Should I be frustrated in church? ?
I moved to a new area for grad school in the fall, and I have yet to find a church I want to become a member of.
I live in the deeper part of the South, so some churches had members who actually look at me as if I had the cooties. I am not a stranger to being one of the few minorities in a situation, but I am NOT used to people looking at me like I don't belong in the same seat just because I don't look like them.
The other churches have pastors who yell about how women belong in the kitchen, and I guess I am going to hell for divorcing my husband who drained this family mentally, physically, and financially with his "problem". I was told I was to submit (as Paul said) regardless of how he behaves. I did submit, but way too long. If I had any sense, I wouldn't be in this horrible place if I would have taken a stand a long time ago for the sake of me and my children. Now, some irreplaceable damage has been caused because I didn't leave him fast enough years ago, and I am not sure how to get out of it. Not to mention one church he was seeking counsel at had this nut putting oil on my walls and windows, and told him I wouldn't leave him. Now he is obsessed and refuses to accept our marriage is over. Before he moved to another state, he had stalker tendencies. Once I told him our marriage was over, he lost control and he got physical (but being the woman I am, I defended myself). I think those people didn't help the situation. Now I have to wonder about my own safety once I file the paperwork after watching his meltdown because the church told him it wasn't over between us since he prayed. Prayer isn't doing it. They forgot to tell him the behavior must change, or that you must pay for your consequences.
All of these churches I visited are either far left or far right. No in between. Even going as far as to say who I should vote for, who I should befriend, what I should sing, where I should work, and other untruths unbiblical that don't make sense. I know there is no perfect church, but I refuse to be part of a cult like church. Any suggestions on what I should do? I hate church hoping and want to settle somewhere, if possible.
Or should I just study on my own?
I know there is no such thing as a perfect church. But I don't fit into this area, and in church is no better. I don't feel comfortable, and I feel like this area in some ways is behind in progression with the rest of the world. I think gathering with church members is important. But here, where is the medium? Its either too left or too right, or they were crazy. LOL
Or is this a common problem everywhere? Where I used to live had more choices and the people were open. I think my choice to come here has been a big mistake, and I am still questioning why I am here, even though I know there is a reason.
sorry its so long. LOL. I just wanted to give a full picture of what's going on.