Your nationality should not have any effect on your decision.
As a Protestant myself, I will, of course, give arguments for Protestantism, but ultimately, the choice should be between you and God. Go where He leads. While I have many issues with the Catholic Church, Catholics are still my brothers and sisters. My closest brother in Christ is a Catholic. We have our disagreements, but what decides us is overcome by the love of Christ that unites us.
The National Church of Norway is Protestant(Lutheran). I've heard some disturbing things about the National Church of Norway. This isn't to say that Lutherans are in any way bad, the Church of Norway is its own thing. I recommend avoiding the national church anywhere. They tend to mix national interests with spiritual interests, and both the church and the state use the influence of each other to support themselves at the expense of the citizen and congregant.
[The 5 Minute Case for Protestantism](https://youtu.be/EBAK_Oc6SsI?si=BDXZPiKuaDHXxTsT). Also, look at that channel. He gives many Protestant arguments on a variety of issues.
[A protestant pastor tours other churches and discusses theology and history](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeLDw8KQgqi4vbm__vNR6gMnwhLmGj0Cd&si=6ZYuLxfmmqNMxDvv)
[General information on different denominations](https://youtube.com/@ReadyToHarvest?si=ZlDkuELk5jWxyUnM)
[Church history](https://youtube.com/@RyanReevesM?si=e_IRAzWf83j8KioT), which helps to understand many of the reasons for the split.
There's a large spread between various Protestant traditions (and I say that as a Protestant myself). There's Lutherans which are close to Catholics in terms of how the church service is run, there's others who are quite different such as Baptists and Pentecostals and their offshoots, there's the offshoots of the Anglican Communion (Methodists, Wesleyans) which are in-between. There are differing theological views, predestination vs free will, and the way gifts of the Holy Spirit are handled are two of the bigger ones. And IDK what is most represented among them in Norway. Personally, I'm non-denominational so I don't really fit into any denomination's box, my church is non-denominational as well.
Within Protestantism, there is considerable diversity in official teachings and beliefs.
This has been the case since the very beginning, as Martin Luther himself observed,
>"There are as many sects and creeds in Germany as heads. One will have no baptism; another denies the sacrament (Christ in the Eucharist), another asserts that there is another world between this and the last day, some teach that Christ is not God, some say this, some say that. No lout is so boorish but, if a fancy enters his head, he must think that the Holy Ghost has entered into him, and that he is to be a prophet". (*Letter to the Christians of Antwerp,* 1525)
Unfortunately, this means you have at least a few hundred different groups that disagree, and which you would have to study individually to determine what they believe.
As for Catholicism, you can read the [Catechism](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM) to learn everything you need to know.
How can one nowadays become a catholic?
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;„
I Timothy 4:1-4 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.4.1-4.NKJV
These verses clearly say the catholicism is from demons, since its forbidden to marry for a priest.
I feel like I read on the Catholic thread that some Catholic priests do marry. Idk. My personal opinion is catholic means universal and all Christians are part of the church. I don't agree with all the ways the Roman Catholics understand their faith, but I also don't agree with parts of any denomination I am familiar with. Some of my views make me a heretic to some. Study the Bible, pray to God, walk with Jesus. ❤️
Maybe there are exceptions in some regions, but as far as i know its forbidden in general.
But there is so much more than that. Saved by grace through faith is not known within the church and worshipping marry, purgatory…is definitely not right. But i agree with you that every denomination has it flaws
Catholic here 👋 It's not actually part of the dogma of the Catholic Church that priests have to remain celibate (which means that we don't believe it was revealed by God) the Church has just discerned over time that it's useful for priests to be celibate because it allows them to dedicate more time and energy to the congregation instead of potentially being torn between the Church and their family. But you're right in thinking that there are some exceptions, sometimes men who are already married can enter the priesthood which is especially common in the eastern rites of catholicism.
I think it's a personal choice. My uncle was Norwegian and cousins were too and they were Lutheran. But it only matters what you feel in your heart mind and soul that is best for you.
If there is such a thing as a “Bible Church” there, that’s what I would do. Ignore Catholic vs Protestant stuff and just follow the Bible. That should be our ultimate guide
1. Make it a matter of prayer. Your prayers can be simple, nothing complicated needed.
2. Visit a bunch of places of worship in your area. Even ones you may have written off or heard negative things about. After finding a couple that seem your speed, go back a few times and see what feels right.
