reservations about returning to the church.

[amtown]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

 

[Red Fox]

If you are a Christian yourself, then perhaps it would be better if you asked your question in a Christian Only forum, such as Christian Advice. If you want, you can report your OP and ask for your thread to be moved to that particular forum.

 

[Albion]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

Basically, the answer is "yes."

But it depends to a large extent upon which church/denomination you choose to belong to and attend. Some have very detailed statements of faith and expect all members to adhere to every point. Others have expectations when it comes to what they consider to be essential doctrines while allowing a range of opinion on non-essentials. Still others have only very general statements of belief which leaves a lot of room for personal convictions to vary. And a few have almost no declared doctrines, leaving you almost unlimited freedom of your beliefs.

But there is a downside to this also. If you dissent on more than a few...or if your personal belief in certain areas is quite unconventional, and you therefore choose one of the churches that tolerates a lot of personal opinion, it means that the other members of your church are in the same situation and could hold almost any belief, some of which may be in the category of ones that you do NOT think are non-essentials. This may offend you, or perhaps not.

So, if you are intending to be honest with the church and not secretly dissent where it does not believe that's acceptable, the answer depends to a large extent upon which beliefs you hold and finding the particular church or churches which are a good fit for that profile. Not knowing what your own beliefs and preferences are, I can't now suggest any, but it would be possible if you gave us more information and are interested in that.

 

[FireDragon76]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

There are many churches where tolerance of other faiths is the norm. So why not look into one of those first?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

Maybe look for an "Emergent" Church somewhere in your area.

 

[football5680]

If you want to be a true Christian then you must put God above everything. Your convictions cannot overrule what God has said.

 

[graceandpeace]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

Yes, but it depends on the tradition. With more information, perhaps we could make suggestions.

 

[Froesler]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

Jesus is above everything, it's His convictions we all should follow.

 

[juvenissun]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

It should be a conditional yes.

While you think you are right, do not forget you could also be wrong. Who is your real teacher who is able to tell you the truth? Do not forget to ask this Teacher whenever you can and carefully listen to the teaching.

 

[amtown]

Froesler, shouldn't our own convictions be inspired by the holy spirit as the bible was inspired by God, and out walk be led by those convictions and not by the congregation?

 

[juvenissun]

Froesler, shouldn't our own convictions be inspired by the holy spirit as the bible was inspired by God, and out walk be led by those convictions and not by the congregation?

Yes. But ...

When your conviction are opposed by many in the congregation, you NEED to constantly review it with the aid of the Holy Spirit. If you do not do that, you could be wrong without knowing it.

But, if you can not see anything wrong, then move ahead. If you are indeed wrong, the Lord WILL let you know one way or another.

--------

I forgot the title of your thread. If you leave the church because of a different idea which opposed to some of the church people, then you have a good chance to be wrong.

 

[amtown]

I have always been able to keep an open mind to different ideas. I guess the best any of us can do is to walk our own walk using the advice and experience of others to guide our walk but not dictate it.

 

[Albion]

I have always been able to keep an open mind to different ideas. I guess the best any of us can do is to walk our own walk using the advice and experience of others to guide our walk but not dictate it.

Sure. But in the OP you asked about being "accepted in a faith," not walking apart. Have we clarified anything in THAT area?

 

[amtown]

Yes actually, thank you.

 

[Lewisb]

For me it was very much a case of tried atheism but failed, the were far to many questions. plus when I read the works of christian apologists I really decided faith was the way forward.

 

[AlephBet]

Is it possible to fit in and be accepted in a faith where some of your convictions differ from others (such as tolerance of others faith.) And is it ok to base your walk largely on your own and convictions?

Since we are in the philosophy section, I will give you the answer that reflects a love for wisdom.

The best advise is to get the point of scripture firmly settled as your foundation. What is the point? Give and never take. Of course, answering why is always the important point once you know the point.

Why then answers how.

In Colossians 1, the Son of God is stated as what he is.

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Why does it not answer what he is not? This is the question. Once you get the answer to this, you then know why you can stop judging others and naming your self by another image. The church name and congregation is unimportant.

Know thyself. Once you do, you cannot judge. Not only this, you need not fill yourself with anything other point than the answer to the question of why and how. Judge not or you judge your own self. Who are you?

Once you know, you simply love yourself in others. Pathos is seeing your self in the other. You are the other. You can only be where you are. Never anywhere else.

Now you just need to know where you are. I can show you in one verse.