To be furious at local church carol service

[YogaGrinch]

With our new "fundamentalist " vicar who included genesis 3 16

And other misogynistic patriarchal quotes and suggestions throughout the service -

Listening to the King's college Cambridge service tonight was a completely different service although there too there were some dated patriarchal views shared?

And basically using opportunity of a full church to preach hellfire and brimstone snd call us all hypocrites and sinners rather than preaching love kindness beauty

Never heard anything like it

Was absolutely 💔

No offence but it isn't actually. My guess is the vicar followed a traditional 'Nine Lessons & Carols' format, which uses selected Bible readings to tell the whole story of God's relationship with us leading up to the birth of Jesus. Its basically a 'prologue'. The Christmas story makes no sense without it. The passage from Genesis is the first reading IIRC. Thousands of C of E churches will hold 'Nine Lessons & Carols' services around now.

I haven't been to church for years, the last time this guy (preacher) was saying if you're not with us your against us, which sounded totally unacceptable to me as a Christian principle. When I asked my very Christian friend what she thought she agreed with him. Put me off completely.

What was the context? Jesus said to follow him was 'a narrow gate and few shall enter'. He was talking about what it takes to be a true follower and how much we have to sacrifice to do it. Maybe the preacher meant that? That you can't be half in and half out.

Hotel

I didn’t say the Old Testament was evil or that the God of the New Testament is different

Just that there’s a new covenant in Jesus’s blood, which I think is fairly mainstream thinking.

Im not a biblical scholar

traditionally the first reading in a nine lessons and carols service is Genesis 3. That’s pretty much every cathedral everywhere, not some weird fundamentalist stuff.

What were the other misogynistic patriarchal quotes and suggestions quoted at the service?

Did the vicar also mention how men would have to toil in the fields and endure physical hardships all their days?

Very well explained

I wasn't there.

I went to a christingle at the local Methodist church where the female vicar (is it a vicar at Methodist? Correct me if wrong) played out the nativity with balloons, and did a quiz with quality st chocolate.

They made it very clear that the collection taken was for a local charity that supports families struggling in the area.

The church was packed, she was channelling her inner Vicar of Dibley.

I’m really not religious but may go back in the new year :)

Sorry, I was kind of piggybacking on your question. Been trying to get my toddler to sleep and not focusing very well!

Maybe try your local Methodist church next time - most of them are very socially progressive these days.

I mean, given the way the thing’s set up, from Genesis onwards, right through the gospels, Acts and Paul’s letters, it’s quite difficult to see how you could excise the patriarchy from Christianity without deconstructing the entire edifice and starting again.

You’d need a much more original sin, for a start.

If you are going to follow any of the Abrahamic religions,then you can't be surprised to hear misogyny being preached

Yep this. Shock horror the church is a misogynistic and patriarchal institution 🙄 Oh and while we're at it homophobic.

Agree with this. Christians are meant to change to conform to God's standards. God is not meant to conform to what humans disagree with.

To add, if you go to church you can’t really complain about them quoting the Bible at you, it might not be the bit you agree with but such is religion, no?

Bugger me, for an omniscient being He lacked foresight, surely?

The bible is an instrument of patriarchy, and religion is the enforcement of patriarchy. Not surprising that they read something dodgy out, the whole story was invented to enable men to assume and retain power.

That first reading Normally finishes with genesis 3 15

Yes this ... but it never felt more stark more shocking

Is that what he preached?

Fucking hell I’d be writing a letter of complaint for sure. That is just a sexist twat using his position to spout his gross misogynistic views.

Sort of in the same theme I have a really hard time listening to the Old Testament constantly referencing how special Israel is , how they are the chosen, better than all others . But it is of its time . Modern Jews of course don't agree with the idea of Jesus fulfilling these prophecies. It is very difficult to be a Biblical follower as it is absolutely misogynistic, homophobic which is the focus of many fundamentalists excuses for their behaviour.

If this is genuinely the first time you’ve noticed it I’d suggest you’ve not been paying that close attention to your religion.

Have you tried going to other churches?

Not every church is like that. I promise plenty will welcome your lesbian daughter as she is and not think she needs "healing" or whatever bs