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 Some Christian denominations have officially welcomed gays and lesbians in recent years.
October 25th, 2011
12:09 PM ET
My Take: Why Christians are embracing their LGBT neighborsEditor’s note: Ross Murray is director of religion, faith and values at GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. By Ross Murray, Special to CNN America is embracing its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. Don’t believe me? Just look at the progress being made in faith communities. The Christian church was once considered the final holdout for those who oppose equality for LGBT people. Staunch believers could gather in worship with people who thought just like them to hear sermons affirming the anti-LGBT beliefs they held in common. For those of us who identify as LGBT, church was a place of fear and secrets. We had to figure out how to hide ourselves or how to find a more welcoming community. But that is changing. Although there is still a variety of scriptural interpretations, an increasing number of Christians are reading scripture and understanding that God’s design for the world includes LGBT people. It follows, good Christians believe, that if God made them, then I am called to love and support them. Whole Christian denominations have accepted and embraced the reality of LGBT believers within their ranks and in their leadership. Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ and Unitarians have formally accepted LGBT people within their denominations. Even within denominations and faith groups whose policies don’t fully welcome LGBT people, there are growing numbers of people who have learned to love and accept their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. The Public Religion Research Institute found this year that as many as 71% of Catholics in America support lesbian and gay people, even up to the point of civil marriage, despite the Roman Catholic hierarchy telling them otherwise. Of course, there still are Christian groups who work actively against equal protections for LGBT people and their families. Indeed, as more Americans get to know and love their LGBT neighbors, the messages and vocal misinformation of anti-gay activists become even more shrill. And yet more and more Christians are now living out the message of 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” How did this happen? More Christians now know someone who is LGBT. They probably even know someone from their church. There are countless faithful Christians who identify as LGBT. These are folks who have found their faith in God to be stronger than the opposition of vocal anti-gay activists. These LGBT Christians have shared their lives and their stories that build up love and break down fear, leading to tangible progress, especially with young people. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, there is at least a 20-point gap between those ages 18 to 29 and those ages 65 and older on every public policy measure in the survey concerning equality for gay and lesbian people, with younger Americans gravitating toward equality. Even Christian-identified young people increasingly support protections for lesbian and gay people, the same survey found. Those who oppose equality can call it what they like, but the reality is that we are living in a society that has learned how to value LGBT people as they would others. That attitude doesn’t rely on fear or lies, but on caring relationships and trust. It lives out the apostle Paul’s wish for the Corinthians that someday we will know fully, even as we are fully known. It is a biblically informed reality that is helping to make the world a better place. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Ross Murray. soundoff (2,403 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Next »
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"Nor effeminate"? Why would God send people to hell for not being butch enough?
That's nice of them to offer their "support". I still think religion is evil.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil. Not a very safe position for you to be in, dude.
swohio .... tell me again which is good & which is evil, looking at the christian church no one can tell the difference.
Swohio – Unless, of course, the religions are promoting bad things, and growing common sense is recognizing what is good. Then it looks like those of us that care for our fellow human beings will be doing just fine.
Christians, get your Bibles out. There are so many of you full of sh-it in here we are going to need a lot of toilet paper for your enemas. Here is the menu:
• Old-fashioned Soaps Suds Enema
• The Simple Enema
• Coffee Enema
• Lemon Juice Enema
• Sea Salt & Baking Soda Enema
• Warm Water Enema
• Salt Water Enema
• Soap Suds Enema
• Cool Water Enema
• Cold Water Enema
• Hot Water Enema
• Ice Water Enema
• Milk and Molasses Enema
The Bandit has oil enemas too if you like.
Yes, the Bandit has everything but mature comments. Why not just grow up?
Vade retro Satana!
@observer
Explain what makes me comments less mature then anyone else's on this blog? You said it, so explain it please.
@TC
TC why don't you go away? I have read anything from you that hinted at your intelligence, except that is low. If you can post your cr-ap, I can post mine.
Vade Retro Satana or Enema! You want me to go away? I'm not the evil troller and as far as intelligence – look at your digusting posts – toilet writing is very reflective of you simple mind. Oh and God Bless you troll.
Dear Lord, please bless TC and forgive him/her/it for being an ignorant, sanctimonious tool and trying to pass it on under the guise of faith and truth. It appears a post about enemas has struck a deep chord with him, so let's pray he gets one soon.
