Looking for an open-minded Christian denomination?

Question

My husband and children currently attend a very conservative Episcopalian Church. As an atheist who was raised Christian, I am comfortable with my children having some Christian education.


However, I am not willing to have their minds poisoned against others because of differing religious beliefs, sexual orientations, or any other factor that really has no bearing on how good or kind a person truly is. Can anyone suggest a denomination that is accepting of all people, who strive to be moral and ethical human beings?

Answer 1

I suggest looking into the Unitarian Universalists (UU's). They are very liberal, open-minded and accepting of differences of opinions and beliefs. You can expect to find members that self-identify as Christian, as well as Humanist, Agnostic and others. They are basically a group of good, ethical people who have a desire for a spiritual aspect in their lives, but who encourage each member to conduct their own serious and honest search for truth while being supported by the spiritual community. Parents that attend UU services often have different religious backgrounds from each other, and are looking for a spiritual home that is big enough to respect and accomodate these differences while giving the children an education in a wide variety of spiritual values and practices. UU's are also very active in supporting moral and social causes and issues. One local UU youth group recently spent time downtown helping the homeless. Other priorities that UU's support include Environmental causes and Peace issues. Best of luck to you in your search!

Answer 2

The Catholic Church is the only one I know of that teaches that non-Christians can go to heaven. And not just the ones who have never heard of Jesus.

Also, we cherish the Bible exactly the way it is, interpreting it within its historical context, in light of how it was compiled over the centuries. For example, Pope John Paul II said he didn't have any problem with the Big Bang theory -- it doesn't matter so much how God did it; the point is, God did it. You can believe in evolution and still love the story of Adam and Eve for the wonderful things it teaches about human nature and our relationship with God and each other.

While the Catholic Church does teach that homosexuality is a sin, we are taught to love the sinner -- we're all sinners -- not to judge them; not to shun them; not to treat them with any less kindness and compassion than we want others to treat us, as sinners too.

My sister put her daughter in a Baptist preschool and then found out they didn't do Halloween. Her daugher was horrified. Catholics invented Halloween.

Evidence of Catholicism's breadth is that we tend to vote about half Democrat and half Republican. The word "catholic" means "universal" or "open to all." I was taught that God is our loving Father and he loves all his kids the same -- there is no place in Christianity for racism or anything else that separates us from one another or makes some people think they're better than others. As if God loves some of his kids more than others -- how dumb is that.

Of course, every parish is different, so try a few and see how you like them. Also, the Catholic liturgy is similar to the Episcopalian, so your husband might feel more comfortable there, too.

P.S. A message to IL Padrino (above): Your arrogance is outrageous. Too bad you didn't say which church you go to -- I would advise the asker to avoid that one.

Answer 3

The Methodist church is usually a very accepting denomination, though, as with all churches, it varies by location and community -- who's involved with the church has a good deal of impact on what's emphasized. It might actually be beneficial to attend a few different services for different denominations, and have a talk with some of the members. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions you'd have about their teachings, and glad for your interest. And if no one wants to bother talking to you about it, then why consider that church?

Answer 4

A more liberal Episcopalian church might be a good fit, if you and your family like the Espiscopalians so far.

I also highly reccomend learning about the Quakers, if you are interested. While there are still Christian Quakers, many Quakers do not consider themselves Christians. I have met "spiritual" Quakers, Buddhist Quakers, a Jewish Quaker, etc etc. And aside from the most conservative branches, most Quakers are open and accepting of all people from all different walks of life. Also, Quakers don't prostelyze (sp?).

I'd be happy to tell you more or share what resources I have if you'd like.

Answer 5

The United Generic Church?

Answer 6

How is it than an Atheist and a Christian are married? I don't get it. Unless your husband or you converted after marriage, your family doesn't make sense.
These kind of things should have been discussed before marriage if you both were of different beliefs. This is why the bible clearly states not to marry an unbeliever.

However, if there was a conversion afterwards, then there's nothing that can be done except learn to live with it or leave.

Your idea of "poisioning" is ridiculous. Christianity is about being set apart from the world. It is about standing for what you believe in instead of tolerating nonsense.
It is the atheist/liberal mentality that is the true poison. What makes you so sure your ideals are correct? You are the one that needs to change. Your arrogance is outrageous.

If you teach your children to be "Christian" but follow the mainstream idea of right and wrong, then you are doing more harm than good. You can only be one or the other. There is no compromise between the two. To compromise is to be a bigger devil than you are.

Leave your husband alone since he is obviously the only one in your family with true faith and understands what it means to serve God. Do not demand your husband not take your children to church. When they get older, they will decide for themselves what they want to do. But for now, you need to leave it alone.

** One other thing:
You say that you're comfortable with your children learning about Christianity, but your details suggests otherwise. Christianity means that you do not tolerate sin. It seems that you want your children to learn about a god that tolerates sin. That is not the Christian God. So, either you're comfortable with it or not. It sounds like you're not.
God's standards of "good" are much different than yours. You want your children to learn about God, but follow your standards of good and evil. That will confuse them more than anything.

I don't envy your position because eventually, something will break in your household. Either you will have to compromise, your husband will have to compromise, or someone will get fed up and want to leave.
There is no other option.

It's not easy. So, please think carefully before you put any demands on your husband.

Answer 7

I applaud you for wanting to expose your children to religion since you are an atheist. I think that children should be taught the beliefs and practices of a variety of religions, including the science of evolution...it is only by educating our children (and not dominating their own thoughts & ideas) that they can make educated choices (and actually put their Free Will to good use!) Perhaps you and your kids could go "church-hopping"...pick & choose what you want to believe from the different religions, and then weave it all together into your own religion. Many blessings to you and your family :)

Answer 8

I was raised Methodist and didn't think much of it till I turned agnostic/atheist as an adult. Now pretty much it appears to be one of the more openminded faiths. Obviously it's still christian so you'll still get some dogma (like repeating the Nicene Creed in the services) but it's not overwhelming. The kids...may still get a bit brainwashed (like I remember learning about buddhism and judaism or hinduism in sunday school but it never was their intent to 'sell me' those religions). I'm not sure if any church abjures from trying to plant their memes in young impressionable minds.

Answer 9

I have always been told that the unitarian church & Christian Science are two churches that are open minded but I'm not sure. I think the Lutherian church is the most open minded because I have known several Lutherian Chaplians during my many years in the Army and, well they appear about as openminded as anyone can get.

Answer 10

No I don't know of a church like that. My thoughts are that you should be able to go to any church without your children's minds being poisoned against others for any reason. If God is who we say He is and we seek to know Him, I think we would have a lifetime of learning and need not put anyone else down for any reason. But we live in reality and I'm sorry, I wish I could help you but I don't know of a church such as you are looking for.