I'm linking to an excellent piece from Ethics Daily regarding war and how it is justified as being consistent with the teachings of Jesus.
The writer, Jim Evans, is pastor of Auburn First Baptist Church in Alabama. Despite being in the middle of a red state, he takes issue with how war can be called "a Christian thing."
Here is the key thought:
"But what are we supposed to do when unscrupulous and self-serving pretenders, wrap themselves in the cloak of Christianity and misuse the name of Jesus for their own benefit?"
Of course, the GLBT community deals with this on a daily basis. Instead of claiming war as a vehicle to peace, "fundamentalists" and conservatives use hate and call it a form of "love."
Just because you put a label on something doesn't mean that changes the actual nature of it. War is war, not peace. Hate is hate, not love.
Any faint claim the United States may have had to being a Christian nation was lost when our military invaded a sovereign country and took it over by force, imposing the United State's will on the people of Iraq. Clearly Saddam Hussein was an evil ruler and horrible atrocities were being committed in Iraq, but who gave American the moral authority to decide the fate of that nation?
It amazes and sickens me the things that our government condones in the name of “security” and, even more laughably, “freedom.” Would Jesus torture anyone to find out information from them? Even writing that sentence is preposterous, isn’t it? Despite that, our nation’s leaders are justifying those actions out of one side of their mouth while proclaiming their faith in Christ from the other.
No wonder Christian “leaders” feel empowered to hate and politic for discrimination! Given what the U. S. government is getting away with, trying to shove gays and lesbians back into the closet probably doesn’t seem like that big a deal.
It IS a big deal. It would be wrong under any circumstances, and double-dog wrong when Christ’s name is attached to it.
Of course, people can justify anything they want while on this earth, but it will be a whole different ball game when they stand before God trying to pitch how they were serving Him while hating an entire group of his children.
May 06, 2006
May 04, 2006
Establish Commonatlity
Im my latest column for Gay Christian Outreach, I write about the need to establish a common base with someone if you plan on reaching out to them and sharing Christ. I show an example from the Apostle Paul of how to accomplish that.
When you visit the site, please consider signing up and participating in the discussion of this column or any other topic of interest.
When you visit the site, please consider signing up and participating in the discussion of this column or any other topic of interest.
May 02, 2006
Comedy Can Hurt If You Take It Too Seriously
I ran across this story via The Advocate website that struck me as what can happen if we take ourselves too seriously.
A writer named Jeff Whitty (he wrote the musical Avenue Q which is currently playing on Broadway) wrote an open letter to Jay Leno, the long-time host of The Tonight Show, expressing his view that Leno's gay jokes were hurtful.
In his letter, Whitty speaks of discrimination and atrocities suffered by GLBT people. He refers to Leno's gay jokes as "a silent holocaust that is perpetuated by people like you, who seek to minimize us and make fun of us and who I suspect really, fundamentally wish we would just go away. " To his credit, Leno did respond to Whitty, but apparently no accord was reached.
Readers here may or may not be fans of Leno (I am), but anyone who has even casually watched his stand-up comedy over the years or his monologues on the Tonight Show knows that nothing is off limits. After all, presidents have been assasinated yet ones from both parties are frequent targets of Leno's material.
In my opinion, any group making Leno's monologue has taken a step toward mainstream acceptance, which I understand is a primary goal of the GLBT community. Comedian Jim David offers his take in The Advocate, one which is similar to mine.
My suggestion is for folks to not take themselves so seriously. There are some terrible things going on in this world but it's still okay to laugh at others and be laughed at ourselves.
A writer named Jeff Whitty (he wrote the musical Avenue Q which is currently playing on Broadway) wrote an open letter to Jay Leno, the long-time host of The Tonight Show, expressing his view that Leno's gay jokes were hurtful.
In his letter, Whitty speaks of discrimination and atrocities suffered by GLBT people. He refers to Leno's gay jokes as "a silent holocaust that is perpetuated by people like you, who seek to minimize us and make fun of us and who I suspect really, fundamentally wish we would just go away. " To his credit, Leno did respond to Whitty, but apparently no accord was reached.
Readers here may or may not be fans of Leno (I am), but anyone who has even casually watched his stand-up comedy over the years or his monologues on the Tonight Show knows that nothing is off limits. After all, presidents have been assasinated yet ones from both parties are frequent targets of Leno's material.
In my opinion, any group making Leno's monologue has taken a step toward mainstream acceptance, which I understand is a primary goal of the GLBT community. Comedian Jim David offers his take in The Advocate, one which is similar to mine.
My suggestion is for folks to not take themselves so seriously. There are some terrible things going on in this world but it's still okay to laugh at others and be laughed at ourselves.
Taking Their Ball and Staying Home
There is an interesting story developing in the Southern Baptist Convention. There is a group that has drawn up a resolution proposing an "exit strategy" for their youth to leave public schools and be homeschooled with the support of the convention.
Homeschooling is a growing trend, especially among "fundamentalist" families. Elizabeth Watkins, who formed the Southern Baptist Church and Home Education Association in 2004, says the purpose of homeschooling "is to impact our culture for Christ."
Here's another thought; maybe it's a way for parents to shelter their children and not be exposed to other ideas and lifestyles like, oh I don't know....homosexuality.
A student who is homeschooled doesn't have anyone teaching them views of the world that their parents don't subscribe to, which saves them from showing up at school board meetings or writing letters in protest.
When these kids grow up and are allowed to make their own choices in society, aren't the chances greatly reduced that they will be open to embracing or even understanding individuals from different cultures or who have different lifestyles? Denied interaction with a diverse group of their peers growing up, won't these young people be at a disadvantage when trying to succeed in a society with others that did have that exposure growing up?
Surprisingly, the SBC is not embracing this idea, but there will apparently be a big push from homeschool supporters at their next national convention. If they have their way, the narrowing of the American mind will continue.
Homeschooling is a growing trend, especially among "fundamentalist" families. Elizabeth Watkins, who formed the Southern Baptist Church and Home Education Association in 2004, says the purpose of homeschooling "is to impact our culture for Christ."
Here's another thought; maybe it's a way for parents to shelter their children and not be exposed to other ideas and lifestyles like, oh I don't know....homosexuality.
A student who is homeschooled doesn't have anyone teaching them views of the world that their parents don't subscribe to, which saves them from showing up at school board meetings or writing letters in protest.
When these kids grow up and are allowed to make their own choices in society, aren't the chances greatly reduced that they will be open to embracing or even understanding individuals from different cultures or who have different lifestyles? Denied interaction with a diverse group of their peers growing up, won't these young people be at a disadvantage when trying to succeed in a society with others that did have that exposure growing up?
