Non-traditional Christian kith

**tbs727** · 01-22-2008, 02:14 PM

Are there any others out there? By non-traditional I mean believers who do not attend a traditional church or denominational church, do not attend church at all, or attend a post modern church. One of the leaders of this movement is [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Bell]Rob Bell[/ame], author of Blue Like Jazz.

I was raised pentecostal, experienced heresy and hypocrisy there, and became agnostic for a number of years. I came back to the church when my then boyfriend, now husband, invited me to attend a non-trad church that taught grace and love rather than hell fire and brimstone. I am still trying to un-learn what I was taught as a child and truly learn the Character of Christ. I try to be a witness with my life, build relationships with believers and non-believers alike and be respectful of everyone and their opinions. I believe that trying to force my opinion on anyone is like trying to force an egg through a wall.

**Coffeelover** · 01-22-2008, 02:40 PM

I would say I am of the same mindset as you. I do go to a community church - we see lots of Rob Bell videos there. I agree with the "egg through the wall" comment......
kim

**Dancing Lotus** · 01-22-2008, 03:17 PM

I guess I am a non-traditonal christain. I don't really know any other way to catagorize what I believe.

I believe in God- but my understanding of God is differnent. I do not believe in hell . And here is the big one, I do not believe in the bible. The bible was written by man and GOD does not need a man to do his work for him.

I know this might be TMI but here goes.
I believe that everything in the universe is created from a vibration. At a differnent frequency that vibration becuase something else. That vibration or "energy" is what is call God. We can manipulate that vibration becuase we are apart of it. That is what praying does.
So I identify with christians because I do believe in one God and God created man. But my definition of God is a little different. Hope that made sense , and if not well just tell me I don't belong and I will butt out!

**frugalfarmwife** · 01-22-2008, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by hunertime

I once heard a caller on Dr Laura say he was an atheist and his wife was a Catholic and they were looking for a religion in between, well they picked Lutheran. So I guess I am in between. The best way to witness to someone is how you walk in your own life, You life says more then words and opportunities
will come that you will feel it's right.

Ok, the Dr. Laura story really made me laugh! Anyone ever listen to Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keeler? His Lutheran stories ALWAYS give me a chuckle! I was raised Lutheran and really it's a mellow, love thy neighbor, eat jello salads and have coffee group

I still carry a lot of the values from my upbringing, but I was always allowed to question and think outside the box

My beliefs are a mixed up bag that work well for me, and you're absolutely right the best way to show is by your life, not your words.

To ME personally the Bible is similiar to mythology to the Greeks. Stories handed down for generations and we all know how those go.

One of my other favorites to live by is "do ye no harm".

So non traditional with a bit of other mixed in there

kj

**tbs727** · 01-22-2008, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by AnnK

Hope that made sense , and if not well just tell me I don't belong and I will butt out!

lol, I certainly won't tell you you don't belong, that would be exactly the sort of thing I think is wrong with the church. I was talking specifically in believing in Jesus Christ and as God as the creator, I should have been clearer in my first post. Thanks for sharing your viewpoint though, it can be a gamble to say what you really believe. I've seen way too many people get flamed for doing that. I think you're brave to put it out there and I'd be interested in hearing more about it.

**stinkbug** · 01-22-2008, 04:02 PM

fruglafarmwife....you obviously were raised in a different *Lutheran* than I was!! Not exactly mellow...more like the weekly *you're all going to Hell* speech.
They removed me from Catacism classes for asking too many questions...
Yeah...I don't go there anymore.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-22-2008, 04:39 PM

Hey Frugalfarm wife I was raised with the same type of Lutherans as you. I can make a mean jello salad! DH was raised in a church based oprange and school and went to Bible college but we both have walked away from our local churches. The Sunday afternoon we got the phone call about missing services and condeming us for working on the Lords day.
My feelings about the Bible are its been rewritten so many times by so many MEN that its most likely no where near where it started. Like the telephone game. I also do not believe in hell, the Jesus I know is so loving and so forgiving there is no way he could ever case one of his children away. And like children we all rebel at one time or another against those who love us.
I believe Judge not lest ye be judged and All fall short of the glory and God loves all.

