Would This work in a Baptist Church ?

[InDeoHonorium2]

I am thinking about having the following "MANIFESTO" Printed and taking it with me every Sunday when I go to a church.
Maybe it will be an easy way of telling people what I am and am not looking for......

Probably not, but who knows ?

Thank you for allowing me to be in your church today. I may or may not return; if you see me here again, then you will know my answer.
Since you may not know me, here is a little information that might help you understand why I am here.
I am not a religious person. I don't do church memberships, I don't identify with a group, sect, cult, religion, movement or denomination. I don't drop labels, I don't classify myself within one and I don't seek to with others.
I am a deeply spiritual person. I hold God in high esteem and closeness. Since I have a close relationship with God, I have really no need for religion.
However I find great inspiration and beauty in certain religious workings and services. I also find the study of religion to be a most fascinating area. I am intrigued by what people believe and why.
My beliefs are the results of my life's experiences. Since my life has no doubt been different than yours, my beliefs will be different than yours. Don't be fearul or upset by this. Learn what you can from me and move on.
Do not attempt to change , degrade, mock or belittle my beliefs. To do show will only show your own inner failure. Do not attempt to tell me what I should or should not believe, how I should or should not worshiop, where I should or should not attend religious services. Do not try to tell me what I should or should not eat or drink, what I should read, see or listen to. I am totally agaisnt censorship in any form, and your group has no authority over me. Don't forget that.
If you have my name and address or phone nunmber and you need something feel free to call me. I will do what I can within reason depending on your request to help you out. Please Do not make uninvited or unannounced visits to my home. Please respect my privacy and I will do the same for you. Make no requests of me that are immoral or illegal, as I will not respond. Please do not waste my time telling me about your beliefs. If I want to know, I will ask you. Please do not waste my time telling me about other religion's or groups beliefs either. If I want to know, I will ask them .
Finally, as I have stated before , I do not affiliate any membership with any group. Please do not persue this any further.
I appreciate the opportunity to be in your building today. I hope that my presence will not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as anything other than what it is.
I am heear to gain insight and inspiration. I am not here to meet people or make friends. At least not this time.

[mlqurgw]

I would say that it is a quick way of telling people you don't really want any closeness with them. It certainly has put me off. You seem to want to keep things at a distance so that you don't need to commit to anything but your own views. It comes across as saying to others that they should just be thankful you are in their church and to leave you alone. If you gave it to me I would turn my back and walk away. You certainly make it clear that you aren't interested in learning anything. I find it very interesting you don't even mention Christ.

[Matthan]

I would say that it is a quick way of telling people you don't really want any closeness with them. It certainly has put me off. You seem to want to keep things at a distance so that you don't need to commit to anything but your own views. It comes across as saying to others that they should just be thankful you are in their church and to leave you alone. If you gave it to me I would turn my back and walk away. You certainly make it clear that you aren't interested in learning anything. I find it very interesting you don't even mention Christ.
Gee, I never would have thought you and I would agree on much of anything, but I do agree with you on this. Well said, my brother.

Matthan

[RED that's ME]

Just like our bodies has different *unique* parts that cannot run alone but must work as a team to keep us going so is the church.
The church is a body of believers who are *unique* in different ways with different gifts/talents that when they are put together can do an awesome job for Christ. :) The purpose of the church is for several reasons to be evangelistic around the world, to teach, encourage, exhort, for correction, to pray for each other, to worship God together as a body. That's sorta hard to do as a loner don'tcha think?

I don't see your way of doing it as Biblical.

[TwinCrier]

I agree with what others have said. That letter comes across unashamedly snotty and arrogant.

[novcncy]

I am thinking about having the following "MANIFESTO" Printed and taking it with me every Sunday when I go to a church.
Maybe it will be an easy way of telling people what I am and am not looking for......

Probably not, but who knows ?

