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I can't say that my feelings were ever hurt by the church. I think I was taught a certain amount of hogwash which led me to feel subjectively like god had let me down and couldn't be trusted. Later on I figured out that wasn't the case, but by then god had disappeared in a puff of logic.
The church where I attend have many diversities of different people like Black and Caucasian people, Native American people, Chinese, and people of India and more, and they are all blessed to go there ..... I remember some people came in and were probably high on drugs and the Pastor prayed for them and blessed them ..... Even men can go there and wear a hat and people will not say anything ......... Even though I have gone to other churches where I was not a member and people show you the door, and some churches where I have gone to and the usher would let you stay but escorted here the entire stay
Certain individuals in various congregations I've attended over the years have been jerks.
But I wouldn't say "the church" as a body has ever done anything to hurt me.
Back when I was in high school and was attending a Southern Baptist church, I was disciplined by the leadership of the church in an official way for my scandalous behavior. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy the experience at the time; but it was very good for me and was an important wake up call at that point in my life.
My family (Dad, Mom, and me) were members of a Baptist Church from when I was very young (maybe 3?). We attended regularly: twice on Sundays, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, all events, etc.
When I was about 9, my father decided his entire life was a lie and he left us for another woman. The Church "revoked" our family membership and refused to help my mom in any way. Basically, they kicked us out.
At 9 or 10, there wasn't really much I could do. But now (about 40 years later), I don't go to church. I don't believe in "organized religion." And I don't trust the humans who run churches.
When I was about 9, my father decided his entire life was a lie and he left us for another woman. The Church "revoked" our family membership and refused to help my mom in any way. Basically, they kicked us out.
That's the exact opposite of what they should have done.
It probably reflects the tendency to assume that when infidelity occurs it's always the woman's fault somehow.
No church has "hurt me", but several have crossed the line. Mostly sinning / judging under a guise of trying to be holy. Typical points Jesus spoke out against, but which they love to ignore.
It's great though when they 'show their cards' and what they're about. We leave, "wipe the dust off our shoes" as Jesus did with places that rejected him, and move on.
Authority Religion can be dangerous. Our personal relationship with the Father needs no middle man.
Yep
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