But many churches do. It’s up to each person’s discretion whether their church are true followers or either a watered down version where anything goes or a judgmental no love for sinners as they define it.

Anonymous wrote:Why are people so comfortable proclaiming a love for Jesus and a dislike for his church? The church he obviously loves? It's like saying hey, I like you but I really don't like your family/friends.
Would you want to be in a relationship with someone like that?

Because so many churches do not act like Jesus wanted the church to act.

^^^ this is the whole issue with the watered down, progressive version of Christianity.

Societal norms have shifted hugely in a very short time, and it's currently in fashion to be a Free Palestine/BLM/alphabet soup cheerleader or ally and to acknowledge your white privilege. If you fail to do that, you're unkind, which is about the worst thing you could possibly be.

I'm not a huge Allie Beth Stuckey superfan but I do agree with her basics on Toxic Empathy - really good book.

Jen and all the others of her ilk are basically just "Oh, I don't like that rule because it doesn't fit the current narrative, so therefore it is wrong." It is a pick-and-choose Christianity. It doesn't make you "Not a Christian" but when a quasi celebrity preaches this viewpoint as right and good then it becomes dark and dangerous.

I don't make assumptions about anyone's faith or relationship with Jesus but these influencers who acheived some notoriety being "Christian Authors" or whatever are now refusing to call themselves Christians.

I think that is frightening.

Anonymous wrote:The Times described Jen as a Christian. Would she even say that anymore about herself or would she says she’s a Follower of Jesus or something like that which is super fashionable? Does she even go to church anymore?

Again, “believing” that Jesus exists does not a Christian make. She goes about loving Jesus at times but doesn’t believe she needs to follow him or his teachings. I love and follow what Jesus wants; I’m in a long time affair where I have mad crazy s5x. And brag about it. I consider myself a Christian but have decided the beliefs of Jesus I was taught and used to believe are BS. But it’s ok because I love Jesus and he wants me to be happy.

i listened to the interview, and she did sound well spoken and kind of normal. i kept thinking, what will these new people who go to her instagram think when they see her constant shilling and crazy posts? it will probably be really confusing.

Anonymous wrote:

What I find exceptionally gross is Tyler's online behavior. It's not a secret that he's ridden her coattails and now that she's enjoying some early success with her memoir, he's all up her butt? It's icky

Good call. Jen never merits a happy birthday or you go, girl, but once she is in the Times, she gets a place on his IG next to Barbara Walters and Betty White.

I think it's funny because Jen's serious face is not her best look. She has a beautiful smile. But the article leads with her "I don't need the church" look.

He wishes her happy birthday in a caption that is probably written by someone else that could be about his barber or his best friend from seventh grade. Now that she's gotten some major press coverage, which is awesome for her, he's all in. Hopefully she gets a shot of confidence or makes a new connection that convinces her she deserves much better.

What I find exceptionally gross is Tyler's online behavior. It's not a secret that he's ridden her coattails and now that she's enjoying some early success with her memoir, he's all up her butt? It's icky

Good call. Jen never merits a happy birthday or you go, girl, but once she is in the Times, she gets a place on his IG next to Barbara Walters and Betty White.

I think it's funny because Jen's serious face is not her best look. She has a beautiful smile. But the article leads with her "I don't need the church" look.

The Times described Jen as a Christian. Would she even say that anymore about herself or would she says she’s a Follower of Jesus or something like that which is super fashionable? Does she even go to church anymore?

Why are people so comfortable proclaiming a love for Jesus and a dislike for his church? The church he obviously loves? It's like saying hey, I like you but I really don't like your family/friends.
Would you want to be in a relationship with someone like that?

Jen seems to be riding a mini wave of success with her NYT feature. Good for her. Every book doesn't have to be for everyone and there are plenty of purple haired, septum pierced cat ladies out there who need someone to fangirl and I'm sure they like books that aren't overly complicated to digest. Reading is for everyone.

I am curious, when or if she will trot out the sleep gummies and the hair vitamins now that she's got some new peeps.

What I find exceptionally gross is Tyler's online behavior. It's not a secret that he's ridden her coattails and now that she's enjoying some early success with her memoir, he's all up her butt? It's icky.

The irony of these people is that apart from their self congratulations and lack of self-awareness, they don't even realize that many of the moral beliefs they take for granted, like compassion, protecting the weak, and belief in the importance of individuals, find their roots in Christianity, the teachings of which have so deeply penetrated Western civilization that many think they can dispense with the root and keep the fruit.

Perfect!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She always paints the entire church based upon her narrow microcosm of spiritual community from the 80s and 90s, mostly.
Her use of "teenage child bride" is irksome. There are actual child brides in the world, Jen. And it's horrific.
The NYT commenters are all banging out the same "I left religion/the church/God and am living a more moral life than anyone who remained" schtick. Don't change, Times, don't change. Tiresome.

The irony of these people is that apart from their self congratulations and lack of self-awareness, they don't even realize that many of the moral beliefs they take for granted, like compassion, protecting the weak, and belief in the importance of individuals, find their roots in Christianity, the teachings of which have so deeply penetrated Western civilization that many think they can dispense with the root and keep the fruit.

^ This