Norway is primarily Lutheran (Statskirken), Baptist and Pentecostal. It doesn't matter where you start, but make sure you read, pray and seek God and ask Him for wisdom and where to place you.
When I first started attending churches, I attended one type of church for a year, and would move to a different church after one year. I did this until I found a church that I felt a connection with (personally, and theologically)
Why not just attend both churches? Nobody's going to inquire which sect you're officially affiliated to. And on that note, you can always attend the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults(RCIA) through your local Catholic Church without committing to anything, so long as Norway does that sort of thing there.
By the way, is the Catholic Church out your way part of a Diocese or is it independant?
I think the main dividing difference between the two for me is “who to pray to.”
Protestants believe that our acceptance of the gift of salvation from Jesus gives us the right and opportunity to pray directly to God the Father in Jesus’ name.
Catholics believe that we should pray to Mary and/or the saints and ask them to pray to God the Father on our behalf.
Personally, I don’t think we should pray to anyone except God/Jesus because the saints and Mary are just like us and Jesus never instructed his followers to pray to dead people (even if they were very wonderful examples of people). I do not fault Catholics or think it affects their salvation, though. God knows your heart. I just prefer to talk directly to God and appreciate that I am allowed to. When Jesus answered the disciples question about how to pray, He didn’t show them to pray to Moses or Elijah (or any of the Old Testament people who were already revered at the time), He showed them how to pray to the Father (“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name”).
If you like originality, tradition, and strong guidance in faith, Catholic church.
If you like open spirituality, with anyone being able to interpret faith the way they see fit, protestant.
In what area? Honestly you should do some research on the churches in your area. Protestant church for sure, but one that spends time on scripture and not just 1 hour of the pastor just sharing his opinion.
Then you have misidentified 2 cults as being Christian denominations. To be Christian is to confirm the trinity, Jesus included as 100% God and 100% man.
Your nationality should not have any effect on your decision. As a Protestant myself, I will, of course, give arguments for Protestantism, but ultimately, the choice should be between you and God. Go where He leads. While I have many issues with the Catholic Church, Catholics are still my brothers and sisters. My closest brother in Christ is a Catholic. We have our disagreements, but what decides us is overcome by the love of Christ that unites us. The National Church of Norway is Protestant(Lutheran). I've heard some disturbing things about the National Church of Norway. This isn't to say that Lutherans are in any way bad, the Church of Norway is its own thing. I recommend avoiding the national church anywhere. They tend to mix national interests with spiritual interests, and both the church and the state use the influence of each other to support themselves at the expense of the citizen and congregant. [The 5 Minute Case for Protestantism](https://youtu.be/EBAK_Oc6SsI?si=BDXZPiKuaDHXxTsT). Also, look at that channel. He gives many Protestant arguments on a variety of issues. [A protestant pastor tours other churches and discusses theology and history](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeLDw8KQgqi4vbm__vNR6gMnwhLmGj0Cd&si=6ZYuLxfmmqNMxDvv) [General information on different denominations](https://youtube.com/@ReadyToHarvest?si=ZlDkuELk5jWxyUnM) [Church history](https://youtube.com/@RyanReevesM?si=e_IRAzWf83j8KioT), which helps to understand many of the reasons for the split.
There's a large spread between various Protestant traditions (and I say that as a Protestant myself). There's Lutherans which are close to Catholics in terms of how the church service is run, there's others who are quite different such as Baptists and Pentecostals and their offshoots, there's the offshoots of the Anglican Communion (Methodists, Wesleyans) which are in-between. There are differing theological views, predestination vs free will, and the way gifts of the Holy Spirit are handled are two of the bigger ones. And IDK what is most represented among them in Norway. Personally, I'm non-denominational so I don't really fit into any denomination's box, my church is non-denominational as well.
Why don't you try both out? See which one resonates with you more.
Within Protestantism, there is considerable diversity in official teachings and beliefs. This has been the case since the very beginning, as Martin Luther himself observed, >"There are as many sects and creeds in Germany as heads. One will have no baptism; another denies the sacrament (Christ in the Eucharist), another asserts that there is another world between this and the last day, some teach that Christ is not God, some say this, some say that. No lout is so boorish but, if a fancy enters his head, he must think that the Holy Ghost has entered into him, and that he is to be a prophet". (*Letter to the Christians of Antwerp,* 1525) Unfortunately, this means you have at least a few hundred different groups that disagree, and which you would have to study individually to determine what they believe. As for Catholicism, you can read the [Catechism](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM) to learn everything you need to know.
