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The most progressive Christian Denomination?

S

swbsam

Platinum Member
I was born into a very, very Christian family (my grandfather was a minister), but have always been personally very left leaning. I gave up on Church during high school but now I'm coming back around. Now that I'm married, I think faith and a belief system's important to especially children, but I refuse to go back to a hate spewing, alarmist Church.

I'll stop being blunt, homosexuality is an issue that I hear mentioned at Churches far too often, and I really don't want to be a part of an organization that spews hate of any kind. I'm not looking for a hippy church, per say, but so many churches seem to take an active role on this issue. I'm ok with ambivalence, I just don't like the hate talk.

Are there any options out there?

EDIT

Also, I'll add that I actually enjoy going to Church now. It pumps me up for the week ahead and helps put my life in perspective, with the understanding that something larger exists than just myself. But, after visiting 6 churches in 2 months, I'm noticing either a lot of cult like conformity or hate, but I KNOW there must be something out there for centrists who like to think for themselves.
 
Maybe Unitarian Universalism?

EDIT: Maybe a bit too much of a hippie church for you. Well, my grandmother (who is exceedingly liberal and basically loves everybody) is a Presbyterian. I think it has more to do with the congregation than with the sect itself (though both are very important). There are even Baptist churches out there that are quite liberal.
 
methodists are pretty liberal (progressive) for a mainstream sect.

Unitarian is an obvious one.

the UCC (i think?) might be another...
 
Where are you? Can use online sermon sites (like Sermon Audio) to find a biblical church. Yes, homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible, but it's not the only one, and no church should promote hatred of homosexuals. Churches shouldn't get involved in politics, either. Real churches are ones where forgiveness and the heart of the gospel (salvation) are taught in humility and love, and where the Bible is key in the teaching and preaching.

There are many denominations out there that are ok, but it depends more on the church itself and its members than a denomination.
 
Originally posted by: G Wizard
methodists are pretty liberal (progressive) for a mainstream sect.

Unitarian is an obvious one.

the UCC (i think?) might be another...
Click to expand...

Methodists? I'll check them out. I haven't found many unitarian churches around me, but I'll do some more searching.

Thanks for the input 🙂
 
Honestly, I'd pick one whose "doctrine" is closest to your beliefs, then find one that's not crazy
 
It really depends on the congregation. I grew up in a very progressive Roman Catholic denomination; the priests all watched football on Sundays and would try to hurry along, one was an ex-biker, and they are all very open to the idea of gay marriage (but are in Arizona).

The problem isn't religion, it's religious zealots. Even Buddhism has had its violent members.
 
Originally posted by: nkgreen
I've found it depends more on the church than it does the denomination.
Click to expand...

Yes.

If you're really not sure where to begin, a little internet research and a visit to nearby churches on Sunday may help you find a place that you feel closely matches your beliefs.

Also remember that just because the clergy of a church chooses to emphasize a certain message doesn't imply that you can't believe differently. Obviously if you find you have a lot of conflicting viewpoints then maybe you aren't in the right place, but my point is that going to church is only worth what you choose to take away from it.
 
Originally posted by: Crono
Where are you? Can use online sermon sites (like Sermon Audio) to find a biblical church. Yes, homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible, but it's not the only one, and no church should promote hatred of homosexuals. Churches shouldn't get involved in politics, either. Real churches are ones where forgiveness and the heart of the gospel (salvation) are taught in humility and love, and where the Bible is key in the teaching and preaching.

There are many denominations out there that are ok, but it depends more on the church itself and its members than a denomination.
Click to expand...

I'm in NYC, Brooklyn to be more precise. I attended the Brooklyn Tabernacle church for a solid month before leaving, the theatrics and simon-says nature of it ('everyone put there arms up!' 'men stand, women sit, touch your nose and hop around!") all got silly to me.

I'm weird in that I'm both very old school (keep Christ in Christmas, let's sing hymns not "choruses", or worse, Christian Pop) yet am also very left leaning in my personal politics.

I understand that it's difficult to separate church from state, especially when Church is there to provide guidance. It's just something I can't personally accept, hatred of any kind when I believe that Jesus and God teach love.
 
I've recently started going back to Unity church and they're none of the bad things that most churches are.

They're non-denominational in the sense that they respect and welcome all people from all walks of life but they teach based off of Christian beleifs.

Since I've been going to this one, they've had Tibiten Monks as guest, Hindu's and a varity of others come in and speak or just participate in the church for that day.

My wife and I both felt the same way as you're stating. She was raised with pretty much never going to church in her life and I was raised with very sporadic attendance and never cared for the ritual aspects of it or being made to feel like I was a sinner all the time.

This place is very laid back. Most people wear jeans even.


Here's a finder if you're interested.

Note: I have no association with them in any way other than I go once a week on Sunday sometimes.
 
i was born and raised roman catholic and i can say that if you can find there are alot of elements that are very progressive, which is why im still in the church. I went to a catholic university which was very progressive and focused alot on social issues such as poverty. every spring/fall break would provide an opportunity for students to go abroad and do service in different places of the world, and also habitat for humanity.

the pro-life BS is still an issue with the church, but alot of people are becoming alot smarter when it comes to that issue now.

and also, we don't believe in creationism or spew hate either. although the church does not condone homosexuality, there is no crusade against them either, and they are still offered hope and salvation
 
Originally posted by: evident
i was born and raised roman catholic and i can say that if you can find there are alot of elements that are very progressive, which is why im still in the church.
Click to expand...

yeah, they got a lot of new age crap now.
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
I was born into a very, very Christian family (my grandfather was a minister), but have always been personally very left leaning. I gave up on Church during high school but now I'm coming back around. Now that I'm married, I think faith and a belief system's important to especially children, but I refuse to go back to a hate spewing, alarmist Church.

