What liberal beliefs/leanings brought you here?

Soma Seer · Sep 7, 2014

I would like to know what liberal thoughts/leanings--especially those regarding religion--brought you to this particular forum? And do you keep these beliefs to yourself when it comes to interacting with your priest, fellow congregants, friends/family, etc.?

Thank you,

SS

ViaCrucis · Sep 8, 2014

I believe in programs of social uplift, universal healthcare, fixing the problems of systemic injustice against racial minorities, women, the LGBT community and the poor. I think everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation has a right to basic civil liberties and justice. I believe in creating a fair and equitable society that is serious about liberty and justice.

Religiously I think it's fine for women to serve in the Church the same way any man can--with teaching, pastoral, and leadership roles. I also think it's fine for gay and lesbian people to serve and be fully accepted into the Church.

The only thing that I think really matters when it comes to who serves in an official, ministerial capacity is that they follow their vocation and commission to preach the Word of God and faithfully administer the Sacraments. When it comes to matters of theology I am a deeply committed person dedicated to the historic, traditional orthodoxy of the Christian faith. Whether they are male or female, gay or straight, as long as they confess and believe what the Church has historically confessed and believed, then I don't see a problem.

The Gospel is what matters in the Church, if the Gospel isn't being faithfully preached, then everything else is pointless anyway.

-CryptoLutheran

KitKatMatt · Sep 9, 2014

I don't believe the Bible is inerrant, I believe "all paths lead to God", I don't see homosexuality as a sin, and I believe in evolution.

And... I don't bring those up with anyone at any church (I don't attend one right now so that explains why, but at my old church I DEFINITELY wouldn't have ever brought any of those up). I don't bring it up with family out of fear of starting a fight. I do bring it up with friends, though, and that goes along quite nicely.

Targaryen · Sep 9, 2014

ViaCrucis said:
I believe in programs of social uplift, universal healthcare, fixing the problems of systemic injustice against racial minorities, women, the LGBT community and the poor. I think everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation has a right to basic civil liberties and justice. I believe in creating a fair and equitable society that is serious about liberty and justice.

Religiously I think it's fine for women to serve in the Church the same way any man can--with teaching, pastoral, and leadership roles. I also think it's fine for gay and lesbian people to serve and be fully accepted into the Church.

The only thing that I think really matters when it comes to who serves in an official, ministerial capacity is that they follow their vocation and commission to preach the Word of God and faithfully administer the Sacraments. When it comes to matters of theology I am a deeply committed person dedicated to the historic, traditional orthodoxy of the Christian faith. Whether they are male or female, gay or straight, as long as they confess and believe what the Church has historically confessed and believed, then I don't see a problem.

The Gospel is what matters in the Church, if the Gospel isn't being faithfully preached, then everything else is pointless anyway.

-CryptoLutheran

You took the words I had out of my mouth :clap:

So I'm in the same boat as ViaCrucis in other words.

Soma Seer · Sep 9, 2014

ViaCrucis and LiberalAnglicanCatholic, I like the way that you think.

SS

ViaCrucis said:
I believe in programs of social uplift, universal healthcare, fixing the problems of systemic injustice against racial minorities, women, the LGBT community and the poor. I think everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation has a right to basic civil liberties and justice. I believe in creating a fair and equitable society that is serious about liberty and justice.

Religiously I think it's fine for women to serve in the Church the same way any man can--with teaching, pastoral, and leadership roles. I also think it's fine for gay and lesbian people to serve and be fully accepted into the Church.

The only thing that I think really matters when it comes to who serves in an official, ministerial capacity is that they follow their vocation and commission to preach the Word of God and faithfully administer the Sacraments. When it comes to matters of theology I am a deeply committed person dedicated to the historic, traditional orthodoxy of the Christian faith. Whether they are male or female, gay or straight, as long as they confess and believe what the Church has historically confessed and believed, then I don't see a problem.

The Gospel is what matters in the Church, if the Gospel isn't being faithfully preached, then everything else is pointless anyway.

Soma Seer · Sep 9, 2014

KitKatMatt said:
I don't believe the Bible is inerrant, I believe "all paths lead to God", I don't see homosexuality as a sin, and I believe in evolution.