Thank you for allowing me to be in your church today. I may or may not return; if you see me here again, then you will know my answer.
Since you may not know me, here is a little information that might help you understand why I am here.
I am not a religious person. I don't do church memberships, I don't identify with a group, sect, cult, religion, movement or denomination. I don't drop labels, I don't classify myself within one and I don't seek to with others.
I am a deeply spiritual person. I hold God in high esteem and closeness. Since I have a close relationship with God, I have really no need for religion.
However I find great inspiration and beauty in certain religious workings and services. I also find the study of religion to be a most fascinating area. I am intrigued by what people believe and why.
My beliefs are the results of my life's experiences. Since my life has no doubt been different than yours, my beliefs will be different than yours. Don't be fearul or upset by this. Learn what you can from me and move on.
Do not attempt to change , degrade, mock or belittle my beliefs. To do show will only show your own inner failure. Do not attempt to tell me what I should or should not believe, how I should or should not worshiop, where I should or should not attend religious services. Do not try to tell me what I should or should not eat or drink, what I should read, see or listen to. I am totally agaisnt censorship in any form, and your group has no authority over me. Don't forget that.
If you have my name and address or phone nunmber and you need something feel free to call me. I will do what I can within reason depending on your request to help you out. Please Do not make uninvited or unannounced visits to my home. Please respect my privacy and I will do the same for you. Make no requests of me that are immoral or illegal, as I will not respond. Please do not waste my time telling me about your beliefs. If I want to know, I will ask you. Please do not waste my time telling me about other religion's or groups beliefs either. If I want to know, I will ask them .
Finally, as I have stated before , I do not affiliate any membership with any group. Please do not persue this any further.
I appreciate the opportunity to be in your building today. I hope that my presence will not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as anything other than what it is.
I am heear to gain insight and inspiration. I am not here to meet people or make friends. At least not this time.
This wouldn't be tolerated at our church, because it reduces what can be known of God to the limits of one's experience. It's a common error that inherently exalts the experience of man above the revealed word of God. Big time mistake. It epitomizes the conditions Paul predicted when he wrote,

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; 2Tim4:3a

There is an admonition given to believers,

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Gal6:1


If someone can't submit their limited experience to the wholly sufficient word of God, it wouldn't go over at our church.

[InDeoHonorium2]

SO your answer seems to be : Yes, it would work. You would "turn your back and walk away from me" Perfect !

Who knows if I have already been in your church some Sunday past. I was probably not a eral talkative individual; I was not there seeking hellos or looking for friends. Perhaps I was there to see if or how God is at work in your congregation. Perhaps I was just curious as to how you worship and what you do.
I did not want to be judged, condemned, visited at home uninvited, or harrased about being a member of some orgnaization or group.
I only sought answers.......
What kind did you offer ????

[mlqurgw]

Were you trying to see if my church is worthy of you? I am not concerned whether we meet your standard but God's. If you come I and others will greet you and may ask questions in order to get to know you because we are a friendly bunch. But if you were to hand us this "Manifesto" I would do exactly as I said. We aren't the ones doing the judging you are. You clearly set your standard by what you write and I will not even try to measure up. I suspect that you would find fault even if I did.

[Razorbuck]

SO your answer seems to be : Yes, it would work. You would "turn your back and walk away from me" Perfect !

Who knows if I have already been in your church some Sunday past. I was probably not a eral talkative individual; I was not there seeking hellos or looking for friends. Perhaps I was there to see if or how God is at work in your congregation. Perhaps I was just curious as to how you worship and what you do.
I did not want to be judged, condemned, visited at home uninvited, or harrased about being a member of some orgnaization or group.
I only sought answers.......
What kind did you offer ????

Got to admit, this made me chuckle.

How old are you, six...seven?

Both of your posts are puerile and arrogant.

If you want to meet the living God, friend, I would be absolutely delighted to introduce you, but I've got to tell you, to be His child it has to be on His terms, not yours.

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall
uphold the humble in spirit.

Proverbs 29:23

[MrJim]

excellent responses to the OP...

[Jim1927]

When you propose a hypothetical situation, you must be prepared for a hypothetical response.

Having read posts by most of these people, I truly believe they would do their utmost to welcome a stranger to their church and would go out of their way to present the Lord Jesus, and His way, in all earnestness.

Cheers,

Jim

[RED that's ME]

SO your answer seems to be : Yes, it would work. You would "turn your back and walk away from me" Perfect !

Who knows if I have already been in your church some Sunday past. I was probably not a eral talkative individual; I was not there seeking hellos or looking for friends. Perhaps I was there to see if or how God is at work in your congregation. Perhaps I was just curious as to how you worship and what you do.
I did not want to be judged, condemned, visited at home uninvited, or harrased about being a member of some orgnaization or group.
I only sought answers.......
What kind did you offer ????

Maybe you didn't realize how you came across when you posted this thread. I know sometimes what I've said at times was taking differently than what I meant.

Could you please enlighten us and let us know what kind of answers you expected here.

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

It sounds to me that you have a double standard. I see no hate in this thread from those replying to you. I wonder how you would handle church discipline as practiced by Paul and others.

