Christianity.. Is it possible to find a church for me?

[Bindi33]

I have been raised Church of Christ all of my life, and my family are very devout to the church, but I haven hardly been since I've been in college. I do not agree with the Church of Christ teaching. Even as far back as high school, something about the church didn't sit right with me. Now that I am in college my world view has been broadened even more. I just cannot believe in a God that would condemn a believer to hell for not being baptized, or being homosexual.

Not to mention the implicit sexism in church services, and the downright explicit sexism of the bible. I'm struggling. I believe in God, I want to believe in God and Christianity. But how can I when the teachings seem to go against my core values. Is there a church out there that believes what I believe? That God is loving and forgiving, that men and women are equal, that all people or equal for that matter. That being a good person, being compassionate, loving, doing good deeds is what matters? It seems that all the church teaches is that if you are gay or engage in sex before marriage or yada yada are doomed to go to hell. I'm ranting but I'm struggling. I really want to belong to a church but only one that believes what I believe. I will not belong to a church that teachings offend me just for the sake of belong to a church. Can anyone help me? Suggestions for churches/denominations

[taiko]

Is it that you can't possibly believe that a God thinks you are wrong? Or is it impossible for you to be wrong. There are many assemblies of people from atheist to the worship of multiple gods but in the end we get to the point that Bindi33 is correct

[M30USA]

I have been raised Church of Christ all of my life, and my family are very devout to the church, but I haven hardly been since I've been in college. I do not agree with the Church of Christ teaching. Even as far back as high school, something about the church didn't sit right with me. Now that I am in college my world view has been broadened even more. I just cannot believe in a God that would condemn a believer to hell for not being baptized, or being homosexual.

 

You don't go to hell for not being baptized in water or being homosexual. You go to hell for rejecting the call of the Holy Spirit to believe upon Jesus Christ. All sins can be forgiven. But to reject Jesus is to reject forgiveness and remain in condemnation.

 

Not to mention the implicit sexism in church services, and the downright explicit sexism of the bible. I'm struggling. I believe in God, I want to believe in God and Christianity. But how can I when the teachings seem to go against my core values. Is there a church out there that believes what I believe? That God is loving and forgiving, that men and women are equal, that all people or equal for that matter. That being a good person, being compassionate, loving, doing good deeds is what matters? It seems that all the church teaches is that if you are gay or engage in sex before marriage or yada yada are doomed to go to hell. I'm ranting but I'm struggling. I really want to belong to a church but only one that believes what I believe. I will not belong to a church that teachings offend me just for the sake of belong to a church. Can anyone help me? Suggestions for churches/denominations

 

All ages of humankind have had their unique "issues" with the Word of God. All these ages have come and gone, while the Word of God has remained and will remain forever. Most of these issues are merely the product of circumstance, the way people were raised, what happens to be politically acceptable, and what scientists tell us. Sometimes they are right, but more often they are wrong. This is why we must accept the Word of God by faith, because "all other ground is shifting sand", as the hymn goes.

[Bindi33]

What I am trying to say is that.. I was raised that you will undoubtedly go to hell for being homosexual AND/OR not being baptized, etc. I was raised that a sin is a sin. Meaning that being homosexual or having sex before marriage (etc.) is on the same level as rape or murder. I was questioning whether or not that is the belief throughout all Christian denominations. I believe in a God that loves. A God that cares more about how you treat others than your sexuality. I wanted to know if there were denominations more focused on that aspect, before I just ruled out organized religion completely

[TheFinalWord]

I have been raised Church of Christ all of my life, and my family are very devout to the church, but I haven hardly been since I've been in college. I do not agree with the Church of Christ teaching. Even as far back as high school, something about the church didn't sit right with me. Now that I am in college my world view has been broadened even more. I just cannot believe in a God that would condemn a believer to hell for not being baptized, or being homosexual.

Not to mention the implicit sexism in church services, and the downright explicit sexism of the bible. I'm struggling. I believe in God, I want to believe in God and Christianity. But how can I when the teachings seem to go against my core values. Is there a church out there that believes what I believe? That God is loving and forgiving, that men and women are equal, that all people or equal for that matter. That being a good person, being compassionate, loving, doing good deeds is what matters? It seems that all the church teaches is that if you are gay or engage in sex before marriage or yada yada are doomed to go to hell. I'm ranting but I'm struggling. I really want to belong to a church but only one that believes what I believe. I will not belong to a church that teachings offend me just for the sake of belong to a church. Can anyone help me? Suggestions for churches/denominations

 

That you are struggling is good. I believe crises in faith are when we experience the most spiritual growth.

