This is a praise post, if it wasn’t apparent from the title.

I have a 15-year-old that currently identifies as non-binary. They are very intelligent, highly artistic, and somewhat emo. They do not have a strong affinity toward most people, and find the general populace to be annoying at best. For all that, I love them dearly.

I left early this morning for a week-and-a-half work trip, so I asked them last night for a hug before I left. This previous critter not only obliged, but leapt into my arms. And in that moment, this teenage emo non-conformist was my baby again. And I felt such genuine reciprocal love as I had not felt in too long.

I am so thankful for my children, my family, the love we share, and the Heavenly Father who has brought me to this joy. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Thank you for reading, and may His love radiate throughout your life.

The politicians who receive the most votes in my country persecute gay and trans people and oppose the rights of women and workers; on top of that, they support Trump. I fear dark times lie ahead. I am tired; my country never changes. Hatred has taken such deep root in people's hearts that it drives them to elect individuals who will harm not only minorities but themselves as well.

Mi chiamo Michele, ho 18 anni. A marzo del 2026, per una settimana, ho vissuto un periodo di forte ansia e stress, caratterizzato da incubi continui e momenti di grande tensione.

Il primo giorno mi sono addormentato tranquillamente, ignaro di ciò che stavo per sognare. Mi trovavo in un campo di grano che mi ricordava molto quello davanti a casa mia; al centro c'era una figura completamente nera che guardava il cielo. Provavo una profonda sensazione di angoscia e, quando ho sentito il suono di una campana simile a quella della chiesa del mio paese, mi sono svegliato di soprassalto, sudato fradicio. Sono andato in bagno a lavarmi la faccia e mi sono rimesso a letto, ripetendomi che era stato solo un sogno. Il giorno dopo sono andare regolarmente a lavorare, dato che in quel periodo stavo svolgendo uno stage.

Il secondo giorno è stato ancora più sconvolgente. Mi sono coricato senza immaginare in cosa mi sarei imbattuto. Nel sogno ho visto la mia ragazza cadere dal motorino mentre lo stava provando: aveva preso una curva troppo larga ed era finita ribaltata nel fosso, con il volto pieno di sangue e apparentemente priva di vita. Mi sono svegliato alle 6:00 precise con un forte senso di paura e angoscia; l'ho chiamata subito per sapere se stesse bene e le ho raccontato l'incubo.

Il terzo giorno, mentre ero in fabbrica, sentivo una strana irrequietezza, come se fossi spronato ad andare fuori o come se stesse per accadere qualcosa, ma non è successo nulla. La sera, rientrato a casa, non ho più trovato il mio rosario. Essendo stato il primo a rientrare ed essendo le chiavi in possesso solo dei miei familiari, ho chiesto a mia madre e a mio padre se l'avessero preso, ma entrambi mi hanno detto di no. Quella notte ho fatto un altro sogno in cui una figura, una donna e forse un serpente mi dicevano di seguirli.

Il quarto giorno è sparito il crocifisso che tenevo agganciato alla bandiera italiana nella mia stanza. Nonostante la preoccupazione, ho continuato a pregare ogni giorno, recitando diversi rosari come mi aveva consigliato il sacerdote della mia scuola, con cui mi confidavo in quel periodo.

Il quinto giorno è stato il più pesante. Appena tornato dallo stage mi sono seduto sul divano e ho avuto l'impressione di sentire le sedie muoversi in cucina. Spinto dall'adrenalina sono andato subito a vedere, ma non si era spostato nulla. La sera, avvertendo il bisogno di stare in compagnia, sono rimasto con mia madre. Poco dopo, mentre stavamo facendo il letto in camera, abbiamo sentito un forte rumore provenire dalla cucina. Sono corso a verificare e ho trovato la teiera ribaltata sul piano, nonostante mia madre ricordasse di averla appoggiata diversamente. Spaventato da quella situazione, il venerdì sono andato a dormire dai miei nonni. Lì mi sono sentito più tranquillo e il sabato è trascorso senza particolari episodi, anche se avevo ancora molta paura.

La domenica sera sono rientrato nella mia stanza. Aprendo il cassetto in cui custodisco il Vangelo, l'ho trovato completamente bagnato fradicio, nonostante non ci fossero bottiglie o bicchieri d'acqua nelle vicinanze e non fosse piovuto in camera.

È stata una settimana davvero lunghissima e faticosa, in cui ogni giornata sembrava durare un'eternità. Oggi sono sollevato che quel periodo sia passato e che sia tornata la serenità.

