After several years outside of their circles, I went to my parents' church over my vacation. Here's my rundown of the ~30min sermon:
--Pre-emptive strike at science and philosophy to discredit any opposition before it starts.
--Sexism (with vague swipe at feminism)
--Homophobia
--Transphobia
--An endorsement of capitalism
--Worm theology; it is actually part of their Statement of Faith -- a core, binding document -- that humans live under God's condemnation by default!
@sumpnlikefaith Did…did we grow up in the same church?
@iamwill1w9 @sumpnlikefaith
It's reading things like this which makes me realise how blessed I am. The UK church (all denominations) is deeply flawed and many folk can be hateful in their personal views, but never have I ever heard hatred from the pulpit.
I *have* seen homophobia on the corporate level. eg. some local churches signed a very homophobic letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury last year and guess what? Those churches are the ones which are dying.
@stueytheround @iamwill1w9 Yes, the ones here who have embraced this perspective here are dying too.
I mean, in many cases the machine might still be running, but that's all it's got.
@sumpnlikefaith @iamwill1w9
Who, among non-Christians would want to go anywhere *near* such hateful people?
"This is how they will know you belong to me: that you love one another."
If all they see is hate, they can't see Jesus. It's that simple.
@stueytheround @iamwill1w9
--Love your neighbour as yourself.
--Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
--But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
I mean, it's like it's a whole theme or something...
@stueytheround @iamwill1w9 Ha ha! Good point!
@sumpnlikefaith @iamwill1w9
Ever notice that Jesus answered the question "Who is my neighbour" but never "Who is my enemy?"