| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 62.1 | to reaffrim our faith | WMOIS::B_REINKE | We won't play your silly game | Thu Oct 11 1990 13:17 | 10 |
| Richard
It is my understanding that the creed was a summary statement
of what a Christian believes. I appreciate reciting the creed
as part of the communion service on Sunday and also during
the baptismal and confirmation service where it is done more
as a question and answer session between the pastor/bishop and
the congregation.
Bonnie
|
| 62.2 | | CSC32::M_VALENZA | Whistle while you note. | Thu Oct 11 1990 13:24 | 6 |
| While the Religious Society of Friends has a set of common traditions
and practices, it does not have any creeds as such. Personally, I am
opposed to creeds as a matter of principle, because to me they seem to
be a way of stifling dissent and freedom of thought.
-- Mike
|
| 62.3 | On the Other Hand...... | WMOIS::REINKE | Hello, I'm the Dr! | Thu Oct 11 1990 15:24 | 9 |
| re: .2 -- stifling dissent and freedom of thought
That's one pole -- and one I prefer -- but don't you think that if
one's life were continually filled with the kind of controversies this
file has already witnessed that one would yearn for just getting down
to business? It this not a matter of in-breath and out-breath, wherein
creed-thinking is perhaps in-breath and freedom out-breath?
DR
|
| 62.4 | | CLOSUS::HOE | Daddy, can I drive the Lancia? | Thu Oct 11 1990 15:34 | 8 |
| To me, the creed is the basis of common reference from which our
denomination comes from. The creed is the statement that I have
these basic beliefs. Stifling? Yes indeed, especially if you try
to add to the statement or detract from it. For instance, some
folks do not believe in the Trinity of God or the Virgin birth of
Christ.
calvin
|
| 62.5 | Yes | CARTUN::BERGGREN | Please, don't squeeze the shaman... | Thu Oct 11 1990 15:37 | 9 |
| DR .3,
I share your thoughts. I really like your imagery
of the in-breath and out-breath as well Don.
Nicely said. Thanks,
Karen
|
| 62.6 | Heavenly Father | ROMCSA::FIASCHI | | Fri Oct 12 1990 12:15 | 13 |
|
I believe that the only prayer Jesus teached us was "Heavenly Father"
(I do not know English translation).
Personally I was reaised as Catholic and I said this prayer many times:
it is a beautiful prayer, but do not agree that we have to repeat
words that the Lord didn't teach us to do.
Love
Marinella
|
| 62.7 | I believe... | JUPITR::NELSON | | Fri Oct 12 1990 14:23 | 44 |
| Underlying every religion or denomination there is a creed of core
beliefs that are the center of that faith. Sometimes creeds are
expressed in the liturgy and other times it's understood 'tacitly'
by the community. In fact, every organization, including families,
probably has a 'creed' of beliefs and key relationships that one must
maintain to be 'in good standing'.
Saying the creed is a witness of our beliefs. When we recite it in
Church we are re-asserting our belief in these truths. I think anyone
who actually did NOT believe their creed should either question their
relationship to that body of believers and/or should be prompted to
do more study and prayer about their faith.
In this day and age of 'supermarket faith' Creeds probably get under
the skin of some people who can't 'buy' it all. We, in our arrogance
(in my opinion) demand that it is the church and creed that must change
rather than either becoming obedient to the church or leaving it for
one with a creed we can truely profess.
When we recite the creed we are not only attesting to our own beliefs,
but also to that of the Church itself. We are once again affirming
the foundations of our religion.
As part of the Catholic Mass and also the Rosary, I'm not always
'on fire' when reciting this prayer, but it has often caused me to
reflect on aspects of the creed and to feel the strength of the
Church down through the ages. I have often paused to reflect on the
'agelessness' of this prayer and also that many people throughout
history have died to be able to proclaim it. In this way it takes
me deeper into my faith.
