How the Left-Wing Chooses a Church

8/29/08

[dukeman]

The DUers run a Religion & Theology forum which is often used by atheists to take potshots at their DU "Christian brothers." Here's a left wing thread on how to select a church:

kansasblue (979 posts) Fri Aug-26-05 05:48 PM
Original message

Choosing a church: A little help please.

I love the teaching of Christ but not a lot of churches go very far with them. I've been hunting for a church that stresses social justice, peace, helping the poor, inclusion. One where you might find the paster working a soup line. Where the congregation is fighting some social injustice and actively living Christ's teaching.

Suggestions?

GeorgeBushytail (505 posts) Fri Aug-26-05 05:50 PM
Response to Original message

1. Check out a Unitarian/Universalist church Check out one or two UU churches in your area. Lots of progressive Christians are members.

judy (1000+ posts) Fri Aug-26-05 05:54 PM
Response to Original message

2. Quaker meetings... American Friends Service Committee

Is also a good alternative.

MissMarple (1000+ posts) Fri Aug-26-05 06:05 PM
Response to Original message

3. The United Churches of Christ are well worth checking into, as well. ucc.org

Imagine My Surprise (218 posts) Fri Aug-26-05 06:15 PM
Response to Original message

4. Definitely check out the Unitarian/Universalists... the good thing about them is that though there is a theology among them, it's the biggest umbrella you could possibly find of people who shared varying points of view. And they wrote the book on the Social Gospel for sure. Good luck.

grumpy old fart (1000+ posts) Fri Aug-26-05 11:11 PM
Response to Original message

5. You don't need a church. Just do good works in any of 1,000 places......

Though, if you feel a need to worship, the abvoe selections are the way to go.

GreenPartyVoter (1000+ posts) Sat Aug-27-05 04:46 PM
Response to Original message

6. Come check the denominations listing on my site

Some are more inclusive than others. Some ordain and marry gays, some do not but many of their members are pushing for it.

Some are really open theologically and do not require you to say the Bible is inerrant, others profess inerrancy but stress high criticism of it while you read.

Some are high church and some are low. Let me know what you are looking for in terms of worship style as that may help sift through the list.

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/liberalchristians.h..

.

Lydia Leftcoast (1000+ posts) Sun Aug-28-05 12:20 AM
Response to Original message

7. Call the local diocesan office of the Episcopal Church or the local synodical office of the ELCA Lutherans and ask them for the name of their most liberal congregation. There's a tremendous range in both of these "big tent" denominations.

[dukeman]

Lots of focus on works and generally rejects the deity of Jesus.

I check their Religion & Theology forum every few days. It's an interesting peek at bizzare thinking.

[siunevada]

Lots of focus on works

Looks like a 'cut and paste' theology.

you might find the paster working

[dukeman]

"you might find the paster working", and no one is paying attention to spelling!

[wrathof59]

It's like looking for a good pizzeria, your convenience and particular tastes are the only criteria.

We call them cafeteria Catholics in our Church, they will never be confused with Christians.

[siunevada]

no one is paying attention to spelling

It got by SpellCheck, it must be okay.

[dukeman]

Of course, "paster" was the DUers' error, not yours.

Here's another DU thread where they show their colors.

[GSlob]

""you might find the paster working", and no one is paying attention to spelling!"
Well, to be fair, we are not THAT good at it ourselves, despite the spellchecker.

[sassbox]

While my first hope would be for these DU'ers to repent of their ways and believe in the Gospel, if they aren't going to do that, I would prefer that they cluster together in "churches" like the Unitarians. These people are much more harmful when they remain in orthodox churches and corrupt them from the inside with their leftism. One only has to look at the history of the Catholic Church in the last 50 yrs to see the results. If a person really wishes to reject Christ in favor of Marx that is very sad and I hope he or she would be changed. But if not, please leave and form your own church/social club/whatever and let the rest of us to worship and serve the Lord in peace.

[dukeman]

I agree!

[Unam Sanctam]

The Left is obviously sooo inclusive when it comes to divergent religious beliefs, including traditional religious beliefs...

[TradicalRC]

I love the teaching of Christ but not a lot of churches go very far with them. I've been hunting for a church that stresses social justice, peace, helping the poor, inclusion. One where you might find the paster working a soup line. Where the congregation is fighting some social injustice and actively living Christ's teaching.

Iclusion is THE code word for "homosexuality is acceptable". Can anyone please tell me why those who are so hepped up about so-called social justice issues think so little of personal ethics and sexual morality?

[dukeman]

My sense from hearing and reading what left wingers say about Jesus is that His character of love washes over everything and makes just about everything okay. True, God does love us. But we are not the only thing He loves. He also loves justice and righteousness- two measures by which we all fall short.

Most of the left wingers also appear to have a problem with Jesus' claim to deity and a BIG PROBLEM with His exclusive claim to being the only pathway to God. That registers way off their "tolerance meter." They'd rather spend their time spouting bumper sticker slogans like "Jesus was a liberal" or "Jesus was a socialist." Note the use of the past tense "was" for a person who is still alive. :-)

[Between the Lines]

4. Definitely check out the Unitarian/Universalists... the good thing about them is that though there is a theology among them, it's the biggest umbrella you could possibly find of people who shared varying points of view. And they wrote the book on the Social Gospel for sure.

I have always said that the UUs are political organization passing for a church. This poster proves my point.

[dukeman]

Check out the link to the other FR thread which I posted a little earlier in this thread. UUers there got rid of a pastor who used the G-word too much at Sunday meetings!

[TradicalRC]

They'd rather spend their time spouting bumper sticker slogans like "Jesus was a liberal" or "Jesus was a socialist." Note the use of the past tense "was" for a person who is still alive. :-)

No kidding. If they met Him in person, they'd probably consider Him as just another male, patriarchal, xenophobic, intolerant, right-wing fundamentalist.

[ladyinred]

The "Gospel" that tickles their ears?

[Calm_Cool_and_Elected]

Reading this made my stomach upset.

Would someone please translate "DU" for this newbie?

Thanks! CC&E

[TradicalRC]

DU stands for Democratic Underground or Demon Underground, whichever you prefer. Try this on for size:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/673536/posts

[TradicalRC]

Fifth Edition of the Lexicon of FreeRepublic * * A helpful FR dictionary for newcomers * *
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/673536/posts

[Taliesan]

Liberal religion:

1. Feed everyone (St. Paul: "If anyone won't work, let him starve."

2. All sex is ok (St.Paul: "Adulterers, homosexuals, and pederasts will not enter heaven."

3. No-one should feel bad or guilty about anything, especially if it has anything to do with bodily urges, such as sex, food, or the need to sleep 23 hours a day. Conservatives should feel bad, because they steal money from the pockets of the obese poor, who were born fat and poor and can't help it. (St. Paul: -- oh, you get the drift)