I have found that I can't let others get in my way, as far as the Lord is concerned. If they want to be that way towards others, then that is there worry, not mine.
God
Jesus
heaven/hell
afterlife
reincarnation
ghosts
aliens
Bigfoot
Loch Ness Monster
I believe in none of the above
I have found that I can't let others get in my way, as far as the Lord is concerned. If they want to be that way towards others, then that is there worry, not mine.
That's the stance I have learned to take as well katie. Hence the reason we are still looking for a good Church where people are happy to be there and truly believe in the practices they preach. I know no Church is going to be prefect because Churches are filled with humans but I am just looking for a good fit for me. Ya know?
I do know, and admire you for looking, and not giving up.
smellslikealmonds - wise advice. If you don't go, how can you expect that of them. I am agnostic on a good day, a raging athiest on a bad day. But, church and/or Sunday school never hurt a child. I think I can safely say from what I have read about you all so far, none are far out Fred Phelps nut type "Christians".
Diva - trust me, it would take way more than that to offend me! I may be a Godfearing Baptist, but I also say live and let live. If you don't jive with my thinking, no sweat. As long as I'm not judged, I try not to judge anyone else. If I am judged, I normally just think that it's their loss. As long as no one hurts any animals, then everything will be cool!
But I must say, I hope my church isn't like that. I will say that I'm a Southern Baptist (I don't know if that was your church or not) and I don't know how different a Southern Baptist is from a regular Baptist. My church doesn't preach often on homosexuality. As a matter of fact, I haven't ever heard them preach on it other than quoting Corinthians and that's in with a list of a whole lot of other things. My church is more of an "Everyone's Welcome" type church. I do understand about the "cliquery" aspect, I see that as well. I think that's probably everywhere though. I just try to be nice to everyone and everyone seems nice to me. I've always said that I go to church to praise, worship and learn. I don't go to make friends. I do have some great friends that I met in church, but that's not my reason for going.
Going back to the homosexuality issue, my God is a God of love. He loves everyone (even the ones who don't love him) and he created everyone (and God don't make no mistakes). I have no idea why he created some people homosexual and some people heterosexual, but I don't know why he did a lot of things. He didn't ask for my advice at any time. All I know, is the Bible tells us to love everyone (it doesn't say anything about LIKING everyone), so that's what I try to do. A guy that works for me goes to a different Baptist church and is most definately homophobic. I just can't wait until his son finally has "the talk" with him. It's coming like a freight train. I'm interested to see how this man reacts. Will he have a Christian attitude or will he have a attitude full of "religion"?
As far as a judgemental church goes, I think the vast majority of churches are that way, unfortunately.
Hypocrisy is definately rampant over here. And did you know that if you call people on it, they tend to get upset? How rude of them. Actually, yes, I've noticed that in many Christians. That's why I wasn't one for so long.
The bottom line is I'm more concerned with having a relationship with God, not a religion. I think if more Christians (and non-believers) thought that way, the world would be a lot better place.
Editor's Note: The above is ENTIRELY my opinion and not meant in any way to offend anyone.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Glad I could make you laugh! And no, I've never heard of him; however, I will say that although I found Christ (or he found me) at 19, I was never raised in church. I definately didn't know what to do with my new "religion" at 19, so I just started reading the Bible. It wasn't until 3 or 4 years ago that I started church "shopping" and found myself in a Southern Baptist church. SO - all that to say, no, I don't know him, I don't even know who's head of it now. I'll check out the link though.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Diva so true. I was raised a Catholic. I tried other churches and then I finally figuredit out. I just do not like organized religion. I can say what I need to alone in my home. I guess I just do not need someone telling me right from wrong because I already know that. I did the sunday school thing for the kids when they were little and then let them make up their own minds on what church they wanted to go with or if they wanted to go with organized religion.
I really had a problem with a book that has been rewritten so many times by man and having a lot of foolish things in it. Especially about women and homosexuals.
Anyway I just do my thing on my own time and if I screw up I just ask forgiveness in a one on one chat. LOl Hope He is listening. LOL
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
NOV--I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm a Christian too (and ostensibly a Baptist, lol), and I've tried intermittently over the years to "find" a church I could attend without feeling like an "outsider" (being gay). The last Baptist church I attended (and this is in SAN FRANCISCO, mind you), handed me a list when I entered of "do's and dont's" when attending services. The first item on the list was a dress code, which addressed items like tight clothing and "inappropriate" colors--I remember purple was one of them.
I politely handed the list back to the guy and left. I've never tried again, I'll just do my "one on one's" with God as you say--so far it's working JUST FINE, thank you!
Try Episcopal, Jack. :-)
Jinx!
I'm really beginning to like my church better and better after all the posts on this thread. I can't begin to imagine people handing out a do and don't list before coming to church! Wow!
Hey! I have an idea! All of y'all just swing on down to Mississippi and come to my church. If nothing else, we Baptists can cook and eat! Have you ever heard of a Baptist going on a fast?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Thanks Noelle and Diva! I hadn't heard that before, and I will definitely give an Episcopal church a try...I appreciate your suggestions!
Hey, the lord works in mysterious ways.....(though whoever said that probably didnt have the FAD Forum in mind).
Episcopal Churches have fab music! Tends to be classical though. But usually the musicians are of high quality, at least in my experience.
May I go OT for a sec? I've got honey roasted peanuts and cant stop eating them.....somebody, quick, say something to make me stop!
Really? Well maybe it's just the church we attended. I don't even know how to describe it other than just ancient sounding, almost chanting. Maybe chanting is not the word I am looking for. I don't know. maybe I should start my own Church that preaches Episcopal beliefs but has a Baptist choir minister
I'll stop, I'll stop!!!
