"Our pastor made it clear from the beginning that he is all about Jesus, and that everything he teaches is from the Bible."
Except those parts that need to be "interpreted" where he inserts personal opinion.
"It's nice, because we're a "semi-mega church" -- many mega churches take on the Joel Osteen model of acceptance and prosperity."
Yeah, well, if you want to keep those "love offerings" flowing in then you're going to have to be less dogmatic and more wishy-washy in order to dupe a larger portion of the population. Not everyone is as brain dead as you Rapture Ready folks are.
"Ours does not. We've got a great band and lots of programs, but the center of our church universe is Christ."
So you follow all of his teachings? You know, those about loving everyone, not pointing out flaws in others, not "casting the first stone" at sinners (in other words, shut the fuck up about gays and anyone else you don't like; it's not your place to judge) and all the rest of what he was trying to get into the thick heads of those around him?
"I think that the general perception around our country is that if you believe in End Times and talk about Biblical prophecies pertaining to the Rapture or Trib, people think you're a nut job. It's so sad."
Belief in unsupported assertions tends to make rational people point and laugh at you. Just like you point and laugh at the Muslims, Hindus, Jews and everyone else you think is following a mythology riddled, superstitious religion. We just recognize that you're doing the same fucking thing.
"I also think that the Rapture and Trib force people to listen/know that it's all about choosing sides -- you're either with Jesus or you aren't."
Show Jesus existed as described in the Bible. Show any sort of "Rapture" or "Tribulation" will occur.
"The bulk of our population is that "universalist" mentality -- everyone is saved. So by bringing up the End Times and Rapture, you're contradicting their peaceful, happy, all-accepting doctrine of faith."
And looking like an utter lunatic. Don't forget that part.
"I'll pray for them all..."
Perhaps you should do less praying and more thinking.
