quote:

---

Originally posted by Willyburger:
The litmus test is whether or not MerseyMike despises you.

---

Should I ask him?
 

---

Posted by Sine Nomine (# 3631) on :
 
When you're having an intimate moment with someone, do you have this overwhelming desire to lean over and whisper in their ear "are you saved?"
 

---

Posted by Chapelhead (# 1143) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sine Nomine:
When you're having an intimate moment with someone, do you have this overwhelming desire to lean over and whisper in their ear "are you saved?"

---

Is that the same as having an intimate moment and asking "are you safe"?
 

---

Posted by sarkycow (# 1012) on :
 
Chapelhed, are you born again? Have you had a definitive moment, when you just really met with the risen Lord, and just really knew that really he died for you? Did you then just really fall to your knees, and pray the Sinner's Prayer? (Hint: that's the one that starts "Dear Lord. I am a sinner...".)

Oh, and the hellhost within asks if you wouldn't prefer this to go to All Saints, where people can give you hugs and advice about what to do. they'll probably offer to pray for you as well. Here in Hell all we'll do is take the piss And possibly flame you.

Viki, hellhost
 

---

Posted by Chapelhead (# 1143) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by sarkycow:
Chapelhed, are you born again? Have you had a definitive moment, when you just really met with the risen Lord, and just really knew that really he died for you? Did you then just really fall to your knees, and pray the Sinner's Prayer? (Hint: that's the one that starts "Dear Lord. I am a sinner...".)

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by sarkycow:
Oh, and the hellhost within asks if you wouldn't prefer this to go to All Saints, where people can give you hugs and advice about what to do. they'll probably offer to pray for you as well. Here in Hell all we'll do is take the piss And possibly flame you.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Joyeux:
Chapelhead - When in a divine service, do you ever have a long-suppressed urge to clap and/or raise your hands? Do you ever yearn to say "Amen!" after a pastor/priest/speaker makes a profound point? Are you looking ahead to the time when you can sing "Shout to the Lord," "Shine, Jesus, Shine," and others without attracting the offend glares of those around you?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pyx_e:
Go now, at once, and throw out of your cupboard all your gray polyester trousers,

---

 

---

Posted by hatless (# 3365) on :
 
Considering the possibility that you might, or then again might not, be something. Asking others and being open to their suggestions. Being prepared to share your embarrassment at your nether region clothing choices. These things are not Evangelical now, are they? Evangelicals do not permit undecided questions, do not entertain alarming possibilities, and do not wear gray polyester trousers shamefacedly, but assertively.

But you might be evangelical, of course. That's evangelical with a little 'e.' Evangelicals, firm, decided, confident. Evangelicals, who knows? (That last 'evangelical' had a small 'e' but you couldn't tell because it was at the start of a sentence.)

PS Aren't you an exBaptist, or something? It's hard to excape without a bit of evo sticking to you.
 

---

Posted by Sean D (# 2271) on :
 
Quick, gather round folks. I need candles, a bit of incense, maybe some icons, and a copy of JAT Robinson's Honest to God.

That's right: there's only one solution. Exorcism. If anyone knows Latin, get chanting.
 

---

Posted by sarkycow (# 1012) on :
 
I got a bell if you want it...
 

---

Posted by JimT (# 142) on :
 
Look, let's be honest. We all have Evangelical urges. That's a scientific fact. The question is do you act on those urges? Are you a practicing Evangelical?

Please remember: we all love Evangelicals, even if we, well...I don't even want to finish that.
 

---

Posted by Louise (# 30) on :
 
I just want you to know that I am so liberal that I think it might even be OK for evangelicals to have sex.

What's more I think they should be allowed to get married and raise children, although I know this is not a popular view. There's nothing wrong with two evangelicals having sex. Really. It isn't a perversion. I'm not squicked out. Not at all. They have uh... a perfect right to do that if they want. It's not disgusting. I think children should be taught about these kinds of things in sex education, um... in case, you know, they turn out to be evangelical, so um... they know what to do. Stuff like safe witnessing and that sort of thing.

