Okay, my husband and I have wanted to go to church for a long time now, but neither one of us was really raised anything. So my question is is what are the differences between the religions?

Now me and my husband believe in God and heaven and hell. We have always considered ourselves Christians, but my parents and his were all raised Catholic so we were wondering what distinguishes Catholics with Methodist and Baptist?

I will tell you that I was raised Southern Baptist and my husband was raised Catholic, when we wanted to get married neither church seemed right for us and it was a big issue, my MIL was raised Presbyterian and asked us to go to her church and I found that it was a good mix of both Catholic and Baptist beliefs and both my hubby and I found things that were familiar to us. I think you just have to go to different churches until you find the right one for you.

The differences in these religions comes from their beliefs and practices regarding baptism (sprinkling vs. immersion, infant vs. free will), predetermination vs. free will, beliefs in icons (i.e. Virgin Mary statues), perception and worship of Virgin Mary, theories on purgatory, grace, salvation, penance, etc. There is so much more to it than just God, heaven and hell.

Here is a website that uses a chart to compare some of the major denomintions: http://www.religionfacts.com/christi...ns_beliefs.htm

The links to other pages on the site also have some very good info. This might clarify some things for you.

Also, here is a book that you could check out from your local library that you may fnd helpful: The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations: Understanding the History, Beliefs, and Differences by Ron Rhodes. It is also available from online sources for about $10.

But, I would recommend you do a little more research before you find a church where you like the people only to find out that you don't have the same beliefs. It can cause some real heartache later on.

There are also some really good pamphlets out there. I just couldn't find any good copies online. There is one that compares the 12 major denominations and does a very nice job of it. I can't remember what company I saw it from though. Maybe someone else will have seen it in their church and could forward it to you. I'll keep my eyes open for it, and if I run across it, I'll PM you.

I hope this helps. Good luck on your church search. I'll say a little prayer for you, too, that God leads you in the right direction and opens some doors for you!

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Wow...I've never seen a chart that compares them like that. That's very interesting to look at. I agree it's a combo of finding a place with similar beliefs (or at least nothing that you strongly disagree with) and a place you feel comfortable and welcome. Good luck!

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That was a really good chart. Thanks for sharing that.

Finding a church can be a really tough thing. We were very blessed to love the first church we attended after we got married. We were planning on shopping around, but really liked this one. We grew up two different kinds of Lutheran. We ended up joining a Methodist church, and we're both really happy there.

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I'm Catholic. I was born into a Catholic family and baptized as an infant. I went through all the sacraments (available to a lay person) and attended private Catholic schools. When I was an adult, I searched other religions. My husband is baptized Latter Day Saint (Mormon). Our DD is baptized Catholic.

My search of other religions brought me full circle. I have strong affinities toward eastern religions or ways of belief, especially Zen Buddhism. I find these don't conflict with the Catholic practice. As a matter of fact, Zen Buddhism doesn't have a fundamental belief in a god, it is more a way of living, so it doesn't conflict with Catholic teachings. There are many Catholic-Buddha practitioners in the world.

I eventually came to the conclusion that being Catholic is less a matter of faith and more a matter of lineage. I am Catholic mostly because that is where I come from. It is apart of my heritage just like being born in the USA or having grandparents from a certain eastern European country are apart of my heritage.

At every mass we say the Nicean creed. This sums up what we, as Catholics believe.

Nicean Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, make of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father, Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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I liked the chart, but I wish it would've included information on the beliefs of baptism/christening.

I was raised by an Episcopalian mother and a baptist father. I'm married to the son of an Episcopalian minister and we have made the Methodist church our home church. I taught in a Catholic school for 2 years, so it was interesting to have the chart to compare all the different basic theologies.

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their are also some very nice nondenominational churches.(I know this is a button for some people-but just an option)