[JacobHall86]

I agree with what others have said. That letter comes across unashamedly snotty and arrogant.


Yup.

[RED that's ME]

People go to church for different reasons and not all for the right reasons. Not all churches/church members has the right attitudes, especially a servant's heart. I hate to see people who are not believers or new believers offended. I know that God convicts people in different ways and sometimes people will find it offensive. God does reach out ot all kinds of people from all kinds of life. He does have *standards* that he expects christians to live by.

You won't find a *perfect* church cause there ain't no *perfect* members. We are all sinners redeemed by the blood of Christ. :) We should all be working purposely daily on living more like Christ.

Scriptures talk about the church plenty and what is expected. I listed a few earlier in my other post. There's only so much one person can do for God but when they get together they can do soo more more in reaching others with the gospel of Christ. :) My church has sent several families out as missionaries and also supports over 200 missionaries/mission groups all over the world. My church also believes that every christian should be equipped& responsible christians to share the gospel with others and also know what is expected of them to live purposely everyday for Christ. My pastor will regularly say, don't trust what I tell you but make sure it in line with what God's word tells ya. We should keep our eyes on God and not on people cause they will fail us at times.
The church is accused of having too many hypocrites but the world has just as many.
We won't answer for what others do but we will answer ultimately how we live our lives and every word/deed we did here on earth. It's easy to get our eyes on the wrong stuff and Satan will use it for his good if we let him.

I would suggest to look for a church who has Biblical preaching/teaching and I do know that many of us have different opinions here what that is. Look for a church that is mission minded and reaching others for Christ & who teaches & trains each member to live purposely everyday for Christ as Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8 teaches us.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4/redgifs/Spiritual%20signs/Reli9107.gif

[Abigayle's Legacy]

I'm sorry I don't really have a comment maybe this will say how I feel
:hug: :hug: :hug: InDeoHonorium2:hug: :hug: :hug:
:cry: :cry: :cry: Gabby

[novcncy]

I find it interesting that we are chastised and rebuked for our nonacceptance of his nonacceptance of our understanding of God's nonacceptance. (Say that three times fast ;) )

It is because we love, that we are constrained to show men their faults in the light of the word of God.

To take this issue and illustrate it temporally:

I have a friend who is taking a nap. His house is on fire. When I try to wake my friend up to get him out of his house, he is cranky and angry with me, does not comprehend what I am telling him about the house being on fire, and tells me, if I am REALLY his friend, to leave him alone.

If I leave him alone, do I love him? Am I really his friend?

Perspective does not affect reality, but reality will affect perspective.

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

:amen:

I find it interesting that we are chastised and rebuked for our nonacceptance of his nonacceptance of our understanding of God's nonacceptance. (Say that three times fast ;) )

It is because we love, that we are constrained to show men their faults in the light of the word of God.

To take this issue and illustrate it temporally:

I have a friend who is taking a nap. His house is on fire. When I try to wake my friend up to get him out of his house, he is cranky and angry with me, does not comprehend what I am telling him about the house being on fire, and tells me, if I am REALLY his friend, to leave him alone.

If I leave him alone, do I love him? Am I really his friend?

Perspective does not affect reality, but reality will affect perspective.

[JacobHall86]

I am thinking about having the following "MANIFESTO" Printed and taking it with me every Sunday when I go to a church.
Maybe it will be an easy way of telling people what I am and am not looking for......

Probably not, but who knows ?

Thank you for allowing me to be in your church today. I may or may not return; if you see me here again, then you will know my answer.
Since you may not know me, here is a little information that might help you understand why I am here.
I am not a religious person. I don't do church memberships, I don't identify with a group, sect, cult, religion, movement or denomination. I don't drop labels, I don't classify myself within one and I don't seek to with others.
I am a deeply spiritual person. I hold God in high esteem and closeness. Since I have a close relationship with God, I have really no need for religion.
However I find great inspiration and beauty in certain religious workings and services. I also find the study of religion to be a most fascinating area. I am intrigued by what people believe and why.
My beliefs are the results of my life's experiences. Since my life has no doubt been different than yours, my beliefs will be different than yours. Don't be fearul or upset by this. Learn what you can from me and move on.
Do not attempt to change , degrade, mock or belittle my beliefs. To do show will only show your own inner failure. Do not attempt to tell me what I should or should not believe, how I should or should not worshiop, where I should or should not attend religious services. Do not try to tell me what I should or should not eat or drink, what I should read, see or listen to. I am totally agaisnt censorship in any form, and your group has no authority over me. Don't forget that.
If you have my name and address or phone nunmber and you need something feel free to call me. I will do what I can within reason depending on your request to help you out. Please Do not make uninvited or unannounced visits to my home. Please respect my privacy and I will do the same for you. Make no requests of me that are immoral or illegal, as I will not respond. Please do not waste my time telling me about your beliefs. If I want to know, I will ask you. Please do not waste my time telling me about other religion's or groups beliefs either. If I want to know, I will ask them .
Finally, as I have stated before , I do not affiliate any membership with any group. Please do not persue this any further.
I appreciate the opportunity to be in your building today. I hope that my presence will not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as anything other than what it is.
I am heear to gain insight and inspiration. I am not here to meet people or make friends. At least not this time.

