Hello, friends.

[William]

Hello, 

My name is William. I'm not currently in any church. I was raised in a Southern Baptist home but I honestly abandoned that way of thinking quite a long time ago. I am an American and I think we are about to go through some terrible times and I wanted to reach out to a Progressive Christian community. 

I'm in my fifties, I have struggled with social anxiety and other problems, but I have a stubborn belief in a higher power. I have my own version of the Jefferson Bible where I transcribed the parts of the New Testament that make sense to me. I have several normal Bibles and I can refer to anything in the Bible but I know from experience that there are parts of it that just aren't for me. 

My beliefs appear to fall into the Progressive Christian category. I believe people of any sexual orientation and ethnic identity deserve the respect and friendship that any person deserves. I don't believe any religion has the exclusive recipe for salvation. I've read a couple of books by John Shelby Spong and Marcus Borg. I read "If Grace Is True" by John Philip Gulley and James Mulholland. 

Frankly, I'm really frightened about the future. I hope I make some friends here and I wouldn't be surprised if there are others who feel this way who were lurking on websites like this and decide to finally introduce ourselves.  So here I am. 

To me Christianity is a spiritual philosophy. I believe that all people will be saved. The importance of embracing humanistic ideas is important. All people deserve respect and love.  We should live with compassion for others. 

Well, that's what I came to say. I will revisit soon. I'm not an instant message guy for now but I'll visit the forums and see what's going on from time to time.  Talk to you soon, friends. 

[PaulS]

Welcome to the Forum, William.

I hope you enjoy participating here and perhaps trawling through many of the historical threads - there's a heck of a lot of information and previous discussions about all sorts of matters - spiritual, secular, politics, and humanism.

Change is always unsettling and yes, we are certainly heading into different times.  The US election is clearly the big topic of the moment with the re-election of Donald Trump. What that means for the world and the US remains to be seen, and I guess we wait to see how things will play out when it comes to things like economies, care & consideration for 'others', war, and the future direction of the US.

I think Progressive Christianity has much to offer those who have experienced Christianity, but just know some bits are 'off'. I know for myself, I was quite amazed to learn a lot of things about Christianity and the Bible that were contrary to the 'dogma' I had been raised on within fundamental Christianity. Enjoy your journey.

Cheers

Paul

[tariki]

Just a quick welcome, William.

Yes, ALL shall be saved. Exactly what salvation is, or becomes, is hidden from us, but a fundamental Faith/trust that "all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well" (Mother Julian of Norwich, from her "Revelations of Divine Love") I have found to be life-giving. 

Such a Universalism is no modernism, but is grounded in the earliest traditions of the Christian faith. 

This is a quiet Forum, but often so much the better! 

Welcome. All the best. 

[romansh]

Hi William .... welcome

If you want to have your beliefs questioned, just please let me know. I am your man