My current situation in life feels rather empty... I grew up being drug around to various churches of the Christian faith; Methodist with my grandmother, Presbyterian with my mother, my father not going to any church. Like any kid, I eventually grew to hate the tug-o-war and ended up siding with my dad and never setting foot in a church again.
Since then, my religious beliefs have become rather unruly. When my boyfriend finally got up the nerve to ask me to go to his church, I was mortified. I haven't been in a church, never bother what denomination, in many years.
Upon further thought, I have decided that I would very much like to get back into the "swing of things", and find a church that represents my beliefs.
Then.. the problem. I've been browsing all types of faith, not necessarily christian, even. But it seems that I cannot find a single religion, or denomination, that matches even remotely my beliefs.
My problems:
I find a church that is against abortion, but they don't accept homosexual people. Vice-versa.
I think my beliefs are predominately christian, but at the same time, I feel VERY restricted by the fact that one may be very conservative and not accept women as equal to men, or may be very closed minded as far as other religions.
When I look at religions outside Christianity, I find it extraordinarily difficult to imagine myself as part of that religion, especially as my entire family is christian, and my boyfriend and his family are christian.
Then I look to the churches that accept ALL religions, and I feel they are too broad, and serve as a landing ground to everybody who has nowhere else to go. I dont want to be part of a community that has no guidelines...
All this leaves me scratching my head.
The reason why I am here is this: this seems to be a fairly diverse forum, and with people of the christian belief. I was hoping to maybe get a point in the right direction?
If it helps...
I do not believe in abortion other than to save the mothers life; ie dire circumstances.
I believe wholeheartedly in homosexual rights, and could never be part of a community who did not accept/support that.
I believe there is one god, whether there are three parts, well, that I haven't really thought about.
I do not believe that Christ was God himself in human form. I do not believe that worshipping Christ as anything more than a messenger is correct. I do believe that he died on the cross to forgive our sins... however as a symbol from God, not as God himself, if that makes sense.
I do not believe in the Creation theory, but rather that god is directing everything that has happened; ie a hybrid theory between evolution with a little creation thrown in there.
I do not believe that those who do not accept the christian religion fully will be sent to hell.
I believe that heaven exists, and if you lead a moral life, you will end up there regardless of religion- there is plenty of time to learn what is true once you're in heaven.
Women are equal to men.
The bible is not to be taken word for word, as it is written by men.
Those are the most important ones... I think.
So am I searching for something that doesn't exist?
Much thanks for any input at ALL.
Of course, being a new person, if this post is wrongly placed, or breaks any type of rules, I do apologize- this forum is quite overwhelming at first
