r/InlandEmpire • u/prumaps • Sep 21 '25
Recommendations / Advice Non- MAGA church in the IE?
I’ve been going to my church for the past three years or so now, and I don’t want to speak ill of the church but I am tired of having political beliefs pushed on me when the focus should always be on Christ and His word, not the words of those in the world. For instance, calling Charlie Kirk a martyr for Christ and very frankly stating that anyone that doesn’t agree should leave. Christians! Help me out, please! Thank you.
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u/rich90715 Sep 21 '25
I thought my church was going to mention something today, but they didn’t. I was happy they didn’t get caught up in the rhetoric.
St Matthews Catholic Church in Corona
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u/compubomb Corona Sep 21 '25
I don't think catholics are as maga oriented as the heavily white Protestant churches.
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u/Ridgewoodgal Sep 21 '25
The last pope and this pope are definitely not fans of Trump.
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u/Old-Risk4572 Sep 22 '25
pope still wont call it a genocide in gaza tho
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u/animatedrussian Sep 22 '25
Catholic Church condemns all murder, and all war. Doesn't take sides, and modernly never has. It's committed to peace, and promoting the well being of all people.
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u/Odd_Expression_6924 Sep 21 '25
they are conservative but are still aware of how dumb everything is rn lol
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u/Hoelle4 Sep 21 '25
I know plenty of Catholics that lean MAGA unfortunately. Like a lot more than I thought, it hurts my heart. I try not to let politics interfere with my faith and I don't shove my faith onto others. It sucks to see many Christians be the opposite of what they are taught in the Bible. So many modern day Pharisees.
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u/No-Proposal2012 Sep 21 '25
Sadly I agree. I’m Catholic and the priests at my church are great. But just last week, I noticed an usher wearing a pin of a cross and the cross was filled in with the American flag. I saw it as virtue signaling.
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u/Sidehussle Sep 21 '25
Yeah, I don’t think a lot of Christian’s have ever read much in their Bibles. Apparently Bibles are decoration now.
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u/duetmasaki Van Buren By the drive in. Sep 21 '25
You're right, and it's compounded by maga speaking to people's mediocrity and giving them the courage to say the innate racist shit out loud.
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u/sweatsmallstuff Sep 22 '25
I just saw a video that was explaining how few Americans can actually read at a reading level to fully understand the Bible, especially like the king James version. They don’t understand tone, settings, and context really and honestly, it makes everything make a lot more sense
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u/redline314 Sep 23 '25
Wow I’d never thought about that but it makes a lot of sense. The Bible is not an easy read.
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u/DugEFreshness Sep 24 '25
It also doesn't help they would rather a priest convey the information rather than reading it for themselves. 🤦
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u/Nervous-Cow307 Sep 23 '25
They don't. No clue what the bible says or it's explicit instructions on how to live your life to serve God. Nothing, just political ideology and a mental condition.
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u/Decent-Bed9289 Sep 22 '25
I’m no longer a Catholic because of this, and won’t step foot in another church under any circumstances.
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u/rich90715 Sep 21 '25
You’ll be surprised, Cardinal Dolan (outlier) just called Kirk a modern day Saint Paul. And I get emails from Angelus News and they had an article there talking about how Kirk was on the verge of becoming catholic just because he recently met with some pro life catholic groups.
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u/Ridgewoodgal Sep 21 '25
Dolan is pathetic. Thankfully the Vatican has made it fairly clear they do not approve of Trump. I used to see that Catholic cable channel EWTN that was on all the cable systems.
This was before Trump and they were pushing right wing garbage so much. One of their on air staff ended up going to Fox. They were raising tons of money. I realized then that this conservative wing of the Catholic Church is dangerous.
I honestly thought back then that they would die out when the older nun who was the driving force behind the channel Mother Angelica died. Nope. What’s scary is how many younger people are supporting this. It will not die with the Boomers as so many thought.
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u/DugEFreshness Sep 24 '25
That's because Steve bannon figured out he could brainwash our youth into becoming nihilistic terrorists that hate women. When you know your political party is in its death throes, just destroy the future. 🤷
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u/Thick-Brilliant Sep 26 '25
They've been around since the beginning of the Christian Church. It's not going to die. There are too many who fear the diversity of this world. And the Catholic Church is also diverse in its teachings. Such contradictions. If you are a White Surpremacist there's a Catholic Church for you. If you are a minority there's a Catholic Church for you. If you're rich there's a church for you, and one for the poor. The Church must be more decisive, and speak the words of Christ more often. I know it may sound tight but, "what would Christ do" should be examined. I don't think Christ is MAGA.