Surprisingly, the SBC is not embracing this idea, but there will apparently be a big push from homeschool supporters at their next national convention. If they have their way, the narrowing of the American mind will continue.
April 30, 2006
"If You're Not Outraged, You're Not Paying Attention"
That's the theme of this op-ed piece in the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader newspaper. It is written by Christina Gilgor, the executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance.
It's been a bad few weeks for the GLBT community in the state of Kentucky. A student was expelled from the University of the Cumberlands when he was found to violate the school's policy against admitting homosexuals, yet the school is still on track to receive a new funding grant of $11 million from the state.
In addition, Governor Ernie Fletcher has stripped state employees of any protection from workplace discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
In her piece, Gilgor is emploring those in the state who believe in equality for ALL citizens of Kentucky and don't believe that the state should fund institutions that practice discrimination to raise their voices.
The GLBT community is having a rougher time in some states than others, but regardless of location they need all people directly affected by these issues to get off the sideline and get involved in fighting for their rights. Their straight allies also need to step up and put themselves out there supporting equal rights.
Just because you may not be directly impacted now doesn't mean you won't be at some point. After all, if governments are successful in restricting the rights of GLBT people, who knows what they might go after next.
Let's not give our governments that much power over our lives.
It's been a bad few weeks for the GLBT community in the state of Kentucky. A student was expelled from the University of the Cumberlands when he was found to violate the school's policy against admitting homosexuals, yet the school is still on track to receive a new funding grant of $11 million from the state.
In addition, Governor Ernie Fletcher has stripped state employees of any protection from workplace discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
In her piece, Gilgor is emploring those in the state who believe in equality for ALL citizens of Kentucky and don't believe that the state should fund institutions that practice discrimination to raise their voices.
The GLBT community is having a rougher time in some states than others, but regardless of location they need all people directly affected by these issues to get off the sideline and get involved in fighting for their rights. Their straight allies also need to step up and put themselves out there supporting equal rights.
Just because you may not be directly impacted now doesn't mean you won't be at some point. After all, if governments are successful in restricting the rights of GLBT people, who knows what they might go after next.
Let's not give our governments that much power over our lives.
April 29, 2006
It's Not About Restricting Religious Expression
Although the religoius right loudly complains about "activist judges", they sure do love to spend time in court. Here is a story about three high school students in Pennsylvania, backed by the Alliance Defense Fund, who are suing their school district claiming they are being prevented from quoting bible verses in posters they want to display at their school.
This sounds disturbing, but the posters they wanted to put up were supporting "the harmful effects of homosexuality." The Alliance Defense Fund is the group that sponsored "The Day of Truth" last week to "counter the homosexual agenda." There was also a recent ruling in California that upheld the prohabition of a student wearing a t-shirt saying"'homosexuality is shameful" during the 2004 "Day of Truth."
The "fundamentalists" of the religious right like to whine about cases such as this, claiming that schools and the courts are favoring "the homosexual agenda" at the expense of religious freedom.
As is the case with so much coming from that direction, it doesn't require much thought to see through their flawed, narrow-minded arguement here.
Events such as "Day of Silence" are designed to bring attention to mistreatment and bullying of GLBT students and promote acceptance and tollerance. This is the type of thing educators should and often do try to teach in our schools.
On the other hand, t-shirs like the one the student in San Diego wore don't promote positive affirmation, they promote hate and intollerance. Wouldn't it be the same if he had worn a shirt with a nazi symbol or one saying "muslims are murderers?"
Growing up and finding out where you fit in at school is tough even if by most measures you are "normal." It was difficult when I grew up in the 1970's and I understand it is even more so now. If school administrators allowed some students to actively promote hate and intollerance toward other students, wouldn't that only make things tougher and take away from anything they might actually learn.
Let's face it, our nation's youth don't need to learn that kind of thing in school. That's what their parents and churches teach them, but at least they are not supported with taxpayer money.
This sounds disturbing, but the posters they wanted to put up were supporting "the harmful effects of homosexuality." The Alliance Defense Fund is the group that sponsored "The Day of Truth" last week to "counter the homosexual agenda." There was also a recent ruling in California that upheld the prohabition of a student wearing a t-shirt saying"'homosexuality is shameful" during the 2004 "Day of Truth."
The "fundamentalists" of the religious right like to whine about cases such as this, claiming that schools and the courts are favoring "the homosexual agenda" at the expense of religious freedom.
As is the case with so much coming from that direction, it doesn't require much thought to see through their flawed, narrow-minded arguement here.
Events such as "Day of Silence" are designed to bring attention to mistreatment and bullying of GLBT students and promote acceptance and tollerance. This is the type of thing educators should and often do try to teach in our schools.
On the other hand, t-shirs like the one the student in San Diego wore don't promote positive affirmation, they promote hate and intollerance. Wouldn't it be the same if he had worn a shirt with a nazi symbol or one saying "muslims are murderers?"
Growing up and finding out where you fit in at school is tough even if by most measures you are "normal." It was difficult when I grew up in the 1970's and I understand it is even more so now. If school administrators allowed some students to actively promote hate and intollerance toward other students, wouldn't that only make things tougher and take away from anything they might actually learn.
Let's face it, our nation's youth don't need to learn that kind of thing in school. That's what their parents and churches teach them, but at least they are not supported with taxpayer money.
April 28, 2006
The Warning Signs of Toxic Religion
I read this list on a Christian web site and thought is was worth sharing:
All of us would like to enjoy a healthy spiritual life. But the sad truth is that many of us, and many churches today, are barren because of hazardous additives. We have believed a different gospel—one laced with legalism, performance-based religion and salvation by works—when Christ alone is our only source of life.
Jesus Himself referred to these toxins as “the leaven of the Pharisees” (Luke 12:1). He told us that the Pharisees’ brand of religion, which looked good on the outside, was deadly—and contagious.
Have you been infected? You can take your own pH test by examining these eight characteristics of a religious spirit.
1. A religious spirit views God as a cold, harsh, distant taskmaster rather than an approachable, loving Father. When we base our relationship with God on our ability to perform spiritual duties, we deny the power of grace. God does not love us because we pray, read our Bibles, attend church or witness, yet millions of Christians think God is mad if they don’t perform these and other duties perfectly. As a result they struggle to find true intimacy with Jesus.
2. A religious spirit places emphasis on doing outward things to show others that God accepts him. We deceive ourselves into believing that we can win God’s approval through a religious dress code, certain spiritual disciplines, particular music styles or even doctrinal positions.
3. A religious spirit develops traditions and formulas to accomplish spiritual goals. We trust in our liturgies, denominational policies or man-made programs to obtain results that only God alone can give.
