My UFO (unbelievably fabulous observations)

[BeingMe]

Well, I think this pastor was "protesting way too much". Way long email to give you a "reason" for his lack of support. I am glad you are not a member of this church. As for the bible, one can read many things into it, but I recall from class that Paul expected sinners to be ostracized from the community until they had repented. Sometimes, I wonder if church leaders nowadays are soft on "sin" in case they lose people. Maybe, if they expect more from their congregation, they will be surprised at how it will grow, in my humble opinion. Jesus did hang with sinners, but he didn't just sit around chatting about the weather, he was preaching repentance and baptism.

Well, I can debate these things forever, since I just finished a class on Critical Bible Study : New Testament. It was fascinating, eye-opening, and more difficult than I ever could've imagined. It was a scholarly course, with no spirituality involved, except that my belief system increased, rather than decreased. Surprising!