I'll stop being blunt, homosexuality is an issue that I hear mentioned at Churches far too often, and I really don't want to be a part of an organization that spews hate of any kind. I'm not looking for a hippy church, per say, but so many churches seem to take an active role on this issue. I'm ok with ambivalence, I just don't like the hate talk.

Are there any options out there?

EDIT

Also, I'll add that I actually enjoy going to Church now. It pumps me up for the week ahead and helps put my life in perspective, with the understanding that something larger exists than just myself. But, after visiting 6 churches in 2 months, I'm noticing either a lot of cult like conformity or hate, but I KNOW there must be something out there for centrists who like to think for themselves.
Click to expand...



There is a difference between hate and disapproval. some churches do not understand this. some church patrons do not understand this.

It is possible to have a zero tolerance toward homosexuality without resorting to hate.
I question any church which does not oppose homosexuality, since the bible is quite clear on this subject. I also question any church which also refuses to seperate an individual from their actions. Jesus gave compassion to the prostitue mary, our churches should do likewise. The church is not here to condemn homosexuals, but to offer compassion and salvation. However, the homosexual also has the responsibility to realize his actions are sinful, he must repent and turn from those ways.
 
I was raised as a Roman Catholic. Pretty boring, by the book no fundies going on irrational rants and what not.
 
Originally posted by: aircooled
Church of Satan (not christian, but quite progressive)
Click to expand...

Ha. I was one of those poser goths in high school, and stole a copy of the satanic bible. None of it was about goblins or witches, all of it was about living a selfish, sleezy, drug fueled existence. I think many people follow that doctrine, they just do it under a different name 😉

p.s. not knocking drugs or sleeze, or even being selfish...
 
Originally posted by: dbk
I was raised as a Roman Catholic. Pretty boring, by the book no fundies going on irrational rants and what not.
Click to expand...

the problem with the church is alot of the clergy is boring as balls. :thumbsdown: they have good intentions, but there are alot of good-spirited clergy out there that cancel them out
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: Crono
Where are you? Can use online sermon sites (like Sermon Audio) to find a biblical church. Yes, homosexuality is a sin according to the Bible, but it's not the only one, and no church should promote hatred of homosexuals. Churches shouldn't get involved in politics, either. Real churches are ones where forgiveness and the heart of the gospel (salvation) are taught in humility and love, and where the Bible is key in the teaching and preaching.

There are many denominations out there that are ok, but it depends more on the church itself and its members than a denomination.
Click to expand...

I'm in NYC, Brooklyn to be more precise. I attended the Brooklyn Tabernacle church for a solid month before leaving, the theatrics and simon-says nature of it ('everyone put there arms up!' 'men stand, women sit, touch your nose and hop around!") all got silly to me.

I'm weird in that I'm both very old school (keep Christ in Christmas, let's sing hymns not "choruses", or worse, Christian Pop) yet am also very left leaning in my personal politics.

I understand that it's difficult to separate church from state, especially when Church is there to provide guidance. It's just something I can't personally accept, hatred of any kind when I believe that Jesus and God teach love.
Click to expand...

Hey, a fellow Brooklynite 🙂 Yeah, I know what you mean regarding Brookyln Tabernacle. I agree on that completely; it really is an "entertainment" church (that is to say, it's not really a church at all).

I agree with the hymns, too. Some modern Christian songs are ok, but very few. Most are just shallow, with no real depth in their pseudo-Christian lyrics.

I go to a church in Rockland county (where I live now), but a close friend of mine goes to Harvest in Manhattan. He says its a good, welcoming church with good programs and sound teaching. I haven't been there myself, though, but it might be worth checking out.

EDIT: Another church (also in Manhattan) that I recommend is Calvary Baptist Church. I have been to a couple of their events, and they do a lot of good work. They too have sound teaching from the Bible.
 
Originally posted by: sao123
Originally posted by: swbsam
I was born into a very, very Christian family (my grandfather was a minister), but have always been personally very left leaning. I gave up on Church during high school but now I'm coming back around. Now that I'm married, I think faith and a belief system's important to especially children, but I refuse to go back to a hate spewing, alarmist Church.

I'll stop being blunt, homosexuality is an issue that I hear mentioned at Churches far too often, and I really don't want to be a part of an organization that spews hate of any kind. I'm not looking for a hippy church, per say, but so many churches seem to take an active role on this issue. I'm ok with ambivalence, I just don't like the hate talk.

Are there any options out there?

EDIT

Also, I'll add that I actually enjoy going to Church now. It pumps me up for the week ahead and helps put my life in perspective, with the understanding that something larger exists than just myself. But, after visiting 6 churches in 2 months, I'm noticing either a lot of cult like conformity or hate, but I KNOW there must be something out there for centrists who like to think for themselves.
Click to expand...



There is a difference between hate and disapproval. some churches do not understand this. some church patrons do not understand this.

It is possible to have a zero tolerance toward homosexuality without resorting to hate.
I question any church which does not oppose homosexuality, since the bible is quite clear on this subject. I also question any church which also refuses to seperate an individual from their actions. Jesus gave compassion to the prostitue mary, our churches should do likewise. The church is not here to condemn homosexuals, but to offer compassion and salvation. However, the homosexual also has the responsibility to realize his actions are sinful, he must repent and turn from those ways.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your point and do not want to threadjack my own thread, but my problem is my firm belief that homosexuality is a born trait - genetic...I do not believe it is a choice, and there fore I can't accept that there is any other choice than to accept the individual for who he is, sinner or not. Does that make any sense?
 
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