 

I personally recommend to spend 6 to 8 months, reading the bible on your own. Research answers, praying that God shows you the truth...before looking for a denomination. Denominational-ism will not fill the void (I've tried). On another note, I have always felt the church of Christ denomination is overly legalistic.

[M30USA]

TFW! He's back! What's up, buddy?

 

OP, try out Evangelical Free Church. They are pretty biblical with doctrine and they aren't top heavy with power and control, therefore they are less prone, I believe, to corruption and becoming tainted by the all-too-common need to tickle the ears of its members.

Edited December 19, 2013 by M30USA

[happydate]

I have been raised Church of Christ all of my life, and my family are very devout to the church, but I haven hardly been since I've been in college. I do not agree with the Church of Christ teaching. Even as far back as high school, something about the church didn't sit right with me. Now that I am in college my world view has been broadened even more. I just cannot believe in a God that would condemn a believer to hell for not being baptized, or being homosexual.

Not to mention the implicit sexism in church services, and the downright explicit sexism of the bible. I'm struggling. I believe in God, I want to believe in God and Christianity. But how can I when the teachings seem to go against my core values. Is there a church out there that believes what I believe? That God is loving and forgiving, that men and women are equal, that all people or equal for that matter. That being a good person, being compassionate, loving, doing good deeds is what matters? It seems that all the church teaches is that if you are gay or engage in sex before marriage or yada yada are doomed to go to hell. I'm ranting but I'm struggling. I really want to belong to a church but only one that believes what I believe. I will not belong to a church that teachings offend me just for the sake of belong to a church. Can anyone help me? Suggestions for churches/denominations

 

Bindi,

 

You are absolute correct in your assessment! I was in your shoes many years back.

 

First of all, the Kingdom of God is within all of US. This meant anyone can commune with the lord. Mainstream churches want you to believe only special people like priests, people who go to bible university, pastors, reverends or even the pope can talk to God. This is absolutely untrue and is just propaganda for the churches to control you, to be slaves so they can become the power controller and that you need them to talk to God or need them to provide eternal salvation. Which are common themes to control their followers.

 

Secondly,the bible is written not by Jesus Christ, but by his loyal followers. They are eye witness accounts, but you need to remember that they were written 2000 years ago through their eyes, which will always contain some personal bias! The bible is a good place to start because it contains some good moral values, but you need to ensure that you don't literally take its words sentence by sentence. As you have probably realized by now, 2000 years of personal biases do not jive within our modern 21st century personal bias. There are some things in the bible that are true and should be applied even in the 21st century.

 

Humans beings twisted the word of God and are making us suffer through doctrines and dogmas written by people who live 2000 years ago. Imagine how you feel if you are still tied to using Morse Code while we all enjoy using cell-phones! You will suffer with the same personal limitation. There has to be another way to do this?

 

There is. And that is, all flesh will eventually lead towards God. Jesus always said you can always use any means to attain personal christhood, not necessarly through Christianity. Being compassionate, being grateful, providing love to the disadvantaged or the suffering are actually traits of a loving God. And that's what you believe. Then why are you not feeling close to God?

 

The requirement for Jesus Christ and the ascended masters to appear as your teacher is that, you must embrace the divine love, traits of eternal gratitude and self-forgiveness and compassion. This has been my experience thus far. If you still have negative emotions like hate, fear, remorse, depression etc, then it's best that you resolve those imbalanced psychology.

 

There are churches who will support your views, but they won't contain the bling bling factor and will try to stay out of the lime light. Meaning, the place won't be too flashy, too luxury and too affuent per se, because Jesus Christ never believed in materialism anyhow as well as he specifically said that he dislike followers who turn his father house as a house of trade. These churches tend to ask only for donations to keep the lights on, while the land or property are donated by members who believe in the good. This can be in contrast with the old churches in Europe where they would sell Salvation Notes to extract land from people who confessed and want to right their sins, while leaving nothing to their offsprings. One of the reasons why some Churches own so much land in Europe!