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Serious part: Being born and raised in a southern Baptist home, I hear (boy do I hear!) what'll y'all have discussed regarding cliques...been there and done that and my family forced out of a local church because the leader of the clique had it in for us. I guess we disrupted their little social club, and this particular small church had a history of "getting rid of troublemakers".
However, until Jesus returns, nobody's gonna find a perfect preacher, pastor, deacon, or elder. He told us not to forsake the assembling together of ourselves for edification and worship..."where two or more of you are gathered together in my name". I participate in my current church's (still southern Baptist) services, activities, and ministries as much as possible. I know that I know that I know that I was saved and, as Jerry Clower said, that's the mainest most thing. I'm not perfect, just forgiven and I've forgiven those in that small church who "run us off".
I encourage those of you who feel a yearning to become a part of church fellowship to activiley do so. Look around...church shop...pray about it while doing so, and you'll eventually find a church that you feel comfortable with.
Regarding gay's who may or may not have found a church to be a part of, here's what I believe based on Scripture and I know I'll get it stating this but it's what I believe: God loves homosexuals but hates homosexuality. God seperates the person and soul from that person's lifestyle, whatever it might be. Read this guy's story: http://www.rockvillecogop.com/board/...781/109158.htm . My intent is not to offend or cast a stumbling block...I'm stating my personal beliefs in love based on Scripture.
Funny part:
Three pastors were sitting in a cafe drinking coffee and discussing how each divides each Sunday's offerings.
The Methodist pastor says "I have a simple method. After services I go out back, drawn a vertical line in the dirt, toss the offerings up in air...what lands on the right side of the line goes to missions, what lands on the left stays at the church."
The Presbyterian paster says "I do a similar thing only I draw a circle...all the money that lands outside the circle goes to missions and what lands inside the circle stays at the church."
The Baptist pastor says: "My method is much simpler. I throw all the money up in the air and I figure whatever the Lord want's He'll grab".
Last edited by Bidmor; 02-08-2008 at 03:09 PM.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
I no longer walk through mine fields.
Stay in Drugs. Eat your School. Don't do Vegetables.
I saw this on another chat forum somewhere. I can't credit the author because I don't know who wrote it:
Taoism: Shit happens
Confucianism: Confucius say "shit happen."
Buddhism: If shit happens, it isn't really shit.
Zen Buddhism: Shit is, and shit is not.
Zen Buddhism 2: What is the sound of shit happening?
Hinduism: This shit has happened before.
Islam: If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
Islam 2: If shit happens, kill the person responsible.
Islam 3: If shit happens, blame Israel.
Catholicism: If shit happens, you deserve it.
Protestantism: Let shit happen to someone else.
Presbyterian: This shit was bound to happen.
Episcopalian: It's not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve the right wine with it.
Methodist: It's not so bad if shit happens, as long as you serve the right grape juice with it.
Congregationalist: Shit that happens to one person is just as good as the shit that happens to another.
Unitarian: Shit that happens to one person is just as bad as the shit that happens to another.
Unitarian 2: Come let us reason together about this shit.
Lutheran: If shit happens, don't talk about it.
Fundamentalism: If shit happens, you will go to hell, unless you are born again.
Fundamentalism 2: If shit happens to a televangelist, it's OK.
Fundamentalism 3: Shit must be born again.
Judaism: Why does this shit always happen to us?
Calvinism: Shit happens because you don't work.
Seventh Day Adventism: No shit shall happen on a Saturday.
Creationism: God made all shit.
Secular Humanism: Shit evolves.
Christian Science: When shit happens, don't call a doctor--pray!
Christian Science 2: Shit happening is all in your mind.
Quakers: Let us not fight over this shit.
Utopianism: This shit does not stink.
Darwinism: This shit was once food.
Capitalism: That's MY shit.
Communism: It's everybody's shit.
Feminism: Men are shit.
Chauvinism: We may be shit, but you can't live without us.
Commercialism: Let's package this shit.
Impressionism: From a distance, shit looks like a garden.
Idolism: Let's bronze this shit.
Existentialism: Shit doesn't happen; shit IS.
Existentialism 2: What is shit anyway?
Stoicism: This shit is good for me.
Hedonism: There is nothing like a good shit happening!
Mormonism: God sent us this shit.
Mormonism 2: This shit is going to happen again.
Wiccan: As it harms none, let shit happen.
Scientology: If shit happens, see "Dianetics," page 157.
Jehovah's Witness: <knock knock> Shit happens.
Jehovah's Witness 2: May we have a moment of you rtime to show you some of our shit?
Jehovah's Witness 3: Shit has been prophesied and is imminent; only the righteous shall survive when it happens.
Moonies: Only really happy shit happens.
Hare Krishna: Shit happens, rama, rama.
Rastafarianism: Let's smoke this shit!
Zoroastrianism: Shit happens half the time.
Practical: Deal with shit one day at a time.
Agnostic: Shit might have happened; then again, maybe not.
Agnostic 2: Did someone shit?
Agnostic 3: What is this shit?
Satanism: SNEPPAH TIHS.
Atheism: What shit?
Atheism 2: I can't believe this shit!
Nihilism: No shit!
Shheeeeeiiittttt?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
I like that list axl. I was raised southern baptist and yeah they know how to put on a feed.
Stay in Drugs. Eat your School. Don't do Vegetables.
Well, I enjoyed typing it all out, heh heh.
That's funny shit!!
Lots of shit going on!
I had to read it twice, to see if I was on the shit list.