Beliefs

[Anonymous]

There ARE churches that dont have anti-gay beliefs. I'm not personally religious, but I know of at least one in my city (not dc) that celebrates inclusivity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There ARE churches that dont have anti-gay beliefs. I'm not personally religious, but I know of at least one in my city (not dc) that celebrates inclusivity.

I know of churches in the DC area that don't have anti-gay beliefs and some that even have gay clergy but don't know if they say anything specific about it on their websites and they are pretty liberal in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren’t anti-gay, do you find it possible to be part of a church that has, in the information about their beliefs on their website, a statement about marriage being between one man and one woman?

We are looking for a church. Live in Fairfax. Have been exposed to some lovely, active churches (mostly non-denominational) where people seem great. No outward signs of being super conservative. Reasonably diverse. Have met well-educated people there. But then there’s that statement right there on the website.

These places seem so welcoming and to be striving to grow and proselytize. So, they must be truly anti-gay to still want to scare people off with that statement of belief, right?

I’m not gay but don’t want my kids (or me) exposed to hateful beliefs. I guess I’m just hoping for some insight into why a church would choose to do this and any thoughts about whether such a statement might actually not be an indication of an anti-gay agenda. Not looking for prescriptive advice as much as I’m interested in others’ thoughts and experiences.

I get it - I am also not gay or bu but it is important to me to attend a church where all are welcome spiritually and socially.

My episcopal church in DC is very welcoming to all … also very age diverse. We have smaller social groups to support GBTQ+ people and their parents. Two of our priests are openly gay.

I am sure there are great episcopal churches in NOVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are mistaking hate for the truth.

It’s hate and it’s a lie

[Anonymous]

I don't think Methodists do literal Biblical inerrancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you aren’t anti-gay, do you find it possible to be part of a church that has, in the information about their beliefs on their website, a statement about marriage being between one man and one woman?

We are looking for a church. Live in Fairfax. Have been exposed to some lovely, active churches (mostly non-denominational) where people seem great. No outward signs of being super conservative. Reasonably diverse. Have met well-educated people there. But then there’s that statement right there on the website.

These places seem so welcoming and to be striving to grow and proselytize. So, they must be truly anti-gay to still want to scare people off with that statement of belief, right?

I’m not gay but don’t want my kids (or me) exposed to hateful beliefs. I guess I’m just hoping for some insight into why a church would choose to do this and any thoughts about whether such a statement might actually not be an indication of an anti-gay agenda. Not looking for prescriptive advice as much as I’m interested in others’ thoughts and experiences.

The Catholic Church is anti-gay -- no need for them to say anything on their website about it. Everyone knows. But I've heard that Catholic seminaries are hotbeds of homosexual activity. And a lot of their priests certainly have gay affect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are mistaking hate for the truth.

It’s hate and it’s a lie

It is very simple to determine if a church teaches the truth or is an imposter church: are their teachings on morality supported by the Bible?

If a church has unrepentant homosexuals active in that church, it is not a church but a social club pretending to be a church.

Even if the pastor of that church has a PhD in Theology from Harvard but is teaching contrary to the Bible (such as claiming homosexuality is not sin), then that pastor is a reprobate. Dismiss that ungodly person with extreme prejudice. Heed not a word that person says.

Another good indicator of a false church is a church with a woman pastor. That is a church that has strayed from the truth. Don’t go there.

A final mark of a worldly church is what I call the Rock & Roll church. If every church service has the appearance of a Rock concert with hippie-looking musicians, I would tread carefully and be on high alert. It does not mean it is a false church but something could be amiss.

The Bible is your litmus test to determine if a church is of God or of Satan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are mistaking hate for the truth.

It’s hate and it’s a lie

It is very simple to determine if a church teaches the truth or is an imposter church: are their teachings on morality supported by the Bible?

If a church has unrepentant homosexuals active in that church, it is not a church but a social club pretending to be a church.

Even if the pastor of that church has a PhD in Theology from Harvard but is teaching contrary to the Bible (such as claiming homosexuality is not sin), then that pastor is a reprobate. Dismiss that ungodly person with extreme prejudice. Heed not a word that person says.

Another good indicator of a false church is a church with a woman pastor. That is a church that has strayed from the truth. Don’t go there.

