I think we should boycott all traditional churches because they spread a gospel of fear instead of a gospel of love.
I am not suggesting we hate them. we should just ignore them.Thoughts?
I certainly boycott 'eternal torment in hell fire' teaching churches..as most churches teach the possibility of eternal separation from God maybe its hard to boycott them all...
I occasionally attend a church that believes in the possibility of 'eternal separation' from God but hardly ever mentions it so I don't feel too bad going there when I wish to enjoy praise and worship etc..
however, like I said, I certainly ignore/ boycott churches that consistently preach/ teach 'eternal punishment' as they are propagating a senseless evil doctrine that slanders and maligns a loving God and which causes much strife, division, fear and harm in the world.
I am a truck driver, and from time to time I see these huge crosses along the highways and in church yards, the Lord showed me something one time that I will never forget .....
If every church put one of these huge crosses next to their church, when flying overhead in an airplane, it would look like you are flying over a graveyard
Death is a part, and I mean only a part of life, we cannot be resurrected until first we die, so that is how I view the churches of today, I have nothing against them simply because it was the place I was brought to "to die" as are others.
In the Spiritual sense, it is the tomb bought by another for us to be placed in so that the resurrection can now take place.
My :2c:
Laz already boycotts the churches. I really see no point in going, except maybe to open a few eyes, and I haven't seen that yet.
I think everyone should do as they are led individually by the Spirit of God.
Boycotting in one of my favorite 'hobbies'. I do it often, when I don't agree with a product, usually. If I don't like the company that sells it, and what it represents, etc.
That being said..........
I don't know....if Jesus could go in all types of objectionable situations, I think we should, too.
Jesus preached in the temple, even though He didn't agree with the Pharisees. He befriended Nicodemus. And He ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, and so on, too. Those who are hurt, lost, seeking......which, is, of course, all of us.
Now, I am not saying we all are called to go everywhere. Paul, though a Jew, was sent to preach to the Gentiles.
I think we must listen to God's call, and answer, "Here I am, Lord, send me." Wherever that might be.
And, I understand why people may not want to go to traditional churches.
Personally, I really enjoy Church. Growing up, there were lots of problems concerning my family. My home was not a place of comfort for me. I lived next door to a Catholic School, and a Catholic Church. I attended both, as a child, growing up. God was always there for me, in both of those places. They were my physical, spiritual, and psychological refuge, from the sadness and cruelty at home. My dear principal, a nun, was my foremost role model, all of my life. They gave me a stability and an identity which I didn't get in my home. So, yes, I do go to church. And, I understand those who believe in Hell, I guess because I was raised to believe in Hell, too.
I am no longer Catholic, and no longer believe in Hell, however. But, I do go to a Church....actually, I go to lots of churches, all the time. I have lots of friends from different churches, and sometimes I go with them to church. I know lots of pastors, Christian singers, Christian volunteers, etc. I don't always tell people that I am a Christian Universalist.....I have been that almost a year now. Still trying to figure out how to go about sharing that. Some of my close friends do know......some I haven't told yet. I know some will be extremely upset and I don't really know how far reaching the consequences will be, but I would think, considerable. I did tell both of my children, too.
I guess I view it this way.....we are all at different points in our journey with and towards God. I am not going to judge where someone else is on there journey. Only God can see our hearts.
I will do my best to love them, share with them, and be 'one' with them. As I try to do everywhere I go. I will do my best to pray about it and be led by the Holy Spirit.
I did try to find a Christian Universalist Church, but I have not been successful, as of yet. A friend of mine, who was a Pastor, was recently striped of his ability to be a Pastor, in the congregation he was with. I know for a fact that he is a Universalist, but he doesn't speak about it. He is starting a house church of some sort. I will go and see what is happening there.
And, I guess, for now, anyway, that is my take on this.
D.
:Chinscratch:
I agree with John. We must all be led by the Spirit.
The main thing is to know that the organized religious system is not the body of Christ. I see the system and the true body as two temples that run across each other. There is an overlap, where living stones of the true temple fellowship in the temple of man's hands, but that does not validate the system, nor disgrace those who attend (though I don't).
God has servants in many diverse places;/ Some members of the body serve in places that do not reflect their values but God has them there ministering to individuals, just being light.