I'm right there with ya'.

And... I don't bring those up with anyone at any church (I don't attend one right now so that explains why, but at my old church I DEFINITELY wouldn't have ever brought any of those up). I don't bring it up with family out of fear of starting a fight. I do bring it up with friends, though, and that goes along quite nicely.

It would be great to find a church body in which someone's deeply-held beliefs wouldn't be labeled "heretical" or some such thing. But I fear the only place that may welcome Christians and express such acceptance is Unitarian Universalism (and, likely, it's offshoot, Unitarian Christian Fellowship).

SS

Targaryen · Sep 9, 2014

Soma Seer said:
I'm right there with ya'.

It would be great to find a church body in which someone's deeply-held beliefs wouldn't be labeled "heretical" or some such thing. But I fear the only place that may welcome Christians and express such acceptance is Unitarian Universalism (and, likely, it's offshoot, Unitarian Christian Fellowship).

SS

I have never been comfortable with the word heretic, hetrodox is another thing but heretic means something more to me in this day and age like we're looking for a pole and cords of wood to go around and start burnings. That just doesn't fly right and it goes against the thoughts I have as a Christian.

Just some personal thoughts to add to that word that pops up like the plague on CF.

elman · Sep 9, 2014

Soma Seer said:
I would like to know what liberal thoughts/leanings--especially those regarding religion--brought you to this particular forum? And do you keep these beliefs to yourself when it comes to interacting with your priest, fellow congregants, friends/family, etc.?

Thank you,

SS

I was exiled here and barred from other forums because I do not agree with Calvinism. I tend to let everyone around me know what my theology is. No I do not keep them to myself.

graceandpeace · Sep 9, 2014

It would be great to find a church body in which someone's deeply-held beliefs wouldn't be labeled "heretical" or some such thing. But I fear the only place that may welcome Christians and express such acceptance is Unitarian Universalism (and, likely, it's offshoot, Unitarian Christian Fellowship).

Like ViaCrucis & LiberalAnglicanCatholic, I believe in the historic, orthodox tenets of Christianity & also am generally accepting of different kinds of people (including LGBT), of modern science, etc. If this is where you find yourself as well, almost any mainline Protestant church could be a potential spiritual home.

SnowyMacie · Sep 9, 2014

- Like many I have said, I support social justices of universal healthcare, equal opporutinity, etc.
- While I am unsure about whether or not homosexuality is a sin (I lean towards it not being sinful), I believe they should have the right to marry.
- I do not believe the Bible is inerrant
- I hope for universal salvation, and reject the traditional understanding of Hell as ECT. I'm personally an annihilationist.
- I accept evolutionary theory.

justhere1 · Sep 9, 2014

I'm LBGT-affirming (still studying up on the topic of homosexuality though and it's theological implications)

I believe a woman can be a pastor.

I mostly just share these views with people online. Sometimes, I will share the later view with my sister.

bestrfcplayer · Sep 10, 2014

ViaCrucis said:
I believe in programs of social uplift, universal healthcare, fixing the problems of systemic injustice against racial minorities, women, the LGBT community and the poor. I think everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation has a right to basic civil liberties and justice. I believe in creating a fair and equitable society that is serious about liberty and justice.

Religiously I think it's fine for women to serve in the Church the same way any man can--with teaching, pastoral, and leadership roles. I also think it's fine for gay and lesbian people to serve and be fully accepted into the Church.

The only thing that I think really matters when it comes to who serves in an official, ministerial capacity is that they follow their vocation and commission to preach the Word of God and faithfully administer the Sacraments. When it comes to matters of theology I am a deeply committed person dedicated to the historic, traditional orthodoxy of the Christian faith. Whether they are male or female, gay or straight, as long as they confess and believe what the Church has historically confessed and believed, then I don't see a problem.

The Gospel is what matters in the Church, if the Gospel isn't being faithfully preached, then everything else is pointless anyway.

-CryptoLutheran

And that's what I was going to say too. Also for my belief of evolution and Biblical criticism along with my compassion for prisoners (and even death row inmates).

