Why I Can No Longer Be A United Methodist

United Methodist Nexus ^ | August 2006 | Marge Engelman

[Sam's Army]

"I am finding hope and nourishment in the Unitarian Universalist tradition."

Oi vey.

[mad puppy]

"Here I am at 78 raising more questions about the Christian faith than ever before."

Probably 50 years too late. If your faith can't stand up to hard questions you should change. My guess is, your "new" faith is much less able to answer your actual faith questions, but I'm sure you'll be kept busy.

[Xenalyte]

Going to The United Methodist Church to worship does not meet my spiritual needs.

Then she needs to go find her a hippie church and stop whining.

Oh, wait, I see she did.

[golfisnr1]

She never mentions prayer.

[old-ager]

Extremely good riddance.

[Mad Dawg]

I believe Frank Burns and Hotlips immortalized the best of the Unitarian Universalist moral teaching:

It's nice to be nice to the nice.

If she finds this nourishing, she's spiritually anorexic or bulimic.

[bboop]

Extremely good riddance -- ditto. Honestly. There are MANY churches around that should satisfy this whiner.

[Bosco]

It's nice to be nice to the nice.

You're close to the actual quote...

"Its nice to be nice to the nice when they are nice."
- Frank Burns

[BlueNgold]

A simple truth about religion - if you don't believe that your particular faith is the 'only way', the 'right way', and/or the 'true path' then you don't really believe - do you?

There is a difference between
1. acknowledging that man has freedom of religious choice and that he may believe and worship as he sees fit, and
2. endorsement of all religions as equally valid.

A fundamental truth of religious study is that we can't all be right...

[xzins]

As a methodist pastor, it is sad that this woman does not seem to have faith in Christ, but rather was busy translating doctrines and creeds. She says something about maintaining some of her Christian perspective.

I hope it isn't odd for me to say that her liberal reaction and rejection of us is an indication that the classic, historic Christian perspective is slowly winning back our church.

[Alex Murphy]

Here is the author's list of grievances against the UMC:

- use of sexist language
- endless rehearsal of ancient doctrines
- the dated hymns
- the exclusivity of traditional Christianity
- denial of ordination to self-avowed practicing homosexuals
- no outcry against a preemptive, illegal war

Frankly, I don't see what she's complaining about - I would think the UMC and her would be a perfect fit.

[kittymyrib]

LOL...when the UMC is too conservative for you, you know you have lost the faith.

[Mad Dawg]

Are you SURE? Wow. The boss-lady and I have been saying it my way since the night that show aired.

[svcw]

(Yes, you can be a Christian Unitarian.)

aaa, no you can't.

[The Bard]

The exclusivity of traditional Christianity, “ours is the only way,” saddens me now. Seldom in recent years did I hear reference to other faiths, maybe a nod now and then to ecumenicity. As I contemplate the world scene, traumatized with religious conflict, it seems there is good reason to be about the business of opening all the doors and windows to the fresh air of learning about, valuing and working with other faiths.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6 (kjv)

I am not a methodist, and have had some issues with some Methodist teachings, but some of that can be expected between denominations. Thing is, Jesus is the one that stated there is no other way to heaven, thus it is Jesus that said "ours (Christianity) is the only way". yes, there are many (incorrect) spiritual paths, but only one way to heaven.

This woman's argument isn't with the Methodist Church, but with Jesus himself.

[VOA]

The exclusivity of traditional Christianity, “ours is the only way,” saddens me now.

Nice to see Marge helping out that Jesus guy with his dogmatic statements.
(end sarcasm)

[bmwcyle]

One liberal leaves the churh. Only a few thousand more to go. ping

[bmwcyle]

You are so right. You win the absolute correct award today.