Quite an interesting read, this thread. Now for a little shot at 'conservative Christians'. The 'holier-than-thou' group.
It often sounds to me like the most godly, most spiritual, most holy 'culture' in how to follow Jesus is the one today labelled in Anabaptism as 'Conservative'. This sounds quite like the religious 'culture' that existed in Jesus time called Phariseeism. Although thought to be the 'highest, closest to God' culture of that day by the Pharisees, Jesus punched some pretty big holes in it. They were living under a delusion that they were the real holy ones and looked down their noses at others who did not live up to their strict standards and ways of their religion. So, I wonder just what Jesus would say today to those who follow the many perceived holy ways of those who consider themselves 'conservative'. Would He have a sermon on the 7 woes of those who consider themselves 'conservative' ? I think He may.
One area especially that Jesus did was not to withdraw Himself from the world as His mission was to save sinners. He didn't participate in sinful ways but at the same time lived amongst sinners and shared life with them where they lived. So, for me, any form of Christianity that is more keen on their religious ways such as dress and simplicity more than their efforts to being the means Jesus uses to seek and to save the lost, puts up a big warning sign and reminds me of the Pharisee religion in Jesus day.
There said my part but I was getting from some posts that the 'elite' group of Anabaptist Christ followers are the 'CAs' and the very thought of leaving this group is stepping down in one's relationship with the Lord. I grew up in something similar in Pentecostalism where there was a certain looking down on other Christians who were 'not filled with the Holy Spirit' as they hadn't 'spoken in unknown tongues'. Scripture says God resists the proud and gives His grace to the humble. Something for us to keep in mind.