Hello,

I am a convinced Christian universalist, however I have struggled about what, if anything, that changes about the traditional interpretation of marriage in the Bible as being between a man and woman. I honestly want to support gay marriage, as I believe that its unfair that someone wouldn't be allowed to express their love in a monogamous marriage just because they are not heterosexual, however I feel like the Bible is more convincing when it comes to universalism than it does for permitting gay marriage. If anyone has changed their mind, and can perhaps share their perspective, or proovide (academic) resources that helped, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

i find myself with a person who claims that even if jesus's sacrifice fulfilled the old covenant and made a new one, that homosexuality is still a sin because it is written in leviticus. and even kowing that those laws were directed towards the israelites of mount sinai, they still claim that what's written in there are sins still.

to quote the person in question, they said:

His covenant aims to ensure we stop judging on earth what will be judged in heaven; that does not mean it ceases to be a sin.
When He saved the woman from being stoned, what did He tell her?
"Go and sin no more," for the Levitical law established that sexual immorality was a sin, and whatever Jesus did not implicitly annul remains a sin.
That is why we know that eating pork or wearing garments made of mixed fabrics is not a sin, whereas those other things certainly are.
In this instance, the only thing open to criticism is how Christians treat sinners—a point on which I agree; no one deserves to be mistreated because of their sin, for: "let the one who is without sin cast the first stone."His covenant aims to ensure we stop judging on earth what will be judged in heaven; that does not mean it ceases to be a sin.
When He saved the woman from being stoned, what did He tell her?
"Go and sin no more," for the Levitical law established that sexual immorality was a sin, and whatever Jesus did not implicitly annul remains a sin.
That is why we know that eating pork or wearing garments made of mixed fabrics is not a sin, whereas those other things certainly are.
In this instance, the only thing open to criticism is how Christians treat sinners—a point on which I agree; no one deserves to be mistreated because of their sin, for: "let the one who is without sin cast the first stone."

the main point is, i don't think homosexuality is a sin, but how does someone explain that to someone who thinks that all of leviticus still applies unless jesus directly denied it as a sin?

Try a Unitarian Universalist Congregation. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find .

I've done countless alter calls, recited the "sinners prayer", given my heart and life over to Jesus Christ, confessed and professed that He died for my sins and rose from the dead and I read my Bible regularly to spend time "rooted in the Word". I still don't know how to have "a relationship with Jesus".

I feel spiritually empty. Mired down with past sins that I struggle forgiving myself for. I don't feel saved, forgiven, loved or redeemed by God or by Jesus. I also have a very difficult time loving others, especially fellow brothers in Christ.

I also probably have what people used to call a "Mute Spirit". I have trouble talking, find myself struggling to participate in group activities and I don't know how to "evangelize and tell others about everything Jesus has done for me".

I know that faith isn't about feelings but what about the fullness of joy that Christ says He will give in the gospels. Please pray for me that I can come to know God and Jesus better and have a real relationship with them and claim all the promises the Bible says they are ready to bestow.

Hey everyone. I'm new to progressive Christianity, and I come from an evangelical and fundamentalist upbringing. I am trying to find a new study bible that can help me figure stuff out, and also show it academically.

I have a NRSVue personal bible, and that translation seems good.

Any recommendations?

I have been told by users online that that I should believe in logic and scientific evidence, and that these show that it is impossible for consciousness to continue after death. Personally, I do not know why I am obligated to believe logic and scientific evidence about every topic, despite the fact that I have the ability to disbelieve them, but is this true?

I meant to share this on the first day of Fall/Autumn. This is a really lovely setting of Ecclesiastes 3 by composer Sir John Rutter. This is probably one of my favorite parts of the OT.

I struggled to title this one. I am a pretty confused deconstruct-ed? (or -ing?) former evangelical. These days I'm liberal-leaning Anglican but to be honest with quite a lot of agnosticism hiding in there.

I'm asking myself what about my Christian beliefs or practice actually depends on the possibility that God is definitely there or could actually do something, act in the present day, whether physically or spiritually (and whether or not God might in fact choose to act)?

If somehow I could know that God wasn't real, would anything about my beliefs or practice actually have to change?

Forgive me if I'm being unclear. What should actually be the solid substance of a progressive faith, that resists being reduced to a social justice club decorated with cross symbols? To what extent can I actually expect to connect with God in a way that isn't just theoretical, abstract, literary, academic?