4. A religious spirit becomes joyless, cynical and hypercritical. This can turn a home or a church completely sour. Then, whenever genuine joy and love are expressed, this becomes a threat to those who have lost the simplicity of true faith.
5. A religious spirit becomes prideful and isolated, thinking that his righteousness is special and that he cannot associate with other believers who have different standards. Churches that allow these attitudes become elitist—and dangerously vulnerable to deception or cult-like practices.
6. A religious spirit develops a harsh, judgmental attitude toward sinners, yet those who ingest this poison typically struggle with sinful habits that they cannot admit to anyone else. Religious people rarely interact with nonbelievers because they don’t want their own superior morals to be tainted by them.
7. A religious spirit rejects progressive revelation and refuses to embrace change. This is why many churches become irrelevant to society. They become so focused on what God did 50 years ago that they become stuck in a time warp—and cannot move forward when the Holy Spirit begins to speak in new ways. When religious groups refuse to shift with God’s new directives, they become “old wineskins” and God must find more flexible vessels that are willing to implement His changes.
8. A religious spirit persecutes those who disagree with his self-righteous views and becomes angry whenever the message of grace threatens to undermine his religiosity. An angry religious person will use gossip and slander to assassinate other peoples’ character and may even use violence to prove his point. Jesus, in fact, warned His disciples: “There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor” (John 16:2, The Message).
If the poison of religion has seeped into your life, ask Him today to pour a fresh understanding of His grace into your barren spirit.
Here is the link:
I wholeheartedly agree with this piece and encourage everyone involved in church to strongly consider how their life may be reflecting in our lives. I would also encourage the author to do the same.
The writer, Lee Strang, is the editor of Charisma magazine. He wrote the column "To Be Gay...and Christian?" that I posted about a month ago. In that column, and the subsequent firestorm on the message board I was involved in, I saw God viewed as a cold, harsh taskmaster (1), a spirit that had developed a formula (3), a near total lack of joy (4), plenty of pridefulness (5), harsh judgementalism (6), the rejection of further revelation (7), and persecution of those who disagreed (8).
Either they don't adhere to their own preaching, or homosexuality has drawn some type of exemption. Whichever is the case, I feel it does not represent the Holy Spirit very well at all.
Practice what you preach folks, especially when it is expressed so well.
All of us would like to enjoy a healthy spiritual life. But the sad truth is that many of us, and many churches today, are barren because of hazardous additives. We have believed a different gospel—one laced with legalism, performance-based religion and salvation by works—when Christ alone is our only source of life.
Jesus Himself referred to these toxins as “the leaven of the Pharisees” (Luke 12:1). He told us that the Pharisees’ brand of religion, which looked good on the outside, was deadly—and contagious.
Have you been infected? You can take your own pH test by examining these eight characteristics of a religious spirit.
1. A religious spirit views God as a cold, harsh, distant taskmaster rather than an approachable, loving Father. When we base our relationship with God on our ability to perform spiritual duties, we deny the power of grace. God does not love us because we pray, read our Bibles, attend church or witness, yet millions of Christians think God is mad if they don’t perform these and other duties perfectly. As a result they struggle to find true intimacy with Jesus.
2. A religious spirit places emphasis on doing outward things to show others that God accepts him. We deceive ourselves into believing that we can win God’s approval through a religious dress code, certain spiritual disciplines, particular music styles or even doctrinal positions.
3. A religious spirit develops traditions and formulas to accomplish spiritual goals. We trust in our liturgies, denominational policies or man-made programs to obtain results that only God alone can give.
4. A religious spirit becomes joyless, cynical and hypercritical. This can turn a home or a church completely sour. Then, whenever genuine joy and love are expressed, this becomes a threat to those who have lost the simplicity of true faith.
5. A religious spirit becomes prideful and isolated, thinking that his righteousness is special and that he cannot associate with other believers who have different standards. Churches that allow these attitudes become elitist—and dangerously vulnerable to deception or cult-like practices.
6. A religious spirit develops a harsh, judgmental attitude toward sinners, yet those who ingest this poison typically struggle with sinful habits that they cannot admit to anyone else. Religious people rarely interact with nonbelievers because they don’t want their own superior morals to be tainted by them.
7. A religious spirit rejects progressive revelation and refuses to embrace change. This is why many churches become irrelevant to society. They become so focused on what God did 50 years ago that they become stuck in a time warp—and cannot move forward when the Holy Spirit begins to speak in new ways. When religious groups refuse to shift with God’s new directives, they become “old wineskins” and God must find more flexible vessels that are willing to implement His changes.
8. A religious spirit persecutes those who disagree with his self-righteous views and becomes angry whenever the message of grace threatens to undermine his religiosity. An angry religious person will use gossip and slander to assassinate other peoples’ character and may even use violence to prove his point. Jesus, in fact, warned His disciples: “There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor” (John 16:2, The Message).
If the poison of religion has seeped into your life, ask Him today to pour a fresh understanding of His grace into your barren spirit.
Here is the link:
I wholeheartedly agree with this piece and encourage everyone involved in church to strongly consider how their life may be reflecting in our lives. I would also encourage the author to do the same.
The writer, Lee Strang, is the editor of Charisma magazine. He wrote the column "To Be Gay...and Christian?" that I posted about a month ago. In that column, and the subsequent firestorm on the message board I was involved in, I saw God viewed as a cold, harsh taskmaster (1), a spirit that had developed a formula (3), a near total lack of joy (4), plenty of pridefulness (5), harsh judgementalism (6), the rejection of further revelation (7), and persecution of those who disagreed (8).
Either they don't adhere to their own preaching, or homosexuality has drawn some type of exemption. Whichever is the case, I feel it does not represent the Holy Spirit very well at all.
Practice what you preach folks, especially when it is expressed so well.
April 27, 2006
Why Are "Fundamentalists" Anti-Gay?
Today, I had the first in an ongoing series of weekly columns posted at the site "Gay Christian Outreach." This is a growing community of GLBT Christians who believe as I do that the phrase is not an oxymoron.
I jump in headfirst with my first contribution, taking on the issue of why "fundamentalists" are so strongly anti-gay. Here's a hint--not much of it is about religious doctrine.
While you're there, check out the site and consider joining the numerous discussions they have there.
"Why Are Fundamentalists Anti-Gay"
I jump in headfirst with my first contribution, taking on the issue of why "fundamentalists" are so strongly anti-gay. Here's a hint--not much of it is about religious doctrine.
While you're there, check out the site and consider joining the numerous discussions they have there.
"Why Are Fundamentalists Anti-Gay"
April 26, 2006
Dean Wants Political Churches to Pay Taxes
According to this post on the website of the Illinois Family Institute (meaning only straight-couple families), Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said "The religious community has to decide whether they want to be tax-exampt or involved in politics."
Amen!
