Prestigious but phony longevity of some denominations

[Boojatta]

Is it just puffery designed to fool outsiders, or is it actually believed by congregants?

For example, some Jehovah's Witnesses seem to think that if they have never heard of deism, then it hasn't been around long enough for the word to have been passed around, and that the Watchtower Society has been around longer. Some Pentecostalists claim that their organization has been around since the first Pentecost, which is mentioned in the New Testament. In fact, both denominations were founded by Americans who died in the 20th century. The name "Jehovah's Witnesses" wasn't adopted until 1931.

I suppose that we should give credit to all the people who lived and died in the Middle East or Europe and who somehow managed to get access to the Bible long before the one true church was established in North America. Of course, I mentioned two different churches above. However, I'm not going to reveal in this thread which is the one true church. Isn't the suspense exciting?

[msongs]

1. there is another one true church established in America post 1900 or so I believe nt

[Adsos Letter]

2. I think many Christian denominations claim longevity for their brand

by claiming to be in the direct line of succession from Peter (Catholicism) or, in the case of Protestants, that their teachings are most faithful to those of Jesus, or that they are the only truly "protestant" of the Protestants (SDA's); with SDA's being a home-grown American denomination which claims both faithfulness and true Protestantism, all other denominations having become apostate.

This, at least, is my understanding.

(and a long, poorly crafted sentence it was at that; hopefully, you take my menaing) :D

[vim876]

4. I feel like the Catholics...

at least have existed almost as long as they claim, which is a little different than, say, the Jehovah's witnesses.

[tnlurker]

3. I have run into several members of the Church of Christ

Here in the south that think that their church was founded 2000 years ago.

[jeepnstein]

5. And they would be correct.

If what they're practicing is Christianity as described in the New Testament without any additional doctrines, rule books, traditions, or much of the silliness we see attached to some denominations. These churches strive to model themselves after the First Century Church but quite often come up short of the ideal, but not for a lack of trying. Christianity as it is described in the New Testament is remarkably simple and durable.

If you want to have some fun with them, when they are discussing this or that facet of their religion ask them a simple question. "Where is that in the Bible?" If they have to spend tons of time doing mental gymnastics to justify what should be a simple proposition, then they have a ways to get yet in their walk.

[dimbear]

6. Stick with Zoroastrianism. Christianity and Islam are upstarts

compared with real oldtime religions. Unfortunately most of the key texts are lost.