SnowyMacie · Sep 11, 2014

I thought I left something out, but I didn't.

camethodactor · Sep 19, 2014

My acceptance of the Gospel of Universal salvation
My open and affirming stance towards God's gay, lesbian, bi and transgender children in the life of the church and society especially marriage and ordination.
Ordination of women
Faith and reason are reconcilable
I'm a theistic evolutionist
I'm part of the emergent church movement
Sex whether among God's LGBT or straight children is fine as long as they don't do any harm to themselves or others. It is a natural part of the Lord's creation. The question is not who do you love? But do you love?
My commitment to ecumenical and interfaith engagement.

hedrick · Sep 19, 2014

I'm a sola scriptura Christian. I'm liberal (well, mainline - it's hard to know just what liberal means) because the implications of Jesus teachings point in that direction.

Targaryen · Sep 20, 2014

hedrick said:
I'm a sola scriptura Christian. I'm liberal (well, mainline - it's hard to know just what liberal means) because the implications of Jesus teachings point in that direction.

Have you read on or listened to the talk about Emergence Christianity Hedrick? Phyllis Tickle is one great scholar that studies it and she seems to suggest that we might be redefining the Solas, at least as far as protestants understand them.

Peripatetic · Oct 12, 2014

TX_CO_Matt said:
I hope for universal salvation

I think this is a very important question regarding our notion of love. No matter how we interpret scripture, do we HOPE for universal salvation (or something close to it)? I suspect the many factors that polarize liberal and conservative Christianity ultimately come back to this. As I become more moderate (liberal?) in my middle age, the "happy that I'm in" feelings are slowly being replaced with sorrow that others may not be. Sometimes I think the sorrow is actually replacing anger, and the joy is still there in full measure. But there are days that it doesn't feel that way.

elman · Oct 14, 2014

Peripatetic said:
I think this is a very important question regarding our notion of love. No matter how we interpret scripture, do we HOPE for universal salvation (or something close to it)? I suspect the many factors that polarize liberal and conservative Christianity ultimately come back to this. As I become more moderate (liberal?) in my middle age, the "happy that I'm in" feelings are slowly being replaced with sorrow that others may not be. Sometimes I think the sorrow is actually replacing anger, and the joy is still there in full measure. But there are days that it doesn't feel that way.

I don't believe in universal salvation. If the destiny of the wicked and the righteous is the same, what was the point of all the suffering? I do believe however that eternal life will be gifted to all who do the right thing, and not based on any mental beliefs or religious rules.

Soma Seer · Oct 14, 2014

elman said:
I do believe...that eternal life will be gifted to all who do the right thing, and not based on any mental beliefs or religious rules.

I am on board with that belief; it makes God seem more like, well, God, rather than a Divine Being Who acts more like a petty human who holds grudges.

SS

hedrick · Oct 14, 2014

elman said:
I don't believe in universal salvation. If the destiny of the wicked and the righteous is the same, what was the point of all the suffering? I do believe however that eternal life will be gifted to all who do the right thing, and not based on any mental beliefs or religious rules.

I think there are good and bad reasons to want judgement.

We do not want evil to be present throughout eternity. It needs to be converted or destroyed. That’s a good reason.

But i do not agree with arguments saying that we suffered for right, and bad guys shouldn’t get the same reward. This is the argument of the older brother in the Prodigal Son, and the earliest employees in the vineyard. Jesus doesn’t agree. Christianity can’t be something we do just because we want a reward. The Christian life should be better, and being part of Jesus’ Kingdom should be a good thing in itself.

Jesus was certainly willing to speak about consequences. I very much fear that there will be at least some people who are irreconcilable. But I don’t know it. It’s generally been considered heretical to teach universalism as a doctrine, but not to hope that few or no people will be in hell. This is what Peripatetic said.

What liberal beliefs/leanings brought you here?

Soma Seer

Guest

Confessional Lutheran

stupid bleeding heart feminist liberal

Scripture,Tradition and Reason

Soma Seer

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Soma Seer

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Scripture,Tradition and Reason

elman

Episcopalian

Well-Known Member

Junior Member

Newbie

Well-Known Member

Newbie

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Scripture,Tradition and Reason

Restless mind, peaceful soul.

elman

Soma Seer

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