As a little girl I always went to church with my grandmother every Sunday. I stopped around the time I got my license & only went on holidays after that. I am now looking for a new church to get myself & my 2 girls into. I am of Baptist faith. My grandmother's church now is too ONLY the preacher is very overbearing. I'm not @ all comfortable there. I live with my children's father & have for 6 years now. We are a family but not married. This preacher has flat out told me I was living a life of sin. Besides that, his wife & daughter both wear dresses or skirts all the time. He has told his congregation that he does not like women in pants or short. (My grandmother has bucked him on that one). He children do not drink caffeine nor do they watch TV. Can you please tell what type of Baptist background this man has?
217187
The pastor you describe is an example of an extreme fundamentalist.  It is important to understand that every Baptist is not this way.  When he told you that you were living a life of sin, you should have told him that he was as well.  We need to remember that the Bible says that we have ALL sinned.\n\n30 years ago, fundamentalists led a takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention and those who disagreed with them were either forced out or chose to leave.  The result was the formation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  Look at the website I am putting below.  If there is a CBF church in your area, you will probably feel for comfortable there.  Your pastor may or may not be Southern Baptist, but I have known at least one pastor who had beliefs EXACTLY like those you described.  Feel free to send me a message if you have some other questions.
261508
YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL WOMEN AND YOU KNOW THAT GOD SAYS NOT FOR A COUPLE TO UNEQUALLY YOKED!!! YOU CANNOT REALLY CHANGE HIS VIEWS ON RELIGION OR FORCE IT.. PREACHERS ARE CHOOSEN SOMETIMES TO PREACH AT TIMES THEY ARE NOT I DONT TRUST EVERYONE MYSELF, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET THE CHURH LIFE LEAD YOU BECUYASE GOD DOSENT SEE HOW OFTEN YOU GO TO CHURCH HE LOOKS AT IF YOU TRULY LOVE HIM AND HONORE HIM, TRY HAVING CHURCH SOMETIMES AT HOME WITH HIM AND DISCUSS CERTAIN RELIGIOUS TOPICS WITH EACH OTHER. COME TO SOME FORM OF AGREEMENT. AND GOOD LUCK WITH WHAT EVER YOU DO GOD WILL LET YOU KNOW
662446
The church I attend is more like a family in that we make it a point to be involved in each others lives.  We "deal with" the good, bad, and ugly (so to speak).  My wife and a good friend started a clothing ministry which provides clothing to the needy.  We are also working with recent African refugees that escaped the killings in their country and are now lost in this one.\n\nI personally am always looking for ways to help others.\n\nBy the way, this church "family" has a lot of us who are going on a motorcycle ride after church today as it is "Biker Weekend" here.\n\nCome visit if you're ever in town.
378331
Actually, I agree with the guy who was mentioning the Good Morning America tv program, and the scary movies.  I know it's scary, and it may sound a bit too spooky for someone who isn't religious, but it's something truly to be concerned about.  God does not harm the body, or cause you to harm the body.\n\nIt's great that you're asking questions about this, and you're looking in the right direction.  It's a warning, for sure.  Whether you're exposing your child to the wrong types of movies, or whether it was some type of spiritual possession (trust me, it happens), it's a clear sign that something needs to change.  The best way to do this is to have an open dialogue with your daughter.  Kids are incredibly honest and very self-aware, although they may not have the vocabulary to articulate themselves.  Secondly, it would be a great idea to try to go to church.  I know that you may find it as a waste of time, but it's clear that your daughter needs some spiritual guidance in her life, and it's your responsibility to see to it that she's safe, not just physically but mentally and spiritually also.  She's of an age where she's not able to protect herself in any way, and being in an environment where others are spiritually safe will safeguard her.  If you just drop her off at Sunday school, and don't go yourself, it's important to provide her with some type of spiritual foundation-- because it's clear that she's vulnerable to spiritual awareness.\n\nIn closing, it's very good that you're aware that this is not a normal, passing thing.  It's very concerning, indeed.  Now, please have the courage and flexiblity to do what's best for your daughter-- which is start her in some type of spiritual environment so that she learns the keys to protecting herself from possessions.\n\nI hate to sound spooky, but it's really much the truth.  I wish you well.
269045
I'm no pastor... I'm an 11 yr old popular on the inside not so much on the outside girl. my testimony is small and you probably don't want to hear it but... I had a (close to) suicidal father and a cheating mother. they soon split but the night before that i prayed to Jesus to take my young sole and wash it clean. my parents never new until my mom and her abusive  new bf split up. i told my mom i was saved and she was so happy!! since then my life has been great (my mom dumped her bf and got married to a great guy) God blessed me!