So there. See? My credentials with this persecuted minority group are impeccable.

L.
 

---

Posted by RooK (# 1852) on :
 
Fuck the labels.
Anyone who focusses primarily on a label is usually missing the point.

Which, of course, leads me to suspect that most of you are missing the point.
 

---

Posted by Benedictus (# 1215) on :
 
Louise:
 

---

Posted by Zeke (# 3271) on :
 
Gosh, RooK, aren't we being just a little serious? Who spit in your cornflakes?
 

---

Posted by JimT (# 142) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by RooK:
Fuck the labels...most of you are missing the point.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by JimT:
You are such a textbook cynic.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by RooK:
I was also revelling in my abilities as a cunning linguist.

---

Well, I'm glad it was good for you.
 

---

Posted by FCB (# 1495) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Louise:
What's more I think they should be allowed to get married and raise children, although I know this is not a popular view.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by hatless:
Aren't you an exBaptist, or something? It's hard to excape without a bit of evo sticking to you.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by JimT:
Look, let's be honest. We all have Evangelical urges.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Louise:
I just want you to know that I am so liberal that I think it might even be OK for evangelicals to have sex.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CJ:
whatever you do don't agree to go away to any out of season Butlins camps or you will be lost forever.

---

Even if I don't "go all the way" and actually attend any of the meetings?
 

---

Posted by Ham'n'Eggs (# 629) on :
 
I have a confession to make.

Although resolved in my mind that I am not an evangelical, I recently attended an out-of-season Butlins camp.

My reasoning is that evangelicalism is for the kiddies, and I am happy for them to have a dose of it interspersed with their fix of Noddy's Toyland.

I am a fully functioning adult. I can pick'n'mix the good bits (social action, taking God seriously), and filter out the gunk.

And I didn't go to any of the main meetings. (Two days of Norwalk induced heaving had some bearing on this.)

What could possibly be wrong with this approach?
 

---

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :
 
H & E , go and look up "Denial" in the text books.

P
 

---

Posted by Ham'n'Eggs (# 629) on :
 


I deny that I am in denial.
 

---

Posted by hatless (# 3365) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chapelhead:

quote:

---

Originally posted by hatless:
Aren't you an exBaptist, or something? It's hard to excape without a bit of evo sticking to you.

---

True - and I'm impressed that you remembered.

---

Thing is, I still am a Baptist. So how did you do it? Is there a secret hatch somewhere - I've searched the baptistry thoroughly, with and without water in it. Is there a number you have to call? Is there a group of people I can identify myself to, by means of a special handshake, perhaps, or little messages slipped into the hymn books?

It's all very well you toying with the idea of coming out as an Evangelical from a position of safety, having escaped to freedom. I can see that it has a sort of retro-theology appeal if you keep things playful. But I have to live amongst them, appear to be one of them, look as if I'm enjoying it all. How did you do it? Tell me Chapelhead, PLEEEASE!!!

Do you know what the worst bit is? It's the blueness. The carpet is blue, the curtains are blue, the walls are blue, even the hymn books are blue - the ones before were green so they bought blue covers for them. What colour is it where you are, Chapelhead? Do you want to go back to blue?
 

---

Posted by makesachange (# 2424) on :
 
It's simple really. If you still like Quiche you must be an evangelical
 

---

Posted by GeordieDownSouth (# 4100) on :
 
I'm afraid donuts are the new quiche.

Do you find it impossible to say the words "The Lord" without undue emphasis in any reading of the bible or prayer?
 

---

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :
 
...... we just want to say, DEAR LORD, how very sorry we are for this thread ......
 

---

Posted by Rowen (# 1194) on :
 
I like to think I am on open and accepting person. Why, some of my best friends are evangelicals! Er, that's a slight exageration... um... er.... I think my cleaning lady may be.....
Anyway, I am as open as possible, but I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one... Well, you know how it is.... Actually I don't HAVE a daughter, but still.....
walks off muttering inanities....
 

