Posted by Bob - the Alien on December 04, 2003 at 10:24:26:
In Reply to: Free limited time offer - THE MEANING OF LIFE, just sign your name on the dotted line, don't bother to read the fine print. posted by kat on December 04, 2003 at 09:16:59:
I absolutely agree with you.
I challenged this church heavily before I joined. For years, I read everything that is written against it, and everything written for it. I thought about it myself, I prayed about it.
Believe me, I did not enter this lightly.
My church has been wrong before. They admit it. They change when they are shown to be wrong. We accept our failings, and move on from them. We do not hold to doctrine that is shown to be incorrect. As we understand greater truths, we see our actions more clearly, and if necessary, we put them behind us and correct ourselves.
And actually, no, my church leaders do not bring doctrines from their denominations and seminary to the table. All church leadership is volunteer, and therefore they have no formal training in what is 'correct' doctine. All doctrinal teachings, and discussions are done through group discussions. We all study scripture and pray, and discuss it on Sundays. When disagreements come up, we talk them through. When we do not have an answer, we look up to other people who have been around longer and get their take on things.
Certainly there is doctrine in the church. But it comes from scripture, and the recordings of these talks and discussions, and things that have been learned through hundreds of years of discussion. We view it all with open eyes and minds, and we challenge it every day. The doctrine that sticks around does so because it holds up to these challenges.
This is why I say there is always an answer -- there are no rote answers handed to us doctrinally -- there is an entire church of scholars who challenge and think on all issues, and there is always someone to turn to. When a questions is asked, rarely are you even handed an answer. Instead, usually people tell you where to study to find the answer for yourself. We believe that your own systems of beliefs is very personal, and nobody in the church tells anyone else what to beleive. We simply present the available information to everyone, and aks that they make their own decision.
So that is why there is always an answer -- I hope that clarifies that I am not blindly following what I am told. I believe what I have studied and experienced as true in my own right. My church is simply a guide.
With Love,
Bob - the Alien