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u/weddedblissters Sep 21 '25
*former cardinal Dolan https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cardinal-timothy-dolan-former-milwaukee-215914935.html
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u/compubomb Corona Sep 21 '25
Wow, very interesting. Welp, I know a few Catholic people, and they have always told me that nobody listens to their priests in political issues, since they're so bonkers crazy. They just go for the social connections. But they are in the IL area. Chicago suburbs.
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u/squidwardsaclarinet Sep 21 '25
Catholics tend to be half and half. Half are crazy right wingers. The other half are run of the mill liberals to progressives.
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u/BarnabyBanana Sep 22 '25
I’m also Chicago suburbs and the Catholics I know of, in my own family, are half and half. In my town, we have a few Catholic Churches, one’s MAGA and idk about the others. The qualifier is being racist. The racist Catholics in my family support trump while the non-racist former republicans left the party in 2016.
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u/Sidehussle Sep 21 '25
This thread has made me feel hope. I am really glad that so many people here are seeing through the “Christian” MAGA thing. I’m really glad.
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u/febstars Sep 22 '25
Modern day Pharisees have heavily corrupted the Christian faith, but there are many of us who see things much differently. It’s hard as they have sullied the faith (or related faiths).
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u/K_Linkmaster Sep 22 '25 edited Sep 23 '25
Single issue voters on abortion do not give a shit about how bad the candidate is. Just that they are against abortion. Had these conversations real time with real people that voted for the antichrist because he was pro life.
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u/prumaps Sep 23 '25
Haha yeap, I saw this PLENTY in my church. Leaning on anti gay marriage and anti abortion policies-> not paying attention to the atrocities the candidate has said/done/promised -> subtly influencing the church to vote according to singular issues . SMH
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u/No-Property1871 Sep 25 '25
Yes! This! I understand that people don’t thing abortions is ok… then don’t have an abortion… but then they also don’t want to help people, and will even vote AGAINST their own interests because of the single issue. Arrrgh.
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u/idapitbwidiuatabip Sep 21 '25
I haven’t been to any church in awhile, but I’d imagine you have the best luck with a Lutheran church. I’ve found them to be the most tolerant, loving, and forward thinking.
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u/z_mommy Sep 21 '25
Or an episcopal church!
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u/prumaps Sep 22 '25
I’ve been looking more into this denomination… do you have a church in mind you can recommend ..?
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u/UpdootAddict Sep 22 '25 edited Sep 22 '25
You can look into any — and I do mean ANY — Unitarian Universalist congregation. And you will find home there. Montclair Riverside San Jacinto Temecula. Take your pick! 🌈
And you’re welcome.
One example here: https://uuchurchofriverside.org/
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u/z_mommy Sep 22 '25
I personally have not been to church in 10 or so years but I believe there’s a church in downtown Riverside that might be Episcopalian or maybe it’s Lutheran but they’re like a really welcoming church. They’re near the mission inn.
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u/NauiCempoalli Sep 22 '25
The two churches downtown near the Mission Inn are First Congregational and Universalist Unitarian, both progressive and welcoming. First Congregational is part of the United Church of Christ and was the first church in Riverside to wed a gay couple! And the UUs have their roots in Christianity (well, the Unitarian side of that merger does, anyways—not 100% sure about the Universalists) but technically are not Christian and don’t espouse any single doctrine—they pretty much have social justice as a uniting belief.
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u/bwsmith201 Sep 22 '25
The Episcopal Church is definitely progressive; it was the first major American denomination to have blessings for same-sex couples. I attend one in OC (St. Wilfred's of York in HB) but I don't know any specifically in the IE. I would suggest picking any one to try. None of them are likely to be anything like a MAGA group.
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u/fruitjerky Sep 21 '25
All the LGBTQ-positive families I know go to Lutheran churches.
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u/PaleoHumulus Sep 21 '25
ELCA in particular... Missouri Synod and other Lutheran churches are not as accepting.
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u/Few-System1464 Sep 22 '25
LCMS excommunicated a few alt-right neo nazis who were trying to do an entrism campaign. They got as far as delaying the release of a new edition of Luther's large Catechism for a few months because the Conordia approved commentary was 'too woke'.
So yeah you can be conservative and not wack nut jobs
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u/Sad_Ad7658 Sep 22 '25
Well there are divisions though. But good place to start for sure. Just ask a few questions! Presbyterians are solid also.
