I haven't been able to go back to Church since

[holiday]

the election. Well actually I wasn't going to Church in the fall because my son was in football and his games are Saturday mornings and we are Seventh Day Adventist so we go to Church on saturdays. I have no idea what the sermons were like during election. I just feel so bummed? I don't know.. anyone else feel this way? I'm not even sure why I'm like this. I wish there were more progressive Churches. I was looking into the United Church of Christ but two people I know are part of that Church and are huge Bush supporters... I know the Churches will be different by region and I live in Ohio (sigh). Just getting that off my chest.

[GOPBasher]

1. I can see why you'd feel that way.

By now, I doubt they're talking about the election anymore. Lately, I've been going to a very evangelical Southern Baptist church, because my wife goes there, and they've (finally) stopped talking about the election.

If you're really interested in finding a new church, check out this link I at the bottom of this page. I got it from "GreenPartyVoter." It lists several more liberal denominations. I myself am looking for a new church, and this website really helped me narrow my search to those denominations that might be friendly to me.

And by the way, UCC is a liberal denomination of Christianity. You can look them up on their website.

http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/liberalchristians.htm#denom

[Clark2008]

16. Just a thought, but shouldn't we be trying to change the churches

we love and attend from whithering toward the fire and brimstone of the OT and teaching them the love of the NT rather than bailing?

It's just a thought - and I'm guilty of bailing, too - so I'm asking as a fellow bailee.

[lukasahero]

2. I was just looking at UCC as well - some info

While the organization is fairly liberal, they are basically "governed" by the congregation (they merged 4 denominations and one of them was Congregationalist). So while each church in any denomination will have some differences, the actual members of a UCC church will determine their purposes and by-laws. That's why you can have shrub supporters going to a UCC church - they have the "right" not to join in the "welcoming" mission of the main org.

Good luck in your search. Are there any UU churches nearby?

[realisticphish]

3. check out the ELCA

(evangelical lutheran church)

if not liberal, than at least apolitical. at least all the ones i've been in (i live in Columbus)

[holiday]

4. does it sound crazy to say

that I also think one of the reasons why I have trouble going is I question God and where he is at right now with all this going on in Iraq and America? I know it's not fair but I don't understand how he let Bush get re-elected. Anyone with a free thinking mind can see that Bush is not really a Christian and has some very evil practices.

[RevCheesehead]

6. No, it doesn't sound crazy at all.

I went into a depressional funk after the election - for about a week. I was so angry that people I knew and loved voted for that idiot. I'm also convinced that fraud happened.

But I never really felt that God made that (or anything else) "happen." I'm a believer in Free Will. God creates, God sends prophets, directions, and savior. How we interact in the world is up to us. To put it bluntly, "b*sh got elected because sh*t happens."

I don't believe in the rapture, either, but I am worried about those who do believe in it, and see * as part of a grand design.

Things began to look better for me when I decided that I could use the gifts God has given me to comunicate the truth. Much of that has happened on Sunday morning. But also, a lot of it has happened here on DU as well. I'm here, in part, as a reminder that liberal Dems are Christians, too; and my faith forms my politics as well as my life.

[holiday]

13. I believe the same way...

That God isn't responsible for things (especially bad things) and that we have freewill etc. So I don't know why I can't stop feeling this way.

[RevCheesehead]

18. have you tapped your anger?

Once I could admit my rage (outright fury), I could begin to cope. I think in moments when we feel the least powerful, we turn to God and ask "why couldn't you do something to prevent this from happening?"

Believe me, if God left me in charge, this world would be a very different place. Fortunately, God is smarter than I am. S/He just lets me bitch and blow off steam, and keeps on loving me and all my faults.

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. I Left the Church Nearly Three Years Ago

I live in crazy red f*cking JOklahoma, the armpit of the Bible Belt. There are no progressive churches here.

One of the two local fundie megachurches has live webcasts of its services. Sometimes I check in on those just to see what kind of stuff they are shoveling these days. And, yes, they are still talking about God and politics here. I must say that it is very nice to be able to talk back to these folks and to have the ability turn them off in mid sentence. Last summer I purchased a DVD of one of their two hour services focused exclusively on politics just to remind myself of all the reasons I would never again darken their door.

In my humble opinion today's organizational church is mostly irrelevant and unnecessary to living a Christian life. I believe Scripture calls us to fellowship with other believers rather than make a show of our faith. I understand Christian fellowship being mutual and interactive. I fail to see how sitting through a sermon or a class constitutes fellowship. Instead I see Pastors using their position and power to manipulate and control others. And that is sick and dysfunctional.

