Ruth said:
So (don't hit me please...) I attend a Southern Baptist church. They know that I don't agree with all of their denominational stances. But the one good thing about the Southern Baptist denomination is that they do not demand you agree with a particular set of biblical interpretations to be a member.
I'd never hit anyone for their religious choices. Southern Baptist is a perfectly comprehensible, mainstream sect. One of the challenges I've faced with the various christians that do come in here, is that they do not consider themselves bound by any particular theological position, so when you argue a point with them from the point of view of the mainstream christian beliefs, they will deny they believe in that particular thing. Or otherwise they will start these extremely loopy discussions that frankly aren't worth our time, as these views are unique to them.
I think I and my colleagues are trying to establish what, precisely, we can be expected to discuss should you choose to stick around.
Fair enough. For the most part, the Southern Baptist denomination is compatible with my beliefs. The things I know for sure that do not match their faith statement are:
1. I do not believe in the "infallible, inerrant scriptures" in their way. They believe in the complete historical and scientific accuracy of the Bible and I do not.
2. I do not believe that women should be forbidden leadership or ordination. And just in case you want to know - I am not at all interested in being a pastor or deacon.
3. I think they over emphasize the importance of baptism by immersion. We do not know for sure that immersion was required, and in all likelihood it was not since most streams were not deep enough for that which is where they did their baptisms. The Jewish faith requires what they call "living" water - which is running water. So pouring water over someone would be considered acceptable.
These are some things that most Southern Baptists believe and I do not:
1. I am not a YEC as stated before.
2. I am not a pre, mid, or post tribulationist. I am a pan tribulationist - which means it will all pan out in the end
3. I am not convinced that there will be a rapture as such.
4. I don't believe that the diaconates are considered leadership positions. The early church considered them servants to the others.
That is all that comes to mind at the moment. Not guaranteeing that I have remembered everything, but this is the major stuff.
Ruth
Edit: Forgot a couple of biggies!
1. I don't believe in male headship of the home. Marriage is a partnership, not a theocracy.
2. I firmly do not believe that sexual orientation is a choice; this is how we are born. And I am not convinced that stable, loving same sex relationships are sinful. I suspect that Paul was simply imposing his personal beliefs in this regard. He also said it was better to stay single and women should cover their hair "because of the angels" whatever that is supposed to mean.