Reading that was like taking a big gulp of post modernism. What a sham.

[Abigayle's Legacy]

I find it interesting that we are chastised and rebuked for our nonacceptance of his nonacceptance of our understanding of God's nonacceptance. (Say that three times fast ;) )

It is because we love, that we are constrained to show men their faults in the light of the word of God.

To take this issue and illustrate it temporally:

I have a friend who is taking a nap. His house is on fire. When I try to wake my friend up to get him out of his house, he is cranky and angry with me, does not comprehend what I am telling him about the house being on fire, and tells me, if I am REALLY his friend, to leave him alone.

If I leave him alone, do I love him? Am I really his friend?

Perspective does not affect reality, but reality will affect perspective.
Great analogy great answer I must use this thanks.

[christian73]

I am thinking about having the following "MANIFESTO" Printed and taking it with me every Sunday when I go to a church.
Maybe it will be an easy way of telling people what I am and am not looking for......

Probably not, but who knows ?

Thank you for allowing me to be in your church today. I may or may not return; if you see me here again, then you will know my answer.
Since you may not know me, here is a little information that might help you understand why I am here.
I am not a religious person. I don't do church memberships, I don't identify with a group, sect, cult, religion, movement or denomination. I don't drop labels, I don't classify myself within one and I don't seek to with others.
I am a deeply spiritual person. I hold God in high esteem and closeness. Since I have a close relationship with God, I have really no need for religion.
However I find great inspiration and beauty in certain religious workings and services. I also find the study of religion to be a most fascinating area. I am intrigued by what people believe and why.
My beliefs are the results of my life's experiences. Since my life has no doubt been different than yours, my beliefs will be different than yours. Don't be fearul or upset by this. Learn what you can from me and move on.
Do not attempt to change , degrade, mock or belittle my beliefs. To do show will only show your own inner failure. Do not attempt to tell me what I should or should not believe, how I should or should not worshiop, where I should or should not attend religious services. Do not try to tell me what I should or should not eat or drink, what I should read, see or listen to. I am totally agaisnt censorship in any form, and your group has no authority over me. Don't forget that.
If you have my name and address or phone nunmber and you need something feel free to call me. I will do what I can within reason depending on your request to help you out. Please Do not make uninvited or unannounced visits to my home. Please respect my privacy and I will do the same for you. Make no requests of me that are immoral or illegal, as I will not respond. Please do not waste my time telling me about your beliefs. If I want to know, I will ask you. Please do not waste my time telling me about other religion's or groups beliefs either. If I want to know, I will ask them .
Finally, as I have stated before , I do not affiliate any membership with any group. Please do not persue this any further.
I appreciate the opportunity to be in your building today. I hope that my presence will not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as anything other than what it is.
I am heear to gain insight and inspiration. I am not here to meet people or make friends. At least not this time.
Sounds like a real turn off. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot.

[CooL_Genesis]

I am thinking about having the following "MANIFESTO" Printed and taking it with me every Sunday when I go to a church.
Maybe it will be an easy way of telling people what I am and am not looking for......

Probably not, but who knows ?