Laurie in Bradenton aka lala land

**PrairieRose** · 01-22-2008, 07:28 PM

I am Tiff. I am a firm believer in God and Jesus but I am not a 'religious' person. I have a hard time with anyone who teaches hate based on 'Biblical principles' and have yet to find a church that I fit in, in my area. I would love to attend weekly praise and worship services where Christ's love teachings are taught, without the hateful things that always pepper religious sermons. I believe the God is Love.

**PrairieRose** · 01-22-2008, 07:29 PM

That would be "THAT" God is Love.

**frugalfarmwife** · 01-22-2008, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by stinkbug

fruglafarmwife....you obviously were raised in a different *Lutheran* than I was!! Not exactly mellow...more like the weekly *you're all going to Hell* speech.
They removed me from Catacism classes for asking too many questions...
Yeah...I don't go there anymore.

Ahhh, possibly what I've heard referred to as the "misery synod?" (sp).

I have NO USE for the fire and brimstone, scare em into line stuff, nope!

And honestly, with our pastors named Pastor Kiester and Pastor Heine we HAD to have a sense of humor

In fact, came VERY close to walking out of the funeral of a VERY DEAR and close friend when the minister started the "YOU SHALL DO THIS OR YOU SHALL BURN". Ummm, and this was Methodist. I sat through it out of respect of our friend and to not embarass hubby.

kj

**tbs727** · 01-22-2008, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfarmwife

In fact, came VERY close to walking out of the funeral of a VERY DEAR and close friend when the minister started the "YOU SHALL DO THIS OR YOU SHALL BURN". Ummm, and this was Methodist. I sat through it out of respect of our friend and to not embarass hubby.

kj

Oh my! Thats crazy

**joyofsix** · 01-22-2008, 09:57 PM

Ok, I have to say, I belong to the jello salad, carry-in,we can't sing Methodists and not the fire and brimstone. Seriously, I've been a Methodist my whole life and never heard a fire and brimstone/hell sermon. What was up with that guy?

**frugalfarmwife** · 01-22-2008, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by joyofsix

Ok, I have to say, I belong to the jello salad, carry-in,we can't sing Methodists and not the fire and brimstone. Seriously, I've been a Methodist my whole life and never heard a fire and brimstone/hell sermon. What was up with that guy?

No idea what was up with that particular minister, hubby was raised methodist and he said that's not what he was raised with either. And this is a local minister here at the small neighborhood church, needless to say I won't be going to any services there!

LOL, glad to hear there are others who can't sing either

kj

**Amanda W** · 01-23-2008, 11:20 AM

I was also raised Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - went to school there for 12 years, church twice a week, the whole nine yards. I'm trying very hard to un-learn the narrowmindness of it all. It's not easy. I've been reading more and more about Buddhism which I think is actually making me a better Christian. We still haven't found a church that "fits" though.

Side note for other Lutherans, since we started trying out churches of other denominations, I found out that not everyone has "fellowship" after church!! They just go home! I want my coffee and donuts!!!!

**IntlMom** · 01-23-2008, 05:33 PM

This is sooo odd, our SS class has been watching Rob Bell videos the last few months, I had never heard of him, and here he is cropping up here.

My church background? Well, I am a born again Baptist. I grew up being in church whenever it was open....(we usually ended up locking up on Sunday, as we were ALWAYS the last ones there!). I have spent most of my adult life in various denominations....Baptist, Berean Fellowship, Calvary Chapel, EV Free, and I am in a Mennonite Berean church right now (we move lots!).

I am traditional, I suppose, but I am looking to "EXPERIENCE GOD", not just know God and believe in Him, I do that already. I want to feel God in the core of my being.......kinda weird, I know, but that's Rob Bell comes in wonderfully, he really REALLY makes you stop and think, and FEEL!

Thanks for letting me put my two cents in, for whatever they're worth.

ps - I'd love to get together with you and have one serious praise and worship, with no inhimbitions in my expression (I am trying to get out of my Baptist mold and actually WORSHIP, not just sing all five stanzas of "Have Thine Own Way Lord".