Loving God but hating religion....?

Question

What would you suggest to a person who loves God and also would like to get into the spiritual side of life, however, HATES religion and considers most pastors and big name preachers to be hypocrites? I grew up in a Christian household and was a part of many different churches, however, the people I met there were the most evil, judgemental, gossiping hypocrites I've ever known. They were worse people than the people I knew who weren't Christians. Is there a church that is open minded to people of all color, gays, the poor, the down and out, etc. Is there a church that focuses on helping the community as opposed to preaching AGAINST the people in the community, such as gays, etc. (I'm not gay but I hate people who are closed minded)?

Is there a religion who is actually good? I can't stand churches where people pretend to get the Holy Ghost and fall down dramatically and they just act like buffoons while they are there. I consider it all to be a show and fake.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I think I just met the female version of myself, meaning I am spiritual and not religious!

Religion is man-made, period! For instance, nowhere in the bible does it refer to people by a religious title. Think about this, if being a Christian means to be Christ like, what were God fearing people before the birth of Christ called? Wouldn't they be non-believers if Jesus is the answer?
I too believe in God, but hate religion. With all the variations of Christianity, and different interpretations, who is correct? Who do you believe? Is it possible Muslims, Buddhist, or Atheist could be right?

Along with Christianity having possibly the most shady and darkest past of any organized religion, post of modern, the Christians of today are the essence of hypocrisy. I see too many of them back stabbing, gossiping, cheating, lying, stealing, fornicating, etc... Its to the point, you don't know what to believe anymore. I can't even use the typical Christian excuse anymore, "Oh thats just the devil at work."

Whether you know it or not, Christian, falsely accused and triad, crucified and killed him and then named a religion after him. Explain that!

Why do Christians justify bad things they say and do in the name of God, but good things in the name of Jesus? If they are suppose to be one in the same, how can they split hairs?

The last thing I want to do is change you way of thinking or give you a negative impression of Christianinty, because you are already around people that are doing that, but the dark side to Christianity is slowly making its way back into the consciousness of even the most hardcore believer.

Good luck in your quest to find your own truth.

Answer 2

God hates religious hypocracy too, and so does the Bible.

If you want a church like that, that is loving and godly, you need to pray and search. They are out there, I'm a member of one. The church you go to may not be one that is prominent or on TV all the time. Churches that work with the community, and are knowledgeable about the community are usually THERE... not on TV. So you may not have "heard" of them. Do you know anyone who is healthy spiritually and goes to church? Ask them where they go.

HOWEVER, you're getting into VERY deep waters when you bring up homosexuality, it's a strong issue in society and the church.... many people in church have gay friends, family members, and love and care for (ie, those with a healthy spiritual life like I just described)... but the idea that homosexuality is a race and innate part of one's identity (therefore it must be good and healthy) DOES go against the Bible. Most churches do not believe that homosexuality as a practice is good, and will not concede that it's good. BUT that is not the same thing as churches that condemn, single out, and scapegoat anyone who has that lifestyle. The Bible does say that homosexuality is wrong, but it does not allow for the hate, ignorance, and intolerance that many in the mainstream church have shown.

Answer 3

I am a Christian who feels that organized religion gets in the way of my personal relationship and spiritual growth. I do not like the ministers who do the miracle "cures" or make millions on television either. I found a long time ago that its better for me to do my own Bible studies (I get great ones) and hang out with other liberals and talk. I also do some zen buddhism, which my friend turned me on to.

What I decided was to have a "home" church. It is the church where I went when I was younger and where I was baptized and my children were dedicated and where my parents still go. Its a very small, rural United Methodist Church. I do go once in a while, I love the minister (a woman)...but I do not go to a church in the town where I live. I keep in touch with what is going on and I do volunteer for things in the church conference but that is all.

This has been the best for me.
The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 4

I liked what 'Hey Ray' and Richard said. Most of the comments are very good advice. You need to try different churches. If one wants to teach you theology and church doctrine before they welcome you then I would look elsewhere. As Richard said, " Christianity is NOT a religion. It is following Jesus Christ, hence "Christ"ian. If you read the Holy Bible and learn more about the attributes and characteristics of Jesus Christ and the Father, you'll become more aquainted with them. You'll develope a personal relationship with Him that you can take to the church that you finally find is right for you and become a contributor with that church. You learn one on one with God thru His Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. You learn when you are alone with Him. And church is to share your spirtuality with others and to worship God and to have other's to go out into the world with,as disciples, by doing community service and or telling the Good New of Christ(the Gospel). Church should be a place were you can be supported and edified. Edified means where you may here others talk about some of the same things that you learned privately as spending time in the scriptures one on one with God(in His word) and the Holy Spirit who helps you learn what God's will is for you.

