(Formerly Lemm.ee)
This is a community for progressive Christians and friends to discuss our faith, support each other, and share inspiration for our spiritual journeys.
We seek God's message of Peace, Love, and Grace through following the Spirit of Christ.
OpenChristian Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenChristian/s/K3NwAgNj2a
OpenChristian Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/KwyUcXv
LGBT Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/e8HXnzV
Wiki: https://reddit.com/r/OpenChristian/w/index
FAQ: [https://reddit.com/r/OpenChristian/w/faq]
[Lemmy mirror of FAQ] https://lemmy.world/post/32102984
Online Resources: https://reddit.com/r/OpenChristian/w/onlineresources
Community Rules
All misogyny, racism, antisemitism, LGBTQ+phobia, etc. will result in removal and a permanent ban. This includes commenting that LGBTQ¢+ love or relationships are sinful. Be aware that using “Pharisee” as a negative slur is considered anti-Semitic.
1b. Side B folks are welcome, but follow Rule 1. If you are a Side B Christian, please respect Rule 1 above, but know that you belong here and we want you to participate.
This includes all attempts to promote or normalise hate, shame, or fear within Christianity (e.g. purity culture, scaremongering against gender-transitioning, “complementarianism’”, or “demonic” attacks).
Legitimate criticism of other Christians/ faiths is allowed but refrain from prejudice against entire denominations/groups, and against other religions (e.g. Islamophobia).
This is primarily a supportive space for anyone who identifies as Christian. While everyone is welcome to participate we ask that no one disparages Christianity.
No personal attacks or accusations, harassment, misrepresentation of others, or insults. This also includes forcing debate, gatekeeping, and denying the validity of another's faith.
Don't concern troll, play devil's advocate, or pretend to be confused when you really just want to start a debate. This Rule will be interpreted at the moderators’ discretion.
Don't post here if you're mass posting to other Communities. Don't post here for self-promotion unless it's particularly relevant to this subreddit. This is not your soapbox, and we are not here for you to preach at us. If you want to promote your media please ask permission from the mods.
Because we want this space to be as safe as possible, we discourage posting images or links to oppressive rhetoric from others. However, we do understand that venting is important sometimes. If you must post something potentially triggering, mark it nsfw or use spoiler tags, and censor any identifying information.
This topic has proven to be too divisive to discuss without consistently violating this subreddit’s rules. In order to maintain peace and to continue supporting one another, content regarding the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict is not permitted at this time.
Notice:
OpenChristian is inclusive, open and welcoming of all. We are LGBTQ+ affirming, but we welcome any who have chosen celibacy, as long as you respect Rule 1.
Do not post or comment about how you believe homosexuality is a sin.
We have heard this a thousand times, and you have nothing new to contribute to the conversation.
If you do this, you will be banned.
Please note that as a progressive Christian community, we are explicitly followers of Christ, as well as LGBTQ+ affirming and egalitarian.
Friends are very welcome to participate, no matter what you believe.
But this is not the place for questioning or debating these positions.
We disagree on many things even within denominations, but we are all trying to follow the same God.
... might actually lead to the change we wish to see.
I think the problem is that the difference in interpretations of what it means to follow the same God leads to diametrically opposed concepts of what change you wish to see. Some Christians want to kill, imprison, or subjugate people who aren't white Christian men. How can you meet that with anything less than animosity?
Pity. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who persecute you. Forgive. Do what is necessary, if you try to live in peace. Stand up for the downtrodden. Not with hatred or even anger. With sorrow, as the Chinese philosophy says, as if attending a funeral of a friend.
Are you willing to do what is necessary to stand up for the downtrodden? Or does your plan end at pitying and then forgiving the fascist Christians?
I would refer you to the first two chapters of the Bhagavad Gita as my reply.
My thoughts on this are addressed by something from the Narnia book "The Last Battle", where the Calormanian prince meets Aslan and becomes disillusioned with Tash (or whatever the deity was called). Aslan tells the prince that He recognizes him and knows him and that, basically, those who serve Him without knowing Him are welcome in the Kingdom.
This was the idea that eventually let me to Christian Universalism, the belief that all will be saved, all given the chance to receive salvation whether they received the Gospel in this life or not.
That's all nice to feel good about yourself, but fully and wholly self-defeating from the angle of dealing with actual bad things that exist in the real world.
Did you respond to the wrong comment? If not, can you explain what it is that I said that elicited such a strong reaction.