Not sure what you mean by liberal-minded. The two I mentioned earlier are pretty liberal if this means diversity of background/color, concern for both material and spiritual needs, committed to loving one another, admittedly very far from having arrived but committed to improvement.....

With respect to doctrine, I assume these would be in the Calvin camp and that your preferences might be different. That's a matter of faith so I wouldn't argue with anyone about that. [I do enjoy discussing such things over coffee or a beer though (whoops, I just revealed I'm not one of those teetotaler fundamentalists)]. Note however that all Presbyterian and Reformed and like churches are Calvinistic, whether "liberal" or "conservative". The only thing I'd say about that is that it matters what you do with doctrine- stuff it down your throat and condemn you because you don't accept the same nuance as me or use it to gain a greater understanding (admittedly still limited) and appreciation of God, man, etc.

Already in this thread, you've had a number of suggestions offered to you. With what's going on in the world, we're reminded that some cultures attempt to impose a single belief system by the sword. May that never happen here.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

I will definitely look into those suggested. As I get older I find myself leaning far to the right on some issues and far to the left on others, and some I just shrug my shoulders at. Religion is something I've swung really far to the left on. I've grown tired of the fundamentalists within Christianity and Islam forcing the "my way or the highway" approach. There's so many religions, denominations, individual interpretations and each one thinks its right. My only conclusion would be that they're probably all wrong.

That being said, I think the church is an important institution that offers a valuable service to the community. A lot of good comes from churches and from faith but obviously a lot of bad can come as well.

So when I say "liberal" I mean open, diverse, intellectually stimulating, dogma-free, tolerant, and fun.

-- mr c

So when are you gonna ask for the fried chicken restaurant/septa bus route/mall/bar/neighborhood where "you're not the only white guy"?

Why's the first thing you mention "fried chicken" ... what are you, some kind of racist or something?

-- mr c

I can't give you any suggestions, but I gotta tell ya -- the title of this thread cracks me up everytime I come across it. I don't know why.

Anyways, good luck!

This is a very easy one. Trinity Oxford Luthern Church, Lawndale. Oxford and Longshore Ave's. Right around the corner from you Mr California.

Beautiful little church, nice mixed congregation, very warm welcoming pastor, pretty intresting music dept (nah, no christian rock bands here)and to top it all off, you'd be worshiping in the second oldest church in the USA. Part of the Church building dates back to the 1600's, with modern additions completed in the 17 & 1800's.

(sorry I like history...lol)

Try them out.

I understand your feelings about religions that "beat things into you." I was raised and still am a 'practicing' Catholic. However, I go with an open mind and rather than listen to what an individual TELLS me I should believe, I listen to the scriptures, ponder and investigate more into what I hear. I do not always go by somone elses perception of it, athough I have heard some pretty damn good theories. Most of all, I ask questions...not just to someone else, but to and of myself.


And you are completely correct about what good religion can instill into a community. As various churches close in neighborhoods, you see failure follow. Overall, Religion is about integrity, honesty (some laugh at that, for good reason) and most of all RESPECT.

That said, if I wasn't so tied to St William's (family wise, it's all our history after Ireland, Germany and Kensington...lol), I would worship at Trinity.....it's just a neat little Church with a lot of Local/National history.

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Buy Lawndale!

Eastern ORTHODOX are very similar to Eastern RITE CATHOLIC in terms of liturgy, ikons, etc. The primary diff is that Eastern RITE CATHOLIC churches are in line with the Pope and follow him,whereas the Eastern ORTHODOX are not.

(Sorry for my interjection, but I did a paper on the difference once, so it sticks in my mind whenever anyone confuses the two.)

Thank you correcting my terminology regarding Rite vs. Orthodox.

Eastern Orthodox churches vs. Roman Catholic are the result of the Great Chism. Protestantism were rebel churches that centuries later split off from the Roman Catholic Church in protest. Eastern Orthodox is not protestant.

If somebody wanted a "protestant" church then I would think neither Eastern Orthodox nor Eastern Rite would be what they were looking for.

It is interesting to note that some (maybe all) Eastern Rite churches that are aligned with the Pope allow priests to marry.

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"Things are starting to get interesting right about now"

All comments made by me on his board are given freely and probably worth what you paid for them.

I just PMed you about my church, it's an Episcopal church.