A few random thoughts that have been on my mind lately, about the nature and pirpose of the Church.  Is it supposed to be a community or a cult?

There are those within the organization whose major concern is purity, in doctrine, in worship, or in life.  For them, the church is mad up of people who agree, (Like-minded folks is a phrase I hear now and again).  For the them church stands apart, distinctive in its lifestyle, unified in its thinking.

In another thread Actually asked for stories from people who had been made to feel unwelcome due to their sexual orientation, the following was one reply.  To honour Actually's request not to derail her thread from the stories I open this one.