Why are there so many different sects?

[Omni]

It's only a problem when they're not right. They are right almost half the time.

Again, you ignore the first "problem." God. You keep skirting around the issue at hand, the One you ignore, the One you think we won't notice. That you ignore doesn't mean we aren't noticing.

Let me come at this from a different angle. The bible must be interpreted specifically right? Or else denominations wouldn't have very specific flavours, would they? And if they all assert a specific, whole, exclusive truth, well then by dentition there can only be one of those. There can exist only one specific interpretation which is true; if falsity exists in an interpretation, then the interpretation is not correct.

Man A is a Methodist. He believes his interpretation of the bible to be the correct interpretation. Man B is a Baptist. Some of his interpretation differs from the interpretation held by man A, but he believes his interpretation of the bible to be the correct interpretation. Man C is a Presbyterian. Some of his interpretation differs from the interpretations held by man A, and man B, but he believes his interpretation of the bible to be the correct interpretation. (I won't list every denomination, because I'm quite sure you get the idea).

Simple logic. Each letter represents a specific idea, and each idea is asserted to be a specific, whole, and exclusive truth. Thus by implication, if A is true, falseity must exist in other interpretations. So if A is true, then B and C are false. If B is true, then A and C are false. If C is true, then A and B are false. So on and so forth.

However, it is not objectively possible to establish which letter is true. Thus, A, B and C could all be false. What is the probability of falseity in them all? Well, since interpreting the bible is a subjective practice given that there exist no definitive logical markers with which to create a foolproof, specific, whole, exclusive interpretation, then there are an incalculable number of possible interpretations. But even if we only look at Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian, no one interpretation is inherently favourable above the other.

So does it make any logical difference if I'm Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian?

 

[GuessWho]

Let me come at this from a different angle. The bible must be interpreted specifically right? Or else denominations wouldn't have very specific flavours, would they? And if they all assert a specific, whole, exclusive truth, well then by dentition there can only be one of those. There can exist only one specific interpretation which is true; if falsity exists in an interpretation, then the interpretation is not correct.

I don't see it like this. Truth is only one and different denominations reflect only some aspects of this truth in the detriment of the whole. It is not false what they say. It's just not complete, not universal, not catholic.

The exclusivist, unilateral kind of thinking is specific for heretics. They emphasize only one aspect of the revelation and say "this and only this is the truth!". Is like you took a human face and said that the nose alone is the face.

 

[PeacefulWarrior]

There can exist only one specific interpretation which is true

By man's logic -- what about God's logic?

So does it make any logical difference if I'm Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian?

I think Baptist is the best way to go with this list -- Baptists are non-denominational. I come from a non-denominational movement as well; Church of God, Anderson.

 

[just-me]

Let me come at this from a different angle. The bible must be interpreted specifically right? Or else denominations wouldn't have very specific flavours, would they? And if they all assert a specific, whole, exclusive truth, well then by dentition there can only be one of those. There can exist only one specific interpretation which is true; if falsity exists in an interpretation, then the interpretation is not correct.

Man A is a Methodist. He believes his interpretation of the bible to be the correct interpretation. Man B is a Baptist. Some of his interpretation differs from the interpretation held by man A, but he believes his interpretation of the bible to be the correct interpretation. Man C is a Presbyterian. Some of his interpretation differs from the interpretations held by man A, and man B, but he believes his interpretation of the bible to be the correct interpretation. (I won't list every denomination, because I'm quite sure you get the idea).

Simple logic. Each letter represents a specific idea, and each idea is asserted to be a specific, whole, and exclusive truth. Thus by implication, if A is true, falseity must exist in other interpretations. So if A is true, then B and C are false. If B is true, then A and C are false. If C is true, then A and B are false. So on and so forth.

However, it is not objectively possible to establish which letter is true. Thus, A, B and C could all be false. What is the probability of falseity in them all? Well, since interpreting the bible is a subjective practice given that there exist no definitive logical markers with which to create a foolproof, specific, whole, exclusive interpretation, then there are an incalculable number of possible interpretations. But even if we only look at Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian, no one interpretation is inherently favourable above the other.

So does it make any logical difference if I'm Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterian?

IMO no denomination is totally right, but I do admire the basic foundation of believing in Christ Jesus. Hopefully they are not propagating a false Messiah by distortion. Many do actually. They all have their pet projections. The basis is to not separate God's actual words whether in the old or in the new. If it doesn't all match perfectly, it's all wrong. True belief in Christ is an ongoing process, and denominational beliefs seem to all stifle that and contribute to being stuck in a rut. Read my sig.