---

Posted by Lots of Yay (# 2790) on :
 
This thread is giving me an identity crisis! I thought I was evangelical but:

1) As far as I know Merseymike doesn't despise me (although this could be because our paths haven't crossed)
2) I've never asked anyone if they're saved. In fact I don't think I ever use the word 'saved' unless in a sporting or cooking context (and not cooking in lakes of boiling sulfur either).
3) I've never prayed the sinners prayer
4) I don't clap, arm wave or shout amen in church.
5) Shine Jesus Shine
6) I don't spend considerable proportions of my time fretting about homosexuality, the ordination of women or those evil Catholics.
7) I own no garments made of grey polyester
8) My father was brought up RC and my mother was brought up in a fairly AC diocese.
9) I don't like quiche
10) LORD is not a form of punctuation in my prayers and is not emphasised.
11) My closest friends are Coptic Orthodox, RC and nominal buddhist.

So what am I???

Or are all those traits big E evangelical things? Could I, a resident of Sydney, possibly be a small e evangelical??
 

---

Posted by Ham'n'Eggs (# 629) on :
 
Whenever my Chinese biology teacher said the word "Gonads", it sounded exactly like "donuts", reducing many of my classmates to writhing helplessly on the floor. (Strangely, I remember little else from his tuition.)

Perhaps there is a lesson here that the Lord has for us?
 

---

Posted by chickpea (# 4554) on :
 
Chapelhead, I know how you feel. After years of heartache and soul-searching, I finally admitted to myself that I am an evangelical. However, that is not how the world sees me. Eager to embrace my identity, I joined the evangelical community, go to bible studies and have even raised my hands in worship. However, they all seem to think I'm a wooly liberal, whereas all my liberal friends struggle to talk to me now I have come out.

What am I?!?!?!
 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
LoYay - I think I score differently from you on 8 out of 11 on that list.

So I must not only be an Evangelical but a cliched Evangelical.

Perhaps we should open a chapel at Charing Cross called "Half Way to the Fundament".
 

---

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :
 
This thread is killing me, all we need now is Don Milky to grace us with his tales of woe and my life will be complete.

P
 

---

Posted by Richard P (# 4553) on :
 
Lo, I to was once an 'evangelical' I even attended what was known to be an evangelical bible college. Verily there was arm waving and claping during the 'empowering songs' and the gentle soothing rocking back and forth during the 'slow ones'at the devotional times each morning. Most of the speakers were 'sound' apart for one or two who were invited to give us pactice in tearing down the hellish armies of 'unsound doctrine'. At this bible college there was one man called 'Jim' who had infiltrated the ranks of evangelicalism and provided a way out for those willing to go down the rabbit hole. Since I entered this world of hightened evangelicalisim I had a feeling that something wasn't right, that there was something more than Stott, and theology based on the Bible speaks today series. One day I was contacted by 'Jims' assistant and told that 'Jim' wanted to see me, I thought could this be the answer I have been looking for?? What is the evangelical church? I sat down on a chair in his room and 'Jim ' told me how it has been his mission in life to look for the one, the one to lead others into the truth and now he hoped his search was over. He picked up a small pill box, opened it and emptied two pill into his hands. He told me that I had to make a choice, to take the blue pill, go back to the all night bible study of Mica Ch1 v 2-6, and forget all that had happened, or take the red pill and get an answer to my question. I took the red pill and the rest?? Well thats history...
 

---

Posted by IntellectByProxy (# 3185) on :
 
ChapelHead, there are other options...

I think of myself as bi-spiritual. I am generally quite demure, I enjoy quiteness and reflection - long walks with other Anglicans, that kind of thing, but just occasionally 'Shine Jesus Shine' will rouse me. I find I can appreciate evangelicals without actually fancying the lifestyle, if you catch my drift.

I think my life choice is Anglican, but theres a bit of evangelical buried inside me.

Go bi; it's the best way.
 

