I, unfortunately, have decided that I’m going to have to leave my church due to their unrelenting BLM support and (of course) racism towards anyone who isn’t openly supporting it. When I joined this church in 2012 it was great, it was extremely spiritual and wasn’t extremist in any sort of way. They were very open and accepting of all beliefs, and I never felt ashamed to be there.
Now the entire church is only discussing how white people need to pray on our inherent evil towards minorities. One of our ministers is a black woman who was very accepting until BLM first came into existence. After that she set up a church protest to go protest the execution of a black man who had raped and murdered a woman and her child. I was NOT down with participating with that, and really considered leaving after that incident but ultimately decided to stay. From there she and another minister made it known she was not a Trump fan and now all of the leaders there are calling all white people racist. They also just recently said even other races were racist if they didn’t support BLM.
It wasnt super obvious until these past few months, but from then on things kept becoming more extremist and unaccepting. This is not a place where people can celebrate differences in thought or beliefs.
Have any of you guys had to leave a church or a community due to the rising racism of BLM / all the other shit going on? I honestly never thought I’d be hard pressed into leaving, but I don’t feel peace or love there anymore. I don’t even know how to go about finding another place to worship because I’m sure my church isn’t the only place where this is happening.
It’s Unitarian, which I know a lot of people are going to think I’m dumb for thinking they wouldn’t turn out crazy and leftist. But when I first went there they taught me how to meditate while at bible study and it really drew me in. Now I don’t even know what denomination I should be looking into, I just feel really spiritually vulnerable.
This is usually the case. That doesn't mean that every church that currently ordains women is in full-flung apostasy, but it does mean they're on the road that leads there.
When it comes to faithfully upholding the word of God, pressure for the ordination of women is usually the first chink in the armor, and the history of dozens of American denominations has taught us this. From there they just "make exceptions" for more and more of the Bible until ultimately they believe in Darwinism, they don't believe that Jesus is God, and that's if they even believe that God exists. There have even been ministers in the PCUSA I think that came straight out and said "I don't really even believe in God" and they didn't discipline him (or her) out of the denomination.
Go Lutheran.
I have a super lefty friend who used to go to a Unitarian Universalist church. She was a guest speaker during a service one time and invited me to go so I did. While it felt like a welcoming place, I couldn’t get over how they never once mentioned God or the Bible. I guess it’s just a spiritual church not based in any one religion? I didn’t realize that at the time though and was really confused. I hope you find a church that feels more like home to you ❤️
UU is more focused on society and the immanence of God. It does not see him as a Sovereign, transcendent but personal creator.
Try looking outside man made denominations: look into the church of Christ - find a congregation that speaks where the Bible speaks and is silent where the Bible is silent.
That’s a really nice sentiment, thank you this is great advice
If I could, without being offensive offer a suggestion. I think a lot of people are going to church looking for a spiritual experience, a felling that you might get. The problem with that is that you may not ever find that feeling. Church isn't about that. It's about coming together to worship our Lord. That is it. We aren't there trying to get a feeling in our gut or a vision or anything. It's about Christians in fellowship having faith in the salvation that is ours in Christ. Unitarian is not Christian.
I definitely understand your point, but I also have never gravitated towards churches that preach how you must live your life in fear of god and threats of going to hell. I know that is an aspect (a significant portion) that teaches that, but I would like to find a congregation that hammers more the love you find with Jesus and salvation. If that makes any sense. Thank you for your input though, your point came across really well
I didn't know how to say it without sounding judgmental. You don't want all hell fire and brimstone but you do need some of that. Jesus taught more about Hell than he did about Heaven. But he taught us to love our neighbors. The assurance of salvation is so much sweeter when you understand how serious Hell is and exactly what you have been saved from.
Then you may want to stay away from Independent Fundamentalist Baptist churches.
Heaven and hell are realities; warnings have to be made but people generally don't accept the gospel out of fear. What that leads to is a minimal devotion to Christ becuase it basically is just about gettting your ticket punched and staying out of hell.
But the grace of Jesus Christ has so much to offer you here and now, on earth as it currently stands, while we wait for the coming of his kingdom. We love Jesus Christ because he loved us first; because as our redeemer and king he is worthy of all glory, praise, and honor.
I found out about the Unitarians a few months back. I don't want to discourage you nor insult you, but that is a Satanic "church."
I was just baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church back in January after being atheist/agnostic my whole life. I am one of the few Adventist astrophysicists :) not to dox myself or anything.
Find a church that is Christ-centered and you will be just fine. If you want a great Bible study, go to truthlink.org. You have to "sign up" but only so it keeps your progress as you go through 27 different lessons.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you so much for your insight, also that’s very cool that you’re an astrophysicist while also being religious!
Do you know if we have any .win subs that are for bible study yet? I don’t think we do but I’ll check out that website
It would be absolutely beautiful if we had
CHRIST.WIN
But, yeah, I don't think we have anything yet.
Oops. Hey are you familiar with Jason Lisle? I ask b/c of your handle
Friend, I'm sorry to say but you've jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Just make sure you do everything Ellen White said or you'll burn.
Respectfully, Lol, Ellen White is not Jesus. Her writings help to clarify things for me sometimes, but I (nor any truthful Adventist) do not take her words as anything other than the writings of a flawed human being who was close to Jesus.
I am a follower of Christ alone.
Well, I'm sorry to let you know and I really am not trying to be offensive but, the Seventh Day Adventists find her more authoritative than the Bible.Please research. I used to have bible study with Seventh Day Adventists until I started understanding what they believe. If you truly believe in Christ Alone then Adventism isn't for you.
My wife grew up SDA.