How does church work?

Torry_Quine

fluffnutter wrote: »

So there aren't factions of the church who are anti homosexuality? And there aren't certain people who claim that the Bible says that the earth is only 4000 (or whatever) years old?

There are. Just because you're religious and you don't feel this way doesn't mean that there aren't others who use their religion to espouse their bigoted views. That's not the fault of religion - that's the fault of those individuals.

I'm just warning the OP that, IME, certain churches are more likely to have members of the congregation with less mainstream views. For example, spiritualists and Baptists.

AFAIK, you're neither so no need to get your knicks in a twist.

Yes the church is against homsexual activity but not against homsexual people. I have never come across a Christian who believes the earth is only 4000 years old.

Spiritualist churches are very different from mainstream churches whereas baptist churches are mainstream and I just wonder why you lump them together?

heartbreak_star

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I don't really think that is true. Certainly not 'most' of the time. I don't think the Creationism vs Evolution argument is a particularly good example either. You won't find many die-hard creationists in a mainstream UK church.

Hmm...I guess maybe that's true now but it wasn't way back when I got taken to church
there were loads of people who insisted that God created the Earth and wouldn't hear it any other way.

One girl at my middle school couldn't take science classes because her parents were so religious

HBS x

Rosemary7391

I'm a Methodist, and sing in the choir. Quite often I wear jeans and a t-shirt! Someone should welcome you at the door to the Church - if you explain that you're new to it they should give you some pointers as to how things work there Methodism is quite liberal - we have plenty of female ministers etc. And we try and be very open - anyone is welcome to take communion (or not!) as and when they want to. Our organist isn't Christian, and doesn't take communion for example. Best advice is to go to lots of places and see which ones work best for you. No two churches are the same - they're all bunches of people! You'll see lots of different views as well - for example I know many Christians who aren't against homosexuality (people or acts) and some who are against homosexual acts (I'd hope not people - but it may happen or come across that way ), some who are staunch creationists, some who are not, and some in both groups are also scientists.

Churches ought to be welcoming environments - so I hope you find one that is for you, even if you decide it then isn't your cup of tea. One of my friends said to me, that he comes to church on a Sunday morning, and reminds himself that all the people around him have also come to do the same thing at the same time, but he has no idea why. Everyone is different and will find different things in each service

Lara44

Frith wrote: »

If you want to go to a religion that is all about equality, I would consider the Quakers. They are happy to conduct gay weddings (not sure if any other religion is, perhaps someone can let me know if I'm wrong?)

Unitarians are in favour of full equality for LGBT couples and along with Quaker groups also campaign for gay marriage. Some Unitarian churches have recently been licensed to perform civil partnerships, or are going through the approvals process.

daska

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I can't let that go without saying that that is very, very wrong.

You cannot put spiritualists and baptists together for a start. No-one is saying homosexuals should be hanged, the earth is only 4000 years old or any other nonsense.

You're quite right of course, some of them claim it's 6000 years :wall:

Just because certain beliefs may not exist in YOUR church doesn't mean there aren't some seriously dodgy claims / attitudes in others.

Torry_Quine

daska wrote: »

You're quite right of course, some of them claim it's 6000 years :wall:

Just because certain beliefs may not exist in YOUR church doesn't mean there aren't some seriously dodgy claims / attitudes in others.

I didn't say nobody beliefs that the earth is very young just that I haven't come across anyone who believes it. It isn't a mainstream belief.

daska

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I didn't say nobody beliefs that the earth is very young just that I haven't come across anyone who believes it. It isn't a mainstream belief.

Really? Looks to me as if that's exactly what you said.

Torry_Quine wrote: »

No-one is saying homosexuals should be hanged, the earth is only 4000 years old or any other nonsense.

Your beliefs are just that, YOUR beliefs. Other people can, and do, have different beliefs.

Torry_Quine

daska wrote: »

Really? Looks to me as if that's exactly what you said.



Your beliefs are just that, YOUR beliefs. Other people can, and do, have different beliefs.

I was answering someone who was linking baptists, a mainstream denomination, with hanging homosexuals and believing in a young earth. Yes there are some groups who believe this but no-one in the mainstream of Christian belief in this country believes that. Yes people do have different beliefs but I was trying to show that it isn't the norm

Savvy_Sue

fluffnutter wrote: »

True, true. And thank you for calling me on it. I did say 'he or she' later in my post but I guess I was too tempted by the juxtaposition of 'bloke' and 'frock' to mention that women can, and indeed do, give sermons too.

Some of us, men and women, are perfectly able to give sermons in our normal clothes. And for the person who mentioned naturist churches, I'm not aware of any, but I am aware of naturist services being conducted from time to time.

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I can't let that go without saying that that is very, very wrong.

You cannot put spiritualists and baptists together for a start. No-one is saying homosexuals should be hanged, the earth is only 4000 years old or any other nonsense.

And FWIW, some of the most hardline people I've known on such subjects have been CofE.

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I have never come across a Christian who believes the earth is only 4000 years old.

There was one on Radio 4 the other day, 15 minute slot about 9.30 am. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to him, profoundly disagreed with him.

OP, to get back on topic, if you can find a Messy Church that would probably be a very good introduction for you and your child.

Rev

When I was a kid my mum took me to several churches, thought me about all different types of religion and none religion. She said she wanted me to decide for myself, then if I decided upon a religion I'd have some basic knowledge etc. I went to Sunday schools, trips etc.

As I got older it made less and less sense so atheism for me. But I'm grateful she tried to give me as much knowledge as possible to make my own choice.

I don't think it's a bad thing taking your child along to church, but maybe teach them about as many religions as you can, so as not to inadvertently force something on your child.