---

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :
 

quote:

---

but theres a bit of evangelical buried inside me.

---

which bit and where?
 

---

Posted by Anselmina (# 3032) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by IntellectByProxy:


I think of myself as bi-spiritual.
Go bi; it's the best way.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pyx_e:

quote:

---

but theres a bit of evangelical buried inside me.

---

which bit and where?

---

I told you I had experimented with evangelicality, but That.Does.Not.Make.Me.Evangelical.

What I did in foolish moments of my youth does not shape me now. It still itches occasionally, but mostly I am over it. I was cured, praise the Lord (quietly)
 

---

Posted by Sean D (# 2271) on :
 
Dyrig, ROFLMAO.

LoY - there is one final test, if you are prepared to take it. You seem a brave kinda chap to me. Head ye over to Duchess' magic 8 ball right thread and if she agrees with you, you are an evangelical and need to get in line after Chapelhead for exorcism.

If she disagrees with you, calls you names and whips your butt, you are free, and need to move out of Sydney
 

---

Posted by Ian S (# 3098) on :
 
Chapelhead, you are clearly a complete fraud.

You use the word "just" on only 4 occasions and the word "really" only once. A true evangelical would use both words at least fifteen times in 6 paragraphs.

The words "share", "transition", "cell" and "pasta" are not used at all, showing that you are completely deceived. And your punctuation is terrible - everyone knows that "Lord" should appear after every six words. Even worse you refer to the Lord as God - proof of Anglo-Catholic heresy. Furthermore as you have not referred to the evils of homosexuality you must therefore be a liberal backslider.

The final proof that you are not an evangelical is provided by the fact that this thread has been going for about 20 hours without Merseymike saying that atheism is infinitely preferable to your version of Christianity. Or perhaps he's been eaten by the crocodile?
 

---

Posted by Royal Peculiar (# 3159) on :
 
It's not a crocodile, it's an alligator
 

---

Posted by IntellectByProxy (# 3185) on :
 
For the record:

You can't see an alligator's teeth when it's mouth is closed; its lower teeth fit snugly into pits in the upper jaw. In contrast, a crocodile's lower teeth are always visible.

Alligators have a broad snout, while crocodiles have a thinner snout.

Alligators tend to be grayish black in color, whereas crocodiles have a light tan appearance.

Alligators can only be found in the southeastern United States and in some parts of China. Crocodiles can be found all over the world.

In the wild, alligators tend to run away. They prefer their own company. Some species of crocodiles, on the other hand, have legendary tempers. The Salt Water Crocodile and the Nile Crocodile have been known to eat people.

In other words, Erin is probably a crocodile whether she likes it or not.
 

---

Posted by FCB (# 1495) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ian S:
You use the word "just" on only 4 occasions and the word "really" only once. A true evangelical would use both words at least fifteen times in 6 paragraphs.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by FCB:
I have heard of respectable Anglo-Catholic clergy who swing thuribles by day, but by night lead a secret life of clandestine bible studies in public restrooms.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Richard P:
Lo, I to was once an 'evangelical' I even attended what was known to be an evangelical bible college. Verily there was arm waving and claping during the 'empowering songs' and the gentle soothing rocking back and forth during the 'slow ones'at the devotional times each morning. Most of the speakers were 'sound' apart for one or two who were invited to give us pactice in tearing down the hellish armies of 'unsound doctrine'. At this bible college there was one man called 'Jim' who had infiltrated the ranks of evangelicalism and provided a way out for those willing to go down the rabbit hole. Since I entered this world of hightened evangelicalisim I had a feeling that something wasn't right, that there was something more than Stott, and theology based on the Bible speaks today series. One day I was contacted by 'Jims' assistant and told that 'Jim' wanted to see me, I thought could this be the answer I have been looking for?? What is the evangelical church? I sat down on a chair in his room and 'Jim ' told me how it has been his mission in life to look for the one, the one to lead others into the truth and now he hoped his search was over. He picked up a small pill box, opened it and emptied two pill into his hands. He told me that I had to make a choice, to take the blue pill, go back to the all night bible study of Mica Ch1 v 2-6, and forget all that had happened, or take the red pill and get an answer to my question. I took the red pill and the rest?? Well thats history...