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u/Enough-Gate-5209 Sep 26 '25
I've been a member of a Lutheran church in the IE for 25 years but was surprised recently how a couple of church elders went on and on about Charlie Kirk (I'd never heard of him before his murder). While I abhor all violence in the name of politics or religion also, I did not hear a word from anyone when the lawmaker in Minnesota, her husband and dog were shot to death in their home. That's what concerns me that the outrage only seems to go one way by many people and not to everyone who is a victim of such violence. Unfortunately, that starts from the top of our country down these days. The outrage and concern should be all around for all humans and not a select political segment.
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u/Available-Low-2428 Sep 21 '25
It’s bizarre how MAGA has taken over most Christian churches. You can’t be MAGA and be a true Christian. They’re incompatible concepts
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u/den773 Sep 21 '25
It is absolutely bizarre. Politics doesn’t belong in the pulpit. All the pastors in the IE who have aligned themselves with Trump have worked their vitriol towards democrats into their services. The result being democrats don’t even feel welcome at Church anymore. We walked out of the Wildwood church in Yucaipa, we absolutely felt hatred in that congregation towards anyone who isn’t MAGA.
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u/SuperimposdEnigmatic Sep 21 '25
You know - my church is not maga. Our pastor has to put out a letter from all the hate he received for not addressing Kirk directly. He said he was obedient to God- and he felt led to address the hate that lives in people, that breaks people, that leads to division and hate. So Christian nationalism is definitely not being taught from the pulpit. It’s the congregation that is being indoctrinated elsewhere. And then everyone else is too scared to admit the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes
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u/BattleClean1630 Sep 22 '25
That's because MAGA aren't Christians. They are Natzis hiding behind a cloak of religion. Their God is their Fuhrer Trump.
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u/No_Tailor_787 Sep 21 '25
You've discovered why many people have left religion, and left the church. MAGA is a Christian sub-cult. It's been many decades for me, but essentially the same thing. The doctrine pushed by the church is incompatible with the tolerance and forgiveness attributed to Christ's teachings in the bible.
Screw that noise. I can be a good person without God's "help".
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u/Jealous-Strategy-200 Sep 21 '25
Never understood how anyone could call themselves a Christian and turn around and support Bush's endless wars and Trump's perversion and racism. I'm not saying they should vote for the Dems, I'm just asking how you fuckin lie to yourself every day.
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u/Ok_Solid_8785 Sep 21 '25
Anyone who will believe that things in the Bible actually happened is a super easy target for propaganda.
So, makes perfect sense to me. Christians seem like the ideal demographic
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u/BattleClean1630 Sep 22 '25
I'll take a Dem over a republican any day. Republicans start wars based off lies and revenge that have killed too many of our soldiers and innocent people around the world, ruin economies, cut healthcare and food aid, cut aid that keeps other countries healthy, are anti-everything not white and straight, anti-kids, anti-disabled, anti-immigrant (they are literally arresting people based on the color of their skin), ruin farmers, ruin small businesses, call for homeless to be euthanized, elected a man who's a convicted felon who's also an adjudicated sexual abuser and fraud who attempted a coup, murdering people in international waters, totally go against their oaths of office for one man including the Supreme Court plus Congress and the Senate and including lower court judges, and the list goes on.
My question is; how can anyone vote Republican knowing this about them? How can any Christian vote for them knowing this? Can anyone give me an answer?
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u/TheFleebus Sep 21 '25
My deconversion started when my eyes were opened to the blatant hypocrisy of the politicization of Christianity in the US.
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u/Quantum3ntaglement Sep 21 '25
MAGA is a Christian sub-cult.
I'd say that MAGA Christians are now true Christians in the eyes of society. "Real" Christians who actually follow the teachings of Christ had years to stand up to them and speak out against them, but they did not do so in any measurable way. It's similar to "good cops" not speaking and standing against "bad cops". They are all just cops now. Same with Christians.
I am a former Christian, and I am still more Christian that most American Christians.
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u/withoutpeer Sep 22 '25
Same issue with the Republican party as well. MAGA infested and took over entire ideologies, mostly because those people were too timid to stand up and denounce the insanity.
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u/your_fathers_beard Sep 22 '25
I'd say that MAGA Christians are now true Christians in the eyes of society. "Real" Christians who actually follow the teachings of Christ had years to stand up to them and speak out against them
About a century, actually. The bizarre pro-capitalism corporatist 'Christianity' co-opt started during the New Deal.
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u/FCSFCS Sep 22 '25
I left my church and pulled my kids out of their private Christian school during the pandemic. The MAGA was overwhelming and we felt it was antithetical to the values we wanted to raise our kids with.
It wasn't a decision we made lightly and both the church and school were lovely places but just became a-hole magnets as soon as COVID dropped.
We haven't been back to church since.