You'll notice that Dean did not single out churches promoting the views of the religious right. His statement would also include open and affirming churches like mine.
Fine.
Brian Burch, a member of Catholic Advocacy Group Fidelis, objected to Dean's comment. Burch said, "It's important to remember the intent of the First Amendment was to protect, not constrain, religious speech and faith-filled activism."
That's true, but the First Amendmend did not guarantee anyone tax-exempt status. Dean is not adovcating silencing anyone, just not allowing pseudo-political organizations who also hold worship services to masquerade as churches.
Let's motivate churches to remain focused on preaching the word of God and saving souls.
Now THAT's fundamentalism!
Amen!
You'll notice that Dean did not single out churches promoting the views of the religious right. His statement would also include open and affirming churches like mine.
Fine.
Brian Burch, a member of Catholic Advocacy Group Fidelis, objected to Dean's comment. Burch said, "It's important to remember the intent of the First Amendment was to protect, not constrain, religious speech and faith-filled activism."
That's true, but the First Amendmend did not guarantee anyone tax-exempt status. Dean is not adovcating silencing anyone, just not allowing pseudo-political organizations who also hold worship services to masquerade as churches.
Let's motivate churches to remain focused on preaching the word of God and saving souls.
Now THAT's fundamentalism!
April 25, 2006
"Day of Truth" Anything But
Tomorrow, April 26th, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) will sponsor its 10th annual National Day of Silence. This event will involve Gay-Straight Alliances and other supportive students all over the United States. GLSEN is expecting 500,000 students from over 4,000 schools to participate.
This event is described on the GLSEN site: "The Day of Silence®, a project of GLSEN in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a national student-led day of action where those who support making anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying and harassment unacceptable in America’s schools participate in activities to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment - in effect, the silencing - experienced by LGBT students and their allies."
Not to be outdone, the Alliance Defense Fund (founded by leaders like Dr. James Dobson) will rebut with a "Day of Truth" the following day, promoting the "Anti-Homosexual Agenda" in many of the same schools that will host the National Day of Silence.
Alan Sears, the President and CEO of the ADF, wrote a piece that was published on the Baptist Press (the media arm of the Southern Baptist Convention). Here are some noteable quotes.
".....if you hadn’t reckoned with the advocates of homosexual behavior being so single-minded in their determination to crack every moral cornerstone of the country ... if it never occurred to you that they wouldn’t stop until they’d converted every child in America to their fierce distortion of human sexuality....."
"Scheduled for April 27 (one day following the “Day of Silence”), “Day of Truth” is an ideal opportunity for young people to make a strong, thoughtful, outspoken response to the tacit lies and subtle intimidations put forth on the “Day of Silence.”
That's right, Mr. Sears, don't forget to portray your side as the victims.
Our schools are rapidly becoming a major battleground when the "fundamentalist" right will seek to spread their message of exclusion and condemnation and repress any presentation of homosexuality as anything other than an abomination that will lead to the downfall of civilization.
Sears quotes surveys in his piece that show his side is being solidly thrashed in our schools, so they are intensifying their efforts. This only makes it even more important for those of us on the side of inclusion and acceptance to support our youth and reinforce the efforts to protect them from bullying and intimidation from those who aren't so enlightened.
This event is described on the GLSEN site: "The Day of Silence®, a project of GLSEN in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), is a national student-led day of action where those who support making anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying and harassment unacceptable in America’s schools participate in activities to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment - in effect, the silencing - experienced by LGBT students and their allies."
Not to be outdone, the Alliance Defense Fund (founded by leaders like Dr. James Dobson) will rebut with a "Day of Truth" the following day, promoting the "Anti-Homosexual Agenda" in many of the same schools that will host the National Day of Silence.
Alan Sears, the President and CEO of the ADF, wrote a piece that was published on the Baptist Press (the media arm of the Southern Baptist Convention). Here are some noteable quotes.
".....if you hadn’t reckoned with the advocates of homosexual behavior being so single-minded in their determination to crack every moral cornerstone of the country ... if it never occurred to you that they wouldn’t stop until they’d converted every child in America to their fierce distortion of human sexuality....."
"Scheduled for April 27 (one day following the “Day of Silence”), “Day of Truth” is an ideal opportunity for young people to make a strong, thoughtful, outspoken response to the tacit lies and subtle intimidations put forth on the “Day of Silence.”
That's right, Mr. Sears, don't forget to portray your side as the victims.
Our schools are rapidly becoming a major battleground when the "fundamentalist" right will seek to spread their message of exclusion and condemnation and repress any presentation of homosexuality as anything other than an abomination that will lead to the downfall of civilization.
Sears quotes surveys in his piece that show his side is being solidly thrashed in our schools, so they are intensifying their efforts. This only makes it even more important for those of us on the side of inclusion and acceptance to support our youth and reinforce the efforts to protect them from bullying and intimidation from those who aren't so enlightened.
April 24, 2006
Rep. Frank Optimistic on Future of Gay Rights
U. S. Rep. Barney Frank(D-Mass) shared some interesting comments at a fundraiser for the Utah Stonewall Democrats Friday night.
"There is no bigger difference between the two political parties today than on LGBT issues," Frank said. Being an openly gay congressman (he came out publicly in 1987), Frank has been right in the middle of those issues.
When gay people make their sexuality public, Frank said: "We tell the average American that they are not homophobic, they just thought they were supposed to be."
Frank said heterosexual people constantly out themselves by saying something about their spouse or pointing out someone they feel is attractive.
"Heterosexuals also discuss their sexual nature, but when they do it, it's called talking," he said.
To further gay rights, Frank said homosexual people must not only come out of the closet, they must become politically active too, encouraging their loved ones to follow suit. "We don't win this alone," he said. "We win this with the people who love us, who support us."
I totally agree, but it carries a lot more weight when someone like him says so, doesn't it?
"There is no bigger difference between the two political parties today than on LGBT issues," Frank said. Being an openly gay congressman (he came out publicly in 1987), Frank has been right in the middle of those issues.
When gay people make their sexuality public, Frank said: "We tell the average American that they are not homophobic, they just thought they were supposed to be."
Frank said heterosexual people constantly out themselves by saying something about their spouse or pointing out someone they feel is attractive.
"Heterosexuals also discuss their sexual nature, but when they do it, it's called talking," he said.
To further gay rights, Frank said homosexual people must not only come out of the closet, they must become politically active too, encouraging their loved ones to follow suit. "We don't win this alone," he said. "We win this with the people who love us, who support us."
I totally agree, but it carries a lot more weight when someone like him says so, doesn't it?
April 23, 2006
If You Seek Answers, You Just Might Find Them
Here is a story about a Presbyterian minister who grudgingly agreed to serve on a task force to study whether his church in Southern California should ordain gays.