If you do not feel comfortable in the church then look for some like minded believers. They are there. You will find you have much in common and you can be a great support to each other. At least that has been my experience.

[Maat]

7. Yep.

I remember noticing that one of the larger cities in Oklahoma has a Church of Religious Science (very tolerant and progressive - I seem to remember it is in Tulsa or something).

But, even though I enjoy going to my church, I set up a "meditation table/home altar," and I enjoy meditating/listening to meditative music.

I have also found that many of the following websites have online bookstores; and ... if one clicks on the website of one's favorite individual church, one can generally order a CD of the pastor's last talk.

[elshiva]

8. Sigh! Haven't been to church all year!

I love being an Episcopalian, though.

[Maat]

11. Hi, Elshiva!

I'm lucky. My 8-year-old daughter really likes going to the "Tween" group, and we've just gotten in the habit of going on Sunday morning.

BUT ... just in case ... I made a home-altar/meditation corner outside on my patio, though. I had to get imaginative; so, I bought a big ol' stone birdbath and filled it with white sand and pretty polished rocks. I found a beautiful stone Buddha that looks perfect there. I'll fill it with some more neat things as I find them.

We rigged a sound system nearby, so I can play meditative music or a talk by a favorite pastor.

Have you thought of a home altar or worshipping area? Also, you can buy CDs with your favorite pastors' talks generally.

Just an idea ..

On edit.
Sorry for the repetition. I'm getting that way in my old age. Should have re-read the thread. LOL!

[elshiva]

17. LOL! Thank you, Maat.

I am rather spotty about praying recently. It just is one of those off times I guess.
It's wonderful to hear about your spiritual practices. We listen to Sunday broadcasts from a Lutheran church, which are good because its a real church not some evangelical radio church. A lot of common sense Lutheran Biblical talk, which is good. Just applies the Bible to everyday situations with precious little moralizing on general issues like abortion and homosexuality, which bog down so much.

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. Within the UCC you will find mostly liberal, progressive democrats

Especially amongst the clergy. But since the UCC is a welcoming church, and non-doctrinal and non-creedal, you will find people of all stripes within their walls. The UCC believes more strongly in each person's personal faith journey than they do in making sure they all follow the same political or theological leanings.

I don't think you will find too many UCC churches that don't have at least one republican in them; but you won't find a whole lot of rabid rightwing republicans. Mostly, you will find centerlining people, whether moderate dems or moderate republicans - people who just want to go to church, worshp their God, and do things through the church that help the community and help other people and help each other.

[Kat45]

10. I second Rabrrrrrr's comments.

I belong to a UCC church, and I'd say his description is accurate. I was raised Catholic and hadn't gone to church for over 20 years. I started looking to fulfill spiritual needs and found a wonderful UCC church. I don't think I've ever met a group of such nice people in one place before. And my minister is always preaching about peace and social justice.

[regnaD kciN]

12. There are actually TWO Bush supporters in the UCC?????

:wow:

(Upon further review: Are you sure they're with the United Church of Christ? The UCC -- formerly known as the Congregationalists -- are among the most liberal denominations in the U.S., but there is another, primarily southern, denomination that calls itself the "Church of Christ," that is pretty much straight right-wing fundamentalist. That sounds far more like a place Bush supporters would attend.)

[holiday]

14. yep the are UCC, because they were even wondering about

how people perceived the bouncer ad.

I don't really care if they are republican.. it's more of the fact how can they be part of the UCC (which strives for equal rights and social justice) and support Bush's agenda which seem to be clearly opposite. So that made me wonder just how "progressive" the UCC is around here.

[Clark2008]

15. I haven't been since 2000

I am a lapsed Catholic and was going to a non-denominational church in my neighborhood. The pastor was peaches, but when we had to start praying for Bush to win the election, I walked.
Since that time, I have heard from friends - and liberals - in my former Catholic church that the same bunk was going on there.
I have heard about a nice, friendly Epsicopalian Church in my community that could attend - I like one of the local columnists, surprisingly an ex-cop, who writes nice, liberal things, and who attends there.
As it is, so far, I'm teaching my son at home.
Thanks for this avenue of fellowship! It may be wise to pray at home, but we still need this fellowship to bounce off the TRUE Christian ideal.