 

I sensed that you are suffering, because you felt like you are a victim of something. What you must be is to empower youself from being a victim to BECOMING the children of God. And the reason we are weak and are victimized is because, society possess us in a form of materialistic debt. Just look at the United States of America; one of the most indebted and consuming country in the world where people BUY stuff just to be happy. You should read Dan Savage's sins of Sodom and Gommorah. Very funny, but for a homosexual and somewhat Atheist, he got a lot of valid points to make. His answers to sex, gluttony, etc are just so funny and well made sense.

 

All I can say that, premarital sex and homosexuality are things God does not approve of, but does not condemn for it because God gave you FREE WILL. How can God condemn to hell if he gave all of us FREE WILL? But there are consequences if you misuse this free will. How many of these people are truly happy? Now, if they are, why people who love sex keep wanting more sexual orgies and why homosexuals support more hedonistic parties/orgies if they are truly happy?

 

Heaven is a place of happiness and joy. How can you go to heaven when you're sad, angry, hateful etc... Hell is what you create, not what God gave you.

 

Blessings..

Edited December 19, 2013 by happydate

[Allumere]

Hey Bindi. Takes a lot of courage to reach out and ask for help on this. I would imagine simplly having these thoughts could cause some difficulty between you and family or other friends from the church given their very conservative views and adherence to the Bible. There are Christian churches that have a different view. Just Google. I think there is even a site that identified all those churches. It may be useful to check them out or at least read "What they believe" to understand why they hold this view. You can also look at Christian apologist sites as the explanations they provide as to why something is believed based on the Bible are usually very factual/clinical. I can tell you that the more you research, the more confused you may become...but that's OK. Lean on your relationship with God on this. Offer to him your confusion, questions etc. It's OK. It is normal to have doubts and questions particularly in this era. I would not agree with your church if that is what they are preaching only because it sounds dismissive. Yes, per the Bible, God has a big issue with sexually immorality..whether it is between the same sex or unmarried heterosexual couple or committing adultery. But God knows we are weak and will be tempted and even screw up. He is also merciful and as someone who is born again, a screw-up can repent. The tough nut is the individual that is homosexual because unlike the heterosexuals, there isn't the option of marriage to allow those physical relations to occur. I guess many believe they are to remain celibate and I can honestly say that would be a tremendous burden for someone born that way (and yes I know that is also a topic that is argued and not agreed upon). I have no answer on that aspect of it but I too will continue to try and understand what it is God wants us to do and will use all the tools I can to do so, including God himself.

Edited December 22, 2013 by Allumere

[M30USA]

Before you set out to find a church, please realize the following:

 

 

1) The true Church is spiritual. The true Church is belief in Jesus Christ and obedience to him. The true Church is the worldwide body of believers who live by the Holy Spirit, not by the wisdom of man or the institutions of man.

 

 

2) Don't look to any church institution, itself, for your salvation or ultimate guidance. Church institutions are made of human beings who are fallible, who might give you advice that is sometimes contrary to the Holy Spirit. This includes the pastors and elders.

 

 

3) It's good to gather together with fellow believers. Paul instructed us not to forsake this gathering. This is what "church" means--or should mean.

 

 

4) Just like how no health information is a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, attending a church is NOT a substitute for the advice and influence of the Holy Spirit. Remember that the Holy Spirit is not the same as "common sense", as many Christians seem to believe. The Holy Spirit is literally the Spirit of the living God moving through the world. Just as in ancient times, it speaks to people directly (though maybe not audibly), and its aim is to give us understanding and instruction so that we conform into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Good luck in your search.

Edited December 22, 2013 by M30USA

[Betrayed&Stayed]

I recommend that you look into the PCUSA denomination. It may be a good fit for you.

 

Social Issues ? Presbyterian 101 ? Mission and Ministry ? Presbyterian Mission Agency

 

PCUSA ordains women as pastors and leaders of the church. Individual members and congregations are all across the spectrum when it comes to homosexuality. As a denomination it is inclusive to LGBT members. Below is an excerpt from the website:

 

"Persons in a same-gender relationship may be considered for ordination and/or installation as deacons, ruling elders, and teaching elders (ministers of the Word and Sacrament) within the PC(USA)."

[Allumere]

I just came across this article....I found the comments interesting but it reflects how many Christians, even those that are conservation, address the topic of homosexuality.

Everyone?s a Biblical Literalist Until You Bring Up Gluttony