A final mark of a worldly church is what I call the Rock & Roll church. If every church service has the appearance of a Rock concert with hippie-looking musicians, I would tread carefully and be on high alert. It does not mean it is a false church but something could be amiss.

The Bible is your litmus test to determine if a church is of God or of Satan.

Spoken like a true fundamentalist. Bet you voted for Trump, an atheist, though.

Yes, I am a Fundamentalist Christian: a Christian whose foundation is Jesus.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Churches that teach contrary to the Bible do not have Jesus as its foundation. That church will crumble. You can identify false teachers and false churches by comparing their teachings to the Bible.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)

This means to stop sinning , turn away from it. Heed well what Jesus said:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven…And then will I profess unto them (those claiming to be Christians), I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21)

Declaring a sin not to be sin (homosexuality) is a work of iniquity.

As for who I voted for, that is irrelevant. My one little vote did not determine the outcome. God ultimately decides that:

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings… (Daniel 2:21)

Evangelical here - in the theological sense of the word NOT the political sense. Who you vote for definitely didn't change the outcome, but it does reflect whether your priorities and values align with what you say they are. When the Lewinski scandal blew up, Christianity Today published a long story about how much character matters in a President. If those of us who are the type to read CT really thought that then, we need to really think it now. No "but the other guy is so BAD" exemptions allowed. After all, the early church was dealing with friggin' Nero and they still respected their political leaders.

[Anonymous]

"What god has made clean, let no man call profane" Acts 10:15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"What god has made clean, let no man call profane" Acts 10:15.

There are multiple things in this thread you could be attempting to apply this verse to...and none of them are Gentiles called by God to believe in Christ Jesus (the original context of the verse).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are mistaking hate for the truth.

It’s hate and it’s a lie

It is very simple to determine if a church teaches the truth or is an imposter church: are their teachings on morality supported by the Bible?

If a church has unrepentant homosexuals active in that church, it is not a church but a social club pretending to be a church.

Even if the pastor of that church has a PhD in Theology from Harvard but is teaching contrary to the Bible (such as claiming homosexuality is not sin), then that pastor is a reprobate. Dismiss that ungodly person with extreme prejudice. Heed not a word that person says.

Another good indicator of a false church is a church with a woman pastor. That is a church that has strayed from the truth. Don’t go there.

A final mark of a worldly church is what I call the Rock & Roll church. If every church service has the appearance of a Rock concert with hippie-looking musicians, I would tread carefully and be on high alert. It does not mean it is a false church but something could be amiss.

The Bible is your litmus test to determine if a church is of God or of Satan.

No. The word homosexual was not even in the bible until 1946. You've been bamboozled by false prophets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are mistaking hate for the truth.

It’s hate and it’s a lie

It is very simple to determine if a church teaches the truth or is an imposter church: are their teachings on morality supported by the Bible?

If a church has unrepentant homosexuals active in that church, it is not a church but a social club pretending to be a church.

Even if the pastor of that church has a PhD in Theology from Harvard but is teaching contrary to the Bible (such as claiming homosexuality is not sin), then that pastor is a reprobate. Dismiss that ungodly person with extreme prejudice. Heed not a word that person says.

Another good indicator of a false church is a church with a woman pastor. That is a church that has strayed from the truth. Don’t go there.

A final mark of a worldly church is what I call the Rock & Roll church. If every church service has the appearance of a Rock concert with hippie-looking musicians, I would tread carefully and be on high alert. It does not mean it is a false church but something could be amiss.

The Bible is your litmus test to determine if a church is of God or of Satan.

No. The word homosexual was not even in the bible until 1946. You've been bamboozled by false prophets.

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination

This is the very definition of homosexuality. If you cannot see this, you are deceived and willfully ignorant.

There are many examples in the Bible, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Those who are not of God will either ignore scripture or lie claiming the Bible does not say it anywhere, or that it means something else; Christians have been wrong for over 2000 years.

It is interesting why the ungodly go out of their way to approve of this one particular sin, twisting and omitting scripture to convince sinful people their behavior is blessed by God when it is not.

I believe Satan loves abortion and homosexuality because it results in fewer humans on the planet. Satan has only a limited workforce of demons to deploy, so the fewer humans there are, the easier the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"What god has made clean, let no man call profane" Acts 10:15.

God cleansed Trump so it was appropriate to vote for him. Check and Mate, Democrats!

