Would your church / denomination be willing to accept me?

[A4B4]

I've always struggled with my faith, as defined by the typical Christian. I'd classify myself as a sort of Christian Deist, not unlike Thomas Jefferson. I believe that God exists, that He created the universe, but that He plays a generally passive role. (Technically, since I believe in a deterministic universe, I believe our whole universe is very sensitive to the initial conditions, which were set up by God.) But even then, my beliefs are very loosely defined.

As such, I don't believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, although I do believe it has some level of inspiration. However, I also recognize that other religions have similar levels of inspiration. I also believe in evolution, and question whether Jesus was the actual begotten Son of God.

No less, I live my life by the same standards as Mormons and Baptists. (People often think I'm either Jewish, Mormon or Baptist.) I don't drink, don't smoke, dress conservatively, etc. I believe that sex should only be between a married couple. I pray daily, I'm well versed in scripture. I've always gotten along well with really conservative Christians. Some of my Mormon friends used to joke, "You're Mormon -- you just don't realize it yet." I dated a Mormon girl for a while, and her parents told me that they liked me more than any guy she had dated.

Trouble is, when I find people who believe the same as me, they don't act the same, but when I find people who act the same, they don't believe the same.

I've always admired people who could have such faith, and wished that I could have stronger faith and the church community. So, at the very least, I do want that for my eventual children. However, I still -- and may always -- have trouble with my faith.

How willing would your church or denomination be to accept me as I am? Honestly, how accepting do you think your church's members would be of me, as a friend? Girls of a particular faith, would you be willing to date or even marry someone like me, despite my lack of faith?

It would be nice to say I'd change, but I certainly wouldn't want my friendships or relationships to necessitate that supposition, which honestly may not happen.

Also, could you please let me know which denomination you belong to? I'm thinking of seeking out some churches, but I'd like to know where to begin.

Thanks so much!

[angellous_evangellous]

Seems like a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church would do.

[Lucian]

Well, if you're not unlike Jefferson, then these should do it:
Unitarian Universalism DIR - Religious Education Forum
Unitarian Christians DIR - Religious Education Forum

I have no idea what kind of churches there are around there (Google helps with that), but these should be accepting. I know one ex-Mormon who's also Californian and enjoys going to one of these churches. I have no idea what its like there, but I'm "conservative" (although hate to use that word) and enjoy meeting with them as well.

As a warning though, people might not believe and act the same, but would be totally accepting of you.

[hyacinthus]

Originally Posted by A4B4

I've always struggled with my faith, as defined by the typical Christian. I'd classify myself as a sort of Christian Deist, not unlike Thomas Jefferson. I believe that God exists, that He created the universe, but that He plays a generally passive role. (Technically, since I believe in a deterministic universe, I believe our whole universe is very sensitive to the initial conditions, which were set up by God.) But even then, my beliefs are very loosely defined.

As such, I don't believe that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, although I do believe it has some level of inspiration. However, I also recognize that other religions have similar levels of inspiration. I also believe in evolution, and question whether Jesus was the actual begotten Son of God.

No less, I live my life by the same standards as Mormons and Baptists. (People often think I'm either Jewish, Mormon or Baptist.) I don't drink, don't smoke, dress conservatively, etc. I believe that sex should only be between a married couple. I pray daily, I'm well versed in scripture. I've always gotten along well with really conservative Christians. Some of my Mormon friends used to joke, "You're Mormon -- you just don't realize it yet." I dated a Mormon girl for a while, and her parents told me that they liked me more than any guy she had dated.

Trouble is, when I find people who believe the same as me, they don't act the same, but when I find people who act the same, they don't believe the same.

I've always admired people who could have such faith, and wished that I could have stronger faith and the church community. So, at the very least, I do want that for my eventual children. However, I still -- and may always -- have trouble with my faith.

How willing would your church or denomination be to accept me as I am? Honestly, how accepting do you think your church's members would be of me, as a friend? Girls of a particular faith, would you be willing to date or even marry someone like me, despite my lack of faith?

It would be nice to say I'd change, but I certainly wouldn't want my friendships or relationships to necessitate that supposition, which honestly may not happen.

Also, could you please let me know which denomination you belong to? I'm thinking of seeking out some churches, but I'd like to know where to begin.

Thanks so much!

I can deeply relate to your experience as a man who is weak in faith yet still follow the teachings of most religions on chastity, dignity and morality. I myself don't drink, smoke or engage in primarital sex. But the fact is that i am an agnostic atheist and it is hard for me to find atheists who follow the same principle. Many atheists are immoral and licentious. at times i think weakness or absence of a faith is a curse nobody should consider if only they could have known the price they have to pay.