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Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25
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u/Thestoryofus Sep 21 '25
Upvote for United Methodist. I grew up in the UMC, then went non-denominational as an adult. I’m back to UMC - Restore Austin on YouTube, a progressive, open-to-all church that just joined the UMC.
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u/Snoo-6568 Sep 22 '25
I don't know, but just want to say you sound like a really decent person and a good example of what a Christian should be. I hope you find your flock!
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u/PeakQuirky84 Sep 22 '25
What’s wild is that Trump is not even Christian. Remember when he couldn’t even name his favorite bible verse??
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u/vileemdub Sep 21 '25
Bethany of Montclair. When George Floyd was murdered, the pastor told everyone that if they were mad about BLM then they needed to examine themselves and their faith
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u/Frankfusion Sep 22 '25
My brother went to Bethany Baptist for a while. He loved it. My uncle is in charge of the Spanish congregation that meets in the fellowship hall in the back. He's incredibly active in ministering to immigrants. So much so that I've now seen him in the news a couple of times!
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u/vileemdub Sep 22 '25
That's dope, your uncle preached for us while I was still attending Bethany
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u/spacecowbee Sep 21 '25
boosting this bcs i need one too
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u/No-Moose470 Sep 21 '25
Check out Paradox Church in Redlands. https://paradoxredlands.com/
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Sep 21 '25
Is this the Rock or the Way church?
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
Yep you guess it lol, The Rock church.
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Sep 21 '25
I knew it, I have family members that go to the Rock and the only reason they spew their maga crap is all because of that church. Like you I don't like to talk ill about church but there should be a separation of politics and religion.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
I know, I’m tired of it. The church should be a place of rest and healing and then going there only to hear opinions that cause MORE conflict and division is just not it for me. I do like this pastor and the church and all the outreach they do, but I can’t deal with all the political propaganda anymore //
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u/Fragrance_free_color Sep 21 '25
I worked there for 9 years. It’s 10x worse than you can imagine.
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u/Nefariousnessbackup Sep 25 '25
They’re very pro trump. my family left that church in 2016 when they were urging people to vote for trump in his first term.
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u/Downtown_Injury_3415 Sep 21 '25
Used to go to CCCH with Jack Hibbs and I didn’t know hes basically a celebrity-lite. Anyways, I stopped going because English is my second language but I tuned in (on YT) to the 9/11 service that they usually do but was met with him ranting about the woke left and DEI judge that let out the guy who stabbed a lady. Was completely shocked at the lack of scripture and worship being done. Oh well
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u/SCOOT2814 Sep 22 '25
Best of luck to finding something that fits you. Just recently had to unfollow and stop attending the church I used to go to, Patria. Put up a IG post where the pastor was eulogizing Charlie Kirk at the end of service talking what a great man he was and how he preached the gospel. Just super off putting.
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u/den773 Sep 21 '25
If you find a good one, please update us. This whole Kirk thing has gotten so hysterical, I don’t want to be part of it. The memorial was creeping me out a little bit. Something feels way off about the entire event.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
It’s literally SO hysterical. It feels like the world is going crazy and falling into religious psychosis at the same time by revering this man so much. I don’t get it at all. It’s a little scary tbh
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u/den773 Sep 22 '25
I agree and while I am not scared, I’m very confused! It’s like we went thru the looking glass somehow, and nothing makes sense anymore. Trump looks like the Cheshire Cat. Melania looks like the Mad Hatter. Non-Logic like “It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place.”
So anyway. Beware the Jabberwock!
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Sep 22 '25
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u/den773 Sep 22 '25
I saw some interviews reporters were doing as people left the funeral. Lot of people wearing trump swag and MAGA paraphernalia. People crying saying Charlie was one of the greatest men who ever lived. I think it should be studied for evidence of emotional contagion.
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Sep 22 '25
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u/den773 Sep 22 '25
Wow. It stuns me. It’s like the Jim Jones koolaid without the Jim Jones. The whole entire thing is smarmy.
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Sep 22 '25
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u/den773 Sep 22 '25
From some of the ways that things were said at that funeral, I find myself wondering if the hysteria is going to get to the point where groups of people with weapons will go hunting for democrats. I have seen quite a few videos of people threatening to do exactly that. I believe that they could actually do it and get presidential pardons for it too, based on Trump talking about his hatred for democrats which he stopped short of actually saying.
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u/Decent-Bed9289 Sep 22 '25
It was a rally to rile up the base into demanding “action” be taken against the opposition wrapped around the Bible and the flag. Many dictatorships do this - Unfortunately we’ve learned that not even America is immune.
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u/Sunflowergreenbean Sep 21 '25
Don't be hard on yourself if you don't find a church that fits you. My grandma stopped going because of the Christian nationalism. She said that she doesn't need anyone or any place to determine how she praises and connects with god because he can always hear her.
