar to Catholic.  Baptist and other sectarian are driven by the prophetic component of Christianity.  Pentecostal groups await the arrival of the Spirt.  Nazarene's and other Wesleyan groups, such as Methodists, are half a step away from Episcopalians and Presbyterians.  Religious Science is a new invention as are the Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnessess.\n\nLook around, but don't stay too long anywhere.  Ask the specific groups what they believe.  They probably all believe in about 90% of the same things.
366680
I'm not totally sure why people don't join Christianity. But- I think it might have something to do with it contradicting itself constantly. Another reason might be because people like Evangelicals preach messages of Christ's love-only to turn around and use the Bible to perpetuate xenophobic ideals.
287966
I think it is coming at us from all sides. We have been warned in Rev 3 that the church would become lukewarm and I think that we are attacked on all four sides. Humanism from the atheist, legalism from the liberals and catholics, experiential from emotionalism and compatibility from the ecumenicals. That is why Jesus said if any man will hear My voice and follow me. Religion in our day is a personal commitment, the churches have gone cold.
167629
Then they are not really Christians. Where do you think most of the people in churches come from? Those who did not know Jesus. And how did they meet him? By people how have met him. So if Christians keep themselves from non Christians, then who are they going show the love of God to? Jesus did not only hang in the temple, he also hung with people from all over. Some who worshiped false gods and some who worshiped no god. But after meeting him, they were never the same. So I say again, if a Christian is so closed minded as to not let their children play with another child who believes something different from them, they have little to no faith. God knows how to keep who is his, so there should be no fear or judgment of another.
169469
Islam\nJehovah's Witnesses\nLDS\nBaha'i\nmany others practice a form of shunning so Islam isn't the only one in that category.  Some Christian churches are just as bad at it as Islam is.
557078
Rev. Barry Lynn is a member of the United Church of Christ, see http://www.auok.org/who_is_barry_lynn.htm This is one of the evangelical churches that see any association of Christianity with the government as evil  or bad. Like the Jehovah Witnesses will not celebrate any holidays, even birthdays, some evangelical groups feel that any involvement of government with religion corrupts religion. I do not share this view, but that is where he is coming from.
176759
the best explanation i can give is episcopal is described as catholic light. they aren't as strict on their doctrine as the catholics. you don't have to become a catholic to get married in their church but the last time i checked you will have to promise to raise your children catholic. this might of changed since the last time i checked. your best source to get the answer you need is to contact your local catholic church.
111721
They aren't, they aren't even CLOSE to it.  They can't complete with the sheer numbers of Islamic converts and those in Christianity.  It's a bald faced lie that alot of religions tell to make themselves look good.  As a matter of fact they are losing ground to non-believers and pagan religions just like all the others.  Percentage-wise their growth is stagnant like all other religions counting those coming in and going out.  While the numbers going in are good, like most religions, those leaving are even greater.  \nhttp://www.listology.com/content_show.cf...\n\nTop 10 Fastest Growing Religions in the US by baker \nSikh 18,900.0 \nHindu 810.0 \nMuslim 537.5 \nBuddhist 290.0 \nBaha’i 117.4 \nEvangelical Christians 42.8 \nOrthodox 28.4 \nRoman Catholic 14.2 \nJews -16.4 \nAnglican -27.3
155478
nahh.\n\nNot all so-called Christians are close-minded jerks.  Some of us have brains and don't vote on party lines just cuz the Bishop tells us to . . .\n\nKeep the faith.  Keep using the brain God gave you.
235850
AN interesting point!\n\nWhich is probably why churches are barely holding their own in the 'self sufficient' countries whilst in the third world churches are growing in numbers like wildfire.
467411
They visited many times, I went to there church a number of times. studyed there book.was about to be baptized, then I told them of some miracles, that had happened in my family, they got up. said only priest and higher ups in there church Can do miracles and even called me crazy.They said it to each other as they left, but I heard them. I called them a week later the elder called me crazy again, straight out..I was fine till I told them about the miracles. Yes they are pagans.They think that only people in there church can preform miracles, which that's not the case at all. the spirit of God can work with &  thru anyone and anything. not just people in there church. they only believe in themselfs.and that book. not anything real.not the spirit of God. when you think you have a monopoly on the spirit of God. then you are lost. I think, The spirit of God is there for everyone.
592298
I am a Christian and I totally know what you mean.  I got away from my believes for a while because of all of the "rules".  Yes there are certain rules you should follow, but Christians these days take some things overboard.  I beleive that church today has gotten away from the heart of the ministry and more into the rules.  It is blinding Christians and it is very sad!  How are you supposed to witness to somebody if you are to worried about what they arre wearing, their music, what they do for fun and all of that???  Christians today need to let that go and realize that they are missing the chance to witness and care for others who are hurting just because of their uptightness.
457229
Most churches (methodist, episcopal, presbyterian), broke away from the catholic church at one time or another over traditions, ceremonies and beliefs that were added to what the Bible taught. Everybody had their on idea of how to do it. The Baptist and Congregational churches separated from them because we accept only the Bible as our guide - traditions are not as important as the Bible.  And we believe that a personal relationship with Jesus is what makes one a Christian - not being a member of a church.