Why do people belong to denominations in which they don't believe in?

I started the string about are children born saved because many denominations require childhood baptisims and many teach that all are born with the sins of Adam and Eve upon them but I got bored when no one stepped up to the plate to defend this herisy. My next logical question is why do people belong to denominations that they don't believe in. Do they think it's better to pretend they believe lies which is a lie too, than nothing at all? I'm a born again, spirit filled hardcore bible believing Christian but I'd rather be an agnostic who believes there might be a God than a fake who pretends to believe in something they really do not. Is belonging to a religion they don't believe in better than admitting they really don't know what to believe? Pretending to believe a lie is a lie.

I am nto a member of a denomination, so i have no troubles in this regard.. I don't have to pretend anything for anyone..

Many people never read the Bible for themselves and most of them simply believe what ever their denomination teaches them in regard to doctrines.. Most people grow up assuming that what ever their religious leaders teach conforms with the Bible.. Family loyalty has a lot to do with it too.. When someone says that what they believe in is wrong it is the same to them as saying that their dad and mom lied to them about God.. They don't consider the possibility that their family has been deceived for generations and so their parents simply told them what they thought was the truth..

So most people are not pretending to believe.. They actually believe what they believe is the truth because for the most part it has never been challenged in their mind..

By what determination do you claim to know that they believe or don't believe?
Can you be certain it's a lack of belief and not simply ignorance of what that belief teaches?
I think before you can be reasonably answered you need to provide how you determine what do many strangers do or do not believe.
Also I'd be curious why you, or anyone else, would expect people to hold themselves up to the same standards you do.

Most people who call themselves Christians are not diligent Bible students. They may not even know what the Bible really teaches. So they go along with what their church believes. But the onus is on each person to study the Word and then be a doer of the Word.

Even on forums (such as this one) where those who are in error are shown the truth, we find a resistance to the truth, and a refusal to believe that they are in error.

I'll have to think about that but maybe because I was taught a person should stand up for what they believe and frankly I was disapointed when no one did. Perhaps I expected too much? Thank you for sharing.

Well I'm not sure you actually answered anything.
The primary and most important question, though, is the first one.

Because I believe if you really believe in something you'll stand up for it. I used to believe in this country more than god so when I was of age I joined the military but when I came to believe in god I joined the mission. I considered it Christian boot camp and I believe everybody has to serve someone, in this case if we don't choose the Lords side we are on the devils side. Heaven or hell is a zero sum game and we must choose. So I wanted to know why some people chose what they did. I think because this is a christian site people should be proud of their choice and willing to discuss it. Theres no sin in making a honest error but using a religion like a political stance is dead wrong in my opinion.

I've just made my last post regarding this on the are children born saved string.

I can't speak for others, but I, personally, cannot find a denomination that encompasses my interpretation of the Bible. I chat online with people from various denominations and read their interpretations of various doctrines, and I'm, like, "man, what Bible are you reading?". It's almost as if we weren't even reading the same book, that's how different the interpretations are. Of course, that's probably because I am possessed by demons and destined for damnation since the beginning, but that's another story.

I was born into the Catholic faith, but as an adult I don’t practice Catholicism. In my opinion going to a Catholic Church is more about rituals (stand kneel regurgitate prayer), so as an adult my place in the world is Christian non-denominational. I feel like it has led me to having a meaningful relationship with God/Jesus, and knowing why I want to do the right thing vs. following the 10 rules (Commandments).

I know a lot of people join certain faiths or denominations because of a spouse or family etc..also a lot of people claim the faith that thier parents raised them in whether they pravtice it as adults or not...to me..that kinda signals that thier faith MAY not be based on thier personal relatiomship with Jesus Christ but the ACT of christianity and what theyre "SUPPOSED" to do..

Very true!!!

I think it is in how we view the word faith .Who it comes from and what does it perform as a "work of faith" This is seing faith without works is dead just as a body without a spirt is also dead. As apologists we defend the faith of God that defends us as the Armor of God And not the armor of a denomination in respect to men seen . The sword of the Spirit performs the work of the Spirit of Christ. Therefore we do not need any man to teach us as we follow the commandment to study seeking His approval.

It would seem that God renders all men faithless from birth with no possible way to please God not seen . This again means no faith not little but none .He must do the first work of faith in us .Believing Him is our first love of knowing Him.

If we would give that faith coming from God to our denomination in respect to men seen we have in affect left our fist love (believing God) as he give us His faith to make it possible. Therefore we are to hate the deeds of men seen like Nicole the leader of the Nicolaitans.