Yours,
Pretty much everyone on this whole damn board.
Amen, and I am ready with my bag fulla Illinois Enema Bandit Juice.
Religion = people who can't think for themselves.
Jesus – really, that alleged walking and talking doormat. How did loving everyone work out for you, did you get the POINT? Mohammed – again really, a pedophile. This is your prophet? Pathetic, pervert.
I could go on but there is no point, religious people have been brainwashed since birth to believe what their parents wanted them to, they barely had a chance at free choice.
People with no faith = people who think they know it all but have no clue. Believe in silly magic of poof there it is!
Exactly!
Caliban, glad to see you like to think for yourself. Allow me to disagree with your thoughts. Any Christian can not only think for themselves but be thankful for the brain and gifts God gave them. And you could hardly be more wrong about Jesus Christ. If you really understood the difference. To allow someone to punch you in the face, get knocked to the ground, stand back up, look that person in the eye and say to them, sir, you have struck me on this side of my face, here is the other side. No, if you understood what it would feel like to do that soberly, confidently, assertively, you would know it is not being a doormat. And Jesus felt the very pain of our sins when He suffered and died for us. He did this willingly. It was the opposite of a doormat allowing evil to walk all over Him, it was Him conquering evil by the unfathomable depths of His power and love for us all. God bless.
TC
Never said I know it all but I am sure as hell not going to believe 2000 year old books that my great grandparents believed was true.
Bow down and bend over if you want, and don't forget to leave money in the collection plate.
Say bah sheep.
@Caliban – problem is you think people ar BELIEVING a book. Thise who seek enlightenment have experienced the presence of God – the Bible is a guide for following God. Get out of yourself and look for spiritual truth.
"Christians" who treat the bible as a cafeteria, by choosing to believe only the parts that make themselves feel good, and choosing to dis-believe the parts that they don't like essentially destroy their credibility. Why would you want to subscribe to that sort of cafeteria christianity ? Isn't that called hypo crite ? You claim to be christian but you don't actually believe some of the christian teachings.
Another thing to consider are Christians who are recognized by millions of people to be really holy people who seem to represent the fullness of being Christian. An example is Mother Teresa. Cafeteria Christians are unable to produce anyone like Mother Teresa. Why is that ? Because cafeteria christianity is is not full christianity. They can say anything and claim anything, but the proof is right there.
Mother theresa did more harm in Calcutta than good.
Colin – don't see you or your group in India dedicating your lives to poor souls in suffering. Do something first before you can criticize others that help.
Colin wrote "Mother theresa did more harm in Calcutta than good."
Answer: When was Colin in Calcutta to witness Mother Theresa in action? When and what has Colin ever done besides spew his nonsense on this blog?
Amen.
Gotta love the argument that being LGBT is unnatural because it can't produce offspring ... neither does self gratification but I'll bet that hasn't stopped a single Christian from giving Mr. Toad a wild ride.
You know, I am a die hard Agnostic, I do not in any way believe in the Bible or Christianity any more than I do Mother goose. BUT, my boyfriend is and I am fully supportive of people having the freedom to believe what they want in this country and I fully welcome the support of Christians and anyone else. Religion does however control too much of this country, gay marriage has nothing to do with the life of SOME ignorant Christians so please stay out of my business as well and give me the rights I deserve as a human being. All that is going to happen is gay people getting married, nothing else I promise the world wont explode .
I am a christian and have been my entire life. I myself know many LGBT and I like them and consider them friends but they are in the wrong. The word of the Lord in the bible clearly states: Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, it is abomination. In other words a man with a man is wrong and same goes for a woman! i understand that there are many churches accepting this way of life, but if you come down here to the south in Alabama you will see it's not welcome at all and never will be!
Good point whitne. Perhaps you fine Southern Alabama folk could help me with some other issues from Leviticus.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? Should I mark her down, given the recession?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. Clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than ho.mose.xuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear
reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle- room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14).
How can you be sure that the Bible is really the infallible word of God? It may have been ispired by God, but organized religion has gotten it's hands on it and created a tool to controll the masses. I am a Christian as well, but I question what man has twisted. Jesus loved everyone enough to die for them. I am pretty sure that includes the gay community.
"Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, it is abomination."
