Liberal causes in a conservative church

[Sand Dancer]

Is it okay to broach having a "liberal" cause in a "conservative" church? My husband really wants to stay in our church, which is a conservative Presbyterian one, but I want to pursue recycling and gay rights. My husband says that it would be okay to pursue these things. I put out a recycling bin, no biggie, but the gay rights issue is the one I really would like help with. Am I off my rocker to even broach this subject? It's either that or I split for a liberal church, but my husband thinks that our current church is trying to become more interested in social justice. I'm skeptical...

 

[SteveGrayFTW]

I think broaching the gay rights issue would be tough. Is this something you could pursue and help support outside of Church, while sticking with other causes (like the recycling) within the Church community?

 

[Sand Dancer]

Yes. That's what I was going to do. I just wish I had more in common with those in my church. Thanks!

 

[Xian Catalyst]

Is it okay to broach having a "liberal" cause in a "conservative" church? My husband really wants to stay in our church, which is a conservative Presbyterian one, but I want to pursue recycling and gay rights. My husband says that it would be okay to pursue these things. I put out a recycling bin, no biggie, but the gay rights issue is the one I really would like help with. Am I off my rocker to even broach this subject? It's either that or I split for a liberal church, but my husband thinks that our current church is trying to become more interested in social justice. I'm skeptical...

You will be ignored and they will assume you are wrong and not of God the minute you try. If you really want to pursue this, I'd like to talk with you, drop me an email. I'll voice or email, or if you are close by meet the two of you, or you and another friend. (Just not you and me alone to protect YOUR image. )

If you want to pursue it, you have to decide why you are pursuing it. Is it to change their views??? or just to voice opposition? Is it to reason or to try to impact the church itself.

Most of these you can't have at the same time. They contraindicate.

good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Is it okay to broach having a "liberal" cause in a "conservative" church? My husband really wants to stay in our church, which is a conservative Presbyterian one, but I want to pursue recycling and gay rights. My husband says that it would be okay to pursue these things. I put out a recycling bin, no biggie, but the gay rights issue is the one I really would like help with. Am I off my rocker to even broach this subject? It's either that or I split for a liberal church, but my husband thinks that our current church is trying to become more interested in social justice. I'm skeptical...

Hey Thirza...
This might not help, but I wondered about a Liberal Christian attending a Conservative church, full stop. I'm thinking gay rights will be a hard one to get traction on, but think its' a worthy cause, and worth the risk, but I'm thinking that if it's not this issue, it'll be something else that eventually splits you from the Church.

Either you become more conservative, the church becomes more liberal, you lead a double-life (yuck...) or you leave.

Long term cognitive dissonance won't happen.

Not sure that helps (sorry!) but I guess I'm encouraging a longer term outlook.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

You seem to between a rock and a hard place.
Liberal Christianity and Conservative Presbyterians do not mix.
Your choices seem to be between pleasing Your husband and his church
Or following your conscience and your beliefs.
That is a very tough call.

It would not be so bad if your husband would go with you to a liberal church once in a while. particularly if he could feel he was not deserting the Presbyterians. Perhaps an Anglican one would be a suitable half way house, as their scope is very wide and covers both Conservative evangelical and liberal theology, and every thing in between.

 

[Xian Catalyst]

I'm, by the literal meaning of the word, more conservative than conservatives. Scripturally speaking the Church is ANTI Christ on it's "gay rights" dis-agenda. I tell them. I stand my ground, I back them into a corner scripturally whichever way they turn. They just put their head in the ground and speak out of what is left to see and call me liberal.

I couldn't be any more conservative, I take scripture as written and in context. I don't change it around to suit my bigoted, hate motivated ways. And, yes, hate, even though unintentional is hate. You can be hateful, without being a hate monger. You can do bigoted things, but not be a bigot at heart. I'd say it's about 50/50 among the anti gay folks. some are deliberate bigots, some are incidental bigots.

I'll be glad to feed you the scriptural positions on the topic. But I'm tellin ya, it doesn't matter. If Jesus Himself (and he did) said it was wrong, they would not let that get in their way.

Can I start a gay marriage rights thread here and not get banned?

 

[LuisDantas]

Can I start a gay marriage rights thread here and not get banned?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: You may want to create such a thread in Same Faith Debates instead, depending on how much freedom of expression you want the thread to have.

As usual, feel free to open a thread in Site Feedback if you want to consult the staff about such matters.

 

[Sand Dancer]

You will be ignored and they will assume you are wrong and not of God the minute you try. If you really want to pursue this, I'd like to talk with you, drop me an email. I'll voice or email, or if you are close by meet the two of you, or you and another friend. (Just not you and me alone to protect YOUR image. )

If you want to pursue it, you have to decide why you are pursuing it. Is it to change their views??? or just to voice opposition? Is it to reason or to try to impact the church itself.

Most of these you can't have at the same time. They contraindicate.

good luck with whatever you decide.

