Joker121, clearly you are a gentle spirit. I am sure I could learn much from you in that regard. My temper is certainly one of my downfalls. I've been planning recently to do a Scripture search on anger with my oldest daughter. She just completed reading the entire Bible recently. A feat not even I have accomplished yet. She was not put up to it. Chose it of her own accord.

Anyway, so as not to leave my self unclear about not condoning homosexuality. I mean it in the same way that one of my close friends drinks and drives regularly and I don't condone it. I don't think either issue is harmless. But, I do not reject my friend and I would not reject you either. From my understanding of things, both are detrimental practices for the participant and possibly others. It's my concern for my friend that makes me wish he didn't do that. Hope that helps.
I must admit that being called a homophobe is a hot button for me. It is such inflamatory labeling. ( I am not saying you said it, others have because I am Christian and stand on my belief that it is a wrong practice.) Nobody who knows me has ever leveled such an accusation, because they know how I care about people. It's only come from hot headed rhetoric launchers. Just because I am opposed to the practice does not make me a hate monger. In fact, it couldn't be farther from the true reality.

Being categorized as just another religion is also a turn off to me. The terms Religion and Christianity mean various things to various people. I can see why a general spirituality is appealing to you. It sounds like you may have had some experiences that turned you away from ' The Church '. But, it is not the church that should be our attraction nor our excuse. It is the person of Jesus that is at issue in Christianity and not the broad continuum of the sect's practices. We can agree that there is a Supreme Being it appears. Yet I would suggest that it matters more of exactly who It is. Particularly if He is trying to reach you as His book says. I know all the tired arguments for why Scripture can't be trusted, but the truth is, these arguments have all been put down soundly. You have to ask yourself, is it the people in the church and there actions that have turned you away, OR can you say that you have honeslty searched for God in the Bible and found sound reason why He isn't there? I believe there is a strong chance that you are rejecting His imperfect people more than you have found Scripture to be unreliable. Just a guess, of course, I don't know your heart. Only you and God do. I would urge you to search your heart though. Besides, I don't think that peace is the ultimate goal. I am talking about a relationship with a personal creator who wants a personal relationship with you. Relationships are not always peaceful.

I would be glad to carry on our discussion if you like. If not, then I hope that the only true God will find a way to reveal Himself to you and that your heart would be ready to receive Him.