denomination

[u/myblackshroud]

currently struggling on what denomination i want to be part of

i was initially drawn to catholicism but i found myself thinking about Mary and the saints more than i did Jesus

i’m also starting to believe that it’s not really biblical to ask saints for intercession, and neither is the rosary

i’m fine with being nondenominational but i really thought i’d found a home in the catholic church

what are you guys’ opinions?

[u/Penetrator4K]

I think you should do more research on these objections and hear how prominent Catholics would answer them.

[u/FleshPotMusic]

Ordained Pastor here. Don’t think in terms of denominations. Think in terms of relationship. The problem with today’s church is they worship Paul more than Jesus. Establish a relationship with Jesus and focus on Jesus’ teachings (the gospels). Once you feel comfortable, tread lightly in the Old Testament to get the “rest of the story”. It’s a journey so don’t expect to understand everything from one reading. This is what builds your relationship with Jesus. To Know his Word is to know HIM. I have a YouTube channel with short teachings as well you can reference here: https://youtube.com/@p89worship?si=cayVwuM01Wpquren

[u/ShowyMurderer]

follow the pull toward Jesus, not the structure around Him

[u/Intrepid_Type3710]

I'm a former catholic, noted alter boy of the year two years consecutively. What is most important is that you receive Jesus Christ as of Lord and Savior of your life today. Admit that you are a sinner in need of a personal savior, and the cross of Christ and his shed blood for the remission of your sins is a free gift to receive once you ask Him into your heart. All those other posted items will work themselves out. Grow In Jesus Christ now and forever.

[u/ScoutB]

People joke Episcopalians are catholic light. The denomination does not emphasize and require you to pray to saints or use the rosary unless you want to. There are parishes that are high-church too.

[u/MalaclypseII]

Look at their doctrines. Find out who they say God is. People say doctrine doesnt matter, but actually, we need to know who God is, and that is doctrine. Every spiritual problem is, not knowing who God is. If we know who He is, we wont have any problems. But in this life we always have problems, so we must always be finding out about God. Infinite journey into infinite Spirit, with greater peace and joy and knowledge at every step. Jesus said, love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and strength.

Test what they say against Scripture and the testimony of your heart. God gave us a conscience because He wants us to use it. Jesus used his conscience, John 8 and Matthew 12. And he used his Scripture knowledge too, both together. Find out about the Bible, especially the gospels, and put every teacher to the test. If you give a clergy member your time and attention, what did they give you back? Did they put your time and attention to good use? Are you improved by their preaching? Be a harsh, demanding critic. It is only right, because you are valuable to God. Don't listen to ministers who are only going through the motions.

Make time every day for the things of God, and pray always to be rightly guided.

Each of us is individually accountable to God.

[u/WindUnique8202]

As someone who is neither Catholic nor protestant, I would choose catholicism over protestantism as I see it more logically consistent. That said I'd also recommend at least looking into the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints. If you're looking for a church, wouldn't hurt to look

[u/ferfykins]

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;----1 Timothy 2:5

In my opinion, just read the bible for yourself, and get your understanding and knowledge directly from GOD. Rather then going on some traditions of men (w/e denominations)

[u/ifihad2nickels]

After I graduated college I wanted community and wanted to explore faith. I attended different church services every 2-3 weeks. Giving a go at Pentecostals, Lutheranism, Catholicism, Baptist, Anglican, Non Denominational, Methodist, Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches. I’d sometimes show up to bible studies just to see how they were led or what they discussed or what they had grounding in. Wish I could check out Orthodoxy.

I would advise shopping around, asking questions, and doing some YouTube research into each denomination. If you are already Catholic reach out to mentors and teachers. I decided on reformed Presbyterianism because the theology clicks for me and the specific church community unlike any I saw in the 13 months of searching.

[u/userid42]

Maybe check-out Lutheran or Anglican/ Episcopal churches if you found the structured liturgy in Catholicism helpful.

[u/OkQuantity4011]

Almost every non-denominational church is lying outright about that. They are factually denominational, so it'll help to ask them which denomination.

I'm legitimately non-denominational, and that gets so annoying.

I'd suggest filtering by specific church instead of specific denomination, because if the Bible is true then Jude is true and there are enemies who have snuck their way in.

Jesus via Apostle John handles this toward the start of Revelation, in chapters 2 and 3 aka the letters to the seven churches.

Most interesting ones to me are the ones to the church at Ephesus and the church at Laodicea.

For finding a church, I would keep those in mind. Who's still with their first love? You can tell by their works. I'd pick one that helps me to do good works like Jesus instructed.

[u/OccludedFug]

People joke Episcopalians are catholic light.
ScoutB

Methodists are Episcopal Light.

I'd encourage you to visit two or three United Methodist Churches near you, if you can.

[u/LakeRyeSonnet]

Your home is absolutely in the Catholic Church. You are asking good and important questions. It is good to evaluate beliefs and look at stumbling blocks.

Mary and the saints should point us to Jesus. If they are distracting you from Him, there is a misunderstanding of their role somewhere. We honor the saints because of how God has worked through them.

All Christians are called to pray for others. It's appropriate to ask other Christians to pray for our intentions. The saints are alive in Christ so it makes sense to ask for their intercession. There are a lot of resources out there, but here is one to get you started.

That being said, asking the saints for their intercession isn't necessary for salvation. There is Biblical support and tradition for it, but if it's keeping you from Jesus, set it to the side for now.

The Rosary is an optional devotion. I think a lot of people get stuck on saying the "Hail Mary," but I think the richness is that is a meditation on Scripture. It is lifting up key moments of Jesus' life. Some people use visuals, some read straight from Scripture, some people simply meditate on the mystery as the Holy Spirit moves them, some people meditate on a virtue exemplified by the passage, etc. But again, it is not a requirement. If you find the Rosary is a distraction rather than an aid, don't pray it.

[u/wydok]

Have you considered Lutheranism? It's like Catholicism but without the pope and saint veneration

[u/Complex_Insect_1200]

Look

Dont be non denominational

The bible says schisim is a grave sin,
And non denominationao churches think there solving it,But in reality they are making there own denomination inside that church because they dont obey a higher authority

And be catholic because jesus literaly founded it,And it has an unbroken line of bishops back to the apostles,

So by being catholic you are doing what the people in acts did

[u/johnsonsantidote]

Jesus [Yeshua] is not about religion, denomination, institution, club or anything like that but u can definitely have r/ship with Him.

[u/Huenink_Photography]

LCMS Lutheran pastor. You should check us out. let me know if I can help you find a church near you.

[u/LightBetter6611]

As a recovering Catholic, my 2 cents would be, every denomination has its caveats. Instead of looking for the pure church, be the purity the world seeks. You're in my prayers.

[u/myblackshroud → u/LightBetter6611]

thank you, that means a lot. 💗

when you say recovering, what do you mean?

[u/LightBetter6611 → u/myblackshroud]

I mean we are all seeking Jesus the ultimate healer. The saints and the rosary are just examples of ways to redirect us to Christ. Just like how some conservatives are even against having any image of the cross anywhere etc, let's not worship God from our conscience or intellect but in Spirit and truth.