Is there a Christianity that isn't toxic?

[graceandpeace]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/mercynotsacrifice/2016/07/01/is-there-a-christianity-that-isnt-toxic/

All of these, but especially 2, 3, 8, 9, & 10.

What points resonate most with you?

 

[Cappadocious]

The part where he sells us his book via a bunch of generic platitudes and PR speak.

 

[graceandpeace]

^LOL fair enough.

I knew there was a book being promoted. I just liked the brief summation points. They resonated with me, anyway, though at this point I wouldn't call the observations unique.

 

[SHETALKSTOANGELS]

Even though we are called to forgive and move on, I am stuck in a time warp with two Catholic clergy members who did such unbelievable damage to me as a fragile child ( not fragile in body, fragile in soul and mental health ) that at 55 it still brings tears to my eyes.

Whoever said ' sticks and stones ' clearly has skin as thick as a rhinos.

One Franciscan brother said to me " You are a freak, you have always been a freak and you deserve whatever you get in life '

One Sister of Charity ( cough cough) nun took me out of the talent show in 6th grade after weeks of practicing our act, as I did not have the 'natural rhythm ' of my two black partners.

Nice.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

I am currently walking a fine line. I am a liberal sort, and cannot seem to find a place for me. I cannot and do not walk in lockstep with the "conservative Christians", their views often repulse me.

That said...I DO take what the bible says seriously...especially the parts about love one another. However, I do not see that happening among many "flavors" of Christians. I don't care what you claim to believe, I am more concerned about your actions and words. Do they match what you claim to believe? I see too many believers who have literally checked their brains at the door...and fall into what I consider to be less than intellectually honest beliefs.

As of right now, I have chosen to "divorce" myself from my current church community because I just can't keep my mouth shut anymore and REALLY don't want to cause a scene.

Any advice?

 

[SHETALKSTOANGELS]

I am currently walking a fine line. I am a liberal sort, and cannot seem to find a place for me. I cannot and do not walk in lockstep with the "conservative Christians", their views often repulse me.

That said...I DO take what the bible says seriously...especially the parts about love one another. However, I do not see that happening among many "flavors" of Christians. I don't care what you claim to believe, I am more concerned about your actions and words. Do they match what you claim to believe? I see too many believers who have literally checked their brains at the door...and fall into what I consider to be less than intellectually honest beliefs.

As of right now, I have chosen to "divorce" myself from my current church community because I just can't keep my mouth shut anymore and REALLY don't want to cause a scene.

Any advice?

This may or may not work for you but it may be something to consider. I do not go to church at all, but there is no doubt whatsoever that I accept Christ as Savior and Redeemer, His mother, angels and saints.

I have a sweet little alter set up in my room, with pictures, icons from Russia, statues......I bought a Japanese meditation chair so I can get close to it, and that is where I spend a lot of my time in prayer.

Probably not what you are looking for, but what the heck, I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in.

Best wishes to you as you sort yourself out.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

I think I will probably eventually set myself up a little meditation area...once we move out of the overgrown closet. I pray now, but it's more of a conversation, and as a Latina, you know if you tie our hands we can't talk.

I do need to remove myself from what i truly see as degenerate, heterodox christianity here in the US.

Oh...and I LOVE that Black Crowes song!

 

[SHETALKSTOANGELS]

I think I will probably eventually set myself up a little meditation area...once we move out of the overgrown closet. I pray now, but it's more of a conversation, and as a Latina, you know if you tie our hands we can't talk.

I do need to remove myself from what i truly see as degenerate, heterodox christianity here in the US.

Oh...and I LOVE that Black Crowes song!

Anybody who likes the Black Crowes OR this particular song only is alright by me !!!!!

 

[RedPonyDriver]

This one is a favorite of mine...says SO much
"Learn To Be Still" (The Eagles)

It's just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You'd give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
Just over that green hill
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will-
Learn to be still

We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don't know how to be alone
So we wander 'round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

Now the flowers in your garden
They don't smell so sweet
Maybe you've forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet

[Solo]

There are so many contridictions
In all these messages we send
(We keep asking)
How do I get out of here
Where do I fit in?
Though the world is torn and shaken
Even if your heart is breakin'
It's waiting for you to awaken
And someday you will-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

You just keep on runnin'
Keep on runnin'

 

[SHETALKSTOANGELS]

