h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In my experience, knocking on doors looking for potential converts was one of the most nerve-wracking things I have ever had to do. Not even any of my early stand-up gigs come close.

I suppose it's because you're intruding on people in their homes, and, just like cornering a dog in its basket, that's when they can lash out. And it's not as if religion/faith is at the top of anyone's list when you ring the bell during Corrie. It's terrifying, and I can see the fear in the eyes of the people who knock on my door now.

When, occasionally, we met someone who was willing to talk... darn straight we went back later. Otherwise what's the point?

Were you a JW, Geoff Taylor? I had been assuming you were Baptist, Open Brethren or the like...

Open Brethren... good guess. Certainly close enough for these purposes.

Well done

I was Open Brethren once, as well. I was going at one stage, turn about, to an Open Brethren chapel and an Anglican church. Talk about culture shock! The Anglican church was *exactly* what you have been describing as 'lukewarm', unlike the Anglican church we'd been at in Wellington in the 1980s. However, I have moved on theologically, as I there are Open Brethren attitudes I believe are massive misinterpretations of the Bible and also, I think many OBs are as much on a power trip as some EBs!

My apologies for not answering this post sooner. As I mentioned before this thread is a little hard to follow. If I have not responded to anyone, you can be sure it is not for want of trying.

Re Della's comment "may I assume that means you think I am a fool?"
Well, if you like. I wasn't referring to you in particular, but you know yourself better than I, and if the shoe fits....

Charmed, I am sure...

I was just wondering if there is no difference between Catholic and Protestant how did they begin fighting about it all?

Has it evolved into pure politics rather than religion? What is still going onin Ireland that is.

>>I was just wondering if there is no difference between Catholic and Protestant how did they begin fighting about it all?<<
Oh, there's heaps of difference! The Northern Ireland thing is not a religious conflict at all, there just happens to some overlap between geographical/political groups and religious ones.
In the 16th century (I think) Martin Luther and John Calvin 'began' Protestantism, and the churches which bear those names. But the fact that in UK/NZ/USA and most of the 'West', Protestants are in the majority does not mean that Catholics are not Christian.
I wish a person who *is* a Catholic (and I know there are some on h2g2) would come along and explain things better than I can...
Some issues are: Mary, the place of saints and confession to a priest. Come along, Catholics!

Don't forget the Pope and his Papal Authority...

Oh, has anyone mentioned the Council of Nicea yet? A307487

Abbi Normal, Peet is perfectly right, that (Papal Authority) is a big one. I just did a search, there is a good edited guide entry on Catholicism. I'd give a link if I was at all sure how I am not very good at links...

Della, just type the A-number (with a capital-A) and it becomes a link. Preview it first to check you got it right...

THANKS, I'll give it a go...

"The Northern Ireland thing is not a religious conflict at all, there just happens to some overlap between geographical/political groups and religious ones."

Thats what I wondered! Thanks.
Sadly... I have never known what the Irish conflict is about.

I understand the church spliting and the differences.
It is the NON Christians primarily, that seem most confused about Catholics and catholics (eastern Orthadox) Also for the definition of a Christian. The main thing I see left to define is what a Christian is! Some have a more narrow gate than othersfor defining it.Which IS why there are different types!

I do not see what difference it makes to a confident *non* Christian, how Christians define themselves. I really did not understand people getting upset , as Geoff seemed to, over the *definitions* of Christian.

Here goes - the guide entry I looked at is:
A533828
Well worth reading! I am not a Roman Catholic, but I have friends who are..(For the record, I am former Salvationist/Open Brethren - now an Anglican 'High' enough to shock my Scottish Presbyterian great-grandfather, who rode around the goldfields of Central Otago in NZ, carrying a collapsible pulpit on his horse, and preaching to gold-miners who had the Gaelic, but nae the English, or at least weren't fluent in it.)

Thanks for the link Peet.

Wow family history to have! Fun details

"Scottish Presbyterian great-grandfather, who rode around the goldfields of Central Otago in NZ, carrying a collapsible pulpit on his horse"

Abbi, I *do* understand what he was getting upset about...I hope I don't misrepresent you Geoff, but here goes - he (and I) come from a denomination which has a pretty 'narrow gate'. He was bothered by people (and I've come across them as well) who call themselves Christian But (in extreme cases) don't even believe in God, yet go to church. Many of them do a lot of good, but I often wonder why they bother, and don't just become social activists or social workers instead (and at least two men of this type that I know of left the ministry to do just that!) I agree with Geoff that it is intellectually dishonest not to leave if you really don't believe.
On the other hand, I would not go along with such a 'narrow gate' myself..

He's the most famous person in my family. (No, really, I was astonished to discover, after my Mum's reminiscences of him, that he really *is* famous among Scottish Interest Genealogy and History groups in NZ!)
The Reverend James Murdoch Fraser, if anyone else is interested...

But (in extreme cases) don't even believe in God, yet go to church.

WOW. Really!?! OK .I GET THAT one! Perfectly clear then. Geoff feel free to state your view also.

Thanks again for that explanation

Having family history like that is really fun. You could write an entry about him!