That's why it always rubs me the wrong way when people here advise attending your local church. You don't need church to speak to God. God listens and hears, and you don't need some old sack of shit who's probably a kiddie diddler standing at a pulpit telling you what he thinks God wants you to know. Make your heart into a church for God and you'll never need a middleman to get between you.
Who said anything about me being isolated in my faith? I have plenty of friends and loved ones with which I share my faith and my testimony, but I don't need an organized "church" led by infallible people who are more often than not against God in their actions, if not their words.
You are free to believe what you want, but that view isn't Biblical. The Bible encourages like minded people to gather together and use their gifts to build each other up, including some who are gifted as teachers.
That doesn't mean what church looks like today is always right, but isolation isn't good, nor is centering all beliefs around oneself. It is supposed to function like a family, including learning setting each other straight when they get out of line, but also learning to love people you wouldn't personally choose to be associated with.
Is it Biblical to attend a place where the priest rapes and molests little boys and then comes out to tell you to repent of your sins lest you go to hell?
Not attending church != practicing my faith in isolation.
That's a false dilemma, as one can find a church that isn't like that. Extended lockdown was a blessing in that it exposed a lot of pastors as either ignorant, as cowards, or as the real deal.
That's why it always rubs me the wrong way when people here advise attending your local church. You don't need church to speak to God. God listens and hears, and you don't need some old sack of shit who's probably a kiddie diddler standing at a pulpit telling you what he thinks God wants you to know. Make your heart into a church for God and you'll never need a middleman to get between you.
Amen.
Faith in isolation is little more than self-perfection, which is the opposite of the Christian message.
Yes most churches suck, that's why you don't settle for the one on the corner where it's an hour and out with punch and pie at the end.
The 5% of churches which are good help you share your strength with those who aren't as far along the path.
Gather, teach, encourage, disperse, and just Be and you'll reflect the face of God.
Who said anything about me being isolated in my faith? I have plenty of friends and loved ones with which I share my faith and my testimony, but I don't need an organized "church" led by infallible people who are more often than not against God in their actions, if not their words.
You are free to believe what you want, but that view isn't Biblical. The Bible encourages like minded people to gather together and use their gifts to build each other up, including some who are gifted as teachers.
That doesn't mean what church looks like today is always right, but isolation isn't good, nor is centering all beliefs around oneself. It is supposed to function like a family, including learning setting each other straight when they get out of line, but also learning to love people you wouldn't personally choose to be associated with.
Is it Biblical to attend a place where the priest rapes and molests little boys and then comes out to tell you to repent of your sins lest you go to hell?
Not attending church != practicing my faith in isolation.
That's a false dilemma, as one can find a church that isn't like that. Extended lockdown was a blessing in that it exposed a lot of pastors as either ignorant, as cowards, or as the real deal.