In a group discussion in a church I attended many years ago, I said, "I struggle to believe in the Virgin birth."

A woman became very agitated and confronted me with this: "Then how can you call yourself a Christian."

I hadn't said I didn't believe it, but just the fact I acknowledged my struggle was enough for her to call me out.

More recently, at another church, a man asked me what version of the Bible was taught. It was clear it wasn't just the Bible, but a particular translation of the Bible, held his truth.

It is this absolutism that has driven me from the church. Although I sometimes attend one where it is less "absolute," it is obvious to me that many churches teach that you believe all of it or none of it. No room exists for ambiguity.