Reply #21: We do not belong to a church.

[The Backlash Cometh]

Haven't gone regularly, in years. I already feel alienated to this community because of extraordinary things that happened here, and the church sermons only magnify the reasons for that alienation.

My daughter found this youth group on her own. It really was put together by people who wanted to keep their kids out of trouble by giving them better social options. For the most part, they don't indoctrinate directly. In fact, I did sit in on one sermon and I did pick up on a strategy that I think most churches use. First they befriend you through innocuous socializing, then when you get in trouble, like getting a DUI, which is what the sermon was about, (the guy in the sermon actually killed someone) they run to your aid with support and even money for a lawyer. And then the guy gets redeemed, and in his repentance, becomes a poster boy for the church.

My daughter is at the age where she needs to start making her own decisions. I hope, someday, she will find a church she feels comfortable with, but I'm convinced she won't find it here.