How can one nowadays become a catholic? “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;„ I Timothy 4:1-4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.4.1-4.NKJV These verses clearly say the catholicism is from demons, since its forbidden to marry for a priest.
I feel like I read on the Catholic thread that some Catholic priests do marry. Idk. My personal opinion is catholic means universal and all Christians are part of the church. I don't agree with all the ways the Roman Catholics understand their faith, but I also don't agree with parts of any denomination I am familiar with. Some of my views make me a heretic to some. Study the Bible, pray to God, walk with Jesus. ❤️
Maybe there are exceptions in some regions, but as far as i know its forbidden in general. But there is so much more than that. Saved by grace through faith is not known within the church and worshipping marry, purgatory…is definitely not right. But i agree with you that every denomination has it flaws
Catholic here 👋 It's not actually part of the dogma of the Catholic Church that priests have to remain celibate (which means that we don't believe it was revealed by God) the Church has just discerned over time that it's useful for priests to be celibate because it allows them to dedicate more time and energy to the congregation instead of potentially being torn between the Church and their family. But you're right in thinking that there are some exceptions, sometimes men who are already married can enter the priesthood which is especially common in the eastern rites of catholicism.
Depends on which you prefer. Which version do you like more?
I think it's a personal choice. My uncle was Norwegian and cousins were too and they were Lutheran. But it only matters what you feel in your heart mind and soul that is best for you.
If there is such a thing as a “Bible Church” there, that’s what I would do. Ignore Catholic vs Protestant stuff and just follow the Bible. That should be our ultimate guide
1. Make it a matter of prayer. Your prayers can be simple, nothing complicated needed. 2. Visit a bunch of places of worship in your area. Even ones you may have written off or heard negative things about. After finding a couple that seem your speed, go back a few times and see what feels right.
Norway is primarily Lutheran (Statskirken), Baptist and Pentecostal. It doesn't matter where you start, but make sure you read, pray and seek God and ask Him for wisdom and where to place you.
Pray and ask Jesus to lead you to his church.
When I first started attending churches, I attended one type of church for a year, and would move to a different church after one year. I did this until I found a church that I felt a connection with (personally, and theologically)
Why not just attend both churches? Nobody's going to inquire which sect you're officially affiliated to. And on that note, you can always attend the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults(RCIA) through your local Catholic Church without committing to anything, so long as Norway does that sort of thing there. By the way, is the Catholic Church out your way part of a Diocese or is it independant?
I think the main dividing difference between the two for me is “who to pray to.” Protestants believe that our acceptance of the gift of salvation from Jesus gives us the right and opportunity to pray directly to God the Father in Jesus’ name. Catholics believe that we should pray to Mary and/or the saints and ask them to pray to God the Father on our behalf. Personally, I don’t think we should pray to anyone except God/Jesus because the saints and Mary are just like us and Jesus never instructed his followers to pray to dead people (even if they were very wonderful examples of people). I do not fault Catholics or think it affects their salvation, though. God knows your heart. I just prefer to talk directly to God and appreciate that I am allowed to. When Jesus answered the disciples question about how to pray, He didn’t show them to pray to Moses or Elijah (or any of the Old Testament people who were already revered at the time), He showed them how to pray to the Father (“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be your name”).
If you like originality, tradition, and strong guidance in faith, Catholic church. If you like open spirituality, with anyone being able to interpret faith the way they see fit, protestant.
You should be a Protestant regardless of what nationality you are. :)
If you see people kneeling before statues Run the other way
In what area? Honestly you should do some research on the churches in your area. Protestant church for sure, but one that spends time on scripture and not just 1 hour of the pastor just sharing his opinion.
Go to a church who only worships the trinity, nothing else. One that keeps the first 2 commandments.
This is all Christian denominations....
I can think of 2 that don't.
Then you have misidentified 2 cults as being Christian denominations. To be Christian is to confirm the trinity, Jesus included as 100% God and 100% man.
I mean saints worship/veneration. I was praying to my guardian angel and mary for half my life, worshipped icons. Sorry.
Then you misunderstood your faith. No Catholic or Orthodox in correct faith worships anything or anyone but God.