It is true that Jesus only taught one prayer, the Our Father, but he
did not say that that was the ONLY prayer to pray. We are told to be
strong in faith, to meditate on God's law and Word, to pray
unceasingly, to bring prayers of intercession (etc), and even to 'be
still and know I am God'. It seems that the Creed is one that we pray
to recall the foundation of our Faith - Jesus Christ - and that which
he instituted to propogate the faith - the Church.
I believe....
Mary
|
| 62.8 | | CSC32::M_VALENZA | I noted at Woodstock. | Fri Oct 12 1990 14:36 | 13 |
| The closest thing to a creed in the Religious Society of Friends is the
belief of "that of God in everyone". Theological issues regarding
Christology, the resurrection, virgin birth, etc., are left as
exercises for the believer. This has to do, I believe, with defining
faith not so much in terms subscribing to this or that theological
doctrine; rather, I see faith more as an issue of practice, commitment,
and passion. Different denominations impose doctrinal authority to
different degrees, and these differences probably suit the different
needs of various believers. As for me, I prefer for a religious faith
to respect my individual searching and self-exploration, and I resist a
force-fed dogma.
-- Mike
|
| 62.9 | Science of Mind | BSS::VANFLEET | Noting in tongues | Fri Oct 12 1990 14:47 | 24 |
| To follow Mike's note...the same is pretty much true of Religious
Science. Fundamental to the church is that the Divine Presence is
essentially the fabric of the Universe. It runs in and through
everything. In this sense we are all Sons and Daughters of God.
The method of prayer, affirmative prayer is also a sort of creed. This
consists of 5 steps:
1. Acknowledge or affirm that God is All That Is
2. Align yourself with the Divinity within you
3. Affirm whatever it is that you're praying about in the now
moment
4. Give thanks that Divine will has already accomplished
whatever you're praying about
5. Release your words (if you try to hold onto them, you're
still trying to "do it" for God instead of letting God work
within you)
Nanci
|
| 62.10 | | SA1794::SEABURYM | Zen: It's not what you think | Wed Oct 17 1990 22:09 | 14 |
|
I guess there are creeds and there are creeds...
Actually I did a fair amount of thinking about this topic and have
come to about the same conclusion as Mike_V (We gotta find a way
to keep out Mikes sorted out in this conference)
They are useful in defining board issues of faith in an inclusive
rather than an exclusive manner.
So, I guess I'd say that they are useful in that they can help
bring people together who otherwise otherwise might be dividing
up into different groups based on very specific issues.
Mike
|
| 62.11 | | CSC32::J_CHRISTIE | A Higher Calling | Thu Oct 18 1990 11:42 | 5 |
| Were not creeds set up originally as a reaction against Gnostic
teachings?
Peace,
Richard
|
| 62.12 | | SA1794::SEABURYM | Zen: It's not what you think | Thu Oct 18 1990 15:30 | 15 |
| Re.11
I don't know, were they ?
Mike
BTW: I sorta doubt that the "Triple Treasure", which would
certainly qualify as a creed for Buddhists was not set
up as a reaction against gnostic teachings. The same
would hold true for the "Profession Of The Faith" for
a Muslim.
I guess what I am getting at is Christianity is not alone
in having creeds.
|
| 62.13 | | EDIT::SMITH | Passionate committment/reasoned faith | Thu Oct 18 1990 16:08 | 10 |
| To me, the creeds we occasionally use in United Methodist churches are
more a summary of historical belief or a modern rewording of such a
summary, than they are a statement of my current, literal beliefs. I
am thinking particularly of the Apostle's Creed, which I memorized at
some time in the past. I do not believe every word in it literally,
but it links me to the religious understandings of past, as well as
present, generations, and thus makes me feel connected to a vast
congregation of believers!
Nancy
|
| 62.14 | NO CREED | RAVEN1::WATKINS | | Sat Oct 27 1990 22:05 | 13 |
| The only thing you have to believe to be a member of my church
as a "babe in Christ" is the following: Do you believe in Jesus
Christ the Son of God? Do you believe Jesus Christ died to save you?
Are you baptized by emersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit by an ordained minister of the gospel.
The rest of our doctrine you will learn as a member.
Marshall
|