[poll] Meaning of Whitsun / Pentecost

[pne]

Apparently, there are a lot of people who say they are Christians but don't know much about their own faith (such as how many apostles Jesus had or what is celebrated at Christmas). I thought I'd post a poll to see what people know about Whitsun / Pentecost (different people seem to use different names; as far as I know, both words refer to the same thing), which is coming up this weekend.

[Poll #300235]

Comments

[diffrentcolours]

I keep getting confused between Pentecost and the Exorcist.

[denial-land.livejournal.com]

I was brought up über-religious; when I was very young my father was "called" to be a deacon, so I know EVERYTHING about Christian, or at least Catholic faith. Last summer I formally quit church, because I do not believe in God.

[bride.livejournal.com]

how many apostles Jesus had

12. One for every finger.

what is celebrated at Christmas

Santa Claus finding Rudolph to be lead reindeer for his sleigh.

Hrm.

[none-too-subtle.livejournal.com]

I think, since I am a christian and will tell anyone who asks, makes me, by default living the life of one (or I try my best to). It's individual for each person, I think. It shouldn't be 'active' just because one shows up for church (as I was brought up to believe, having two very Southern Baptist parents).

I'm ecumenical, but Christian. On Sundays, however, I volunteer at a nursing home (I play piano for their in-house church service). Does that count?

being active

[pne.livejournal.com]

You get to provide your own definition for being active - hence the "I consider myself". The basic idea I had behind it was "I take my religion fairly seriously and it affects the way I live my life", not necessarily attendance in any particular house of worship or adherance to a specific denomination.

From your description, you're an active Christian.

Re: being active

[none-too-subtle.livejournal.com]

Ah, good. Because some feel that 'being active' means participation with groups. I just don't. Yes, I consider myself a Christian; but don't you think it's shocking how many athiests and agnostics are on LJ?! Weird, to see that many people in one social group NOT believe in God, when 95% of the world does.

Re: being active

[elgrande.livejournal.com]

95% of the world? Where does that figure come from?
According to wikipedia there are 2.1 billion Christians, which would make a third of the world's population.

I think in contrast to what it seems to be like in the US, really being an active Christian is perhaps somewhat unusual here in Germany. A lot of people who are officially Christians don't really believe in Him. Actually I'm personally a bit surprised about how many people in this poll do seem to know what this holiday is all about. I doubt my family or most of my friends would know.

Re: being active

[none-too-subtle.livejournal.com]

Catholic diocese.

I agree. I loved living in Germany, and plan on moving to Europe when my daughter's grown. Although my German friends and I rarely discussed religion, they weren't really open to talking about it. Plus you didn't see as many churches there as you do here. Then again, I'm slap dab in the middle of the bible belt; so there's a church on every corner.

And I think a lot of people shy away from talking about their religious beliefs anyway; which is a shame. Really.

Re: being active

[thedward.livejournal.com]

You can get up to about 70% if you add Christianity (33%), Islam (22%) and Hinduism (%15). That is, at least 70% of the world's population espouses a belief in one or more gods. I got this from Adherents.com (http://adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html).

[thedward.livejournal.com]

I do find it kind of sad that most self-proclaimed "Christians" I come across know less about Christianity than I do, and I am a self proclaimed Zen Pantheist Discordian Atheist (I basically had no exposure to Christianity until people started telling me I was going to go to hell (around 7th or 8th grade)).

Believe what you choose, people, but PLEASE understand what you are claiming to believe in. (Not directed at you, obviously).

(and *digs in brain* the birthday of something or other...maybe the deaconate?)

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

The birthday of the church, as that was the first day that the apostles preached to the world, gentile and jew alike.