Really? I just wanted to know under what definition we would be operating on this thread so as to know how to respond. No snark. Just looking for clarity. But, if clarity is not desired, so be it.
The question of “church” and what it means is by no means a small matter, as a perusal of ecclesiastical (I know, just a fancy word for church, but one that plainly reveals the original meaning of the word) history will readily make clear. These days among church goers in the USA I don’t think anything can be commonly assumed in regard to understanding and definitions. This is part of the reason we have so many denominations and, even, non-denominational “denominations.” I put the last word in parentheses because non-denominationals seem to believe that because they say they are not denominational, they are in fact non-denominational. I doubt any denomination ever started with a different conviction.
So, again, if that is snark in your book, I guess it is snark in your book.
I mean no disrespect. But I really thought you were being flippant. The question was a broad question and wasn’t aimed at any particular denomination ... therefore one would assume it would deal with all churches. Not sure where you are going. I guess you could limit it to what I call real bible-believing churches but even there people have different opinions. That’s why there are 14B different churches :-)
I belong to a very conservative PCA church. My wife is Catholic but has been seeking other churches. This morning I got to go to a new one she is trying out - an Episcopol church. It was OK but I read their intro which says they welcome people of all races and sexual orientation etc. I thought “hear we go”. Then I look up and one of the female deacons is obviously a dyke. There is no other explanation for a haircut that short in the back. Wife prefers a more liberal church so she may stay. I wanted to puke. I’ll stay put where I am. :-) Cheers