Are there such things as Christians who don't believe...

[Anonymous]

I believe the bible is inerrant, though not necessarily literal.

I do not believe homosexual relationships are inherently sinful. However, I do believe fornication, sodomy and masturbation are sins, regardless of genders involved. Any Christian who rails against homosexuals and then goes home and contracepts is a hypocrite.

I believe God will handle non-believers on a case by case basis. My duty is to evangelize and exemplify Christ in my own life- anything beyond that is God's responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe the bible is inerrant, though not necessarily literal.

I do not believe homosexual relationships are inherently sinful. However, I do believe fornication, sodomy and masturbation are sins, regardless of genders involved. Any Christian who rails against homosexuals and then goes home and contracepts is a hypocrite.

I believe God will handle non-believers on a case by case basis. My duty is to evangelize and exemplify Christ in my own life- anything beyond that is God's responsibility.

It sounds like you came to these beliefs on your own. If so, how do you know that this is what God wants for you?

[Anonymous]

I am currently trying to find a faith/church and I don't take some of the bible literally. Virgin birth? I think not. But does that take away anything from Jesus's message for me? Not all. I believe that the message is to live like Christ while on earth and I don't really subscribe to an afterlife. If anyone has suggestions about churches - I would be very appreciative. Someone recently even suggested Reform Judaism to me but I don't know enough about it. Unitarian did not feel right to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently trying to find a faith/church and I don't take some of the bible literally. Virgin birth? I think not. But does that take away anything from Jesus's message for me? Not all. I believe that the message is to live like Christ while on earth and I don't really subscribe to an afterlife. If anyone has suggestions about churches - I would be very appreciative. Someone recently even suggested Reform Judaism to me but I don't know enough about it. Unitarian did not feel right to me.

Episcopalian

[Anonymous]

Definitely try the UCC. The focus is on living as Jesus taught (loving God and neighbor, serving the "least of these") whether or not you believe everything that has been taught ABOUT him. To address OPs message, many (though not all) of the UCC churches in the area are open and affirming, i.e., welcoming to the GLBT community.

[Anonymous]

A list of UCC churches in DC can be found here:
http://www.potomacucc.org/find-a-church/district-of-columbia-churches/

[Anonymous]

I'm not saying this is the faith for you, but actually you'd be okay in the Catholic Church with regard to your first and third points. (cue Catholic bashers here).

I am Catholic and have never met any Catholic who believes that all of the Bible is literal. Yes, I believe in the conception, life and death of Jesus but do not believe in Genesis literally. And even St Francis will tell you that being Catholic or even Christian is the only path to heaven.

IME it's only the truly right-wing fundamentalist versions of Christianity that are truly at their core "you're in or you're out" in terms of who is saved, and I do have friends who believe every single word in the Bible is literal, right down to the whole creationism vs evolution thing, submitting to husbands and the whole nine yards. It may not feel like it, but while they are some of the most vocal, they are minorities in the community of Christians.

[Anonymous]

the Bible is the inerrant word of God... We believe that the Bible was inspired by God and contains parables and stories written to provide comfort and inspiration. We believe that the Bible is a valuable spiritual resource, however it must be read in context remembering that it reflects the understanding of the world the writers were living in. We interpret the Bible metaphysically. We believe the Bible is one of many tools we use to move forward in our spiritual path.

homosexually in a committed relationship is not a sin... We do not believe that homosexuality is a sin. Because we believe in the sacred worth of all people, we are encouraged to honor the strength of diversity.

non-believers will not go to hell... We do not believe in hell as a physical place.

We left the Southern Baptist Church years ago because we could not reconcile a loving God with the garbage we were being fed each Sunday. We joined a Unity Church. Unity is a positive, practical approach to Christianity. We believe that people are by definition creations of God and therefore inherently good. We believe that there is good in every single person on this earth. In some people that "good" is very difficult to see, but it's there. We believe Jesus provided the perfect example of the way we are supposed to live.

[Anonymous]

What is perfect about Jesus? THere may be many good things about him, but perfect? besides there are many examples throughout history of really good people who did great things for humanity.

Jesus is one of many and not even the best example. For instanse, when it comes to CHristianity, you could make a case for Paul, who spread Christianity, which Jesus didn't have a chance to do. Jesus was not even Christian - he was a messianic Jew. Or you could say Constantine, who codified Christianity and made it the official religion of the Roman empire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Episcopalians.

Indeed. Try an episcopalian church.

I agree. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is an extraordinary, highly intelligent woman and she has some wonderful things to say about this. You might also read The Heart of Christianity by Marcus J. Borg for a lucid, compelling description of what he calls the "emerging paradigm" in Christianity. And read Anne Lamott.