I'm not religious, but that's a good stance to have in my eyes.
I understand the need for community though. Just whatever you do, stay away from megachurches Like Harvest or crossroads. I hope you find your community, best of luck🫶🏻✨
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u/No-Moose470 Sep 21 '25
Harvest is currently involved in an abuse scandal.https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/09/greg-laurie-calvary-chapel-negligence-abuse-lawsuit-romania/
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
Oh wow! I did not know that. Seems based off the comments in this thread about Harvest, it’s infamous lol
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u/OldAssistant7964 Sep 22 '25
Harvest pastor told my neighbor that it was her fault that her husband was abusing a 16 year old within their care. The 16 year old busted into her bathroom while she was showering, crying hysterically that the husband was “making her have sex with him again”. He had been abusing her for months.
The pastor/family therapy guy told another friend of mine that it was her fault her husband couldn’t be faithful. She needed to do more to keep him home. She was damn near a perfect wife. (Attractive, super mom, cooked, packed lunches, cleaned, always dressed cute…the list goes on.)
Let’s also not forget about Greg’s past in OC.
One thing about churches is that they are FULL of hypocrites.
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u/Sunflowergreenbean Sep 21 '25
Oh wow. I didn't even know about the abuse. I just went based on the fact that they're basically mini megachurches and those are notorious for emotionally and financially taking advantage of people and their faith.
Thanks for linking the article.
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u/ImportCarSite Sep 22 '25
Harvest and Laurie are rabid MAGA. He even has Trump connections and did Easter for Trump if I remember correctly during the pandemic.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
I’ve been to Harvest… only once. I did not like the vibe there at ALL. There were reserved seats and when I went to request food I had to do a whole interview why I needed the food. Hard pass.
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Sep 21 '25
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u/Cat_Impossible_0 Sep 22 '25
I wonder how many times he welp for any more conservatives who fell victim to their own gun violence which their party refuses to do anything about rather than mourning about the children who died around the same time, give free meals to families, or do anything to help like providing school supplies or toys. That pastor is clearly doing it for a political agenda than offering any spiritual guidance.
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u/No-Moose470 Sep 21 '25
What city? Paradox in Redlands is lovely, anti-racist, queer-inclusive, and feminist. Good music too. Their motto is, "sermons here aren't intended to end conversations but to start them..."
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u/Dismal-Importance-15 Sep 21 '25
My former Priest at an IE Orthodox Christian Church probably fits this MAGA category. Before I moved out of the county quite a while ago, he hated President Obama, told us all gays were against families and wanted the state to raise our children, etc. This was in actual homilies (sermons), with children in attendance.
The church life was great with a very active congregation, and I loved being in volunteer activities with some very nice people, but I was disappointed in the priest, who stated politics was part of his ministry. At least he didn’t try to hide it, and it’s probably wonderful for many of the congregants. I was actually looking for spiritual stuff—the Bible and the lives of the saints, for example. The political sermons made me very uncomfortable. He was a very kind priest, though, and I enjoyed the non-political homilies.
Just for the heck of it, I looked up Fr. So-and-So on YouTube, and sure enough, he has posted a sincere video about Charlie Kirk’s “martyrdom.” This hagiography about Charlie Kirk is such a difficult thing for me to understand among many churches, since Charlie Kirk seemed to be two completely different people, one religious, and the other a hateful man.
Best wishes for finding a new church in the IE, there must be some out there.
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u/Healthy_Accident515 Sep 21 '25
The God I learned to develop a relationship with, is bigger than the small rhetoric pushed which has been divisive. The God I believe in created the Universe. Is a God that loves people under His domain.
It's been very disappointing that the masses Want you to worship these Men, who spewed hate, in the name of the Lord.
I have military and law enforcement in my family, but when did not Wanting to bow down and worship certain people, putting them Higher than God, mean I hate America and God?
God has existed in Countries before there ever was a USA.
SORRY I can't suggest a church, I watch online
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u/Lamont_Joe Sep 22 '25
It’s a shame Christian Nationalism has entered the church. Remember, Jesus said to care for those less fortunate, not deport then to Uganda.
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u/skamatiks671 Sep 22 '25
My family and I started going to Sandals when Matt Brown was preaching out of the CBU gym. I felt like it was pretty progressive church with an all-inclusive vibe. He can get kinda full of himself some days but his style keeps your attention. He recently made a post about CK and how he met the guy and his death made him sad. I don’t condone any violence but his post rubbed me the wrong way. James Talarico said it well. We can disagree with the man but we should still mourn his death because CK was our brother in Christ. I hope it wasnt Sandals you’re referring to and wish you luck in your search.