Boy, was he surprised what he found when he took a thorough schollarly approach to studying the bible to find the answer.
Jack Rogers approached the issue predisposed to an answer; "I opposed homosexuality reflexively--that's just what I thought Christians were supposed to do." Like many others active in the church, he had stopped at that point until serving on the task force.
Rogers now has a more educated and totally different view; "I am so convinced that Jesus and the Bible, rightly understood, support the equality of all persons, including gays and lesbians, and that the church cannot continue going against its central values."
Imagine that, an ordained minister who is not part of "the homosexual agenda" finds that study and an open mind lead to knowledge that supercedes what so many of us have been taught since we first learned the words to "Jesus Loves Me."
Maybe that's why the title to the song wasn't "Jesus Loves Me If I'm Straight."
Rogers has recently released a book titled "Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church. I have not yet read it myself, but it is already receiving some very positive reviews on Amazon.com.
I am glad that Rogers made the effort to share what he learned with anyone who is interested enough to read about it. We all need to do what we can to get the message out and counteract the thundering crescendo of hate and exclusion being spewed from the "fundamentalists" and their ilk.
Boy, was he surprised what he found when he took a thorough schollarly approach to studying the bible to find the answer.
Jack Rogers approached the issue predisposed to an answer; "I opposed homosexuality reflexively--that's just what I thought Christians were supposed to do." Like many others active in the church, he had stopped at that point until serving on the task force.
Rogers now has a more educated and totally different view; "I am so convinced that Jesus and the Bible, rightly understood, support the equality of all persons, including gays and lesbians, and that the church cannot continue going against its central values."
Imagine that, an ordained minister who is not part of "the homosexual agenda" finds that study and an open mind lead to knowledge that supercedes what so many of us have been taught since we first learned the words to "Jesus Loves Me."
Maybe that's why the title to the song wasn't "Jesus Loves Me If I'm Straight."
Rogers has recently released a book titled "Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church. I have not yet read it myself, but it is already receiving some very positive reviews on Amazon.com.
I am glad that Rogers made the effort to share what he learned with anyone who is interested enough to read about it. We all need to do what we can to get the message out and counteract the thundering crescendo of hate and exclusion being spewed from the "fundamentalists" and their ilk.
April 21, 2006
Jesus' Example--If All Else Fails, Sue 'Em?
That would be the gospel according to Dr. Jerry Falwell. Be careful of the spelling if you are seeking out his website. If you are trying to reach the home page of the good doctor's website by typing in his last name, don't put in one two many l's. The site www.falwell.com will direct you to Dr. Falwell's center of ministry. However, if you type in www.fallwell.com, you will find an entirely different message--and that's the problem, at least in Dr. Falwell's judgment.
The site with one too many l's, very low tech by today's standards, contains this message:
I was just 12 years old. My family and I were on vacation in Virginia. My dad and I were watching television in our motel room. Jerry Falwell's "Old Time Gospel Hour" was on. Reverend Falwell looked into the camera and, preaching against gay people, said, "Even animals don't do that."
That was the first time in my life that I ever felt unworthy of the love of God.
Yes, the owner of www.fallwell.com is gay and uses that forum to present the other side of the issue. Generously, he also provided a link to Dr. Falwell's site for those who are misdirected. I noticed no reciprocal link from Falwell's home page, a clear violation of Internet courtesy.
Apparently outraged by someone clever enough to use that domain name, Falwell did just what Jesus would have--he sued. When the decision didn't go his way, he took it all the way up to the Supreme Court. Earlier this week, the High Court had the good sense not to waste their time with this case, allowing the owner of www.fallwell.com to maintain his site as is.
The MSNBC report also tells how Dr. Falwell intimidated the owner of the domains jerryfalwell.com and jerryfallwell.com into yielding control of those or else face the wrath of Falwell's attorneys.
I keep searching my bible to find where Jesus ever did anything remotely like bringing a suit against anyone. He didn't even have an attorney when He was "tried" and sentenced to death for crying out loud. Can you imagine Him suing someone else who was called Jesus out of fear he would lose part of his audience? The thought is laughable, isn't it?
I guess I have one of those "Lavender Bibles" that doesn't correctly explain to me why homosexuals are horrible sinners and why Christians should sue whenever they don't get their way.
The site with one too many l's, very low tech by today's standards, contains this message:
I was just 12 years old. My family and I were on vacation in Virginia. My dad and I were watching television in our motel room. Jerry Falwell's "Old Time Gospel Hour" was on. Reverend Falwell looked into the camera and, preaching against gay people, said, "Even animals don't do that."
That was the first time in my life that I ever felt unworthy of the love of God.
Yes, the owner of www.fallwell.com is gay and uses that forum to present the other side of the issue. Generously, he also provided a link to Dr. Falwell's site for those who are misdirected. I noticed no reciprocal link from Falwell's home page, a clear violation of Internet courtesy.
Apparently outraged by someone clever enough to use that domain name, Falwell did just what Jesus would have--he sued. When the decision didn't go his way, he took it all the way up to the Supreme Court. Earlier this week, the High Court had the good sense not to waste their time with this case, allowing the owner of www.fallwell.com to maintain his site as is.
The MSNBC report also tells how Dr. Falwell intimidated the owner of the domains jerryfalwell.com and jerryfallwell.com into yielding control of those or else face the wrath of Falwell's attorneys.
I keep searching my bible to find where Jesus ever did anything remotely like bringing a suit against anyone. He didn't even have an attorney when He was "tried" and sentenced to death for crying out loud. Can you imagine Him suing someone else who was called Jesus out of fear he would lose part of his audience? The thought is laughable, isn't it?
I guess I have one of those "Lavender Bibles" that doesn't correctly explain to me why homosexuals are horrible sinners and why Christians should sue whenever they don't get their way.
April 20, 2006
Delusions of Grandeur
Our friends at the AFA (American "Family" Association) are still harassing the Ford Motor Company. Their latest grievance is Ford's sponsorship of The Family Area at the upcoming Motor City Pride event in suburban Detroit on June 4.
That in itself is enough to annoy the AFA, but an activity scheduled in this area is really ticking them off. The Detroit MCC church is looking for gay and lesbian couples to participate in a committment ceremony to make a statement in support of same-sex marriage.
The AFA is using this as more ammunition to get people on board with their boycott of Ford. Here's the part that really chafes me. Taken from their website:
"Since the boycott began, Ford stock has fallen 7% and Associated Press stated that Ford sales were down 5% in March. Many financial consultants believe that Ford is headed for bankruptcy. It appears that Ford is more willing to face bankruptcy than ending their support of homosexual groups and causes."