Thank you for allowing me to be in your church today. I may or may not return; if you see me here again, then you will know my answer.
Since you may not know me, here is a little information that might help you understand why I am here.
I am not a religious person. I don't do church memberships, I don't identify with a group, sect, cult, religion, movement or denomination. I don't drop labels, I don't classify myself within one and I don't seek to with others.
I am a deeply spiritual person. I hold God in high esteem and closeness. Since I have a close relationship with God, I have really no need for religion.
However I find great inspiration and beauty in certain religious workings and services. I also find the study of religion to be a most fascinating area. I am intrigued by what people believe and why.
My beliefs are the results of my life's experiences. Since my life has no doubt been different than yours, my beliefs will be different than yours. Don't be fearul or upset by this. Learn what you can from me and move on.
Do not attempt to change , degrade, mock or belittle my beliefs. To do show will only show your own inner failure. Do not attempt to tell me what I should or should not believe, how I should or should not worshiop, where I should or should not attend religious services. Do not try to tell me what I should or should not eat or drink, what I should read, see or listen to. I am totally agaisnt censorship in any form, and your group has no authority over me. Don't forget that.
If you have my name and address or phone nunmber and you need something feel free to call me. I will do what I can within reason depending on your request to help you out. Please Do not make uninvited or unannounced visits to my home. Please respect my privacy and I will do the same for you. Make no requests of me that are immoral or illegal, as I will not respond. Please do not waste my time telling me about your beliefs. If I want to know, I will ask you. Please do not waste my time telling me about other religion's or groups beliefs either. If I want to know, I will ask them .
Finally, as I have stated before , I do not affiliate any membership with any group. Please do not persue this any further.
I appreciate the opportunity to be in your building today. I hope that my presence will not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as anything other than what it is.
I am heear to gain insight and inspiration. I am not here to meet people or make friends. At least not this time.


Forgive me if this sounds harsh... but it sounds like you haven't died to "self" yet. There is a lot of "I" and "me" in your OP. I would probably treat you as a unbeliever and share the gospel with you if you were to hand me that. I'd also make a special visit to your home :holy: ... hehe.

-Genesis

[chris777]

Correct me If I am wrong InDeoHonorium2, But in looking throught some of your other post, it appears to me that you Believe al religions are valid, and are in fact not a christian, but a believer that all religions contain fragments of truth, that must be discerned by the individual.

I once held similar beliefs, but I have since rejected all others save biblical Christianity, as satanic deception.

As for your manefesto, it does come off as a bit prejudicial, you seem to equate a church with religion in general, which it is not.
I don't know if you had a bad experience with a church or what, but the tone of your manefesto suggest that. It is standoffish, and almost hostile.
Think of it this way, you are visitin ga church to find out about it and what they believe, but then you state that you don't want them to talk to you? I am extremely shy and uncomfortable around people, but that doesnt mean I don't want to meet them, or make friends. That is something else that is puzzling, if you don't wabt to meet people, or make friends, then why not research these things by yourself at the library, or the internet? I realize someone has obviously overstepped their bounds with you, but its as if you have come up with a reaction to surpass their tresspass, unless of course it really was that grievous to you. You do have some valid points about overstepping, A friend of mine recently visited a church, one time, and they showed up at his home a few days later, after 8PM, all 3 kids had been put to bed, and he and his wife were relaxing in their living room, when they came a knocking at his door. Needless to say after they both struggled to get re dressed, and anwser rthe door, and greet their visitors, he was not happy. He rebuked them a bit on his next visit informing them to call first before just dropping by.
People need to try and use a bit more common sense.

[Atlantians]

I am thinking about having the following "MANIFESTO" Printed and taking it with me every Sunday when I go to a church.
Maybe it will be an easy way of telling people what I am and am not looking for......

Probably not, but who knows ?

Thank you for allowing me to be in your church today. I may or may not return; if you see me here again, then you will know my answer.
Since you may not know me, here is a little information that might help you understand why I am here.
I am not a religious person. I don't do church memberships, I don't identify with a group, sect, cult, religion, movement or denomination. I don't drop labels, I don't classify myself within one and I don't seek to with others.
I am a deeply spiritual person. I hold God in high esteem and closeness. Since I have a close relationship with God, I have really no need for religion.
However I find great inspiration and beauty in certain religious workings and services. I also find the study of religion to be a most fascinating area. I am intrigued by what people believe and why.
These are conterintuitive.
If you are spiritual, you are religious.
Making a distinction is cool sounding super-religious dogma, not reality.
The leaders at my church say stuff like that all the time. This post is meant for a reality check, rather than any insult.
So I hope you don't take it negatively.:thumbsup:

That said, I have to say that some (certainly not all) of the people who responded to your OP sounded as snotty and arrogant as they accused you of being.
Now I don't think your manifesto is Biblically, sound, and it does come across as rather pompous, but your salvation, your intent, are all not revealed.
Therefore to those who made condemning judgments based on this one post, you should watch yourself lest you do exactly what you accuse him of doing.

I rarely take sides on issues, I ussually shoot at both sides.:P

It would suck if I was the President beacuse if an ally went to war with another nation, and both were doing wrong, I would bomb them both.:D