---

However - anyone who uses The Matrix as a theological illustration, especially the red pill/blue pill scene, just has to be an Evangelical.

Paul W
 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul W:
anyone who uses The Matrix as a theological illustration, especially the red pill/blue pill scene, just has to be an Evangelical.

---

Because an Orthodox fan would of course use The Yellow Pill by Rog Phillips - why bother with all these new-wave trendy liberal films when you can go back to the True Quill of the Holy sfnal Fathers?
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Beware Chapelhead,

Things are not all as they seem Duchess told me off and I'm an evangelical.
 

---

Posted by Richard P (# 4553) on :
 
I was traped in the seedy world of evangelicalism for a long time and even now 5 years after being released I am prone to backslide by putting the Rumours of Angels CD on and reading the Message.


 

---

Posted by Joyeux (# 3851) on :
 
Please also be aware that not all evangelicals (little "e") are right-wing in the political arena... So your political leanings cannot be much help (although if you are extremely left-wing, you won't be Evangelical - big "E")
 

---

Posted by duchess (# 2764) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:
Beware Chapelhead,

Things are not all as they seem Duchess told me off and I'm an evangelical.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Edward Green:
Just engage.

---

quote:

---

posted by CorgiGreta:
Aren't they are in fact latent evangelicals.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by hatless:
Thing is, I still am a Baptist. So how did you do it? Is there a secret hatch somewhere -

How did you do it? Tell me Chapelhead, PLEEEASE!!!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janine:
The LORD soon thereafter sent me the young man who was to become my husband: Mike, a rampant evangelical, and a right-winger to boot. A well-muscled, virile, football-playing beast, who was to fulfill every lustful desire for Evangelical Intercourse I ever so much as dreamed of.

So now, 26 years later, I dwell joyously in the Tents of the Evangelical Camp, replete and satisfied and looking like the cat that swallowed the cream-covered canary. The Evangelical Lifestyle appears to be what I was made for.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dyfrig:
It's all very well being oh-so-liberal and PC, but we're talking about salvation issues here. As Paul said, fornicators, thieves, people who live in Surrey and Evangelicals are the sorts of people who simply aren't on God's radar.

We all know about 9/11 - that it was God's judgement on America for letting Tony Campolo happen. Frankly, if we let Evangelicals into our churches, we might as well let paedophiles and accountants in as well.

---

Am I so truly damned?
 

---

Posted by hatless (# 3365) on :
 
Chapelhead replied to my desperate pleas for assistance in escaping the evangelical stronghold of the Baptists thus:

quote:

---

I think that may be your answer - you have to marry out (or in).

---

Shit, shit, shit! I married a Brethren. Well, a sistren, really. Is there really no other hope? The blueness is really getting to me, now. Have you noticed how blue the Ship is? A big lilac-blue stripe on the left, faded indigo at the top. Click on any cheery red text and it goes blue.

I may well be doomed to a blue evangelical future. I haven't started the smiling yet, and I still drink to excess, but I use the word 'Lord' far too much.

Is there anything I could, maybe, disbelieve that would save me? Or something dreadful I could do?
 

---

Posted by Admiral Holder (# 944) on :
 
Chapelhead...I have misgivings.

Are you sure that you don't want to come out now simply because it is "cool" to be evangelical? For years they were silent and in the background: no-one spoke about them in polite society. But now, every Tom , Dick and Jane is an evangelical: are you sure it isn't just a ploy for coolness? You see them having fun and society giving them a nod (while despising the rest of us for our character assassination of them!) and want to join in?

If not: I apologise for such harsh character judgement. I too have had desires to return to the evangelical way: thankfully not acted upon all that regularly.

Late at night I look at my Moore College Correspondence Course books on the shelf: then I hold them to my breast: hoping for inspiration and teaching from those hallowed halls.

