Is there a coming split in US denominations?

[dsc]

Many Protestant denominations in the US split during the Civil War. Thus you have American (northern) Baptists and Southern Baptists. Methodists split and then reunited. Other denominations also had splits. Of course, then the issue was slavery and the correct Biblical position on it.

Now it is gays and the correct Biblical position in regard to them. The Episcopal church is dividing into a conservative and liberal camp in the US. Methodists are closing in on a full out civil war over lesbian pastors. The Catholics now have a Pope who has called gays and lesbians disordered and evil.

There isn't a compromise to be had here. I go to a church with a very sizable percentage of gay members who are deeply involved in the church. Our 12 member choir has 4 gay men and one lesbian. Our five member praise team is also 4 gay men and a lesbian. Our associate pastor is a lesbian. It is hard to imagine our church without its gay members. Fortunately, we don't have to imagine that as our denomination isn't rigid in its doctrine. But for those that are, there isn't a compromise. Either we are or we aren't in Communion with God. Either we are or we are not God's children. Either we are or we aren't entitled to be full members of our churches.

I hate to see denominations split, but maybe it has to happen. Maybe American Catholics need to split into ones who agree with this Pope and ones who don't. Maybe the Episcopal church needs to let its conservative congregations join African dioseses and let the liberal ones stay in. Maybe the Methodists need to throw out their heretics and supporters and let them form a new church.

In this maybe the new Pope is right. Maybe it is better to have a smaller more pure church than a large one which is half hater, half Christian.

[Mondon]

1. Catholics who want to get rid of the Pope

to me are indistinguishable from Anglicans or (in the US) Episcopalians.

[wuushew]

2. I am always amused by multiple takes on absolute truth

If all truth is relative on the personal level, what if any point does organized religion serve?

[Mondon]

3. That's a big "if"

[wuushew]

6. I will entertain that condition

but as an atheist none of my religious friends have been able to articulate the difference between religious knowledge and worldly knowledge. Being familiar with worldly knowledge I can actively demonstrate differences in perception with an example in less than three minutes usually.

[Mondon]

8. Their mistake is to argue on your terms.

You'll always win if they try to "prove" the existence of absolute truth, since our DESCRIPTION of it is, by definition, subjective, even if our PERCEPTION of it is not (by hypothesis).

[Wapsie B]

4. I'd say so.

I agree with your last sentence. Lutherans are bickering over the same issues. Put it to a vote and let the chips fall where they may. Pretending to smooth over huge differences and avoiding the tough questions is no way to run a denomination.

[dsc]

7. I forgot about the Lutherans

they are also having trials if I recall.

[doublethink]

9. And don't forget Poland !!

Bet Bush would post that if he were a member here, way off subject and probably doesn't even know Poland's outta there too .... :wtf:

[Wapsie B]

14. Yes we certainly are.

I could see the ELCA splitting over this.

[Maple]

5. The Anglican church

is splitting...between NA and the UK.

Other churches are splitting along doctrinal lines as well. Hence the prediction that the RC church will split, with a new NA version different from Rome.

Goodness knows, it won't be the first time in history churches have split...including the RC one.

[dsc]

11. I really feel for the Anglicans

They tried to do the right thing and then even did some backing off when the Arch Bishop of Canterberry got upset but it still didn't work. I just hope they aren't bancrupted by this when it is all said and done.

[CatholicEdHead]

10. There are already a few sects out there

Lookup the "Liberal Catholic Church" or Polish National Catholic Churches.

[Tux]

12. If these splits continue

We'll see churches be based less on religion and more on political philosophy.

[dsc]

15. It (hopefully) isn't just political philosophy which makes churches

include gays and lesbians. It is their reading of the Bible and their interpretation of Jesus' message. Just like it isn't just political philosophy but their reading of Paul and Leviticus which leads conservatives not to include gays and lesbians.

[Tux]

17. My church (UU)

Accepts them for being human.

Anyways, I wouldn't be surprized that it does go by political philosophy rather than religion. In this part of KY, a church is just another campaign HQ.

[banana republican]

13. THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIANS!!!!!!!

HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SHOUT THAT MESSAGE!!!!!

[Tux]

18. There was only 1 true Christian

And he died on a cross trying to get people to care for each other.

Oh well. At least people can be rejected, assulted, and maybe killed in his name.

[Jacobin]

16. Well, when we finish becoming a real theocracy

Bush, et al will tell you what church is 'right' and only allow that one and all the others will be illegal. then maybe we can have a hundred years war like England did.

I wish all these Xtians would just give it the fuck up.