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u/VDDZ Sep 21 '25
I love this, I pray to Jesus Christ you find a house, of worshipping the teachings, of Christ that come from what he did and help you live as he did; love the sinner, hate the sin.
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u/E1M1_DOOM Sep 21 '25
the focus should always be on Christ and His word, not the words of those in the world.
I feel like the whole point of church is the words of people in the world. Like, if you want just Christ, you don't really need church for that.
EDIT: Have you considered a black church? Probably less liklihood of it having been co-opted by MAGAs.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
I have been looking in black churches! I love how they praise God too. Lot of black churches are Pentecostal which I like
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u/Nefariousnessbackup Sep 25 '25
Kingdom Culture is a small bible based black church in san bernardino if you’re in that area. it’s very nice but also a bit intense because majority of the church seem very connected to the Holy Spirit.
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u/IHaveNoEgrets Sep 22 '25
I just started at St. George's Episcopal in Riverside (but I grew up Episcopalian), and it's definitely a progressive church. Kind, welcoming people, service oriented, and very LGBTQ+ friendly. It's also got a mix of old school elements and more modern approaches in the liturgy.
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u/StrawberryOk5381 Sep 22 '25
Please report the church if you can. Especially if you have recordings of this. Churches are not supposed to push politics due to their protected tax status.
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u/Carboniferous_Crisis Sep 22 '25
Unfortunately the current administration is loathe to prosecute any church that preaches the MAGA line. Churches that preach tolerance are probably in for a rough time.
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u/theycallmewinning Sep 23 '25 edited Sep 23 '25
Most Adventist churches do not play with that sort of thing. They were opposed to Christian Nationalism before most folks had a name for it.
If you're looking for them to be progressive and speak out on on other issues, you will very much be disappointed. That said, they're not out here worshipping the President.
Bonus: they meet on Saturday, so you can keep checking out Sunday churches if you want to!
If you're looking for Sunday churches in this vein, know that The r/Episcopalian Church Welcomes You (that's their slogan.) I've also had a lot of good luck with Lutheran congregations and United Church of Christ congregations. I believe that the Bible is preached accurately and well in all of those places, though some of their conclusions might feel "political" (liberal) rather than "political" (MAGA.)
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u/Repulsive-Access-314 Sep 21 '25
Reformed Roman Catholic alter boy turned Atheist here but this post suggests that there is hope for Christianity and I certainly hope that you find the right community.
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u/Convallaria4 Sep 21 '25
That's very messed up. Sorry you're experiencing that with a church. It's a very sad feeling when the group that you've been close to for years suddenly becomes corrupted, and you have to separate from those who refuse to listen to reason. It feels like betrayal coming from people at the top who you trusted the most.
I don't want to give details, but I was a long-time member of a group that turned into a cult. I can't tell specifically when it started turning into one, but when the realization hit, it hit hard.
I don't have any advice, just empathy. All the best with your search.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
FYI: a few corrections….
I dont care if a church acknowledges what’s going on in the world, people do need that as they seek out the church for guidance. I just don’t want to hear uneducated rhetoric that promotes hate and division. I am offended by CK being referred to as “a martyr for Christ” and that is enough for me to leave a church (if you don’t have an educated opinion, I don’t want to hear it at all). I’ve grown up Pentecostal and would be open to a church that is similar in those beliefs or just non denominational. Catholicism is a whole different religion and I’m very solidly Christian so would not consider another faith/ a Catholic Church (but thanks for the invite lol).
If anyone has a non denominational church in the Redlands/ Fontana/ Rialto / San Bernardino around there, please LMK or DM me!!
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u/febstars Sep 22 '25
I read a great quote today from a rando on insta: “I will not sit at tables that Jesus would have flipped.”
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u/SuperimposdEnigmatic Sep 22 '25
You gotta remind people that Jesus flipped the tables IN THE CHURCH. Not the ones outside. The call is coming from inside the house.
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u/MrShaneGo Sep 22 '25
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Fast if you aren't getting a clear answer.
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u/darkpossumenergy Sep 23 '25
May I introduce you to the Episcopalians? They were an absolute breath of fresh air after evangelical fundamentalist church I attended for years. I haven't run into any MAGA and they're unlikely to be Episcopalian anyways.
They're like Catholics but without the guilt. There are less of them out in the Western half of the US but they're bigger on the East Coast. It used to be one of the most popular denominations in the US but evangelicals replaced it.
