I grew up Protestant. I went to a couple different churches growing up, one of which publicly shamed me for being queer every time I showed up after they found out through my mom. This led me away from Christianity between the ages 12-15. During this time, I explored many different religions and beliefs. I tried Hellenic polytheism, all kinds of paganism, witchcraft, even satanism. Close to my 16th birthday I decided to step foot into a church again, except this time we were episcopal. This church welcomed me with open arms despite all of my problems and despite the fact I identify as bisexual and non binary. There are plenty of queer people at this church, I finally felt welcome again. However, I still didn’t believe the “traditional” christian beliefs, but I did like the idea. I liked what Jesus had to say. So I decided to look more deeply into the bible and everything Jesus taught.
I believe the biggest issue is the fact that people have taken the Bible too literally. Adam and Eve, Noah's Arc, etc. is all mythology. Every religion has it. For example, the ancient Greeks had mythology of their gods and goddesses, but they were simply stories. Stories to teach the people lessons. I think this is what the Bible was also meant to be: mostly metaphorical. I believe that God is not a man in the sky, nor is heaven or hell a physical place. I believe God is the universe itself. God is in everything, and we are made from the universe, therefore God is also in us. The seven days that God took creating everything was the big bang, the beginning of the universe. Heaven and hell are both states of consciousness. Like in Buddhism there is the state of “enlightenment”. It’s all similar stuff.
Jesus was trying to teach us to be like him, which should be obvious because it’s literally said in almost every church sermon, but a lot of people, in my opinion, seem to dismiss that or not understand what it truly means. We also need to keep in mind the bible is ancient. It has been rewritten and translated over and over by many different people. It is bound to be mistranslated. I think “sins” were created to drive us away from things that might harm us. They aren’t necessarily “rules.” Like the idea that you shouldn't have sex before marriage.. I think maybe he said that because then you know for sure you are marrying someone who loves YOU, not just your body. Whether you decide to actually wait until marriage is up to the individual. After researching I believe if I had to call myself something exactly, I'd say that I'm a pantheist. However I also believe in Jesus and what he taught and try to follow him, so I honestly just don't label myself. Christian-ish, pantheist-ish...lol. I also still go to my local episcopal church, and honestly it’s the only place at the moment where I can truly feel at peace. I used to not feel Jesus or God, I never understood people “feeling” him. But now that I have realized so much, I finally feel at peace with my beliefs.
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annie_07
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The messages of the Bible are admirable to society and a lot of progressive Christians see the Bible not as a literal scripture but interpret it as a guide to morals. I don’t believe in this wholly as a Catholic but I can appreciate parts of it, of course. I don’t want to be someone who judges people for what they do regardless of my beliefs, so I hope I don’t come across as that.
I just wanted to say that the writers of the Bible however, did put emphasis on wanting us to take the scripture both metaphorically and literally, that is what the Bible is meant for. Those are the two ways to interpret the Bible, and knowing the distinction is important for theologians/historians. I believe this notion has been established in councils? Let’s use your example in this sense: man should not have sex before marriage. He endorses the idea of love over lust, but the literal implication is established there as well.
The Bible is typically directed towards Christian followers who are taught not only to believe in the deeds and morals of the stories inside of it but to be faithful of the existence of God and all of the events that had happened, and I’m sure Paul puts emphasis on this somewhere after the Pentecost.
Perhaps you view the Bible from a secular sense though, which is fine, I’m not going to force you into thinking otherwise. I have suspicions about the origins about the Bible myself, wondering is the translations of the Hebrew manuscript were alterations in secret.
Besides all of that I’ve wanted to go to other denominational churches too out of curiousity. Could you maybe tell me what their church rituals/teachings were?
I do agree we should think of it literally as well, I just think that a lot of it is just metaphors, the stories at least. And in my experience with Christians in the past, they have taken like..almost everything literally. The irony is that they were also hateful and shamed me when if you're taking the Bible literally you would know not to judge others because that is for God to do.
Also to describe the episcopal church basically, Episcopalians believe God loves everyone without exception (including queer people...), like LGBTQ+ people are able to be ordained at all the levels in the worship team. They also rely on the Creeds as like the basic pillars (if that's the right word) of christian faith and the holy Trinity. They kinda blend the beliefs of Roman Catholic and protestant traditions, basically.
by anne; ; Report
Wow, seems like a really open minded denomination. I’ve never met an Episcopalian before and would be hyped to know them, I like the idea that they’re welcoming and loving towards all people
by annie_07; ; Report
yesyes they're very open minded. I love this church so much :)
by anne; ; Report