It does not make denominations, a deed we should hate .But rather when we replace the source of faith not seen with men seen . That is when blasphemy of the Holy Spirit occurs

Two or three that gather together in his name make up a denomination . They have the same rules for gathering together with two or three thousand as to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

A church can be a good place for new believers to hear the gospel in order to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; (believe God not seen) or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes,(believing men seen) which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit (not seen) saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:4-7

You do not have to believe in the denomination you attend.

Sometimes, you want just some christians around. Sometimes you want just to take Lord´s Supper.

There is no perfect denomination. Preacher will always have some different view than you do.

Its more important whats preached from the pulpit than the denomination the church is affiliated with..but then again..that really doesnt address the OP does it..:/

Let's take the oh so typical "cesessionist's doctrine", that isn't usually included in any particular denomination's "statement of faith", or a "what we believe" pillers.

1 Corinthians 13:10

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.


This is what many denominations "practice", although, it usually isn't talked about a whole lot.

I believe that Paul has stated a "prophecy" in just this one verse about Christ's Triumphant returning, and/or "death of this flesh body!" Which ever comes first!

Meaning, that there would be no use of these things, in part, or in whole, AFTER Christ returns! And, as far as I can tell? He hasn't returned as Lord of Lords and King of Kings......YET!

Because they have, either by minipulation of the truth, tradition of men, seduction, beguilement, or self deception, and, because it's easier to "wallow" in sin, so Grace may abound, then expend the effort/s required in the "perfecting" of one's faith? They happily live their lives in blissful ignorance, "PLAYING Church!"

It's not so much, the parishioners, to blame, although, they cannot be helf totally blameless! As it is the blind shepherd's, and hirling's fault, in their promoting!

Tis APOSTASY folks! Plain and simple! So, it is not so hard a "dot to connect" wondering why Paul states, the "love of many shall wax cold!"

We do not know God after creeds of men . The doctrine of God that informs us we are not to add or subtract from the whole or perfect word of God found in the scriptures is a law.

Why go above that which is wriiten. Is there a law missing by which we could know God more adequately?

And we know where the signs as lying wonder come from that do attempt to add .

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.Revelation 22:18-19

Catholiscism as a law of their fathers teaches the air way is still open and God is bringing new revelation called private. Do we open up the spirit world to the occult? Jesus said its a evil generation that seeks after sign and wonders or signs as wonders.

Pope Urban private revelations/interpretations. "In cases which concern private revelations, it is better to believe than not to believe, for, if you believe, and it is proven true, you will be happy that you have believed, because our Holy Mother asked it. If you believe, and it should be proven false, you will receive all blessings as if it had been true, because you believed it to be true."

Going back to the Apostles Creed it was formulated in 312 with the earliest record of 390. The elders updated the previous 2 Roman creeds. The reason for the creed was two fold. First to define what a Christian MUST believe. Second to define anything contrary to it as heresy. At the time there were many differences of opinion on many diverse issues. Keep in mind that Bibles were hand copied and thus were rare and expensive. Thus creeds with several scriptures were memorized by people to carry the gospel message to others. All of those issues were to agree to disagree. Thus coming down to today we have the many gospel preaching denominations. Many people go to a church where they have disagreements with but they are for a variety of reasons do not attend a church more closely related to their beliefs. I have been an elder and deacon in 3 Reformed theology churches. Moved twice. Went to classes for officers discussing the various Reformed documents of doctrine. Even the preachers admitted they had minor issues with them. Agree to disagree.

I am glad you asked that question: "Is there a law missing by which we could know God more adequately?"

This is not a law that is "missing", inasmuch as "omitting!"

And, is not so much a "law", as a "command!"

"Press ON!" "To the "High CALLING of God!" "IN Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!"

So many people that have believed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, "act/feel/behave" as if they have reached their "destination!"

Nay! It is, or should be anyway, the "ONLY, and Correct" "Beginning!" TO, a "more adequate" and "fruitful" knowing of God!

"Fellow Laborers", are not only other "people", involved in the "harvesting" process. There are also "angels, and Priests of God, and Priests of the Most High God", that "push, manipulate, separate, divide," our "inner spiritual being", to those "portions of God", to which our very complex spiritual/fleshly "attributes, or aspects" belong, or have their "House" in. (the Father's House....Many mansions, or "places of abidance!") To which Jesus "Went, to PREPARE!"....NOT FINISH! The believer, MUST "expend the effort/s" necessary (commanded), in the "Pressings ON!"

Sounds pretty "simple" don't it? And? It is! Which is probably the "why" so many people, oft times "cease" from their own personal "pressing on!" They have mistakenly "welded" simplicity, with "degree of difficulty!"