Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Thread gallery
42
Sameynamey · 08/08/2023 09:21

LotsOfBalloons · 07/08/2023 08:01

The church they go to has a website with a standard evolution charis statement of beliefs... followed by a "statement" saying they don't accept any

"we hold to the teachings of the bible on extra marital and forbidden secual practices."

Clicking through forbidden sexual practices mean homosexuality (surely that's within marriage now...)

And that although they'd welcome people they wouldn't condone or celebrate, promote or assist these practices.

It's so sad.

Wow I have a sinking feeling that nothing will change long term. I keep looking at Twitter and just a couple of journos still picking away at things- but the early hope I had that the expose will be huge, is fading away.

Sameynamey · 08/08/2023 09:25

Being lazy now but does anyone know the funding sources for Christian Union at universities?

BlueSquirrelTurnip · 08/08/2023 10:37

I’ve not commented much, but found this thread very helpful. thanks to everyone for sharing their stories.

Started watching Rev last night. “It wasn’t a sacrament, it was a show” really got me. Ouch.

LotsOfBalloons · 08/08/2023 10:55

I'm really glad to have e shared the Rev love. It was a very special show 🥰. And so helpful for me at the time.

PrimitivePerson · 08/08/2023 17:09

Sameynamey · 08/08/2023 09:25

Being lazy now but does anyone know the funding sources for Christian Union at universities?

Christian Unions are not usually independent student bodies. They're pretty much entirely controlled by UCCF, another hardcore evangelical organisation that goes to great lengths to police belief and behaviour, and is decidedly secretive about its true purpose and motives.

They're also part of the year-out exploitation machine.

As for funding, it usually comes from evangelical churches and those who support its mission. They're absolutely rolling in money.

LotsOfBalloons · 08/08/2023 17:22

Yes UCCF. A whole nother set of stories.... Oxbridge - a theology group - I was appointed a leader but as I was a woman got asked to coordinate the lunch rota 😂.

LotsOfBalloons · 08/08/2023 18:36

Oh and their lists of which churches were "sound". Oh good lord that's a whole nother set of memories. I'd been so excited to join the CU at uni but it was terrifying.

LolaSmiles · 08/08/2023 18:45

What's the deal with UCCF ? I had a meeting once with some representatives when I was still on the fringes of that scene and I couldn't work out their relationship to usual CUs.

LotsOfBalloons · 08/08/2023 18:50

They're freaky. Wouldn't have anyone speak at the CU unless they signed the "DB". So even decent local leaders or theology lecturers who were amazing weren't allowed to preach as they wouldn't sign to say they followed the very narrow "db"... (cons evo I'm pretty sure.)

LolaSmiles · 08/08/2023 18:54

DB?

fairypeasant · 08/08/2023 19:30

Doctrinal basis?

PrimitivePerson · 08/08/2023 20:28

LolaSmiles · 08/08/2023 18:45

What's the deal with UCCF ? I had a meeting once with some representatives when I was still on the fringes of that scene and I couldn't work out their relationship to usual CUs.

It's not a relationship, UCCF are completely in charge of everything that happens at CUs.

DB - Doctrinal Basis. Every member and speaker has to sign it. It's very conservative evangelical stuff, and it's designed to exclude anyone from other traditions.

I went to uni when I was 22. By that time I was starting to recover from my year out, but going to CU sucked me right back into the horror of it all.

LotsOfBalloons · 08/08/2023 21:31

I did visit a friend's CU at a different uni though that was far more normal and casual than the uni I was at which was a stickler for all the rules and v male heavy.

Sorry yes DB was their shorthand for doctrinal basis. I, shame to say it noe, was horrified when I found out a CU leader had slept with their boyfriend. It completely went against everything we seemed to hold as so important then (grown up me is now embarrassed for uni me.) There was a lot of focus on sex.

Oh and mission weeks. A whole thing would be created around the theme and it was a big deal to have all these events on over a week based around perceived non Christians questions about faith....

Sameynamey · 08/08/2023 23:42

PrimitivePerson · 08/08/2023 17:09

Christian Unions are not usually independent student bodies. They're pretty much entirely controlled by UCCF, another hardcore evangelical organisation that goes to great lengths to police belief and behaviour, and is decidedly secretive about its true purpose and motives.

They're also part of the year-out exploitation machine.

As for funding, it usually comes from evangelical churches and those who support its mission. They're absolutely rolling in money.