While outwardly tut-tutting, I do long to accept "Shine, Jesus, Shine" and the most profound poetry ever written and sing it as if every word was uttered by God himself.

When I hear of friends...and yes, I'll admit...I have evangelical friends , returning from conferences: there is a bit of me that wishes I was there.

Thus is the cross some of us must bear: the burden God has given us - to not be evangelical; but to be tempted by the allure of all its pleasures.
 

---

Posted by golden key (# 1468) on :
 
Never fear, Chapelhead.

Just get yourself a copy of "Growing Up Born Again". It's both hilarious and instructive.

If you're an Evangelical, you'll recognize yourself. If not, you'll learn how to be one.

And there are worse things to be!
 

---

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
Is that the same as 'Growing up Evangelical' or a different one? I never could get my head around the difference between the two.
 

---

Posted by Pyx_e (# 57) on :
 
Is there any thruth in the rumour that you are organising a "Evo Pride" march through Canterbury Chapelhead?

P
 

---

Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Joyeux:
if you are extremely left-wing, you won't be Evangelical - big "E"

---

Says who?

Not me or my Roundhead mates.

It stands to reason. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So no-one is any better than anyone else. Salvation is the free gift of God, due to his act of election before the creation of the world. Even being saved doesn't make you any better than anyone else.

So anyone who was really an Evangelical - as long as they are of the decent Calvinist sort that is, one has problems with these wishy-washy Arminians - can look any king, president, bishop, boss, film-star, or general posh person in the eye and think "I'm as good as you are". So properly understood it allows no places for deference, heirarchy, or aristocracy. A truly revolutionary political creed.

Also it implies democracy. Whovever is in power is a sinner, and subject to temptation. In fact, they will almost certainly succumb to it. So we have to assume our bosses are corrupt villains. So in order to prevent anyone taking over we have to make sure that political power is as dispersed as possible and that all would-be leaders are accountable to the people and subject to recall.
We know they are screwing us, so we kick them out every now and again before things get too bad. Or chop their heads off if we have to.

In the same way, the managers of a company are no better than the workers, and have no moral right to give orders. And the officers of an army no better than the private soldiers.

Power, position, property, and privilege are all things that are random and undeserved. They don't make a bad man good - though they might make a good man bad.

Hard to see how any Evangelical could be a Conservative with all that going against the idea. Smarmy deferential Toryism, corrupted with monarchy and aristocracy is incompatible with Christianity, properly understood
 

---

Posted by Dyfrig (# 15) on :
 
In this month's "P" magazine, there's an article about a Russian pop duo who are apparently "Evangelicals". They finish their act by praying together. Disgusting.
 

---

Posted by Alaric the Goth (# 511) on :
 
I.Am.An.Evangelical.(and.a.Baptist.and.proud.of.it.).

I also think that I am going to have to vote Tory (as I did at the last General Election(there, I've come out and said it!! ), whatever ken might say. For indeed people are all sinners, but also by God's grace have different gifts given in different measure. Some are born with intelligence, some with weallth/privilege. Who is to say these things are not God-given in some way?

And at the moment my country's leaders, sinful human beings, are giving away power(or in actuality planning to confirm what powers they and their predecessors have already given away) to other sinful human beings (that haven't even been elected in most cases). These powers are not theirs to give away. They belong to US, the people of Britain, and the politicians (should) hold them, as 'guardians', on our behalf.

A party called the Conservatives is the only one pointing this out to any significant extent (and by no means unanimously). While it does this I will vote for it, that my vote in future years might still carry some meaning, and the oligarchs of Brussels (and their fan in No.10 Downing St.) might not be allowed to bring my country to an effective end.
 

---

Posted by welsh dragon (# 3249) on :
 
Well, I should have been alright. I went to 4 convent schools. My parents took me to Mass every Sunday. They thought I was safe. I was basically a nice (if very shy) Catholic girl...

