I agree with part of this although you are WAY off with 1800 years ago. The Spanish Inquisition was at the time of Columbus. The Jews were slaughtered wholesale in Spain and Portugal by "The Church." The Church were all Catholics until after Martin Luther, remember? I realize that Protestants don't follow the "Holy Father" and see the Pope as the divine ruler of Christianity, as Catholics do. I think 'Protestant' and 'splinter group' should be synonymous, based on their behavior. However, you have to realize that no matter how much you protest, identifying yourself as Christian lumps you in will all the others in the minds of most of the world, like it or not. Personally, I agonize with you. It is beyond me in a way how you can so strongly identify with a group when a large portion of others who similarly self-identify revile you. I know the depth of your feels, so I understand the difficulty. If it were me (and I've had plenty of similar trouble in this realm) I'd stop using the label and go my own way.... Going my own way is pretty much a hallmark of being me :)
Re: Part 1 of 2
I think 'Protestant' and 'splinter group' should be synonymous, based on their behavior. However, you have to realize that no matter how much you protest, identifying yourself as Christian lumps you in will all the others in the minds of most of the world, like it or not. Personally, I agonize with you. It is beyond me in a way how you can so strongly identify with a group when a large portion of others who similarly self-identify revile you. I know the depth of your feels, so I understand the difficulty. If it were me (and I've had plenty of similar trouble in this realm) I'd stop using the label and go my own way....
Going my own way is pretty much a hallmark of being me :)
Re: Part 1 of 2
I was baptized Greek Orthodox, remember? There were Christians who weren't Catholics before Luther.
Longer reply when I'm more awake.