[eartick]

I have to agree with you out to about 99%.

I do believe there is some good in Church teachings. As a youngun, I grew up learning the bible and other teachings every Sunday school classes held at our Church while my parents attended church services.

Of course we were from an old German settlement but from these teachings my belief in God was established. My parents also instilled these beliefs at home as well.

I still attend the same clapboard church and Sunday school is conducted in the same manner as it was 55 years ago.

[markomalley]

Church teachings inform us how a particular passage of Scripture is to be interpreted. This is fairly important for all: think about the differences in denominations on really important issues. Such as the difference between Lutherans and Presbyterians (for the purpose of our discussion, let’s talk about LCMS vs PCA/OPC...so we can leave aside what’s happened in other groups in modern times). Or think about the difference between Baptists and Reformation Protestants (such as with infant baptism and its effect). Or even the differences between Southern Baptists, Independent Fundamental Baptists, and General Baptists. Or think about the differences between charismatics and others. Some of those differences are relatively trivial, some are actually central to the Faith (I think about the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism as being pretty foundational). Yet most, if not all, claim to believe in the Scriptures as their sole source for doctrine and practice.

Church teaching provides for a relatively constant understanding of what, exactly, is meant and what should be believed. Unless you are sitting at home with nothing other than a Bible and a Strong’s Concordance, you will see Church teaching one way or the other.

[knarf]

Not sure your denomination (and it doesn't matter) but yes, some church teachings are good, however ... I think you might find most or all "church' teachings are just biblical priciples that are being practiced that 99% of the church "public" disagrees with or does not know about

i.e.

Pants on women .... long hair on men ... short hair on women ... submissiveness of wife to husband ... etc.

I attend a Baptist church and we are known, derogatorily , as those people that don't allow women to wear pants ... or that pastor that doesn't allow women to wear pants ... neither of which is true.

But about once or twice a year we DO hear the messages from Deuteronomy about that which pertaineth to a man or a woman. (hmmm ... how about THAT ... my spell checker underlined pertaineth ... I guess English is no longer recognized ... )

I rest my case here.