Almost everyone will agree that certain parts of the Hebrew Scriptures are no longer applicable today. Examples are those requiring the stoning of non-virgin brides to death, or regulating how violently a slave owner can act when beating his slaves to death.
Colin, learn to read the Bible as a whole first and not from some elementary college class or personal endeavor that picks a line and verse.
As soon as you start quoting Leviticus, you lose all credibility. Bet you get that from the severely flawed NIV version anyways....and what else does Levtiicus say? Well, you can read it in a post above mine.
So sad that people like you let your blind faith in Bronze Age mythology get in the way of seeing the world for what it is and loving your neighbors as yourselves.
Colin, in biblical times slavery was a way to pay off one's debt. Today, you whiners run to court and declare bankruptcy and dump your burdens onto others.
Again, you need to shelve that ego of yours to see truth.
Amen.
"you come down here to the south in Alabama"
Great, moral lectures from people who marry their cousins and fu ck sheep.
Um, Derp, they did that in the Bible, too. Maybe they didn't mention the part about the sheep, but they effed their cousins, mothers, fathers, daughters, etc....
Whitney, you choose to use the Old Testament rules to prove what? That focusing on rules is exactly why Jesus came to earth? Jesus hated the folks that followed rules. That is why he drove out people from his Father's temple. That is why he challanged the Pharisees. The Pharisees believed in things instead of the Spirit of God.
I challange you to read any of the Gospels – you'll quickly see that God is not interested in our stuff or our sacrifices. he is interested only in our heart – a heart that either accepts or rejects His Son.
I believe that gays can accept Jesus Christ as their savior just like anyone else.
Yep , they can accept but then they have to follow – that's the hard part.
"Yep , they can accept but then they have to follow – that's the hard part."
Once they accept christ as their savor none of the scriptures apply to them that you think makes it a sin. I am assuming you're a literalist.
@Duh – you need to learn a lot about scripture – read all of James for starters – our behavior reflects whether we truly follow Jesus.
TC – that's the hard part for all us Christians. In fact, it's impossible. Which is why we need Jesus.
Christiantiy is not going to subscribe to a lifestyle that generates promiscuity beyond anything in the hetero world.
That is so hilarious. More of my gay friends are in monogamous, stable relationships than my het friends and family are. Choose a different orifice to pull your knowledge from, please.
do you still condem those who say jehovah... by stoning them to death? or do you only follow those laws and things that you choose? do you ever lie, steal, cheat, gamble, think of other woman doing naughty things to you?
Would promiscuity in the hetero world be okay then, or are you anti-promiscuity all around?
promiscuity is bad all the way around
Fookin' Prawn, you wrote "That is so hilarious. More of my gay friends are in monogamous, stable relationships than my het friends and family are. Choose a different orifice to pull your knowledge from, please."
Question: How can your gay friends be in monogamous and involved in stable relationships at the same time? Is there a new definition for monogamous?
Amen.
"promiscuity is bad all the way around"
That's why gay people have long term relationships. You're an idiot.
Nope HeavenSent, monogamous still refers to the state of having only one mate at any one time.
Glad to be of service, it sucks when you're dictionary is lost...
Watch out, kids, HeavenSent is here and she's lost her dictionary again.
I'm glad I didn't have children
none of this should be surprising. we live in a free, open, and stable society where people who are different aren't treated as boogeymen, except by the ignorant few.
dinosaurs!
Does god not love all his children? I was always taught that.
god creates all people equal. He just creates some more equal than others.
Well Emily....you're not "His" children till you reconcile with "Him" through His son Jesus Christ. However, you are His creation. You've got that going for you, and you are still alive, and that's a major plus for you. Because if you were to kick the bucket tomorrow and you did not accept the totally free gift of salvation by accepting and ackowledging Christ's price paid on the cross for you Emily, sad to say, "He" will not know you when you stand before "Him."
"He" gave us a map and a guide book. The Bible is a totally awesome book, 66 books really. Read online the Book of John. See what you think. See what "He" tells you about you. You will not believe it. I am praying for you today Emily. catchawavejeff @ gmail
These comments on this subject always include the same types of post: The Christian that has to justify themselves, the irate LGBT person who while claiming to be tolerant, is intolerant of Christians, then of course, the antagonistic Atheist who believes we're here by accident sans purpose, repudiates Christians, yet, despite the Evolutionary make up having no room for compassion or equity (because it takes death, destruction, and "survival of the fittest' for it to work), some how have bleeding hearts for the "oppressed" LGBT.
