Agnostic looking for Christ... Which Christian sect truly teaches the loving message of Jesus?

Question

I gave up on Christianity when I went to college because I grew up in a bible-beating religion. I don't do dogma, guilt, or shame.

I have strong spiritual beliefs, and would be open to attending a church that teaches the TRUE message of Jesus Christ, that is - love and acceptance, no hell, no dogma, no human judgement, with kind and loving people in the congregation. Caring for the Earth and future generations is also a great concern.

Which church would you recommend and why?

Thanks for all the thoughtful answers! I guess I was looking for confirmation of what I already knew.

I have my own belief system which has evolved over the years, I am a free thinker and have a hard time accepting any one doctrine as THE truth. I lean toward Buddhism and Native American earth-based spirituality. I like to think of Jesus as the embodiment of love and acceptance, but every time I pick up the Bible I am disappointed because it is so full of contradictions, superstition and fear.

My view of heaven and hell is that they are simply the states of mind that we create right here on earth. I believe in an eternal soul and reincarnation. So I certainly would not fit in with any traditional Christian church.

I will explore Unity. I've heard many good things about it. What I am looking for is community and open, honest, loving discussion of spiritual beliefs without judgement.

Answer 1

The Unity Truth Center or Unity Church.Their teachings are on a spiritual level which will help make sense of the Bible and God. It is a church based on love not condemnation.

Answer 2

Hi Suzzane -
Personally I would recommend a non-denominational, Bible believing, evangelical church.
The larger denominations or sects get all caught up in doctrines of men rather than sticking with the Word of God.

The best thing you can do is arm yourself with knowledge. Read and study the Bible. Get into an in-depth inductive Bible study. The only way you can know if a preacher is teaching from the Word is to know it yourself.

As far as your desire for :"attending a church that teaches the TRUE message of Jesus Christ, that is - love and acceptance, no hell, no dogma, no human judgement, with kind and loving people in the congregation. Caring for the Earth and future generations is also a great concern" There are many that water down the message of salvation and leave out the fire and brimestone, but If you really want the true message of Jesus Christ it's an all or nothing thing.

Email if you want more info on inductive Bible study.
Sincerely - Redeemed

Answer 3

what you are seeking is superficial Christianity. It is fine if you don't do shame, but guilt must be felt at the very least at first. Paul observed that the Romans were "spiritual" as well because they worshiped many gods. Your right we shouldn't judge each other, but we do, just as I am being judge by those that read this.
To say that there is no Hell is the same as calling Jesus a liar, because He spoke more on the topic of Hell than He did Heaven. Yes Jesus is loving, but there will also be a day of wrath and those that will suffer will be those that have not felt guilt for the sin that they have committed, then remorse about sinning against a Holy God, repenting of their sins and turning back to God. That is the true message of Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Visit www.labri.org and click on Switzerland. There is a really great video there I think you would enjoy from the mountains of Huemoz, Switzerland. It is a Christian Fellowship started in 1950's by Prebyterian missionary Francis Schaeffer. It's purpose is to answer questions for the church disenfranchised.

I think it depends on where you are located in USA. Denominations vary by locality. I have always trusted plain Bible Churches, some Baptist-again depends where. Just visit and decide if you feel comfortable there and if what they are teaching matches with what you see in Bible. Seek a small congregation.

Answer 5

OK i would guess it was a Baptis church you went to and when you are searching for Christ they are not exactly the people to run to first. But i am sorry to tell you that if you really and trully want the truth, Hell is real and is somthing you will have to deal with. it's not something you can just run and hide from. About church. For you as a new believer, I would go to a Non denominational church. These churches typically have the type of people you are looking for and the belifes you are shearching for.
I want to say congradulations on your first steps toward becoming a Christian (christ follower is all that that word means). I am always here to talk to or if you have questions about your faith or your journey with God. You can contact me though yahoo answers anytime.

Answer 6

All of authentic Christianity teaches Christ's law of love.

The problem is that many Christians fail to practice it.

But based on your question, you have no idea what Jesus really taught.

