This is the email I wrote for Mennonites:
--------------------------------------------------
subject: Seeking Good Neighbors
I am not Christian. I follow the Old Testament. I am looking for a community where I can find good neighbors. Obviously as a non-Christian, I cannot be a Mennonite. But I would like to be associated with a community that at least shares my values.
When most people think of the Old Testament, they think of Judaism. But Judaism follows the Talmud, not the Old Testament. If you remember Jesus arguing with the Pharisees, then you will understand my point. Today's Orthodox rabbis are Pharisees, literally because if you trace their teachers all the way back to the time of Jesus, there is an unbroken chain to the Pharisees, and this is true of all Orthodox rabbis. Jesus was basically arguing for the original intent of the Old Testament while the Pharisees were arguing for changes that they introduced. Though I am not Christian, I side with Jesus in this debate.
Modern Christians almost completely neglect the Old Testament. They are only interested in faith, they have no interest in God's will.
My wife and I recently visited our first Mennonite church in Belen, NM, and we were impressed. Though there are obviously differences, I found that we have a lot in common. For example:
- I strongly oppose divorce.
- I support modest dress.
- I homeschooled my kids and I only used books and paper for work. I am a computer programmer, but I think using computers for education is a bad idea.
- I want to live culturally apart from modern culture.
- I believe in simplicity and try to avoid making anything complicated.
- I don't have television at home because I think it is a bad influence.
I have visited many churches and synagogues in my search for a compatible community and I believe that the Mennonite church that I visited is the closest to my values that I have seen so far. My wife would prefer to move to a greener area, so I am contacting Mennonite churches in areas that my wife would like to live. I am looking for a church that would accept us regularly attending church service and getting to know church members. I do not want to change Mennonite ways or debate religion. I would just hope that we can respect each other's views. If you think that this might work, please let me know when would be a good time to visit. My wife and I would fly in from El Paso to visit your church.
--------------------------------------------------
Locked