Wait a minute--back the truck up! Is the American Family Association actually trying to claim credit for pushing Ford toward bankruptcy.
Anyone who closely follows the news knows that Ford, or any other American automaker, doesn't need anyone's help to encounter financial difficulties.
It makes me wonder how many of the AFA's members are really that closely in touch with the news or most of the reality the rest of us live in every day.
That in itself is enough to annoy the AFA, but an activity scheduled in this area is really ticking them off. The Detroit MCC church is looking for gay and lesbian couples to participate in a committment ceremony to make a statement in support of same-sex marriage.
The AFA is using this as more ammunition to get people on board with their boycott of Ford. Here's the part that really chafes me. Taken from their website:
"Since the boycott began, Ford stock has fallen 7% and Associated Press stated that Ford sales were down 5% in March. Many financial consultants believe that Ford is headed for bankruptcy. It appears that Ford is more willing to face bankruptcy than ending their support of homosexual groups and causes."
Wait a minute--back the truck up! Is the American Family Association actually trying to claim credit for pushing Ford toward bankruptcy.
Anyone who closely follows the news knows that Ford, or any other American automaker, doesn't need anyone's help to encounter financial difficulties.
It makes me wonder how many of the AFA's members are really that closely in touch with the news or most of the reality the rest of us live in every day.
April 18, 2006
How Does It Feel to be a Political Pawn?
There are several items on the Republicans' congressional agenda leading up to the 2006 elections, and the GLBT community is right in the crosshairs.
The Republicans aren't even trying to mask their intentions any more. They are clearly playing to their right-wing base by introducing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, along with pushing for abortion limits and anti-flag burning legislation.
Not coincidentally, the right wing base has made it abundantly clear they expect this and more from the legislators they feel they put into office. Quoting from the USA Today/AP report:
"It seems like for only six months, every two years — right around election time — that we're even noticed," said Tom McClusky of the Family Research Council.
"Some of these better pass," he added. "You notice when it's just lip service being paid."
Bill Frist, the senate majority leader, has accepted his marching orders. ""When America's values are under attack, we need to act," Frist told the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
Gary Bauer (he's still around?), the head of Americans United to Preserve Marriage, says "The marriage amendment is in a class by itself because of what's at stake."
What's at stake? Oh yeah, the entire concept of a family. How can I keep forgetting as often as these folks are reminding me?
The report also says "Sending the proposed amendment to the states for ratification may not win the two-thirds majority required in the House and Senate. But committing to a vote in June is a gesture of good faith that would resonate with social conservatives, Bauer said.
I'm glad to see my tax money being put to such good use.
So, GLBT folks, the Republicans think you are a pawn, perhaps even a pinata--you know, just getting whacked around for someone else's entertainment.
Are you going to sit there and take your beating? The elections are coming in November and you have an opportunity to step up and defend yourself at the ballot box.
The Republicans aren't even trying to mask their intentions any more. They are clearly playing to their right-wing base by introducing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between a man and a woman, along with pushing for abortion limits and anti-flag burning legislation.
Not coincidentally, the right wing base has made it abundantly clear they expect this and more from the legislators they feel they put into office. Quoting from the USA Today/AP report:
"It seems like for only six months, every two years — right around election time — that we're even noticed," said Tom McClusky of the Family Research Council.
"Some of these better pass," he added. "You notice when it's just lip service being paid."
Bill Frist, the senate majority leader, has accepted his marching orders. ""When America's values are under attack, we need to act," Frist told the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
Gary Bauer (he's still around?), the head of Americans United to Preserve Marriage, says "The marriage amendment is in a class by itself because of what's at stake."
What's at stake? Oh yeah, the entire concept of a family. How can I keep forgetting as often as these folks are reminding me?
The report also says "Sending the proposed amendment to the states for ratification may not win the two-thirds majority required in the House and Senate. But committing to a vote in June is a gesture of good faith that would resonate with social conservatives, Bauer said.
I'm glad to see my tax money being put to such good use.
So, GLBT folks, the Republicans think you are a pawn, perhaps even a pinata--you know, just getting whacked around for someone else's entertainment.
Are you going to sit there and take your beating? The elections are coming in November and you have an opportunity to step up and defend yourself at the ballot box.
Education—The Enemy of Prejudice
There is a proposal being considered by the California state legislature that would require public school textbooks to include gay and lesbian history.
"This is simply adding the LGBT community to the groups that the state has said must be included in the curriculum," Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California, which backs the bill, told the San Francisco Chronicle. "There's nothing special or different.”
Of course, not everyone agrees. Again quoting from the Chronicle report:
"This is about pushing a blatant sexual agenda -- including sex changes that involve cutting off body parts -- upon impressionable schoolchildren as young as kindergarten," said Randy Thomasson, who heads the Campaign for Children and Families.
Thomasson said teaching about racial differences is not like teaching about sexual orientation because, he believes, people can change their sexual orientation. He said the bill "will require the positive portrayal of these lifestyles, with the goal of forcing students to accept them and even consider themselves eligible to engage in them."
To their credit, the Chronicle has come out in support of this legislation in a recent editorial. While stating that this law would be largely symbolic, the Chronicle opined:
“…..symbolism can be important when confronting an entrenched curriculum that may -- even unintentionally -- be perpetuating myths or negative stereotypes about a particular minority group. Kuehl's bill is not about political correctness. It is about completeness and accuracy.”
This reminds me of a situation I experienced while attending elementary school just a few miles outside of Washington, DC in the late 1960’s. Living in Prince Georges County, Maryland, I was exposed to one of the first curriculums that included what at the time was referred to as “Black History.” We were taught about the civil rights protests, the works of Martin Luther King, and what prejudice was really about.
As I learned more about the struggles of blacks in our nation and the important contributions of black scientists, artists, and leaders I had not previously heard of, I looked at my black classmates differently, with more understanding and acceptance of our differences.
The religious right cringes at the thought of that happening with attitudes toward the GLBT community. They don’t want their kids taught about positive contributions of gays and lesbians and the injustice many of them have endured over the years. If children learn these things, it will be harder for their parents to teach condemnation and discrimination.
The kids might be inclined to treat GLBT people like members in good standing of the human race.
"This is simply adding the LGBT community to the groups that the state has said must be included in the curriculum," Geoffrey Kors, executive director of Equality California, which backs the bill, told the San Francisco Chronicle. "There's nothing special or different.”
Of course, not everyone agrees. Again quoting from the Chronicle report:
"This is about pushing a blatant sexual agenda -- including sex changes that involve cutting off body parts -- upon impressionable schoolchildren as young as kindergarten," said Randy Thomasson, who heads the Campaign for Children and Families.