This provides a good teaching moment how the ungodly use Bible verses out of context to justify sin, whether it be to justify homosexuality or claiming if you sow enough seed money, God will make you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams.

The verse in Acts 10 the PP quoted specifically referred to unclean foods such as pork and shellfish which God said in Leviticus 11 are unclean or abomination. However, there was no death penalty for eating these whereas there was a death penalty for adultery and homosexuality.

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Leviticus 20:13)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Notice that atheists are in this group: the unbelieving.

Who are the abominable? It is they who willfully persist in living an immoral life, such as lying, cheating, stealing, killing, homosexuality and adultery.

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26)

You had better be very careful in trying to deceive yourself that you are not sinning because it “feels” right or “love” or a pastor tickled your ears saying “thou art clean: do whatever is right in your own eyes, sin all ya wanna!”

There is a difference between succumbing to temptation and defiantly declaring, “It is not sin and I am going to do it no matter what that stupid old Bible says!”

Why do you think most non-Liberal Christians vote Republican? I will tell you: it is the Democratic party that officially supports and condones abortion and homosexuality. Are their immoral and ungodly politicians in the Republican party? Certainly, but these individuals are not the political platform. These individuals tend to be RINOs: except for the R for Republican, they are little different than Democrats, Democrat Lite if you will.

By the way, I am not Jonathan Bell.

Your whole thesis is based on scripture from the Old Testament. Yet, you ignore the whole point of the New Testament and what Jesus taught. Shame.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.“
- Matthew 5:17

Shame on YOU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What 13:20 said, but much more nicely stated.

To these churches, there are a few core doctrines that are of prime importance - the Apostles Creed is going to be a solid summary, though if they're part of a denomination with a statement of faith (Westminster Confession, 39 Articles, and similar) that's also a good place to look. One of those core doctrines - probably ranked just below ones about the Trinity in importance - is going to be that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God and is literal for the genre of each book. Since Romans (for example) is a letter, these churches believe that the church has to follow what Romans 1 says.

And what 13:20 said about Jesus' teachings being antithetical to that? PP should read the Sermon on the Mount and what it says about divorce. Seriously. Jesus had some pretty strong opinions on marriage. The image you might have of a sweet and mild Jesus doesn't really match what the Gospels show the God-man was really like.

I'm curious why you automatically assume these beliefs are "hateful." Do you assume these churches also hate anyone heterosexual living together outside of marriage? Or anyone who divorced without adultery and remarried? Because those are doctrines that I'd say most of these churches consider equally important - but nobody assumes they hate divorcees I don't think.

Why is there nothing on the website about divorcees?
There never is, and that’s the huge problem I have with people using the Bible as a weapon against lgbt people. It’s picking and choosing. Because you are uncomfortable with gay people you use the Bible as the reason. Single parents, divorced people, remarried parents etc, never get the same treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What 13:20 said, but much more nicely stated.

To these churches, there are a few core doctrines that are of prime importance - the Apostles Creed is going to be a solid summary, though if they're part of a denomination with a statement of faith (Westminster Confession, 39 Articles, and similar) that's also a good place to look. One of those core doctrines - probably ranked just below ones about the Trinity in importance - is going to be that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God and is literal for the genre of each book. Since Romans (for example) is a letter, these churches believe that the church has to follow what Romans 1 says.

And what 13:20 said about Jesus' teachings being antithetical to that? PP should read the Sermon on the Mount and what it says about divorce. Seriously. Jesus had some pretty strong opinions on marriage. The image you might have of a sweet and mild Jesus doesn't really match what the Gospels show the God-man was really like.

I'm curious why you automatically assume these beliefs are "hateful." Do you assume these churches also hate anyone heterosexual living together outside of marriage? Or anyone who divorced without adultery and remarried? Because those are doctrines that I'd say most of these churches consider equally important - but nobody assumes they hate divorcees I don't think.

Why is there nothing on the website about divorcees?
There never is, and that’s the huge problem I have with people using the Bible as a weapon against lgbt people. It’s picking and choosing. Because you are uncomfortable with gay people you use the Bible as the reason. Single parents, divorced people, remarried parents etc, never get the same treatment.

Or the ones who eat shrimp and all sorts of other laws strictly prohibited in the same book as the one they are using against LGTB people.