I grew up in what many would call a typical Southern-Baptist, Bible Belt Church (although compared to many I know of, it was relatively liberal). I never really let too many opinions of fellow churchgoers bother me, until after September 11. After that day, people slowly began showing their intolerance towards others--particularly Muslims (which were often called obscene names)--more openly...that's not what Christ taught us to do. Politics began infiltrating the church, and, when there was a statewide vote to implement a state lottery, the church actually put in its bulletin to vote "no". Last year during a youth weekend I went back home to help with, one of my role models from a child was telling a kid that there is no such thing as global warming, and, if it were true, God would take care of us. That's not the thinking that adults need to be teaching kids. They need to be teaching them that God made the Earth, and we need to protect it. Heck, my roommate's mom (same church) got told by someone that if you vote for a Democrat, then you go to Hell.
True, religion could be good if it is a healthy community of believers. However, it seems that today it is impossible to keep church and state separate (honestly, my spiritual beliefs have influenced my political leanings further left). I can't honestly consider myself a member of that church, and it will be quite hard for me to be an actual member of any in the future. Attend? Of course (for advice, as that's all I see sermons as).
|