Christian Misfits
This post is following the line of thought from yesterday concerning 'real Christians'.
One of the many things that I have noticed since I began this blog, is that there seems to be individuals who are stuck in the wrong 'brand' of Christianity. I have conversed with liberal Christians who are in the Southern Baptist denomination and Agnostics who are Methodists. These individuals have views that are completely outside of the tenants of their particular denomination (a Southern Baptist who doesn't think homosexuality is an abomination for instance). Often a contributor will be forced to admit that their fellow members of x denomination are not following the teachings of Christ, while the leaders of x denomination clearly would not consider the views of the contributor as doing the same.
My question is this: Why would you stay in a denomination that you constantly have to apologize for and that does not represent your personal view or your interpretation of the Bible or your 'God'? Is the 'born into' aspect so important? Is it social pressure? Is change so frightening to you?
This confuses me, as an atheist, given the thousands of 'brands' of Christianity that are available in this country (US). Surely liberal and moderate Christians can find a better fit than the Baptist (and yes, I am picking on Baptists).
Tagged as:
religion,christianity,atheist,atheism,Baptist
12 Comments:
Speaking from my own experience, the power of social pressure is probably the main factor. I literally grew up in my church - practically my entire family and most of my friends were members of the sect I was in. In fact, I was encouraged *not* to hang out with my friends outside of the church, which in retrospect is very creepy. Questioning the dogma was just something you didn't do, mostly out of fear of being ostracized.
Happily, my immediate family eventually let their faith slide, and I was able to escape. But I still know many people from that time in my life who I imagine are still trapped in a religion that don't really agree with because of the immense pressure from all sides.
I know this question is directed at Christians, but as a former Christian I would like to add that, in addition to social and family pressures, I was never aware, after years attending the same church, what that church's denomination (United Methodist) believes. All I heard on Sunday mornings were topical sermons about love, forgiveness, sinfulness, evil, etc. Nothing about doctrine. I imagine most Christians share my experience. In short, doctrine is much less interesting than damnation.
Alan,
I think the answer may be that, particularly for the Baptist denomination, people care more about the church that they are a part of than the denomination name on the sign out front. I grew up in Baptist churches and there is an amazing amount of variety between what the indiviual churches believe.
I don't particularly care about what the Southern Baptist Convention decides on, but I do care about what my church teaches. I care about whether I'm challenged and encouraged by the sermons and Bible studies and I care about whether the people in the church really show love for others.
I hope that answers your question a bit.
Kat
many christians go to church as much, if not more, for the social aspects than for true salvation. they figure that just going to church is enough for the salvation part, and they're willing to overlook the dogma and doctrine they don't agree with in order to maintain the close social ties they've established in their church. I suspect that many, especially in the south, couldn't imagine changing churches no matter what the dogma/doctrine issues were, for fear of being ostracized by their family.
Kat said,
I don't particularly care about what the Southern Baptist Convention decides on, but I do care about what my church teaches.
Evidently, a lot of church members feel this way. I personally could not be a part of a larger organization that had an agenda that I disagreed with, even if my local group did not push this agenda. I suppose my feeling is a bit like 'guilt by association'. If you are a Southern Baptist, then you also must answer for what the convention says, even if you don't believe that yourself.
I agree that it is mainly social pressure that keeps people in a denomination that is against their personal beliefs.
Isn't that the insidious thing about organized religion? It can keep otherwise good people supporting bad causes through fear of being ostracized. I wish believers were more independent and self-assured. I would love to live to see that day that the churches of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson had no members
Any time you have a gathering of people, there will be disagreements of opinions. Are people motivated to stay within their own denomination for reasons other than doctrine? Sure. For most people, the core issue is whether or not the church holds to the creeds (apostle's creed, Nicene creed), and maybe some other preference of the individual, but beyond that, you will be hard pressed to find a whole group of people who believe exactly what you believe, do exactly what you feel should be done, and act the way you want them to act. That's part of living together. Has the church split over stupid reason? Yes. Has it been guilty of this many times? Probably.
So when it really comes down to it, if you find you disagree with your church on some matter, depending on how important that matter is to you you must decide whether or not you will stay or leave. Probably many people decide to stay to foster unity.
But the church exists not just so a bunch of people who believe the same thing can get together, the church is a body of people who rely on one another. With their strengths and weaknesses combined, they become an extended family. I'm not sure if you were in the church long enough to experience this, but trust me, it happens. If you go to church (not just on Sunday morning, but truly start getting to know the people by going to their houses, etc.) I think you'll find an overwhelming amount of genuine love there.
But this happens in many aspects of life. You don't agree with every living soul who is an atheist. But the core doctrine is - there is no supernatural realm. If you agree on that, you are grouped together, no matter how evil that other person is.
I'd like to end with a question, and this is about the moral realm. I have a five year old son. He is no longer enjoyable to me, and he is expensive. I would be better off without him, especially as far as my career is concerned. Should I kill him? Why or why not?
If you look at Christianity, the religion itself thrives on strife.
All too often, you will see Christians fighting over denominations, interpretation of bibles, etc. Either of self destructing, all these infighting makes the religion stronger, not weaker.
That is why you have the Catholic church of today: Rich, bragging rights golore, and utterly useless.
uberkuh,
I'm surprised that you had that experence. I'm in a United Methodist church and get a very different message. Our pastor focuses largely on getting people to improve themselves to be more like Christ. Not what will happen if you don't.
id love to ask you some questions to learn more about your "atheism".. im sure i probably wouldnt think of any that you havent asked before. you seem to be a good thinker/analyzer of facts, etc.
in God's eyes there is no such thing as southern Baptist, or methodist, etc etc there are those that put their trust in him and live for him because of his love, and those that don't. it is sad that some man-made rules/principles, whatever you want to call them have creeped into certain denominations.. i dont see how a christian would choose to worship God at a local church that did not support the doctrine of the true God. its important to keep in mind that there are a HUGE number of individuals who say they are christian but arent.. so when you are judging christianity i feel that people who are really not chrsitians do not portray a good image of what it means to be a follower of christ.
Scott,
You should read more of my blog, particularly the post on 'True Christians'.
All religion is 'man-made rules'. They haven't 'creeped into denominations' they are the reason that religion and denominational dogmas exist.
Isn't it pretty obvious that if the 'rules' are man-made that the 'God' who gives those rules are man-made also.
My first step out of religion was the realization that my denomination was 'man-made' as all were. I can only hope that you continue to seek out other views and that you might escape as I did eventually.
I'm a baptist, an american baptist not a southern. What you need to understand about baptists is their strongest doctrine is the priesthood of the believer. We each choose for ourself.
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