Thomasson said teaching about racial differences is not like teaching about sexual orientation because, he believes, people can change their sexual orientation. He said the bill "will require the positive portrayal of these lifestyles, with the goal of forcing students to accept them and even consider themselves eligible to engage in them."
To their credit, the Chronicle has come out in support of this legislation in a recent editorial. While stating that this law would be largely symbolic, the Chronicle opined:
“…..symbolism can be important when confronting an entrenched curriculum that may -- even unintentionally -- be perpetuating myths or negative stereotypes about a particular minority group. Kuehl's bill is not about political correctness. It is about completeness and accuracy.”
This reminds me of a situation I experienced while attending elementary school just a few miles outside of Washington, DC in the late 1960’s. Living in Prince Georges County, Maryland, I was exposed to one of the first curriculums that included what at the time was referred to as “Black History.” We were taught about the civil rights protests, the works of Martin Luther King, and what prejudice was really about.
As I learned more about the struggles of blacks in our nation and the important contributions of black scientists, artists, and leaders I had not previously heard of, I looked at my black classmates differently, with more understanding and acceptance of our differences.
The religious right cringes at the thought of that happening with attitudes toward the GLBT community. They don’t want their kids taught about positive contributions of gays and lesbians and the injustice many of them have endured over the years. If children learn these things, it will be harder for their parents to teach condemnation and discrimination.
The kids might be inclined to treat GLBT people like members in good standing of the human race.
April 17, 2006
Is Tax Money Supporting Discrimination?
This story out of Kentucky got me to thinking, something I try to do on occasion. A student named Jason Johnson (no relation I know of) was expelled from The University of the Cumberlands when details about his gay dating life he had made public on the Internet were found by school officials.
There are two points I want to make relating to this item. I don’t actually have a problem with the school taking this action. They stated it in their school handbook that sex outside marriage and homosexual practices could result in a student being asked to withdraw from school. The policy was in place and Johnson was willingly violating it.
I also don’t take exception to churches that do not welcome homosexuals. I obviously don’t believe they are correctly discerning God’s will, but I support their right to include and exclude whoever they want. My problems with them occur when they venture outside their boundaries and try to influence public policy or otherwise impose their views on those outside their organization.
That leads me to my second point and why I am quite bothered by the actions of the University of the Cumberlands. Despite their policy of exclusion, they receive $11 million in funds annually from the state of Kentucky. How can tax money support the work of schools that include or exclude students based in part on a specific set of religious values?
Doesn’t that at least imply the state of Kentucky supports the policy of requiring students from abstaining from sex outside of a legal marriage? Why are they allowed to determine a student’s suitability for higher learning based on their sex lives while operating in part on taxpayers’ funds, at least some of which would have been donated by GLBT people?
There is starting to be some pushback on the Governor of Kentucky to exercise his power of line-item veto on the next state budget and eliminate funds for the University of the Cumberlands. I hope he does so.
States and the federal government have no business contributing any support to organizations run by religious principles. I certainly have no issue at all with them existing; I just don’t want them enforcing their beliefs by using tax money.
There are two points I want to make relating to this item. I don’t actually have a problem with the school taking this action. They stated it in their school handbook that sex outside marriage and homosexual practices could result in a student being asked to withdraw from school. The policy was in place and Johnson was willingly violating it.
I also don’t take exception to churches that do not welcome homosexuals. I obviously don’t believe they are correctly discerning God’s will, but I support their right to include and exclude whoever they want. My problems with them occur when they venture outside their boundaries and try to influence public policy or otherwise impose their views on those outside their organization.
That leads me to my second point and why I am quite bothered by the actions of the University of the Cumberlands. Despite their policy of exclusion, they receive $11 million in funds annually from the state of Kentucky. How can tax money support the work of schools that include or exclude students based in part on a specific set of religious values?
Doesn’t that at least imply the state of Kentucky supports the policy of requiring students from abstaining from sex outside of a legal marriage? Why are they allowed to determine a student’s suitability for higher learning based on their sex lives while operating in part on taxpayers’ funds, at least some of which would have been donated by GLBT people?
There is starting to be some pushback on the Governor of Kentucky to exercise his power of line-item veto on the next state budget and eliminate funds for the University of the Cumberlands. I hope he does so.
States and the federal government have no business contributing any support to organizations run by religious principles. I certainly have no issue at all with them existing; I just don’t want them enforcing their beliefs by using tax money.
April 16, 2006
There Are No Limits to Jesus
Matthew 28: 17-18 (after he had risen following his crucifixion) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
There are no limits to Jesus. He told us so himself. He has authority over everything! He demonstrated that by rising up from the dead!
Have you been so badly hurt by loved ones that you can't imagine your life every being right? Jesus can heal that pain--after all, he rose from the dead.
Have you dealt with condemnation of those who call themselves Christians and feel like you could never be welcomed into Christ's church? That's not the case. Jesus loves us all--he allowed himself to be brutally murdered and rose from the dead for each and every one of us.
Have you committed sin that you believe God can never forgive you for? He CAN forgive. he sent Jesus to earth to die and arise to pay the price for our sins. If we seek forgiveness, it is ours; not because we deserve it, but because Jesus rose from the dead.
Is there anything in your life you think is broken beyond repair? Is there an emptiness that you can't imagine could ever be filled?
Then you are wrong! Jesus can do it. He has authority over everything on heaven and earth.
After all, he rose from the dead.
There are no limits to Jesus. He told us so himself. He has authority over everything! He demonstrated that by rising up from the dead!
Have you been so badly hurt by loved ones that you can't imagine your life every being right? Jesus can heal that pain--after all, he rose from the dead.
Have you dealt with condemnation of those who call themselves Christians and feel like you could never be welcomed into Christ's church? That's not the case. Jesus loves us all--he allowed himself to be brutally murdered and rose from the dead for each and every one of us.
Have you committed sin that you believe God can never forgive you for? He CAN forgive. he sent Jesus to earth to die and arise to pay the price for our sins. If we seek forgiveness, it is ours; not because we deserve it, but because Jesus rose from the dead.
Is there anything in your life you think is broken beyond repair? Is there an emptiness that you can't imagine could ever be filled?
Then you are wrong! Jesus can do it. He has authority over everything on heaven and earth.
After all, he rose from the dead.
April 15, 2006
Republicans Making Anti-Gay Pitch to African-Americans
As reported by The Advocate, the Republican party is reaching out to African-American voters by honing in on their presumed homophobia. This story was the result of a report issued by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.
According to the Advocate, the GOP is relentlessly reaching out to African-Americans through their churches. President Bush's faith-based initiatives (which I spoke out against in my "Faith Based" Federal Funding post on February 24) have focused on African-American churches. Additionally, right-wing evangelical ministers exploit racial and socioeconomic ills by blaming them on GLBT people.