My husband thinks I'm wrong, but I agree with you that it won't be a good fit. I definitely want to change minds. I would never do anything just to oppose. I'll do some more thinking, and if I want to do it, I will send you a PM. Thanks!

 

[Sand Dancer]

Hey Thirza...
This might not help, but I wondered about a Liberal Christian attending a Conservative church, full stop. I'm thinking gay rights will be a hard one to get traction on, but think its' a worthy cause, and worth the risk, but I'm thinking that if it's not this issue, it'll be something else that eventually splits you from the Church.

Either you become more conservative, the church becomes more liberal, you lead a double-life (yuck...) or you leave.

Long term cognitive dissonance won't happen.

Not sure that helps (sorry!) but I guess I'm encouraging a longer term outlook.

I agree with you. My husband really likes the church, so I think he's hoping it can work. I am not keen on staying, but I will go to a few services at ours, as long as he's willing to try out the mainline church that I like.

 

[Sand Dancer]

You seem to between a rock and a hard place.
Liberal Christianity and Conservative Presbyterians do not mix.
Your choices seem to be between pleasing Your husband and his church
Or following your conscience and your beliefs.
That is a very tough call.

It would not be so bad if your husband would go with you to a liberal church once in a while. particularly if he could feel he was not deserting the Presbyterians. Perhaps an Anglican one would be a suitable half way house, as their scope is very wide and covers both Conservative evangelical and liberal theology, and every thing in between.

I've never been to an Anglican church. I thought they were more conservative though. I asked my husband about the UU church that I like and he acted like I sprouted another head. He thinks they're wacko.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I've never been to an Anglican church. I thought they were more conservative though. I asked my husband about the UU church that I like and he acted like I sprouted another head. He thinks they're wacko.

That is the interesting thing about the Anglican church It covers a very wide range of styles. From the Anglo Catholics who's services are almost identical to the Roman catholics . to Very traditional almost Calvinistic churches like the Presbyterians.
However they all manage to follow the same basic dogma.

The Anglican Church is more about common worship than detailed dogma so tend to be very liberal. Our own rector is exceptionally liberal by any standard.

I can understand your husbands attitude to the UU as they are not even part of the Christian church, and have no Christian Dogma at all.
We still have Christian Unitarians in the UK who are linked to the UU's but maintain their Christian teachings. However like the UU's they do not believe in the Divinity of Jesus or the Trinity.

 

[Sand Dancer]

That is the interesting thing about the Anglican church It covers a very wide range of styles. From the Anglo Catholics who's services are almost identical to the Roman catholics . to Very traditional almost Calvinistic churches like the Presbyterians.
However they all manage to follow the same basic dogma.

The Anglican Church is more about common worship than detailed dogma so tend to be very liberal. Our own rector is exceptionally liberal by any standard.

I'll have to check to see if one is near me. Thanks!

I can understand your husbands attitude to the UU as they are not even part of the Christian church, and have no Christian Dogma at all.
We still have Christian Unitarians in the UK who are linked to the UU's but maintain their Christian teachings. However like the UU's they do not believe in the Divinity of Jesus or the Trinity.

I know. It just feels nice to worship with people of different faiths, and respect and love them as people.

 

[trumpet_guy]

As far as gay rights goes...I'm a baptist and still support gay rights to degree. I'm undecided on the entire "if it's a sin thing" however their are few things you could bring to people's minds. We are not supposed to condemn gays because not even Jesus did this (John 8:1-11; substitute the adulterer for *insert name here*). This is because all sins are equal in God's eyes and because the only thing that actually separates the "saved" from the "unsaved" is the grace of Christ. Also, we aren't supposed to prevent them from seeking the church for help because of our bigotry (Mathew 21:12-17; Jesus says "den of thieves" which is a reference to Jeremiah 7:1-11). I'm not sure how it'll go but they'll take it alot better (or should) if you have biblical support. Best of luck!

 

[SteveGrayFTW]

I've never been to an Anglican church. I thought they were more conservative though. I asked my husband about the UU church that I like and he acted like I sprouted another head. He thinks they're wacko.

You are probably not going to find much in the way of an "Anglican" Church in the US. If you want a more liberal minded (yet traditional acting) Christian Church, you may want to check out an Episcopal Church (which is part of the Anglican communion).

 

[Clarity]

Is it okay to broach having a "liberal" cause in a "conservative" church? My husband really wants to stay in our church, which is a conservative Presbyterian one, but I want to pursue recycling and gay rights. My husband says that it would be okay to pursue these things. I put out a recycling bin, no biggie, but the gay rights issue is the one I really would like help with. Am I off my rocker to even broach this subject? It's either that or I split for a liberal church, but my husband thinks that our current church is trying to become more interested in social justice. I'm skeptical...

If your church defines "causes" in political terms, you might be in the wrong church.

Find one that defines them by Jesus' teachings and by their resources and willingness to give up some from their chosen causes for the one you prefer.

(As a Christian yourself, you have to make the same choice. Are you religious or political? Are you called to recycle or walk among the poor and serve actual needs?)