I didn't know all this stuff...really interesting.

What Do Good Christians Believe? No-one Can Agree.. Secular Web has phenomenal webpage comparing the beliefs of different christian sects: One would think that a perfect God would have directed His followers to write one sacred book. One would think that this one book would detail just exactly how one is to be "saved" and that this plan would be uniformly followed-at least among Christians. More importantly, one would think that Christianity would agree on just exactly how one is "saved." Of course, once again confusion reigns!

Not only are Christians in disagreement regarding how one is saved, they can't seem to reach agreement on what one is saved from or where the faithful go after they are saved. Moreover, every denomination I researched has millions of followers, so no matter how you cut it, many people who think they are Christians are going to a yet-undefined hell. That is, unless the Christian version of God can get His followers on the same sheet of music! Regardless of these contradictions, time and time again I have been told that "faith" via the Holy Spirit has guided-and continues to guide-Christians in interpreting their sacred scriptures correctly. Well, history will show you that this "rule of faith" leaves something to be desired. For example, take the concept of the Trinity:

325 A.D.: Emperor Constantine calls to order the Council of Nice and decrees that Christ is "consubstantial" (of the same nature) with the Father.

381 A.D.: Emperor Theodosius calls to order the First Council of Constantinople, there it is decided that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father.

388 A.D.: Emperor Theodosius threatens punishment to all who refute the Trinity.

451 A.D.: Emperor Marcian calls the Council of Chalcedon to order, there it is decided that Christ has both human and divine natures.

680 A.D.: Emperor Constantine Pogonatus holds the Third Council of Constantinople, there it is decreed that Christ has two wills.

1274 A.D.: At the Second Council of Lyons it is finally decided that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and Son.

So, after 1,274 years of church councils, the concept of the Trinity was finally defined. Considering that many denominations consider belief in the Trinity to be essential to salvation, one has to wonder what happened to those believers while the church figured all this out? Moreover, there were many cultures on earth before Christ, including the Egyptians (2925 B.C.) and the Sumerians (3100 B.C.). One has to wonder if the Christian God simply pitched all those people into hell because this Trinitarian notion was yet to be thought of?

Here are a few examples from the comparison tables:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Heaven: The highest levels of the Celestial Kingdom are reserved for Mormon couples that have been married in a Mormon temple. The couples can eventually become a God and Goddess; the husband will then be in control of an entire universe. Christians who are non-Mormons and have led exceptional lives will also spend eternity in the Celestial Kingdom.
Hell: Hell exists but very few people will stay there very long. If you have not heard Christ's Gospel, you will exist in a spirit prison. This spirit prison is where you wait to hear the Gospel.

Roman Catholic
Heaven: Viewed as a paradise with Christ and God for all eternity.
Hell: Used to believe the level of torture in hell will be dealt in accordance with the seriousness of the individual's sin. Most individuals who are not destined to hell first suffer punishment in purgatory where they are "cleansed" and then admitted into heaven. On July 28th, 1999 the Pope decrees that hell is: "the pain, frustration and emptiness of life without God." (i.e., separation)

Methodist
Heaven: Differing opinions, some interpret heaven as symbolic, others believe heaven will be in the presence of God.
Hell: Differing opinions, some interpret hell as symbolic, others believe hell will be a separation from God.

There are a LOT more denominations on the site. There is also a comparison chart showing what each sect believes it takes to become "saved." Examples:

Roman Catholic: Merit gained through God’s grace, belief in Christ’s sacrifice, and baptism. Good works performed under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Believes the Eucharist becomes the body and blood of Christ and the change is permanent (i.e., transubstantiation).

Episcopal Churches: Salvation through grace as well as personal responsibility; belief in Christ’s sacrifice and baptism. The Lord’s Supper is seen as symbolic.

Jehovah's Witness: Faith and works, 144,000 "elect" will be saved. Non-elect must earn salvation via works; baptism seen as symbolic. Only those who believe they are of the 144,000 "elect" may partake of communion; therefore, the instruments are just passed around but no one partakes because the elect are not known at this time.

This only scratches the surface of the information available on the site. Required Reading - A Definite Bookmark! [What Do You Think? Comment on this Post!] [Father Dan]

10:36:39 AM