Show quote history

Cheers, I did a bit of Googling but it was all very fuzzy. Not unexpected that evangelicals involved- only because I am closely watching a SS offspring sauntering around his uni evangelising and patronising the filthy unconverted 🤣

PrimitivePerson · 09/08/2023 15:05

CUs at several universities have been forced to rename themselves "Evangelical Christian Union", as that's essentially what they are - their uncompromising position on lots of issues prevents other Christians joining. UCCF really don't like this and have kicked up a massive stink about it.

PopGoesTheWeaselYetAgain · 09/08/2023 15:34

PrimitivePerson · 09/08/2023 15:05

CUs at several universities have been forced to rename themselves "Evangelical Christian Union", as that's essentially what they are - their uncompromising position on lots of issues prevents other Christians joining. UCCF really don't like this and have kicked up a massive stink about it.

I didn't know this. As they are the UK section of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, I can't see why they would object.

LotsOfBalloons · 09/08/2023 15:38

They like to see themselves as THE Christians. They often don't count catholics as Christians. And the smaller group scm were seen as "Not sound".

I wish I'd known then what I know !

LolaSmiles · 09/08/2023 15:43

It's not a relationship, UCCF are completely in charge of everything that happens at CUs.

DB - Doctrinal Basis. Every member and speaker has to sign it. It's very conservative evangelical stuff, and it's designed to exclude anyone from other traditions
That explains why I didn't feel very 'at home' then when I went to one.

I hadn't realised UCCF were actually in charge of the CUs and feel a little naive now. I thought it was a sort of partnership relationship.

PrimitivePerson · 09/08/2023 15:52

PopGoesTheWeaselYetAgain · 09/08/2023 15:34

I didn't know this. As they are the UK section of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, I can't see why they would object.

Show quote history

It's because it forces them to acknowledge they don't have a monopoly on Christian truth, and that other types of Christian exist.

MrsJamin · 09/08/2023 16:40

UCCF have had their own difficulties which they are currently successful in covering up- two staff members have been suspended while allegations are being "investigated". There's still no word at all what this is about, just that it's not "sexual". https://www.uccf.org.uk/blog/statement-from-the-trustees-of-uccf-30-december-2022

Statement from the Trustees of UCCF

A statement from the Trustees of UCCF – 30th December 2022

https://www.uccf.org.uk/blog/statement-from-the-trustees-of-uccf-30-december-2022

Sameynamey · 09/08/2023 19:45

MrsJamin · 09/08/2023 16:40

UCCF have had their own difficulties which they are currently successful in covering up- two staff members have been suspended while allegations are being "investigated". There's still no word at all what this is about, just that it's not "sexual". https://www.uccf.org.uk/blog/statement-from-the-trustees-of-uccf-30-december-2022

There is nothing on this in public/ social media is there?! I am astounded, another scandal hushed up. Thanks for this.

PrimitivePerson · 09/08/2023 20:27

UCCF are a profoundly nasty bunch of people. They're really big on the evangelical persecution complex and have been deliberately engineering conflict with student unions for years.

fairypeasant · 09/08/2023 20:50

PrimitivePerson · 09/08/2023 15:52

It's because it forces them to acknowledge they don't have a monopoly on Christian truth, and that other types of Christian exist.

Show quote history

This. They genuinely see evangelical Christianity as the only real Christianity. They cannot see outside that. And any Christians who are outside that will want to be part of their real Christianity. They want everyone to see the light and join Jesus. Which is their version of Christianity only.

PrimitivePerson · 09/08/2023 20:59

fairypeasant · 09/08/2023 20:50

This. They genuinely see evangelical Christianity as the only real Christianity. They cannot see outside that. And any Christians who are outside that will want to be part of their real Christianity. They want everyone to see the light and join Jesus. Which is their version of Christianity only.

Show quote history

Totally. Claiming the term "Christian" for themselves without any qualifiers allows them to claim that anyone who takes different positions on things isn't a "proper" Christian, and can therefore be shunned and vilified.

It's particularly aimed at the Student Christian Movement, which UCCF split from many moons ago over some theological disagreement. However, UCCF are also highly critical of any other Christian bodies on campus, and usually refuse to co-operate with them, so won't work with chaplaincies or denominational societies.

UCCF also run events to help new students find churches, but they will exclude many churches from them if they're deemed "dodgy".

User63847484848 · 09/08/2023 21:05

Yes to that.
I feel so ashamed of thinking that way when I was a teenager.