-Religion Census

Associated Press ... breaking news | September 18, 2002

[NYer]

Thought EVERYONE would enjoy reading this survey.

[NYer]

Something we can all appreciate.

[RnMomof7]

Smaller, evangelical Protestant denominations, along with the evangelical Mormon church, saw big increases.

I have found in WNY the cults are VERY active..this largely RC community does not know the word of God and can not easily pick up the "subtle" scripture changes made ..so what they hear SOUNDS like the bible they hear in church

A JW once told me they stay away from the "born agains" ..I believe that is not only because the born again would see the error in their teaching but would also be more likely to evangelize the 'missionaries" themselves

I met a Catholic aquaintance that had become a JW ..I could not believe it..his family was VERY active in the church..but he never knew what hit him..his ear did not hear the "minor changes " that spell false teaching

I am always trying to encourage private bible study so the word of god is known well enough people do not fall for false doctrine

[NYer]

this largely RC community does not know the word of God and can not easily pick up the "subtle" scripture changes made

Excellent point!! Since many catholics "hear" the "written word" on Sunday at mass, they don't often feel called to pick up the bible for a good read. When any "christian" comes a knowcking on the door, they are impressed by their knowledge of scripture and categorize them as God fearing individuals.

This is one bad habit the pope would like to see rectified.

[KennyV]

I agree. Their pitch can be very suttle and it's hard to determine where their misinterpretation of Scripture is.

In addition to reading and knowing the Word of God, there are many apologetic books avaliable that can let us know exactly where the cults will misinterpret Scripture.

Very much worth the time and price to become familiar with their tactics.

[RnMomof7]

Yes hearing is not the same as reading . You can miss a word. Now that might seem unimportant..but the JW bible changed ONE word and that makes Jesus an angel not God

We are told to hide it in our hearts for a reason..now I have a VERY hard time with memorizing chapter and verse (I always joke and say it is my Catholic genes, I can quote it I just have to find it :>)..But my ear picks up slight variations easily..that is because I read it and hear it ..

Do the missles still have the readings printed in them? Reading them as they are read would help..but it is still not a great substitute for some consistant pattern of regular study eithor a book ot topical..

Kenny is right it is helpful to read about the cults..but the way agents know counterfit bills is because they have studied the real thing

Do most parishes have bible studies now? I know my husbands has a daytime one...one at night would help..but I do not know how many folks would go (even protestants are lousey study attenders)

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

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Just trying to jog my memory - didn't Luther add the word "alone" to Romans 3:28 and change entirely the meaning of that verse? 7 posted on 9/18/02 5:04 PM Pacific by sandyeggo

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ping.....

[the_doc]

No, since it doesn't change the meaning of the verse. The idea is already in the Greek verse.

However, he definitely did put the clarifying word in the German translation (largely because he was exasperated at the RCC for not noticing what the verse was saying anyway).

[don-o]

Yes hearing is not the same as reading . You can miss a word. Now that might seem unimportant..but the JW bible changed ONE word and that makes Jesus an angel not God

Well, that is what you have to deal with, when you enlist in the sola scriptura camp.

I got an interpretation.

He got an interpretation.

All God's children got an interpretation.

And a translation.

[don-o]

And then eliminate the Epistle of St James?

I believe Luther called it "straw"?

[drstevej]

Ro 3:28 So halten wir nun dafür, daß der Mensch gerecht werde ohne des Gesetzes Werke, allein durch den Glauben.

[drstevej]

My German is marginal. Did pass a German reading exam years ago, by the grace of God!

[drstevej]

German loves compound words. I call it the everythinginthesentencestringtogether syndrome. (verbs come at the end)

[RnMomof7]

Did you read in school to learn or did the teacher read it too you??

Did your mom ever say to you " If everyone jumps off the bridge are you going to too?"

If they are wrong don you will have an eternity to discuss why you were that dumb...

[the_doc]

Oh, I'm not an ogre (grin).

[Salvation]

I am always trying to encourage private bible study so the word of god is known well enough people do not fall for false doctrine

Bumping that idea!