This Is Why We Get a Bad Rap!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I think, also, that when some of us refer to 'conservative' we don't mean what others mean when they say 'conservative'. Many of you consider yourselves conservative, but have tvs, wear jewelry, etc. In the crowd I hang with those things right there put you WAY out in the liberal camp.

Speaking for myself only, when I say conservative, I'm talking about the 'absolutely no tv of any sort, no movies (even Veggie Tales), no wedding rings, no above-the-elbow sleeves, no music but Christian (and only certain types of Christian) no sports (played, watched, or listened to), no knee-length shorts for boys, skirts must be at least 3 inches below the knee, no Six Flags, no clear nail polish, absolutely no foundation or concealer'...... you get the drift.

There is a long list of rules, and they all are considered hell-bound offenses. THAT type of mindset DOES tend to produce people that go nuts when they "backslide". I've seen it so many times it's ridiculous.

My church is moving towards more balance, and I am SO grateful!!

I think that description, for the most part, is years ago - at least in all the places I have been and people that I know - years ago.....

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think that description, for the most part, is years ago - at least in all the places I have been and people that I know - years ago.....

In the circles I'm in, let me ASSURE you it's not years ago!! Come get in the car with me some Sunday, and we'll go visit some churches. (well, it'd probably take several Sunday to hit them all..... several years worth of Sundays as a matter of fact)

My kids were JUST at a youth conference where they heard that everyone was sinning who had or did any of the below (and much more):


long (below the middle of the ear) sideburns
split (at all split) skirts
short (less than 3 inches below the knee, but still below the knee) skirts
french manicures
boys wearing pink shirts
funky (anything beside traditional) hairstyles on boys
short sleeves
curled eyelashes
sports
Christian Rock
concealer
tanning beds

I could go on and on. Fortunately, my kids knew differently. But honestly, you'd be AMAZED at the stuff that's out there.

Still very present and going strong. Many conferences are nothing more than "see who can preach against the most things" affairs.

Sis. Alvear can back me up on this, she's heard it too.

I don't think this is very prevalent in the UPC anymore, but very much present in independent circles, and a few other Pentecostal organizations. (and this is why many independents consider the UPC to be very liberal... because they themselves still are very, very, very, very, very dogmatic and conservative)

So when *I* say conservative, the above is what I'm referring to. Generally not talking about the UPC at all.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I wasn't laughing AT you, but that post made me laugh out loud.

Let me ASSURE you it's not years ago!! Come get in the car with me some Sunday, and we'll go visit some churches. (well, it'd probably take several Sunday to hit them all..... several years worth of Sundays as a matter of fact)

My kids were JUST at a youth conference where they heard that everyone was sinning who had or did any of the below (and much more):


long (below the middle of the ear) sideburns
split (at all split) skirts
short (less than 3 inches below the knee, but still below the knee) skirts
french manicures
boys wearing pink shirts
funky (anything beside traditional) hairstyles on boys
short sleeves
curled eyelashes
sports
Christian Rock
concealer
tanning beds

I could go on and on. Fortunately, my kids knew differently. But honestly, you'd be AMAZED at the stuff that's out there.

Still very present and going strong. Many conferences are nothing more than "see who can preach against the most things" affairs.

Sis. Alvear can back me up on this, she's heard it too.

I don't think this is very prevalent in the UPC anymore, but very much present in independent circles, and a few other Pentecostal organizations. (and this is why most independents consider the UPC to be very liberal... because they still are very, very, very, very, very dogmatic and conservative)

We have an independent church in our area that is of what you speak. Whatever they need to do is fine with me. But, for clarification, I was speaking from the UPC viewpoint.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

In the circles I'm in, let me ASSURE you it's not years ago!! Come get in the car with me some Sunday, and we'll go visit some churches. (well, it'd probably take several Sunday to hit them all..... several years worth of Sundays as a matter of fact)

My kids were JUST at a youth conference where they heard that everyone was sinning who had or did any of the below (and much more):

... So when *I* say conservative, the above is what I'm referring to. Generally not talking about the UPC at all.

The UPC at times does represent a sort of balance. The current leadership and most of the past leadership had nothing but sympathy from me. They were faced with dealing with a rather toxic sub-culture at times.

Did you ever notice- most of the churches and "ministries" that are described as "cultic" and such are also places and people that have run afoul of UPC leaders? Just Google it, or I'm sure most people here have seen the stories over the years.

Basically, what I see in the "overly controlling" types of churches are churches that the UPC itself is concerned about. This appears to be a problem that they have gingerly tried to deal with over the years; too "gingerly" for my tastes.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The UPC at times does represent a sort of balance.

I pretty much agree with you. I think most UPC churches are fairly balanced. The extreme "rules" churches are mostly independent, or a few of the other organizations.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I pretty much agree with you. I think most UPC churches are fairly balanced. The extreme "rules" churches are mostly independent, or a few of the other organizations.