Pros - No Cons

[JohnOF123]

This should be a unique thread. I thought it would be very interesting to see what others find "good" about each others churches (whether individual members or a whole organization). I'll go first.

I can start this off by saying that I come from a Non-denominational background (close to Baptist in my case). I have an exposure to the LDS people since some of my family are members of the church. I would say this...

-The majority of Mormons I've met are well mannered, obedient and cautious of worldly living.

-They have excellent family programs, zeal and respect others.

-Overall, Mormons are known to be very kind people.

-Their members are very dedicated, hard working and responsible.

I think this is an accurate image of what most people in America see when they think about the members of the LDS Church.

Feel free to state what you think about any religion or denomination.

[Nikkie85]

I am surrounded by Baptists since I live in the bible belt and I would have to say that overall I think they really go out of their to fellowship. I have heard many investigators say that they like coming to LDS services but at the baptist church down the road everyone is so friendly and goes out of their way to get to know them.

[pam]

I have always been thoroughly impressed and humbled by the Amish. Their simplicity of life, their ability to be so forgiving and the love they have for everyone is something that is just amazing to me.

[prisonchaplain]

Presbyterians: Very intelligent, orderly and productive

Salvationists (Salvation Army): Who serves the "down and out" with more zeal?

Baptists: They love their Bibles!

Non-denominational evangelicals: They truly know how to build large communities of faith, and to serve very diverse members

LDS: The word wholesome comes to my mind--healthy in body, mind, and truly rigorous spirituality

Those are off the top of my head...

[JohnOF123]

Baptists: They love their Bibles!

lol

[havejoy]

Catholics have adoration. It's where people go into a room to pray before the consecrated host. I've been to adoration and it's got a good feeling to it.

[ferretrunner]

Four Square- They have great Praise and Worship music and very energetic services. I miss worshiping through joyous, modern, upbeat music. One thing I miss when attending Sacrament Meeting is some of the upbeat music. I understand and respect that our more tradition hymns are chosen to show respect and reverence.

Baptist- They do great fellowship. They know the Bible and are very concerned about having a good relationship with Jesus.

Lutheran (ELCA)- Encourage questioning and growing in your faith.

Catholic- reverence the Sacrament.

[Maureen]

Pentecostal - they have good music

LDS - they dance

Salvation Army - good campers

M.

[RachelleDrew]

Charismatic churches - AWESOME praise music. I feel the joy of our heavenly father when I hear their music. It's the one thing I truly miss as a now-LDS woman. Our music just doesn't do it for me like theirs does....

Catholicism- I adore their respect for ritual and ordinances. I love going to Mass with my Catholic friends. I think their buildings are beautiful too.

Islam- Once again, beautiful buildings. There are a lot of negative connotations associated with this religion, especially that the women are all oppressed in Islam. But in my experience it's been the opposite. All the Muslim women around here are far more educated and well spoken than I am, and VERY independent.

Judaism- Such attention to learning and knowledge cannot be overlooked. I also think it's cool that all my Jewish friends know Hebrew. I've also had the privilege of attending a good number of their religious celebrations and they are NOT something to be missed.

Atheism/Secular Humanism - Perhaps not a religion, but I feel it deserves respect based on their idea that we aught to be kind, loving individuals because it's what's good for humanity. Not because we are scared to go to hell.

Unitarian Universalism - I like going to services where you never know what the person next to you believes about your religion, but you know they are going to be welcoming to you regardless. If i'm not close to a branch or ward when i'm traveling, I go to one of these. The people are so kind and considerate, and ALL religions are welcome and explored there.

Can you tell i'm a religious mutt? : D Everyone in my family is a different religion so I got the wonderful experience of seeing all types of faiths in action. I was very blessed.

[Moksha]

I like to see the good in all faith traditions. I also like to see elements of our common spiritual journey.

I appreciate the Christian faiths who have a Stations of the Cross rememberance.

Stations of the Cross:

• Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane,
• Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested,
• Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin,
• Jesus is denied by Peter,
• Jesus is judged by Pilate,
• Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns,
• Jesus takes up His cross,
• Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross,
• Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem,
• Jesus is crucified,
• Jesus promises His kingdom to the repentant thief,
• Jesus entrusts Mary and John to each other,
• Jesus dies on the cross,
• Jesus is laid in the tomb.