455886
Yeah, you do sound like a perfect match here.. (I'm listening to your friends here too.. they're all Christians, they know you 2 guys.. we're a load of strangers out here and do not.) I am glad you are Christians and it'll pay off.. I hope you do not get a lot of rude-comments in here.. (people are like that.. you sound like a really nice girl, er woman.) I was thinking back when I was in h.s./then college.. Back then it was a big age difference to have a high school and college 'kid' hook up.. (too much difference..) Now I don't know(?) (Guess I am too old!.. lol.. 53/f) I think if you've got these same morals (you don't sound in any HUGe hurry here, that's good) you should pray on it, wait some more. Can you talk to your minister? (I know.. it's embarassing.. how about talking to the minister's wife? other women in the church?) You'd be surprised (if it's like MY church) how helpful they can be! (might put in a good word for ya even.. wink) IF this guy is looking (and he will be) for a good CHRIStian wife, don't worry, he'll go straight back to his favorite church (and guess what?! YOU'll be there!) good luck.. I'll be praying for you two.. peace out
600725
It seems to me that you have already made God your first priority, but as far as being able to go to church or not..... you pray at home, you read the bible 3 times a week, he is constantly in your mind and heart (otherwise you wouldn't be so worried as to post this question) - You are in the middle of a very hard time in your life when you are trying to further yourself through schooling, and in order to be able to do that as well as pay bills you also have to work.  You cannot help that it includes Sundays.  To have yourself - OR ANYONE ELSE - beat you up over whether or not you pray at home or in some brick building that is down the street - just because we call it a church - doesn't mean a thing.  The main thing is that you are holding him in your heart.\nAs far as your boyfriend is concerned.  Consider things carefully.  Don't just drop him unless you are sure.  It is true, differences in beliefs can be a big issue in some relationships - it can also be a small one.  It is all of what you make it.  If this is an extremely important thing for you, and you two are serious - then sit down and have a discussion.  Would he want to go to church with you later on down the road?  Would he care if it was a church wedding?  If you had children, would he have difficulties with the kids being brought up in the church?  You could also ask him why he isn't very set on a certain belief - is it because he is confused about it?  Is it just that he has beliefs but is against organized religion?  Perhaps he does have beliefs and is spiritual, but he just chooses not to go to church to exercise his beliefs.  My father was the same.  He hated organized religion, but did believe in a higher power.  My brother and sister-in-law both thought he was athiest, and she even at one point stated he would go to hell because of that.  I got over my initial shock and then laughed in her face.  You can choose to believe that God is an avenging sort of being - all about rules and regulations, OR you can choose to believe that God loves everyone.  That we are here to learn certain lessons and it doesn't matter if you are perfect or not.  That is your choice to make.
612473
I think it says in the Timothy (one or two I can't remember) or Titus (or both) that a church elder must be a husband of one wife.  So no, if he has two wives, not only is he not able to meet the requirement of being a pastor, he's also in violation of his faith by being polygamous....I'm assuming this man claims to be Christian.  He needs to be separated from his wife (his second I think, since he's legally married to the first)
221020
its not religion make her like that,it just person like her usually find religion is a useful tool for her\nim coming from extrem christian family,and ive spoken to many christian children in my community and they has exactly condition like this one,its happened also to my family for years,that video remind me to my old stressful time,and its not funny at all,i think weak christian are more better than extrem christian who has mouth full of God,Jesus,faith etc,ive studied bible theolgy all my life,since i was a kid,but i never do this thing to my family,must cut the chain\nwe know most family is rule by the woman or by wifes,many husband afraid of his wife,but there is something in a lot of christian family makes wifes rule more worse,rude like this than any other religions,but no one recorded like this one before,she use the "typical minister style" but with her own rude version since nobody see it except her own family,i dont know with other religion but christianity seem have everything to make pressure to her family,to get what she want,mostly to bad mouth about other person,jugding other people undebateable,and when someone didnt follow her words or god words,this will happen\nlook what religion offer,many hateful person like her need a religion as a weapon and reasons,covering their hatred,and to satisfy anger and jelaousy,no wonder religion is so popular,maybe religion people dont like to hear this but like it or not,its happened everywhere,i think religion is destroying God reputation,i dont think im a saint person,everybody has their own sins,but hatred in the name of God,its too much,i think sinners who never use word "God" its so much better than her\nnowadays you dont have being religion person to believe in God and to have faith in God or to love Jesus,God has nothing to do with religion,i think religion do more harm than good\nGod bless atheist or agnostic,they hatred not in Your name,they not making pressure to their own family in Your name\nwww.abarnett.demon.co.uk&#92;\natheism&#92;harm.html
224405
Yep - me too. The difference between the preacher at your local church and these guys is money and power. As Dante said, power corrupts & absolute power corrupts absolutely. So unfortunately, if a preacher has good intentions when he starts it is almost guaranteed that he will become corrupted by the money, power & fame of televangelism (with one exception - Billy Graham). But I don't worry too much about the people you named - people will believe what they want to believe. It's frustrating at times, but Jesus is the message. And the people who seek Him will find Him. That's why God uses the local church to save the lost & minister to the community. May God bless you & your friends.
