mzmolly

I too would recommend the book, Meeting Jesus Again For the First Time, by Marcus Borg.

 

I would also recommend other Borg works, especially The Meaning of Jesus, as well as Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings.

 

It is extremely important now that we understand the true message of the Christ, which is NOT what is being spread by leaders of the so-called "Christian" Right.

 

For example, Pat Robertson, the host of the 700 Club and founder of the so-called Christian Coalition, has said: “You say you’re supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and the Unitarians and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense. I don’t have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist.  I can love the people who hold false opinions, but I don’t have to be nice to them.”

 

The problem is that real Christians, like real Buddhists and other true servants of God, tend to be humble and meek. They are too polite to criticize bigots and hypocrites.

 

But we must stand up for the truth. It's very important, especially since right-wing zealots who claim to serve God are being so aggressive and even violent and deadly. They call themselve the "true Christians" or "true Muslims" or "true Jews" or whatever. But they betray their religion and they betray God.

 

Those of us who understand what's going on must speak up.

Joshua you make a very good point. WE need to stand strong against their twisted version of Christ. They DO betray the God they claim to emulate/love.

On a lighter note:

I had no idea Presbyterians were on PR's list of *Anti-Christical* organizations. I may have to check them out.

I am actually reading another book by Mr. Borg now. Sorry, wish I'd read this thread earlier.

Duke University has historic ties to the Methodist Church. Interestingly, it has the same motto, Eruditio et Religio, as Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky which also has a Methodist history.

The UMC churches in small southern towns are very conservative compared to those in university cities. My church has always had mildly liberal pastors until recently. The present one is a bible literalist and endorses speaking in tongues. The conservative congretation is wild about him. They have been hoping for years for someone like him. It is a perfect match for the congregation. Their glee is matched by my gloom.

EEK! And I thought finding a Progressive Church in the Midwest was difficult...

MzMolly,

Unfortunately when people tell you to find a christian church or you'll go to hell they mean find a christian church that is exactly like theirs.  If you told him you'd found my church his head would explode because we have a woman co-pastor and several gay deacons. Sometimes you just have to say "Bless your heart , don't you worry about me 'cause me and the Lord are gonna figure it out." In other words, sometimes there's no talking to people becase anything thing that does not agree with them is the Devil.........Sigh

Dillo

You are exactly right. It doesn't end with *find a great church that you enjoy and can grow spiritually from* it ends with think like me or your doomed to hell. I generally tolerate that quite well, but when someone claims I am damaging my child for not embracing the George Bush version of Christianity, I have a problem.

Sorry to bring politics into this. But, I feel that much of Christianity has been poluted with worshiping of the Republican Party, rather then the ideals of Christ.

I wrote her back, and haven't heard again. Must have said something right huh?

Just want to say how much I appreciate this list of resources!

Thank YOU.

Thanks again BrotherRog.

Thank You Brother Rog.

Much appreciation!

I am deciding between these two progressive churches.

Any thoughts as to what the major differences are?

Do you see one having an advantage over the other?

UCC = United Church of Christ

UMC = United Methodist Church

Thank You.

I feel you summed ME up perfectly 

 

Hey, do I know you from somewhere?

 

Hmmm... could be from any number of forums I visit, most of which are listed on one page or antoerh of my website.

Great website!

I am a progressive christian, thought I had no idea that progressive christians existed as a group until very recently.

Again, glad to have found you. I look forward to continuing enlightenment.

Lisa, me thinks you have me confused with another.

But I am so encouraged reading the forums here, and so glad to have found you all.

I am very fresh in my search for a church and a christian community that actually feels christ like. I just can't take my family to church to go through the motions. I feel that I would actually doing myself and my God a disservice.

Suffice it to say, I am relieved to have found you all, and look forward to beginning to read some of the great books you all suggested.

It seems to me there is a great NEED for the churches that we seek.

I was thinking last night, that so many are lost to christianity because of the fundimentalists who have taken over and (in my opinion) tarnished the meaning and words of Christ. Its sad that people feel they have to choose between the narrow fundimentalist interpretation and rejecting Christ altogether.

Great, Thanks!