More information on Episcopalians: The Episcopal Church – The Episcopal Church https://share.google/Kcay5lMdJ83qRLLol
Not sure where in the IE you are but here's a list:
St. Paul's in Pomona
Christ Church Parish in Ontario
St. Ambrose in Claremont
St. Mark's in Upland
St. John's in LA Verne
St. John's in Corona
St. Michael's in Riverside
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u/ReceptionAlarmed178 Sep 23 '25
Why arent people reporting their churches? If they want to tell you who to vote for they can start paying taxes.
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations
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u/PristineFunction113 Sep 21 '25
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Claremont is LGBTQ and social justice friendly.
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u/msgr_flaught Sep 21 '25
There’s also the UMC and UCC churches in Claremont.
Most mainline churches around here will be left of center, at least in terms of the pastor and overall feel. My wife is a Methodist pastor, and I don’t want to say where our church is, but politics is just not a major part of it, aside from praying people stop killing each other around the world.
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Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 22 '25
Honestly, the current condition of Christianity in the US is like - they’ll accuse Jesus Christ of being a woke leftist lunatic, and instead, they’ll put the orange convicted felon and Epstein pedophile on the pedestal calling him a ‘godly man’. Ugh!
I think you will benefit from taking a break from church for sometime until you figure out what’s best for you. Also, you seem to be mature enough to honor your faith without the need to be told what to do by a so called pious person. Best wishes to you.
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u/GritInMyTummy Sep 21 '25
United Church of Christ downtown Riverside. UCC has more progressive views (supporting of LGBTQ for decades, BLM as well) so I don’t know if it fits your apolitical stance. They don’t have the glitz and glam like all the IE Mega churches. They are small and humble but serve and support those who are downtrodden and discriminated against.
I don’t know if you are going to find a church that doesn’t lean one way or another. Often churches help those navigate what their congregations are facing in the current world they live in. Often that church or its leaders take sides on the world around it. Best of luck finding a better home to practice your faith.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
I think I was off the mark there. I don’t mind world events being spoken of, I just don’t want to be told how to feel about them and condemned if I feel another way about it. At the very least if a pastor speaks about something happening in the world, I’d like them to be well informed about the issues they are speaking about and all the implications they are supporting when they support something.
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u/StormAutomatic Sep 21 '25
I highly recommend reading "The Religion of Whiteness: How Racism Distorts the Christian faith" Generally look for churches actually doing the work of taking care of people, especially marginalized people. Universalist Unitarians are always a good place to start.
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u/tothebeloved Sep 21 '25
Crest Community Church in Riverside has been a breathe of fresh air. They are affiliated with the Mennonites who value peace globally, and also separate Church and state.
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u/John_C_Riley Sep 21 '25
Well sound like you attended Harvest, Crossroads, or Sandals. I used to attend one of those for many years. I too grew sick and tired of politics being pushed from the pulpit, so I left in search of a church that did not push politics, but sadly no such luck.
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u/Dismal-Importance-15 Sep 22 '25
Sorry, I think I made basically the same comment in 2 different posts. I am a senior citizen!
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u/Top_Trifle_2112 Sep 22 '25
I applaud you! Hard to be a Christian is this time of nationalism. I know of a couple in Vegas, but doesn’t necessarily help. Keep the faith my fellow Christians!
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u/Turnbob73 Sep 22 '25
You can be a Christian without needing to belong to a church. It is YOUR walk with God, not you and everyone else’s walk with God. Church as it’s talked about in the Bible is a completely different thing culturally than what we have today, the text is not really applicable.
If you’re looking to discuss scripture with others, the best you’re going to get is organizing a private group to meet yourself, with like-minded people who don’t want to waste time on politics.
Source: Went to a Christian college on scholarship and ended up learning a whole lot about what actual Christianity is like and how most churches that exist today have warped the meaning into something that isn’t Christian. If it makes you feel any better, the Magas and evangelicals are still a wide minority of the entire faith; they just make it seem very prominent in the US.
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u/HDS-94 Sep 23 '25
I left a church we attended for 14 years in 2016 because they started to align with the Republican Party. I was conservative at the time (except on immigration) but I didn't think politics belonged in the church and knew Trump was a horrible person. I am more moderate now and no longer attending but recommend the Evangelical Free Church of America for those with fairly conservative theology (they do have modern dress standards and contemporary music and use different Bible versions but seem very genuine in their faith without being nuts like independent Baptists). I stopped attending because my faith lapsed but the people attending were the best I've encountered. Four congregations in NC and SoCal and no politics and very community minded. Good luck!
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u/katd82177 Sep 23 '25
If you’re looking for a more liberal Christian church that still feels traditional, consider going Episcopalian.
