One visit to church has made me realise I'm no longer even a luke warm Christian.

[StartupRepair]

DH has started attending a uniting church near us and has been quite enjoying it. He asked me to come to a service today with him. (In Australia not in lockdown). I'm raised Anglican, agnostic, care about social justice and would think I have values that align with Christianity.
To my horror the minister's sermon was about the terrible modern age we live in, where inclusion and diversity are everything and people are pro abortion and euthanasia. He said that it was not fair that people who oppose same sex marriage were treated as Nazis. Real Christians, he said, help to set the moral tone and don't just go along with what is socially fashionable.
I didn't walk out as I didn't want to embarrass DH but I hated it. I felt so alienated, when I had really gone along with an open mind and hoped to connect with a holy feeling and enjoy the music.
Has DH just fallen with a very hard line group or is this still the teaching of the church?

Unfortunately, homophobia is still a big problem in Australia.

[quote lightand]**@bellropes* The problem with Christianity is no one really knows what the rules are*

All the rules are in the Bible.
A Bible costs about £15.

If a person does not read a book, they will not know what is in it.
It is better for someone to read it themselves, than rely on others to tell them.
In previous centuries, all the people who could not read had to rely on people telling them what it said.
Nowadays, almost everyone can read, and a lot of people have access to £15.
For anyone that doesnt, the Gideons give out parts of the Bible for free.
It is even possible at a Christian bookshop I know of, to get hold of parts of it, for £1.[/quote]
But this doesn't solve the problem that the rules regularly contradict themselves. An eye for an eye contradicts turn the other cheek. Lots of Christians argue that the NT supercedes the OT, but even then, Jesus himself doesn't mention disapproval of homosexuality for example. Lots of Christians I know handily ignore Matthew 7 (do not judge others, remove the plank from your own eye before you judge the splinter in someone else's etc) which is such gorgeous advice because they'd so rather be judgemental. There's enough variety in the Bible's 'rules' to pick and mix your own version of what you want to believe and how you want to behave towards others and the outcomes can be polar opposites of each other..

Update: the usual minister came for a visit and I told her politely how disappointed I was. She said that basically it is such a broad church that it includes a whole range of views. I said that views from the pulpit like that have the capacity to hurt people.
She was very lovely and I said I would come along one week and hear her sermon.

I wonder if she would let someone come and preach racist or misogynistic views?

@Finfintytint

Welcome to Christianity. One stop shop for bigotry and hate.

Replace Christianity with religion and I'd agree.

If you're so unhappy with it why are you going back?

@Labobo

Lots of Christians argue that the NT supercedes the OT,

Well lots of Christians would be wrong. Without the OT there is no creation myth or even reason for Jesus' incarnation. Jesus also said that all scripture is good and should be followed.

@lightand

The Bible is the Old Testament and New Testament. Both. Many parts of the Old Testament are superceded by the New Testament. God chose to do that.

Jesus didnt mention homosexuality exactly, but mentions sexual sin. And the New Testament certainly says things against homosexuality.

The Bible has a beginning middle and end. Old Testament and New Testament ending with Revelation.

Whatever helps you justify your prejudice.