106224
Do you plan on having children? What beliefs are you going to raise them up with? Will he want his children to speak in tongues? Are you going to teach your kids about your idea of the rapture? I am a Jehovah's witness and we are taught to teach our children about the bible when we lie down when we get up and basically all the time. My husband and his family share my beliefs as well and I never have to worry about him teaching our kids false teachings. If you both plan on maintaining your current differing faiths it WILL put a strain on things. I am not going to say No it won't work or Yes it will. But, I have a good friend who is married to a non-Witness and that particular aspect has been a HUGE struggle in their marriage not merely from differing beliefs from her husband but from her in-laws as well who are not JW's and are very nasty to her. I can tell you for an almost  certainty you won't have that problem from his family but how will you family treat him?I don't know if your boyfriend is a baptised JW or not or if he really was brought up to have an accurate understanding of the Bible as taught by us. But, I do know that there are some things about the pentecostal beliefs that he may seriously disagree with if you really practice your faith. Really, I recommend you both sit down and seriously discuss your religious differences if you are both going to stay together. \nBut just in case you didn't know... We are Christians. Someone above stated we are not Christains I would just like to set the record straight.\n\n  Yeah and Everything Heatherloves... said below--Well put Sister!
411255
Why dont you just talk to your grandfather about attending a meeting and you will see for yourself.  Also realize nowdays there are different denominations like christianity.  These groups all have similar but different beliefs.  There is also a group that is run by women.
642075
I'm sure you know your grandmother better than most of these anonymous posters on the Internet.  Who do you think has your best interest at heart?  Would your grandmother tell you anything that would harm you?  Doesn’t she want the best for you?\n\nWhy then allow strangers on the Internet, whom you’ve never met, to decide for you such an important life course?  Trust your reasoning ability, common sense, and pray to God for direction.  I'm sure you won't go wrong if you consider that, as you say, everything you’ve heard so far can be proven by God's Word, the Bible.\n\nYou may even want to accompany her to congregation meetings at the Kingdom Hall.  Meet others in the Truth and judge for yourself.  Without doubt, the best place to be is where Jehovah God’s spirit is operating and producing results that praise God. That means you would look for people even in these times that are humbly submissive to such spirit’s influence. They would manifest the spirit of God listed at Galatians 5:22, 23: “....love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
597506
Sounds like a pastor you should run from. I constantly am sitting down with my disciples and going over personal problems. I would never refer them to a psychiatrist or recommend drugs. A man of God is to help and guide his flock, not send them elsewhere or dope them up. God is the answer to our problems not the ways of man. This is just one of the many reasons that true Christians should not be a part of organized denominationalized religion.
419222
You may be in the wrong church, mine still preachs about his evil ways. He is as real now as ever. Speak to your pastor about how you feel, we don't sugar coat anything.
421640
its not your job to convert people...God can do that through us right here or anywhere if He wishes to do so...Yes Im born again...My Dad prayed for me and i dont think street preaching should happen....IF SOMEONE ASKS THEN TALK TO THEM OR BEING them to church with you....let ministers handle it unless they ask you!
568535
No offense.. but this reminds me of the reason that people thinks that we are pushy freaks...\n\nI mean... I am a Christian... My father is a pastor... but I know that you are opening a can of worms by putting this question on here... \n\nThere are WAAAYYYY too many Athiest with too much time on their hands that LIVE on yahoo answers... \n\nGuarantee they'll say something stupid about this... i.e.  Have an open mind... or freedom of religion... or... that's your opinion not mine... or if your God's so great than why........... blah blah blah... \n\nGood Luck... \n\nThey will see but not SEE... \nThey will hear but not HEAR...