If you read Acts in the Bible you'll see that the first Christian churches had problems amoung each other in the different churches. That even then the Apostles needed to rebuke the churches. I think that we will always have people in our churches that just go to be a part of social affairs and become important in their own eyes by taking important jobs within the church. You however have a choice to be true to our Father and hold your own among them and you just might be the difference in the church which is what Jesus is looking for in you. You just might make a difference if you persevere in the Truth(which is Jesus, I am the Truth and the way). That is, I think, what you'll find that Jesus wants after you've learned God's will and proceed to do it. If you're thinking that it takes too long let me tell you that Jesus has said that it will basically take all your life because you have turned your life over to Him. You will win out in the end because you will live a gloriously happy life eternal with Him. A place were nothing will hurt or kill you and one where you will not need to discern evil from good so that you won't get trapped by bad people ever again. I hope you find your relationship with our Father and His Son who will destroy evil forever. God can start teaching you now, you don't have to wait to become perfect and a non sinner. We all are sinners and Jesus accepted us as we are and wants us to repent and follow Him. God is preparing us sinners now for His holy kingdom that is to come.

Answer 5

It really depends on the individual church. Go to a few and ask the pastor about community outreach and other things that are important to you. Stay away from the mega-churches. In my experience they aren't as community oriented as smaller churches. Some of it will depend on the denomination, some will depend on the pastor, and some will depend on the congregation (so talk to the people too).

But it is a sad truth that all churches have a degree of gossip and hypocrisy, just like anywhere else you find a group of people. The best you can do is find a pastor who is a straight shooter and denounces it. Odds are he will have a staff that is like minded.

Hope this helps

Answer 6

first off, calm down. bashing the church isn't going to help you.
and if you want to seek God, you don't neccessarily need to join a church.

what you do is just be by yourself or with a small group of those who love God, and seek Him. Trust me, there's no better place to look for God than in His Word. Be born again and let the Spirit guide you.

and as for the closed-mindedness, you may be mismatching motives. Thing is, even if someone is born gay, they still have that choice to change and the Bible does say that it's wrong (the behavior), as urges don't make you a sinner; doing does. It's really more of a belief thing than a "you demon!" thing.

seriously, the aim of anyone who loves God should be to be like Christ. Christ didn't condemn people, only told them reality. Christ wasn't ashamed to sit with the "scum" of society, and he even welcomed them. Even one of His disciples was a tax collector (which were always associated with dishonesty), some former lawyers (misteachers of the law).

and if you want to know God, get rid of hate for people, period. don't hate people because of sin or what you feel is wrong. Hate the sin, not the sinner.

and yeah, you shouldn't be comfortable in an environment where people pretend to fall down. falling happens, but when the Holy Spirit does something, change happens. really, if people are always flalling but the church has remained the same, there's a problem there.

so there's my thoughts. hope you read this and draw closer to God.

Answer 7

I agree,
In my experience there was churches like that once.
That was before the creationists and the born-again movement began in the 70's. Then the church was a soft and gentle place to be a social and friendly place where all were welcome and included. You see when the movements began(creationists etc) it demanded people to chose the more fundamentalist way. Then as churches discovered they could get more bums on seats the administration of the churches took on the beliefs of the creationists etc to heart and voted for the change. You see now most priests are trained in the creationist, born-again doctrine so it is hard to imagine that this will change in a hurry to a more gentler way as in previous times. In a way these movements create more atheists because they too are forced to choose which side of the fence they belong perhaps before they would be more open minded?

Answer 8

In as much as denominations, the only mainstream Christian denomination I know of that is very open-minded is the United Church, but individual churches don't have to follow the very liberal tenets of the church at large. In as much as Judaism, Reconstructionist and Reform synagogues may interest you.
I hope that was at least somewhat helpful. This is a very complex question with diverse answers, and your own personal beliefs and perceptions regarding your God will determine where you want to go. Without knowing more about your beliefs, this is all I can suggest. Good luck. :)

Answer 9

yes , I know a good church.. The Church of the Living God international and it's a wonderful church. A holyghost filled church. It's my pastor 38th Anniversary and we are located all over the U.S. if you need info- email me at [e-mail].
I've been to many churches but it wasn't until I joined this church and gave my Life to the Lord their was a change. We preach from the word of God.
Secondly let me set the record straight- homosexuality is a sin. but that doesn't mean we hate anybody but the word of God says God hates homosexuality. So I stand on the word. All are welcome because it's the word of God that delivers the mind.

Answer 10

I do not like religions either. I have a Lutheran background, but I currently attend regularly a non-denominational Christian church where the Bible is the center of teaching and they lead people to a life changing relationship with God.

Find yourself a churchome where you can be spiritually fed and you can start to make it stronger by your service and contribution. Pray about it. Sample some out, you will know when you have found yours.