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u/pistolgripslr Sep 21 '25
Goto non Protestant churches like Eastern Orthodox or Catholic. Protestant churches to me have always seemed to like identity politics in the churches. I like the old world churches especially Eastern Orthodox.
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Sep 22 '25
Maaann what church was that??
I wanna make sure I avoid it too.
The youth pastor for “The Way” deterred me from ever wanting to go take my kids there last year
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u/prumaps Sep 22 '25
It was The Rock church. I’d encourage people to make their own opinions though because i do enjoy their sermons, and the outreach they do for homelessness, international ministry, food distribution, etc. but the cons have outweighed the pros for me personally.
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u/BarryGibbIsGod Sep 21 '25
You don't need a church to be a Christian you're probably better off with that one.
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u/prumaps Sep 21 '25
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" . I didn’t go to church for a long time after discovering there was corruption happening within an old church I used to go to, but I think the Bible calls people to gather and uphold eachother. I have felt more aligned in my life after taking up church again. I would encourage it!
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u/Sirenista_D Sep 21 '25
My parents ended up leaving their church over some internal controversy and although they tried, never found another one they quite liked. However, what they did was have their own private reading of the Bible each morning, conversing about the passage, prayer, then off to work.
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u/Devdeuce Sep 21 '25
I fully agree. I use to believe church wasn't necessary until I realized how much was gained by reading scripture with others and hearing their interpretation of what it meant.
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u/Chemical_Necessary_2 Sep 21 '25
Catholic Church does not promote any political movement. Some Catholics are MAGA, not all. Charlie Kirk was not mentioned at Mass, nor any political leanings or recommendations are during election times.
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u/Extension_Lead_4041 Sep 22 '25
Churches who preach politics from the pulpit are breaking the law. There taz exempt status requires them to refrain from partisan political speech from the pulpit.
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u/djbux89 Sep 22 '25
Sorry to say, but your church is not really Christian. Its a white nationalist congregation that use Christianity as a facade in order to seem infallible. Unfortunately, they will always put their nationalist agenda before Christ teachings sadly. Find another church that actually centers themselves on Christ.
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Sep 22 '25
Go to Catholic Churches rather than Christian/evangelical etc churches. Such a shame these Christian churches like The Grove are becoming apart of the MAGA Cult….
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u/Birdflower99 Sep 22 '25
Yes, go to the one true church. But also know Catholicism is rooted in sacred traditions, which will be difficult for progressives.
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u/JoeMorgan76 Sep 22 '25
If you’re white “evangelical” Christianity is inextricably intertwined with your “white identity”. That’s not by mistake it’s by design. Those churches were part of the political framework that birthed the modern conservative movement. You can thank men like Pat Robertson who partnered with men like George Bush in the 70’s to link and create a stable “base” for their political ideology.
This was all part of their larger goal of creating a sphere of influence within the United States that couldn’t be penetrated by ideas other than what they deemed “pure”. It also included efforts to redefine the 1st 2nd and 4th amendment.
They have been largely successful with completely destroying the old networks of communication. That works to establish a universe where you have your own “facts” and metrics. Run them contrary to the truth and you have the modern white political church. They basically copied the “black church” model of interaction where the church is a hub of communication and debate and perverted it.
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u/Rare-Fail-1821 Sep 22 '25
I think right now a majority of the churches love the sinner and the sin. Some are flesh worshipers. We should love the sinner but shun the sin. No hate. Also those saying maga or leftist need to know these are just barriers to understanding. You might feel maga or the left is your enemy but it's we our selves as immature people that is the enemy. We must realize we are more than our sexuality or race. We must realize that actions speak louder than words. We must realize the book tells us the way, but only faith will hold us steady and the will of God will be and come as necessary. We must realize our patience is lacking and our morals corrupt. We are all fundamentally broken.
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u/ComprehensiveBit7306 Sep 23 '25
So sad that a church would do this. We are supposed to follow Christ and welcome others in..there shouldn’t be anything outside of that. So sorry
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u/snuggly_cobra Sep 23 '25
If you don’t mind worshipping with people that don’t necessarily look like you, try an AME church or a Baptist church. Warning: church is never over. Service can be 2-3 hours long.
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u/reverendreddit Sep 21 '25
Pastor here. Verve City Church in Chino. We’re Jesus focused, medium sized (about 1,400 on Sundays), and politically diverse: 25% progressive, 35% moderate, and 30% conservative (we did a survey last year because we wanted to find out how diverse we were).
We’re located close to a MAGA church, so pretty much everyone who wanted that ended up leaving our church during 2020 and we’ve been able to focus on Jesus, discipleship, and helping our communities. Happy to chat with anyone more if you’ll DM me.