“You want to know what the single biggest problem facing inner-city black neighborhoods is? Homosexuality,” stated the Reverend Louis P. Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, a far-right religious organization.
I suppose it's the gays and lesbians that are dealing drugs and killing people-good to know. It is beyond my comprehension how anyone could fall for such bigoted and idiotic rhetoric, but some people do.
The NGLTF report includes this quote; "I'd be excited to see the GOP finally making a serious push for black voters — if the party was offering fresh ideas on police profiling, housing discrimination, unemployment and other issues of importance to black folks. But the focus (isn't) on any of that. Rather, it's on the gosh-darned 'homosexual agenda.' "— African-American author Leonard Pitts Jr.
That actually makes sense, doesn't it? Even if you feel that there is a "homosexual agenda" and that all GLBT people are an abomination (a view I clearly do not share), surely you can realize the grossly disproportionate amount of energy and resources being used against GLBT issues.
At a time when the United States is spending billions of dollars fighting a war on foreign soil; while this nation is still extremely vulnerable to terrorism; when there are millions of people faced with poverty, homelessness, unemployment, hunger; when there are millions of people who do not have access to medical treatment they desperately need; when there are millions of people living within our borders illegally; WHY ARE POLITICIANS AND EVANGELISTS PUSHING THOSE ISSUES ASIDE AND ATTACKING THE GAYS?
Because GLBT people are easy targets.
Because the politicans and evangelists don't have answers for those difficult issues, but they do have a plan to discriminate against GLBTs.
Because there are enough people that either hate gays or at least want to restrict their rights for those issues to resonate and bring these "leaders" political strength and financial wealth.
Maybe it's not all the homosexuals' fault, though. Maybe our current leaders need to discern God's will and act upon it. Failing that, the people of this nation need to demand new leadership.
According to the Advocate, the GOP is relentlessly reaching out to African-Americans through their churches. President Bush's faith-based initiatives (which I spoke out against in my "Faith Based" Federal Funding post on February 24) have focused on African-American churches. Additionally, right-wing evangelical ministers exploit racial and socioeconomic ills by blaming them on GLBT people.
“You want to know what the single biggest problem facing inner-city black neighborhoods is? Homosexuality,” stated the Reverend Louis P. Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, a far-right religious organization.
I suppose it's the gays and lesbians that are dealing drugs and killing people-good to know. It is beyond my comprehension how anyone could fall for such bigoted and idiotic rhetoric, but some people do.
The NGLTF report includes this quote; "I'd be excited to see the GOP finally making a serious push for black voters — if the party was offering fresh ideas on police profiling, housing discrimination, unemployment and other issues of importance to black folks. But the focus (isn't) on any of that. Rather, it's on the gosh-darned 'homosexual agenda.' "— African-American author Leonard Pitts Jr.
That actually makes sense, doesn't it? Even if you feel that there is a "homosexual agenda" and that all GLBT people are an abomination (a view I clearly do not share), surely you can realize the grossly disproportionate amount of energy and resources being used against GLBT issues.
At a time when the United States is spending billions of dollars fighting a war on foreign soil; while this nation is still extremely vulnerable to terrorism; when there are millions of people faced with poverty, homelessness, unemployment, hunger; when there are millions of people who do not have access to medical treatment they desperately need; when there are millions of people living within our borders illegally; WHY ARE POLITICIANS AND EVANGELISTS PUSHING THOSE ISSUES ASIDE AND ATTACKING THE GAYS?
Because GLBT people are easy targets.
Because the politicans and evangelists don't have answers for those difficult issues, but they do have a plan to discriminate against GLBTs.
Because there are enough people that either hate gays or at least want to restrict their rights for those issues to resonate and bring these "leaders" political strength and financial wealth.
Maybe it's not all the homosexuals' fault, though. Maybe our current leaders need to discern God's will and act upon it. Failing that, the people of this nation need to demand new leadership.
April 14, 2006
Living In the Bonus Round--A Note From the Past
I ran across the blog "Living In the Bonus Round" earlier this week and was moved by the post "A Note From the Past." It the story of his reunion with the leader of a Christian band and the writer, a former bandmate who had come out as gay and contracted AIDS.
The writer, Steve Schalchlin, began one of the first known blogs in 1996. Titled "The Bonus Round," Schalchlin chronicled his battle with AIDS, figuring it would be a diary of his last days. Fortunately, he's still blogging ten years later.
Schalchlin and his partner Jim Brochu co-wrote the musical "The Last Session" and the musical comedy "The Big Voice: God or Merman?". They won awards from GLAAD and the LA Drama Critics for The Last Session and again from the LA Drama Critics for "The Big Voice."
Despite this success, he met judgemental rejection when he got together with his former bandmate. I post this story not because it is unique; in fact, just the opposite. I'm sure most if not all GLBT people have a similar story to tell. I felt this one, especially in the context of Christianity, was well told and would resonate with readers of this site.
As Schalcilin writes, the person he calls "T" treated him "as if I were a specimen" instead of a person. It is especially troubling seeing this told of a professing Christian, since I don't recall Jesus treating even a leper in that manner.
Fortunately, not all Christians are like that, but sadly far too many do behave that way. You know, the Golden Rule isn't just a nice saying, it's biblical:
John 13:34 (NIV) Jesus says "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Did you notice that there are NO qualifiers in that command. If we are truly seeking Christ's will for our lives, that's how we treat other people; so simple yet so difficult for many "godly" people.
The writer, Steve Schalchlin, began one of the first known blogs in 1996. Titled "The Bonus Round," Schalchlin chronicled his battle with AIDS, figuring it would be a diary of his last days. Fortunately, he's still blogging ten years later.
Schalchlin and his partner Jim Brochu co-wrote the musical "The Last Session" and the musical comedy "The Big Voice: God or Merman?". They won awards from GLAAD and the LA Drama Critics for The Last Session and again from the LA Drama Critics for "The Big Voice."
Despite this success, he met judgemental rejection when he got together with his former bandmate. I post this story not because it is unique; in fact, just the opposite. I'm sure most if not all GLBT people have a similar story to tell. I felt this one, especially in the context of Christianity, was well told and would resonate with readers of this site.
As Schalcilin writes, the person he calls "T" treated him "as if I were a specimen" instead of a person. It is especially troubling seeing this told of a professing Christian, since I don't recall Jesus treating even a leper in that manner.
Fortunately, not all Christians are like that, but sadly far too many do behave that way. You know, the Golden Rule isn't just a nice saying, it's biblical:
John 13:34 (NIV) Jesus says "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Did you notice that there are NO qualifiers in that command. If we are truly seeking Christ's will for our lives, that's how we treat other people; so simple yet so difficult for many "godly" people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