The essence of Christianity is love, OP. That doesn't change whether you believe Jesus literally rose from the dead or if you believe the resurrection is a metaphor for hope and new life for all humankind.

You don't sound in the least like a mess. Check out the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Budde made it pretty clear that she didn't believe in the resurrection -- on holy Thursday, on her blog. http://www.edow.org/bishops_blog/2013/03/28/resurrection

She believes in the resurrection as hope and light for all. The power of it is in its personal meaning, and she embraces the mystery of it. I do the same. I greatly admire Bishop Mariann.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not saying this is the faith for you, but actually you'd be okay in the Catholic Church with regard to your first and third points. (cue Catholic bashers here).

I am Catholic and have never met any Catholic who believes that all of the Bible is literal. Yes, I believe in the conception, life and death of Jesus but do not believe in Genesis literally. And even St Francis will tell you that being Catholic or even Christian is the only path to heaven.

IME it's only the truly right-wing fundamentalist versions of Christianity that are truly at their core "you're in or you're out" in terms of who is saved, and I do have friends who believe every single word in the Bible is literal, right down to the whole creationism vs evolution thing, submitting to husbands and the whole nine yards. It may not feel like it, but while they are some of the most vocal, they are minorities in the community of Christians.

Do you mean St. Francis would not tell you Jesus is the only path to heaven?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I agree. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is an extraordinary, highly intelligent woman and she has some wonderful things to say about this. You might also read The Heart of Christianity by Marcus J. Borg for a lucid, compelling description of what he calls the "emerging paradigm" in Christianity. And read Anne Lamott.

The essence of Christianity is love, OP. That doesn't change whether you believe Jesus literally rose from the dead or if you believe the resurrection is a metaphor for hope and new life for all humankind.

You don't sound in the least like a mess. Check out the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Budde made it pretty clear that she didn't believe in the resurrection -- on holy Thursday, on her blog. http://www.edow.org/bishops_blog/2013/03/28/resurrection


She believes in the resurrection as hope and light for all. The power of it is in its personal meaning, and she embraces the mystery of it. I do the same. I greatly admire Bishop Mariann.

I know you can't speak for Bishop Mariann (unless you ARE Bishop Mariann) but can you explain what you mean by " the resurrection as hope and light for all"? Does it inolve physical resurrection? What hope and light does it provide.

And what do you mean by "she embraces the mystery of it"? Could you be specific? What mystery of what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not saying this is the faith for you, but actually you'd be okay in the Catholic Church with regard to your first and third points. (cue Catholic bashers here).

I am Catholic and have never met any Catholic who believes that all of the Bible is literal. Yes, I believe in the conception, life and death of Jesus but do not believe in Genesis literally. And even St Francis will tell you that being Catholic or even Christian is the only path to heaven.

IME it's only the truly right-wing fundamentalist versions of Christianity that are truly at their core "you're in or you're out" in terms of who is saved, and I do have friends who believe every single word in the Bible is literal, right down to the whole creationism vs evolution thing, submitting to husbands and the whole nine yards. It may not feel like it, but while they are some of the most vocal, they are minorities in the community of Christians.

Do you mean St. Francis would not tell you Jesus is the only path to heaven?

Sorry, I meant Pope Francis. And yes, he is on the record as saying that Jesus died to redeem everyone and all those who do good, including atheists, will benefit from that redemption.

[Anonymous]

Jesus is one of many and not even the best example. For instanse, when it comes to CHristianity, you could make a case for Paul, who spread Christianity, which Jesus didn't have a chance to do. J

You don't really know a whole lot about Paul, do you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not saying this is the faith for you, but actually you'd be okay in the Catholic Church with regard to your first and third points. (cue Catholic bashers here).

I am Catholic and have never met any Catholic who believes that all of the Bible is literal. Yes, I believe in the conception, life and death of Jesus but do not believe in Genesis literally. And even St Francis will tell you that being Catholic or even Christian is the only path to heaven.

IME it's only the truly right-wing fundamentalist versions of Christianity that are truly at their core "you're in or you're out" in terms of who is saved, and I do have friends who believe every single word in the Bible is literal, right down to the whole creationism vs evolution thing, submitting to husbands and the whole nine yards. It may not feel like it, but while they are some of the most vocal, they are minorities in the community of Christians.

Do you mean St. Francis would not tell you Jesus is the only path to heaven?

Sorry, I meant Pope Francis. And yes, he is on the record as saying that Jesus died to redeem everyone and all those who do good, including atheists, will benefit from that redemption.

Thanks for the clarification.