Maybe it's not nice to mess with their "survey" especially when my text at beliefnet consistant comes up with "neopagan" and "new age", while my birth church "Roman Catholic" is always at the bottom! Who writes these things anyway?

 

What is more troubling is their assertion that the majority of Americans are "Bible Believing". A lot of people may say it, but do they even know what is in the Bible? Maybe it's just a platitude? What is more, in a article at Common Dreams, religious "nones" are now the fastest growing "denomination" in America, falling just behind Catholics (who the fundies don't consider Christian) and Baptists. It seems that the "old time religion" is now the "over the hill religion"!

 

(Bye the bye, I redid my Webpage and am interested in your comments. Thanks!!)

Interesting article...thanks!

I just recently read Bishop Spong's book Saving the Bible from Fundamentalism and while much of it's technicality of the Bible overwhelmed me, the main message was not lost on me and was moved to tears at the last chapter ---finally feeling validated in my thoughts and beliefs. My favorite quote from Spong was "my heart cannot worship what my mind does not understand". I have never had a problem having a relationship with God/Christ but to try to be inspired was continually frustrating when the weekly fundamentalist/literal message/Bible study just didn't make sense!

 

My frustration now is that there is not a church that I have found yet that feels comfortable....and why is that all these conservative evangelical churches have wonderfully inspiring and joyful music but the advertised liberal churches (episcopal / methodist) have music that sounds like a dirge! At least I have found this forum and others that are sustaining me. Thank you for being there for me!

I am in the same exact boat.

Thanks for sharing your story...

I am open to the possibility that the Bible is not inerrant.

 

I am open to the possibility that God is far more loving and forgiving than He has been presented to me previously.

 

I am open to the possibility that no one has "the truth" down 100%, but that many religions have bits and pieces of it and that they can help bring you closer to God.

 

I am very glad to have read one of Borg's books, and I look forward to reading more since they back up those possibilities I mentioned above.

 

~Jen

I feel you summed ME up perfectly

Hey, do I know you from somewhere?

I know that's an interesting way to start a discussion on this subject but...

I have a dilema, and I could use the help of my new friends.

I recently recieved a letter from a relative stating in a nutshell:

1. The end of time is near

2. My family is doomed to hell if we don't find a Church right quick

3. I am not meeting my parental obligations for not finding a Church for my family as of yet.

*sigh*

My position on this ...

I have not found a Church because progressive churches are rare, and the Churches I have attended have a largely RW bent-as does the afore mentioned relative.

I also don't feel attending church is necessary to my salvation, so to speak-though I am seeking a progressive church for my family.

Lastly, I do not believe in Armageddon in the manner my relative does.

I responded to the letter stating my thoughts as gracefully as I could, but I haven't heard back.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

I'm new, but I'm going to jump right in with a new topic. I just found this website and love the content and mission. But I'm looking in vain for an opportunity for direct action as part of a unified effort. I was just talking to a friend who is also tired of the religious right having appropriated the Bible and God and Christianity generally in support of a constitutional amendment to discriminate against homosexuals. The other side buys full-page ads. I heard Ray Suarez say the other day that if the Christian Left were to organize, we would do so ineptly and apologetically, calling ourselves "A Christian Coalition" rather than "The Christian Coalition." Who's organizing the e-mail lists and ad campaigns on our side? We're ready to stuff envelopes.

Here here. Sign me up!!!

1) Do you consider yourself to be a progressive Christian? Why or why not?

Yes, I think. I consider myself a Progressive Christian because I don't believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible. I don't believe that Jesus IS God, but that he is an ultimate messenger and the avenue for my education. I believe that Jesus led by example and following his *teachings* are at the center of Christianity

2) Where do you live? I live in the Midwest

3) What do you do for a living? What do you do outside of your wage-earning job? At home mom, work part time outside the home - nothing worth mentioning in that regard. In fact, I'm at work now.

4) How did you find out about these boards? The TCPC Website.

5) What are you looking for as you post here?

Broadening my understanding of Christianty and trying to find a way to reconcile my intellect with my faith.

6) What on Earth do you think this icon means? Uhhh, that would be John Ashcroft.

7) Tell us anything else you want to about yourself

In time...

Thanks!