What is wrong with church? (Jesus, mystic, homosexuals, preacher)

[Mister Emu]

The Southern Baptist church I used to attend felt alot more personable than the church I now attend mass at... but the songs both are/were hymns... I love to sing hymns I don't think I could go to one of the modern music churches...

[Saint Tigeress]

When I first began going to my church, it was perfect for me. I loved it. Then, later things changed like they usually do. People got nasty and arrogant. When I first started going, the people would get together on Wednesdays, and do scavenger hunts like... breaking up into teams and the first person that completes... finding an elderly member and taking out their trash/ sweeping thier porch/. Finding so and so per group and dropping off the cookies we made before-hand cause they were depressed/ upset/ lonely. Bringing flowers to a single adult in the church.... etc. And the group to finish first with proof won....
It blew me away. Right before I left, among other things, my friends and I went to another members house. She started telling us about one of the girls that was pregnant (out of wedlock), and was doing cocaine. Then proceeded to talk crap about her. None of the... lets see what we can do to help her, make her feel loved... stuff. I already knew, but this was the beginning of the nastiness that followed. This was the last rumor/ bit of nastiness I took. The family of the church that it used to be broke down into a bunch of snobby, groveling, gossipping fake you-know-whats. It took everything I had to keep from punching the lady in the mouth when I'd see her, especially when she pranced up to the girl in church and pretended not to know and be her friend. That was when I decided the right thing to do, so that I didn't whack somebody, was to not go. The church became a high school. Obviously as you can see I am still struggling to get over it. I am still in love with what the church used to be, and still in denial of what it has become. The few bad oranges ruin the whole place.

It is hard to overlook the cruelty in people, and see the church for what it teaches, not what the people do. So, my answer after all that venting would be... people.

[doppelgänger]

The biggest problem in my opinion is the discouragement of direct engagement with the mythology and development of personal meaning. The result is a lifeless mythology where the emphasis is on belief rather than experience and obedience rather than growth.

[UltraViolet]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

The biggest problem in my opinion is the discouragement of direct engagement with the mythology and development of personal meaning. The result is a lifeless mythology where the emphasis is on belief rather than experience and obedience rather than growth.

I totally agree.

I personally see no need for "church".
Life lived deeply, uniquely and fully does it for me.
I like choosing my own symbolisms,
and co-creating/defining my own reality.

Churches/Religions "in-vest" and "in-doctrinate".
I'm no longer in-to anyone else's "vision" of reality.

As for fellowship...
a few really close friends are all I need.

Before I deconverted from christianity,
(but after I had left the churches)
I decided that the PEOPLE...
"WE" were the church.

Now I'm "just me".
(like Willamena )
It's much simpler...
and life is far more engaging now.

[tomspug]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

The biggest problem in my opinion is the discouragement of direct engagement with the mythology and development of personal meaning. The result is a lifeless mythology where the emphasis is on belief rather than experience and obedience rather than growth.

I understand your frustration with 'religion' in general, but I was hoping to understand more your experience with the church on a 'personal' level. How were you treated? Did you feel that your views were not welcome?

I mean, even if you don't agree with anything the church believes, a REAL church that follows Christ should accept you anyways, maybe not as a member but at least welcome to ask questions and participate in things. They shouldn't feel threatened by questions and differing points of view.

I understand that the church has strong beliefs and feels obligated to defend them. I feel the same way, but having strong beliefs doesn't mean you can't accept people, especially if part of your 'doctrine' is to LOVE everyone.

[Don Penguinoini]

THey want to convert me.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by penguino

THey want to convert me.

i don't knwo if the OP is asking about Churches as in Christian places of worship specifically, or places of religious worship in general under.

assume for a moment that it is the latter, do you find any problems with Hindu temples?

[Saint Tigeress]

Originally Posted by Mike182

do you find any problems with Hindu temples?

heck no! They are very beautiful and serene. I'm sure every one of them is different, but the one in Alachua Fl. took my breath away. It was open, and in a field where animals just wandered. The only thing nicer than the building and the atmosphere was the joy of the children as they worshipped with their parents. I have never seen children having so much fun, and being so happy, being with their mom or dad at "church." I know that was directed at penguino, and the OP was talking about churches not temples... I think... just had to blab real quick.