No hell? No dogma? No human judgment?

You must be thinking of some other Jesus.

Answer 7

The Bible is where you find the true teaching of Jesus. There will find that Jesus was a Jew. Jews believed in a place called hell. Let me ask you this question.

If a person decides not to spend his earthly life with God and for God. Why would God make that person spend eternity with God and for God? God is about free will and if you decide to be apart from Him here on earth then he will not force you to be with him forever.

Hell is hell because there is no God. God is love. God is peace. No God in Hell means no love and no peace. That is hell.

Human judgment is inescapable. We fail God and each other and we need forgiveness from both. I pray that you find a group of Christ followers who Love God completely and love people unconditionally.

Answer 8

You may be happy in the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, Lutheran Church, or United Church of Christ. They are all more "liberal" sects overall and largely meet the requirements you speicfy.

By the way, those requirements are all quite reasonable except for the "no hell" one. The Christian kerygma is clear on that one. Sorry. But, feel free to invent your own religion that takes all the positive things about Christianity and none of the negative. Please remember, though, that what you're left with will be your own invention and not "the TRUE message of Jesus Christ." Christ was pretty clear, there is punishment for the disobedient... but forgiveness for all who want it. You'll probably be happy to know that most of the denominations listed above don't talk about Hell very much, regardless.

Answer 9

I tell you this... Christianity is not about religion. Any group that tells you theirs is the only true sect is not what you are looking for. Christianity is about God's love and i am glad you have an understanding of this. God is more concerned in loving us than looking at our mistakes. A lot of people have realized that.

There's just one problem and i noticed it several times on YA R&S. People hate the concept of hell. There is a misconception that God just wants to put people who are not obedient to Him to a fiery hell. You might get disappointed to find out that there may not be a TRUE christian church that says there is no hell. BUT, unlike what most people believe, hell is not designed by God for humans, it's for the rebellious angels. However, satan is just to clever to deceive people with his lies and pull us away from God. But as I've said God is more concerned in loving all of us. He is more concerned about the solution rather than focus on the problem. John 3:16 summarizes His love and grace.

I cannot recommend one but rather i would suggest you visit some christian churches near your place. If you have Christian friends try to ask them questions about their church.
One thing i've learned is to focus my eyes on Him... His love, His example and His Word.

I'll pray that you'll be able to find what your looking for.
God bless!

Answer 10

K, first please read John 3:16 and John 14:6. I ask that of you to imphasize that God said whomever believes and God's way is through Jesus. Having said that, I don't believe nor do I advocate you ought to think of any religion or sect as better than the other. All of them are flawed in my opinion. I don't say that lightly having taken part in catholic, methodist, baptist, charasmatic, full gospel and a few others. I was once searching for that one which was closest to what I found that the bible wanted. So now I do what it takes to keep christ in my heart and my life. I am just as content in a baptist service as a tongue talking so called spirit filled service. It's not what they bring to me, instead it's what I bring to them. If I don't sense that tongues is appropriate then I don't speak them. If I believe once saved always saved then that's the way I'm gonna believe. Remember this, if you are like most of them who repeat the words of one man (the pastor) and adhere to the thoughts and beliefs of what you are told, then if you do end-up in hell don't be surprised. I am responsible for working out my own soul's salvation. If in the process of doing that I happen to disagree with one or a group of others so be it. Yes, I listen and consider the opinions and reasoning put before my by others, but I don't ingest it and make it a part of my own constitution until I am good and ready. I do that not to be stuborn, but to be as right as I can. I am responsible to be righteous according to my growth which is measured by God and not man or a congregation. So God allows us to bless one another, and sometimes that means I learn from others and even believe as they do, but my relationship is with/for God, and that takes presedence over all else. If it happens to (anger) somebody then oh well, I will be judged for my life, and I will be judged seperately. So the intent of the bible was for individual relationship one on one with God, and that happens to include others from time to time. Believe and behave as good as you can, and be genuine, don't perform to be seen of men. Listen to God first as best you can, and he will let you have your answers, even to this very question...grow with God...take care...