But then I went away to University. I started experimenting. With all sorts of mind altering things. Taize music. Orthodoxy. Even the...the...the E word.

I tried...Catholic Charismatic worship. I liked it! It made me feel good! I got...I got high. Soon I found out I needed some every week. I...spoke in tongues. I...sang in tongues. I...was happy . I couldn't wait to get my regular fix. It seemed ... life enhancing and colourful...

But I moved University to study for another degree. I thought I had put my past behind me. I ascribed it to youthful folly. I thought I had Outgrown All That. I thought I was an Intellectual.

And then I was going through a difficult time. I left the church. I wandered back again. I found myself in...evangelical churches...I went to ...Greenbelt (explaining to anyone who would listen that I wasn't really an evangelical and I didn't know how I had come to be there). I even ventured through the doors of...St. Aldate's.

And the old feelings came back! I was enjoying myself! It still felt good! I thought no, no, I'm not really ...charismatic...I'm not...an...evangelical. I don't insist that everyone believe the same as me! I don't think my parents were automatically consigned to Hell because they were Catholics! I think the Bible is complicated! And I know that Jesus said very little that was prescriptive about sexual morality!

But...I still find myself...in evangelical churches...and I really enjoy going to fellowship groups (I'm going to two...) ...and I'm even (apologetically) leading the odd Bible study ("Look, people, there are some interesting questions here, but don't expect me to know any Bible history, cos my upbringing was, basically, Catholic, right?")

And what next? Am I going to find myself taking pamphlets door-to-door ("Hello? Oh gosh, sorry! I don't normally do things like this! I don't know what's come over me! Would you like a free copy of Mark's Gospel since I seem to have one in my hand?")

help! help! is there any hope?
 

---

Posted by Yo Yo (# 2541) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by GeordieDownSouth:
I'm afraid donuts are the new quiche.

Do you find it impossible to say the words "The Lord" without undue emphasis in any reading of the bible or prayer?

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Dyfrig:
In this month's "P" magazine, there's an article about a Russian pop duo who are apparently "Evangelicals". They finish their act by praying together. Disgusting.

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This is a new sort of "performance art" no doubt.

Reader Alexis
 

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Posted by Captain IT (# 3550) on :
 
OK, GeordieDownSouth, since when have doughnuts been the new Quiche? Since I put it in my sig yesterday? And that's my home town you're posting from!

I have yet to meet a quiche I did like and a doughnut I didn't.

Perhaps, while I am it, I should put "Arminian" into my sig and get Ken looking down on me while MerseyMike looks down on both of us!

CI//out and so cross he could be used for "Mr Angry from Purley" impressions
 

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Posted by GeordieDownSouth (# 4100) on :
 

quote:

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OK, GeordieDownSouth, since when have doughnuts been the new Quiche?

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quote:

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Originally posted by ken:

quote:

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Originally posted by Joyeux:
if you are extremely left-wing, you won't be Evangelical - big "E"

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Says who?

Not me or my Roundhead mates.

<snip - to make it quicker to respond)

Hard to see how any Evangelical could be a Conservative with all that going against the idea. Smarmy deferential Toryism, corrupted with monarchy and aristocracy is incompatible with Christianity, properly understood

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ken - let me only say that "conservativism" in America is different from in England. We have no monarchy by whom to be corrupted. And I don't deny that many evangelicals are left wing, the hard-core, large "E" Evangelicals usually aren't... just ask duchess!

So, Chapelhead - a further question: which kind(s) of evangelicalism draw(s) you?
 

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Posted by Merseymike (# 3022) on :
 
I believe the bulk of the white evangelical vote is pretty firmly Republican/pro-Bush in the USA, and that most evangelicals view themselves as conservative, and a very, very small number as politically or socially liberal.

I'm not sure if any similar survey has been done here, though. The numbers are much smaller so it may be more difficult to do. I know that groups like the Christian Institute and the Conservative Christian Fellowship are much more evangelical/conservative in theology than the Christian Socialist Movement.