This one is a favorite of mine...says SO much
"Learn To Be Still" (The Eagles)

It's just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You'd give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
Just over that green hill
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will-
Learn to be still

We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don't know how to be alone
So we wander 'round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

Now the flowers in your garden
They don't smell so sweet
Maybe you've forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet

[Solo]

There are so many contridictions
In all these messages we send
(We keep asking)
How do I get out of here
Where do I fit in?
Though the world is torn and shaken
Even if your heart is breakin'
It's waiting for you to awaken
And someday you will-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

You just keep on runnin'
Keep on runnin'

I was a teenager when the Eagles were massive.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

So was I...the first time. I saw them in concert when The Long Run came out...I then saw them when they did the He** freezes over tour in '96. Their CDs are a staple in my car.

 

[SHETALKSTOANGELS]

Remember this little gem ? I was 14 in 1975 and it was my first year of high school.

 

[graceandpeace]

I am currently walking a fine line. I am a liberal sort, and cannot seem to find a place for me. I cannot and do not walk in lockstep with the "conservative Christians", their views often repulse me.

That said...I DO take what the bible says seriously...especially the parts about love one another. However, I do not see that happening among many "flavors" of Christians. I don't care what you claim to believe, I am more concerned about your actions and words. Do they match what you claim to believe? I see too many believers who have literally checked their brains at the door...and fall into what I consider to be less than intellectually honest beliefs.

As of right now, I have chosen to "divorce" myself from my current church community because I just can't keep my mouth shut anymore and REALLY don't want to cause a scene.

Any advice?

What denomination is the church that you're leaving? You can start a new thread for this subject if you want to.

 

[Paidiske]

I was also thinking, RPD, time to find a new church. I'm certain there's one that will fit you out there somewhere, but I don't know which one it is!

 

[hedrick]

i find this subject weird. I've heard a number of accounts like the RedPony's. And in Christian Advice and various other places here, I hear descriptions of churches that seem genuinely toxic. But I personally haven't seen one. I've seen a variety of PCUSA, Episcopal, Methodist and Quaker churches. They're all made up of reasonable people who care about and support each other.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

i find this subject weird. I've heard a number of accounts like the RedPony's. And in Christian Advice and various other places here, I hear descriptions of churches that seem genuinely toxic. But I personally haven't seen one. I've seen a variety of PCUSA, Episcopal, Methodist and Quaker churches. They're all made up of reasonable people who care about and support each other.

I attended an Independent Christian Church. I like the idea of weekly communion as I believe it to be biblical. HOWEVER...I can't deal with the lock-step right-wing politics that are so popular in the evangelical community.

I also fail to see how three songs at the beginning of a service constitute "worship"...worship is SO much more! I find it rather shallow and banal to say the least. I also don't understand why they jump on the latest "bandwagon" whether it's some "Christian" financial deal or the latest book by the latest Christian guru. For heaven's sake people, use the brain God gave you!

I just can't do it anymore...I really can't.

 

[hedrick]

So why are you going to conservative churches?

Disciples of Christ and the Episcopal Church are mainline denomination that have communion every Sunday. Some ELCA churches do as well (maybe most -- their policy seems to say that weekly is the norm). None of these tend to follow bandwagons of the type that you're describing.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

I may try a DoC church...

 

[linr05]

I attended an Independent Christian Church. I like the idea of weekly communion as I believe it to be biblical. HOWEVER...I can't deal with the lock-step right-wing politics that are so popular in the evangelical community.

I also fail to see how three songs at the beginning of a service constitute "worship"...worship is SO much more! I find it rather shallow and banal to say the least. I also don't understand why they jump on the latest "bandwagon" whether it's some "Christian" financial deal or the latest book by the latest Christian guru. For heaven's sake people, use the brain God gave you!

I just can't do it anymore...I really can't.

Why do U think Christ established St. Peter first as His Earthly Vicar? Pentecost happened later. Learn The One Holy Apostolic Catholic Faith. Beware of its public Simulacrum since 1958.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

Why do U think Christ established St. Peter first as His Earthly Vicar? Pentecost happened later. Learn The One Holy Apostolic Catholic Faith. Beware of its public Simulacrum since 1958.

My family left the Catholic church when I was a teenager. I tried going back...however...that's a discussion I do not wish to have here, let it suffice to say that there's no way I will ever darken the door of the RCC ever again.