Pope says that gun manufacturers can't call themselves Christians

[HoneyBadger]

Same goals but with some very different practices. Wife and I are a pretty good example (although neither of us are real close with our religions any longer), as she is/was a devout Catholic, myself a small town Protestant Christian. After some talking we decided against baptizing our boys as babies, and her family freaked out. Different practices, but wife saw it my way on that one.

Why would they freak out? A Christian baptism is a Christian baptism as for as Catholics are concerned.

Behind EVERY denomination of Christianity is a disagreement between Christians. Every time someone disagrees with their church and starts another church, a new denomination is formed... many don't go anywhere, but if they have enough followers, a new denomination is born.

Satan does some of his best work in churches. I'm sure this is true. Look at the Westborough Baptist Church.

ETA: This is one reason I go to a specifically "non-denominational" church, we even pray at the beginning of every service for other churches- I know others don't do the same.

The Catholic mass has a specific portion of the mass where specific intentions of the church are prayed for. These usually include praying for the unity of all Christians, among other things like praying for our politicians and civil leadership, praying for the sick, and praying for certain people affected by current events (such as Syrian refugees, or the community of the Charleston church that was shot up, for example).

[Irving]

There are different denominations for the same reason there are different individual businesses within the same industry.

[Justin]

Behind EVERY denomination of Christianity is a disagreement between Christians. Every time someone disagrees with their church and starts another church, a new denomination is formed... many don't go anywhere, but if they have enough followers, a new denomination is born.

[Great-Kazoo]

Why would they freak out? A Christian baptism is a Christian baptism as far as Catholics are concerned.

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No it's not. However this veers away from the Pope and his beliefs on firearms, etc.

[68Charger]

The Catholic mass has a specific portion of the mass where specific intentions of the church are prayed for. These usually include praying for the unity of all Christians, among other things like praying for our politicians and civil leadership, praying for the sick, and praying for certain people affected by current events (such as Syrian refugees, or the community of the Charleston church that was shot up, for example).

Glad to hear that, I wish that more churches would do that- but also my belief is that free will trumps prayer. God -WON'T- change a person's will. So if there are people that hold hate towards other Christians, or non-Christians (another belief we incorporate into the beginning of every service), then God can't change their will directly- just try to influence it.

The moment that Christianity made complete sense to me was when I learned we are in a world at war (a spiritual war), and that free will is not something either side can/will compromise directly.

[68Charger]

There are different denominations for the same reason there are different individual businesses within the same industry.

This is assuming the purpose of a church is profit... otherwise, it's close, but not the same.

[Irving]

There is more to market share than just money, but I'm way out of bounds within this conversation at this point, as I don't belong to a church, and don't care who worships where.

[crays]

This is assuming the purpose of a church is profit... otherwise, it's close, but not the same.

Profit is not exclusively monetary.

Can profit not be the satisfaction of helping someone find/embrace their spirituality?

Maybe not apples to apples, but not far off the mark, as you said.

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[68Charger]

There is more to market share than just money, but I'm way out of bounds within this conversation at this point, as I don't belong to a church, and don't care who worships where.

Agreed- which is why I said it's close... and your opinion still matters even if you don't "belong" to a church...
Christianity is supposed to be about a relationship, not about being owned/beholden to an organization. (I'm twisting words here- but you get the idea)

The point is that despite any situation you're in, we would still pray for you to be blessed... and since the spiritual world is all about authority, then the closer someone is to your situation that prays, the more likely it is that you'll receive it.

My beliefs are both complicated and simple at the same time.

[68Charger]

Profit is not exclusively monetary.

Can profit not be the satisfaction of helping someone find/embrace their spirituality?

Maybe not apples to apples, but not far off the mark, as you said.

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Well said- I'd say that as long as someone takes up spiritual arms against evil, then we've gained (spiritual) ground.
If someone gives themselves to Christ, then that's another soul that's saved... regardless of denomination, it's better than apathy.