I think I can see the connection between economic socialism and evangelical theology, but I still feel that evangelicalism is socially conservative - hence groups like the CI here, and Focus on the Family et al in the US.
 

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Posted by Merseymike (# 3022) on :
 
Oh,and all the other stuff that I usually say too (don't want to break the habit of a lifetime, now, do we). Given that this is hell and that last contribution wasn't hellish at all...
 

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Posted by golden key (# 1468) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Chorister:
Is that the same as 'Growing up Evangelical' or a different one? I never could get my head around the difference between the two.

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In the US, anyway, Evangelicals are born-again, but not all born-againers are Evangelicals. They could be fundamentalists--or any flavor of Christian, really.

Born-againers just believe you need to make a personal commitment to Jesus; thereby, your sins are forgiven and you start a new life. Hence, "born again".

(I grew up fundamentalist. Can you tell? )

BTW, Evangelical and charismatic are not the same thing. (Nor fundamentalist and charismatic.) Lots of fund. folk don't believe in charismatic experiences, and I would expect that applies to Evangelicals, too. And you can be charismatic without being either fund. or ev.
 

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Posted by RooK (# 1852) on :
 
The current and reigning champion of Posts That Say The Same Thing They Always Say AND Being Utterly Irrelevant To The Thread IS...

Merseymike.
 

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Posted by Merseymike (# 3022) on :
 
Over here - perhaps because of the far smaller numbers - the Evangelical Alliance would contain groups and individuals from all those categories, although some would remain separate eg the Exclusive Brethren
 

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Posted by duchess (# 2764) on :
 
Merseymike, to save time...why don't you make a website going into depth your opinions on conservative evagnelicals...then you could just link to it in all your post. It would save us all time, and also save you time, a real win-win suggestion to ponder, don't you think? OH, just do it. Thx.
 

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Posted by Little Miss Methodist (# 4367) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Captain IT:


Perhaps, while I am it, I should put "Arminian" into my sig and get Ken looking down on me while MerseyMike looks down on both of us!

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Hooray!!!

As a good Methodist I can put my hand up to "Arminian" too.

Just a thought, as nice, wolly minded liberals, shouldn't we embrace our more evo shipmates?

Cause, you know, thats kind of one of the points of being liberal isn't it?

"I may not agree with you, but I respect your right to think differently"



(please, please, please, nobody jump on me, that was just a general musing and in no way directed at anyone)
 

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Posted by golden key (# 1468) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Little Miss Methodist:
Just a thought, as nice, wolly minded liberals, shouldn't we embrace our more evo shipmates?

Cause, you know, thats kind of one of the points of being liberal isn't it?

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quote:

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Originally posted by golden key:
Evangelical is just one among the many flavors of Christians.

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quote:

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Originally posted by duchess:
Merseymike, to save time...why don't you make a website going into depth your opinions on conservative evagnelicals...then you could just link to it in all your post. It would save us all time, and also save you time, a real win-win suggestion to ponder, don't you think? OH, just do it. Thx.

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If he puts it in his sig, all he would have to do is post a blank message any time he wants to say something, and the link will be there.

Paul W
 

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Posted by golden key (# 1468) on :
 

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Originally posted by Og: Thread Killer:

quote:

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Originally posted by golden key:
Evangelical is just one among the many flavors of Christians.

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Make mine grape please, in a plain cone.

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quote:

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If he puts it in his sig, all he would have to do is post a blank message any time he wants to say something, and the link will be there.

Paul W

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quote:

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Originally posted by Little Miss Methodist:
Just a thought, as nice, wolly minded liberals, shouldn't we embrace our more evo shipmates?

Cause, you know, thats kind of one of the points of being liberal isn't it?

"I may not agree with you, but I respect your right to think differently"

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quote:

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Originally posted by RooK:
Oh goodie.
This thread was all clever and witty, and now it's turned into the Merseymike rehash-a-thon.

Get out your stopwatches everyone, this thread is either going to die or explode into a hissy-fit.

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