Liberal Christian Churches

Have any of the Atheists or Heathens that frequent this group tried some of the more liberal Christian Churches such as the United Church of Christ? I understand the many Methodist Churches are also very liberal. It is not fair to pass judgement on Christianity after attending several churches. The problem with organized religion as a whole is that men bring their bigotry and self-centered motives that are not of God. This behavior turns many folks away from Christianity and other organized religions.

Jim:

Been there done that. No matter how you slice it it's still a fairy tale to me.

You see, the whole problem, is if you drop one book the whole thing falls on it's face!

Show me, anywhere else, that such a universal belief is dependent on one book, put together by a majority questionable authorities, being directed by a Roman emperor trying to consolidate the waring factions of his empire.

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There is no name calling here. If you check the definition of "Heathen" and "Atheist" you will find that most folks here fall into one of those catagories. These words are not meant in a derogatory context. The word "Heathen" is used frequently throughout the Bible.

Matthew 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Our pearls of the gospel may only confuse unbelievers (who are blinded to the truth by the god of this age. This is not a prohibition against sharing the gospel, but a call to discernment, and an invitation to look for prepared hearts.

I believe this really sums-up what is going on here in this forum.

Best Regards,

-jim

Bill Burghardt said:

Jim Wayda said:

Have any of the Atheists or Heathens that frequent this group tried some of the more liberal Christian Churches such as the United Church of Christ? I understand the many Methodist Churches are also very liberal. It is not fair to pass judgement on Christianity after attending several churches. The problem with organized religion as a whole is that men bring their bigotry and self-centered motives that are not of God. This behavior turns many folks away from Christianity and other organized religions.

Jim,

EXACTLY what you are doing by generalizing your comments, calling names, and not letting the audience know the foundation of these insults to their intelligence. First class example of how to turn your audience form the product you are trying to sell.

Challenge my comments, just read your inputs and think of how us dumb ignorant heartless Heathens value their undocumented basis.

Give us a understanding of where you are coming from in the christian family of religions and/or beliefs.

Best whatever you believe in,
bill

Jim,
I am a Christian and don't believe in organized religion. Religion is a man made concept. To me, it's all about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I do believe the bible is the infallible word of God and try to live my life by it. I fall short constantly and it's my relationship with Christ, repentance, and God's grace that redeems me...not religion. I think too many folks have been hurt/killed in the name of religion and that is opposite of what Christ taught.

I've noticed a lot of name calling here lately and feel that's not where we need to go in this forum. I'm going to keep it at a kind, mutually respectful, intelligent and fruitful level. We can learn much from each other.

Thanks!
Harry

For the record, I was raised in the United Church of Christ. It is more of what I consider a church for 'regular people'. Meaning, people who will acknowledge reality and scientific concepts such as evolution but still like to go to church and have pot luck dinners and so forth.

Not big into preaching or proselytizing to others. A bit more emphasis on Jesus' teachings, less emphasis on Paul's, general emphasis on tolerance, and it shows its Quakerist roots in this regard. Christ's deification noticeably more subdued than in, say, the Lutheran Church. Doctrine I remember was largely behavioral, a kind of 'practical' christianity which left most of the 'weird stuff' (mythic imagery and particulars of salvation/afterlife) to your interpretion.