i've noticed myself being cautious in news and debate for the longest time, mostly lurking and not posting...and when i do post, not really using the full extent of my arguments. this i think is because i have such a hard time justifying "preaching" my religiously based views to a forum that is overwhelmingly liberal.

until now! where better to talk candidly about religion than a thread devoted to it. if there are any of you out there that are willing to simply talk theology, consider this thread your refuge. perhaps we could get a little doctrinal debate going here and divide the board even more!

it should be noted that the topic of this thread is religious doctrines, not religion itself. this is not the place to claim whether or not there is a god or free will, per se, it's more of a place to discuss what kind of faith you do have.

I guess I don't get it, but here goes. I wonder about a couple of things.


1. How has this country became so anti-religion at the same time vote for canidates representing the more moral side?

2. Why is organized religion looked down upon?

good questions, but i didn't create this thread to discuss politics. i'm not saying those aren't good questions, just, not where i want this thread to go. i was thinking more along the lines of:

1. why do protestants subscribe to sola scriptura/sola fide salvational arguments whereas catholics believe the 2000+ year tradition of the church's teachings are a supplement to scripture and are also necessary for salvation?

Sorry, but I don't understand any of that other stuff you just talked about. Doh, just have a degree in PS and working on one in Sec. Edu. I am no theologian(sp?)

oh, no biggy. i'm no theologian either. i just entertained the idea of being a theology major for a semester or two and took some classes.

i guess what i'm asking is this:

most protestants i've encountered believe that salvation lies in the literal interpretation of the scripture.

most catholics will tell you that salvation also depends on christ's continuing intervention on earth via priests and church traditions (sacraments), in addition (and as a result of) a more symbolic/abstract interpretation of scripture.

why the difference? what does that mean for humanity? how can we resolve this?