Mainstream Christianity.

[Give It Time]

The Bible is the playbook for destroying the goddess-based religions and, by extension dominating, oppressing and demeaning women. Some nice stories, guidelines and thoughts, but overall, not a fan.

Book of Mormon, being Biblical fan fiction is an improvement, but not much better. Jesus of Nazareth walked among sinners. Jesus of Meso-America destroyed sinners before he would walk among righteous mortals.

The Wiccan Rede is my overall behavioral guide and I read the Tao Te Ching.


The Tao Te Ching has only a line or two that gave me any pause, but only pause, not outrage.

Plus, my written wisdom tradition sounds like a fortune cookie.

Let's see your boring old Bible or Book Of Mormon do that.

I agree that the Bible is very Male-centric. I do think Jesus may have been moving away from that, but it got lost in the writings of his disciples.

I think that may have happened, too.

[Emower]

Thanks for the replies. I find it interesting that other Christians expect me to run to put the Bible higher than I did before, because you know, that's actually "God's word." And honestly talking to an evangelical about the bible is just about the worst. I always expected to remain "Christian" but I don't know that I embrace that box anymore.

In fact, the "Christian" box is becoming a little abhorrent in cases. Roy Moore's wife I think said the other day in her defense speech, "above all, he is a Christian." As if that should just take care of the suspicion right off the bat.

[alas]

Thanks for the replies. I find it interesting that other Christians expect me to run to put the Bible higher than I did before, because you know, that's actually "God's word." And honestly talking to an evangelical about the bible is just about the worst. I always expected to remain "Christian" but I don't know that I embrace that box anymore.

In fact, the "Christian" box is becoming a little abhorrent in cases. Roy Moore's wife I think said the other day in her defense speech, "above all, he is a Christian." As if that should just take care of the suspicion right off the bat.

The Roy Moore type of "Christianity" disgusts me. As if what one thinks about God (belief/faith) is more important than anything that you do. Jesus got after the Pharasees for paying too much attention to every tiny thing they did and not enough attention to the big things. I wonder sometimes what He would think of the evangelical attitude that it doesn't matter at all what you DO, as long as you think right. The Pharasees were so careful to do everything right as far as counting steps on the Sabbath, every detail of behavior mattered that they lost track of love. But Evangelicals are kind of the opposite. Nothing that you DO matters, as long as you believe. But they have also lost track of love, and their behavior can be pretty dispicable, but, hey, they have faith.

Or are we now defining "good Christian" as someone who opposes birth control, abortion and gay marriage, and that is the extent of "Christianity"?

[Give It Time]

Thanks for the replies. I find it interesting that other Christians expect me to run to put the Bible higher than I did before, because you know, that's actually "God's word." And honestly talking to an evangelical about the bible is just about the worst. I always expected to remain "Christian" but I don't know that I embrace that box anymore.

In fact, the "Christian" box is becoming a little abhorrent in cases. Roy Moore's wife I think said the other day in her defense speech, "above all, he is a Christian." As if that should just take care of the suspicion right off the bat.

We have this problem in our church, too. All kinds of horrible behavior can and will be excused if the person checks all the boxes for being a good member. The reason I say "checks all the boxes" is because people such as Roy Moore can and do use the idea is a good [fill in the blank with religion of choice] can get a pass on their behavior, because they're striving to live a holy existence. However, if they were genuine, they wouldn't be using religion as a get out of jail free card. They would reject their ecclesiastical leader's grace and insist their feet be held to the fire. They might ask for spiritual support through the ordeal, but they would insist on cleaning up their act. It would come from the individual and not mandated from the outside. I don't see Roy Moore doing this.

[Emower]

Or are we now defining "good Christian" as someone who opposes birth control, abortion and gay marriage, and that is the extent of "Christianity"?

It sure seems to be headed that way.