Would You Attend This Church?

[Bull]

[[COLOR="Yellow"]I attend a nondenominational church which makes this statement: "We aspire to be caring community of faith serving as a beacon of hope and healing in our hurting world. For us, this means gathering as a congregation to love one another and learn from one another so that we can be liberated to scatter into our social networks to promote God's dream of a more just, compassionate and humble society. Everyone is welcomed and affirmed as a child of God in our Fellowship regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our congregation provides a safe environment where each person can become a more Christ-like version of who God made them to be. We invite all to join us as we journey together in our adventure of being followers of Jesus of Nazareth in our 21st Century World."
What is your answer?

[Babs]

Sounds pretty cool actually. A big problem I had with churches I went to was that they were very cliquey, holier-than-thou. More about rules and semantics rather than making them think or guiding their members through real-world problems and leaving them feeling fulfilled spiritually.

[ShineintheDark]

I agree with the above statement in saying that such a statement shouldn't be needed. Whether you believe a certain way of life or orientation is a sin, is it not the whole point of a church to be open to these people, whether they want to reform them or not? Refusing access to these groups is not God's work as it does nothing to change the status quo of society (if changing it is what Christians indeed want to do), only accepting them and helping them reach God's ideals would do that. (I say this as a bisexual agnostic, I am in no way advocating emotional abuse of the person once they are in the church).

[Just JT]

I would and I do attend a church where a similar statement is spoken at the beginning of every worship service every Sunday.

And makes me feel very welcomed and accepted for many reasons. Mostly cause of no matter where I been or who I am, I’m told I am welcome there

It’s our congretions values

[Daniel4]

Yes I would. I attend my church regularly. Have attended a lot of other churches also. As long as the focus is god.

[Fritz]

Of course i would, what a lovely statement

[PlasmaHam]

It seems fine to me. Though that statement is open to interpretation, but I don't see anything obviously wrong with it.

[Adarest]

Sounds very kind and very understanding, so I would probably attend this church just to check it out once. I am not religious though, but the statement sounds friendly and very open to flexibility.

[Fritz]

Sounds very kind and very understanding, so I would probably attend this church just to check it out once. I am not religious though, but the statement sounds friendly and very open to flexibility.

Its pretty sad that all churches dont sound like that, though there are many that are just as nice as that statement. i think Christians get a bad rep from these kinds of people who are a little extreme

[Max the Disenchanter]

sounds like they have a decent marketing team, but it's still a trap

[Falcons_11]

Their mission statement seems to be pretty open and inclusive. There is nothing wrong with it. But most churches, while their stated aims are high, the fail in their mission because of the shortcomings of their congregations.

[crazyjazy02]

Yes, it seems very up-to-date. My friends church is very literal, so anything to do with gender and sexuality is a no no. You can only be straight and a man or a woman, which I don't agree on. I would definitely go to this one.

[Anniebanannie]

It sounds very welcoming.

[Stronk Serb]

Sort of reminds me of one priest at a church I used to attend from time to time. He said no matter who you are, we are all sinners, so let us band together and try to sin less. He was a good mediator too, when a married couple came for advice because they wanted a divorce, he talked to them and they abandoned that idea because he pointed out the problems of both of them in the marriage, and told them it is solveable if they wish so.

[JuliaVT]

Sorry to disagree. It's a wonderfully warm and welcoming statement. But I'm more a believer in the validity of the Bible and God's word. Lots of churches today like to write mission statements that intend to make everyone warm and fuzzy, but they misrepresent everything written in the Book. So they create their own god that most people find more appealing; a non-judgmental god who accepts everyone despite direct contradiction of the Bible. A god that does not judge, but loves all. But it's just ain't so. God will judge everyone. Beware of false profits, but enjoy the social club. Because that's what it is.

[NewLeafsFan]

I'm sure that what you mean to ask is whether or not we would go to a church that supports homosexuality and other minorities. For me the answer is yes. I really don't like it when people hide themselves and their beliefs behind religion. A Buddhist monk once said that bigotry in religion is still bigotry.

I will however raise another point. I didn't like the beginning part that refers to our world as a 'hurting' place. While I realize that there are struggles but there always was and always will be. It sounds like this church could be built on negativity.

[Bull]

sounds like they have a decent marketing team, but it's still a trap

I attend this church and I am curious as to why you think it is a "trap". Our congregation is multiracial and includes multiple sexual identities. We love God and we love each other. There is no "trap".

[Dalcourt]

Well as nice as it might sound I guess I wouldn't attend this Church. I'm happy and content with my beliefs and my Church.

[Max the Disenchanter]

I attend this church and I am curious as to why you think it is a "trap". Our congregation is multiracial and includes multiple sexual identities. We love God and we love each other. There is no "trap".

the trap being religion.

[hayley2003]

Seem very nice, kinda like the church we go to. everybody is welcome to come and nobody is required to be something they're not or never can be.

[Bhannon]

No, because organized religion is a cancer on this earth. The perpetuated stereotype of the christian American has caused countless tragedies. Anyone who thinks religion is for peace and love needs a reality check, if humans were meant for religion then we wouldn't have such a fucking problem with messing up.

[Bull]

the trap being religion.

Ok. Obviously you and I have a different view of religion and that's ok too.

[Just JT]

Well as nice as it might sound I guess I wouldn't attend this Church. I'm happy and content with my beliefs and my Church.

And it’s Avery good thing your happy and comfortable in your house of worship. To be anything else would be hypocracy. And here, we’re allowed to, and I believe in people having different beliefs and being ok.
Happy for you

the trap being religion.

No trap, people are free to come and go as they please

[Danieldv77]

I like the idea, but nothing ever is like that without false pretenses. I once went to a conversion-centric church that focused on converting people to the christian religion, though not necessarily a denomination. Their message sounded suspiciously close to what you said, which may sound good, right? Except that when I asked them what would happen to people who haven't chosen god to worship, but still lived out perfectly peaceful lives, they said they would likely go to Hell. Freedom of religion is paramount to a society that is so diverse, lest we wind up becoming hypocrites to our own message. I'm going to be honest here when I say, as a christian, that if I figured out the figure I was worshiping condemned peaceful people to hell, then I would refuse to worship him, as he is no God of mine.

[andrea03]

sounds like a cool church. not my thing, though.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Sounds pretty neat, yeah I would go.

[Naters2000]

You bet I would. That sounds really cool!

[Southern_Cheer]

sounds better then the church i got to