If we had something similar to celebrate the risen Christ and the atonement, we could perhaps call it Stations of the Garden.

[hordak]

I always liked the Catholic confessional (anonymity) and like the prayer candles.

[MichaelCraig]

I was born and still live in the Bible belt. We have a gob of Baptist in Ga and I've never understood the rule about not being able to dance. ????? Some of the bigger Baptist churches have awesome praise bands and a person can't jump up when the Holy Spirit overflows us and dance??? What kind of crazy doctrine is that from? I mean, as long as I keep my clothes on, what's wrong with dancing? I totally agree it's disrespectful to do some of the type dancing I've seen on tv. It straight out raunchy and nasty but just swinigng to the beat of Motown or some good jazz, I mean come on!!!

[Janice]

Jehovah's Witness: I know of no other Christian religion (maybe not even ours) that asks so much of their members. And all of them that I know willingly give it.

[NeuroTypical]

I have never met a pissy wiccan. They all seem to be friendly happy folk.

Some Nazarene kids taught my kids a thing or two about praying to God like you were speaking to a friend.

My local mega-church is filled with people with a genuine concern for each other's souls. I was able to make friends with the lady that taught their "are Mormons christian" class, and we exchanged very heartfelt and tender emails when Pres. Hinckley died.

The nicest little-old-lady this planet has to offer, is a Catholic lady named Mary who lives in SLC. (I would be willing to fight as her proxy to keep that title, if anyone has a different little old lady in mind.)

LM

[RachelleDrew]

Jehovah's Witness: I know of no other Christian religion (maybe not even ours) that asks so much of their members. And all of them that I know willingly give it.

I feel a really strong kinship to JW folk. I know they hear the "you aren't REAL Christians" crap as much as we do. I always let their missionaries into my house to share their message, and the JW around here tend to do the same for ours.

[rameumptom]

I think the Zoramite religion is a wonderful religion.

It encourages people to pray in a united form.

They have a unique method of dealing with the poor.

They don't have 3 hour long endurance sessions every Sunday.

And they are famous for their wise use of Rameumptom.

[rameumptom]

I appreciate any Church that encourages its people to do good, be peacemakers, and to believe in Christ. If more people attended such churches, there would be less crime, violence, and sin going on.

[JohnOF123]

I was born and still live in the Bible belt. We have a gob of Baptist in Ga and I've never understood the rule about not being able to dance. ????? Some of the bigger Baptist churches have awesome praise bands and a person can't jump up when the Holy Spirit overflows us and dance??? What kind of crazy doctrine is that from? I mean, as long as I keep my clothes on, what's wrong with dancing? I totally agree it's disrespectful to do some of the type dancing I've seen on tv. It straight out raunchy and nasty but just swinigng to the beat of Motown or some good jazz, I mean come on!!!

Lol, yea... that's referred to as "legalism". Some Baptist's believe that, not many I know. I've heard of women not wearing pants too.

[ferretrunner]

Rachelle,

I'm somewhat a religious mutt, too. I have found the knowledge and understanding I have received very helpful in my life.

Original topic:

Wicca/ Neo-Pagan: They celebrate balance in life, have a goddess and a god (or goddesses and gods), are very nature focused, tend to accept others' beliefs.

[prisonchaplain]

I was born and still live in the Bible belt. We have a gob of Baptist in Ga and I've never understood the rule about not being able to dance. ????? Some of the bigger Baptist churches have awesome praise bands and a person can't jump up when the Holy Spirit overflows us and dance??? What kind of crazy doctrine is that from? I mean, as long as I keep my clothes on, what's wrong with dancing? I totally agree it's disrespectful to do some of the type dancing I've seen on tv. It straight out raunchy and nasty but just swinigng to the beat of Motown or some good jazz, I mean come on!!!

Brief explanation: They think dancing will lead to temptation. Question: Isn't this a non-cons thread?

[rameumptom]

PC,

You haven't seen MichaelCraig dance before, have you?

[Wisc]

In Buddhism, the purpose of life is to end suffering. The Buddha taught that humans suffer because we continually strive after things that do not give lasting happiness.

The Buddha said of death:

Life is a journey.

Death is a return to earth.

The universe is like an inn.

The passing years are like dust.

Regard this phantom world

As a star at dawn, a bubble in a stream,

A flash of lightning in a summer cloud,

A flickering lamp - a phantom - and a dream.