re: Does your church practice church discipline?

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I see zero reason to sit in a building with a bunch of strangers and listen to someone give me their biased interpretation of the Word while asking for money and giving some guy shite for who he is sexually attracted to.

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Just evangelicals/prots. Never seen a gay couple kicked out of any catholic church I've been to, just asked to live a life of chastity. I can see the hard on from their prot POV about a couple living in sin daily, but we all do.

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Any thoughts?

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Always wondered what happened to Mingo….

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the church wants to cast out a sinner who needs the help of the lord?

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Have you ever read accounts of when Jesus saved or healed people? They sought him out. They believed. I’m sure the Church doesn’t want to cast out anyone, but if the person has no interest in recognizing and repenting their sin, then we are commanded to not allow them in the Church. I don’t like giving my children tough love, but I do it. Why? Because I want what’s best for them. Some people may need to gain life experience before they understand the fruit of their lifestyle choices and then are open to following Jesus and accepting his holy commands.

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I see zero reason to sit in a building with a bunch of strangers and listen to someone give me their biased interpretation of the Word while asking for money and giving some guy shite for who he is sexually attracted to.

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When choosing a group of people for a task, I always place a higher value on those that are teachable. Those who refuse to listen and automatically discount what is being taught do it because they don’t want to change their way of doing things. Imagine being a coach and having players that didn’t want to do drills or go to practice because each player felt the coach was biased and judging their preferred way of playing the game.

And when choosing to learn a new task I always place a a higher value on a teacher who has something to offer.

I'm certain I've learned more about my connection to God through my church than listening to some dude tell me his version of the Word. And how even though Christianity has been modified and interpreted by millions of biased preachers since it's inception, HIS way is the RIGHT way.

Nah. I'm good.

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If they do then it's a clear sign that they are a church centered around themselves and not God.

Jesus welcomed all but he did not condone their sins. His message was to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent as in turn away from and sin no more.

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Do you not see the issue here, especially with your last point? We all sin obviously, but a gay in the eyes of the church is purposely living a sinful lifestyle all day everyday. They are turning TOWARDS sin every waking moment. I can see that being a problem.

Think about an alcoholic for instance. And I'm sure there's plenty of those across all denominations of churches and they aren't shunned. But what about an alcoholic that comes into church every sunday morning hammered? LIke stumbling, slurring, vomiting, fighting, etc. I'm sure the first couple sundays there'd be lots of prayers, intervention, helpful passages shared, etc. Eventually though the church would almost surely be like "look man, we can't keep accepting this kind of behavior so you need to kinda get your act together a bit, then we'll still be here to welcome you when you're ready to come back".

The church is (or shoudl be) open and welcoming to anyoen and everyone but if you are intentinoally and purposely sinning adn have zero desire whatsoever to stop then you aren't really taking the whole thing seriously.

So don’t go to Church. Start with the Word. If you read the Bible (I recommend starting with Acts) then you will gain understanding on all of the topics that you have a problem with. If you actually have an open heart and mind, then you might be transformed and recognize better the opportunities to serve God around you. Because it’s not about you, brother.

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There is also a need to protect the congregation.

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Understood, this makes sense.

Where did I say I never read the bible?

Also, where did I say I don't commit acts that serve God and my fellow man.

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better the opportunities to serve God around you. Because it’s not about you, brother.

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Anyone who knows me would laugh their arse off at you telling me this.

Perhaps you should do some self reflection on your assumptions and ideas of what "serving God" really means? Sounds like you have a narrow definition, taught to you by some preacher.....