This matter has nothing to do with reality, but, rather everyone's selfish agendas. Read the Scripture with a "twist" if you like or challenge Christians to live up to every single word of it, by nit picking through the text, pulling verses out of context without bothering to study the WHOLE book, but, when all is said and done we will all know exactly what is to be. I find it interesting that the Church is always labeled the "last frontier" when LGBT knows full well that their bleeding heart Liberal press would not dare tell the realities of what happens in the Islamic world.
That is a central roblem is people try to pick the Bible apart rather than digest and subscribe to the whole thing.
@John
In other words John, everyone is full of sh-it. That is what I am here for. Now get in line cuz you are just as full of it as everyone else.
"despite the Evolutionary make up having no room for compassion or equity (because it takes death, destruction, and "survival of the fittest' for it to work)," Yes, you have described plant and animal life perfectly, but that does not mean humans have to be immoral. We have sufficient brain power to control our environment and deal equitably with one another. Some are even smart enough not to believe in sky-fairies as adults.
Excuse me, but its Christians that remove and pick and choose stuff from the bible, when it says specifically 4 times that the word of "god" is not to be altered or changed in any way in the SAME bible. Remember the Apocrypha or hell, I can go more than that post some more specific examples of contradiction and stuff from the bible. Your fairy tale book was written by man, not a divine being and man is flawed, sorry but facts stand.
At first, I thought it was a disgusting, immoral lifestyle. But, after a while, I came to accept Christians.
@Colin
LOL
No enema for you!
LOL!!
OMG, I like this!
I still think they are going to hell
Too funny! 🙂 Thanks!!
I agree with BoldGeorge. Christians love everyone, but it doesn't mean they accept or approve of everyone's lifestyle. It's clearly a violation of God's Word to be gay. I don't believe God made anyone gay, I believe they have just been deceived to the point where they believe it. Don't think I'm speaking out of ignorance, I have gay people in my own family and I truly love them. But..I don't love their lifestyle, I'll never accept it as "normal", and I've got news for you...neither will God. This world needs to be informed that we're running out of time. They will stand in judgement before God. And I don't believe it will be long. Don't know the day, never claimed to. But all signs are there. Look at Matthew 24.
Terry,
So if gay people in your family insist they were born that way, can you read their minds and know all their experiences and therefore know they are lying? Tell us about your qualifications as a mindreader.
I agree, God's love is about doing what is right for everyone. Being kind and respectful but speaking the truth about sin and it's not judging – judging is saying someone is going to Heaven or hell and that's not what anyone is saying.
TC: Judging is claiming you speak for god.
"...neither is God." Excuse me? Who are you to presume the will of God? Do you actually believe you know the will that which created the entire universe? That is nothing more than a display of arrogance and vanity, both favored sins of the Devil.
This article is part of the LGBT agenda – they want you to think that Christians ACCEPT the lifestyle but in reality we are called ot love them and treat them with kindness and compassion but also to be honest and proclaim that ho-ose–ual acts are not part of God's Holy plan.
@TC
Your enema is waiting for you.
We all forgive you and ask God to forgive you too troller. God Bless!
Yeah, watch out for that hooseual stuff! It's just crazy!
Yep crazy and disgusting and a lifestyle of death.
TC,
Christians don't "accept" other religions, but they don't deny them equal rights. It's all HYPOCRISY. Ignor the adulterous remarried Christians in your church and pick on gays instead.
LMAO!! The funniest thing about religious people, is that they honestly and genuinely think that everybody believes the same thing they do and therefore think that what they believe applies to them applies to all.
Your version of god, or anybody elses version, has no bearing on me or my life despite the false assumption by you that a book you happen to believe somehow has any direct impact or persuasion on me.
You're free to believe as you will, but don't think for one second that the religion corporation will be getting away with its discriminatory ways and bigotry like it used to. The religion corporation has been exposed and it's now only a matter of time before religions begin to drop off as less and less people continue to believe in something that has divided the world like no other force in history.
"that ho-ose–ual acts are not part of God's Holy plan."
Really, that's why it's found throughout all of nature. LOL!
Reading this article you'd think Christians didn't love their neighbors. This typical dumbing down dishonesty simply confuses a person and an action. Have you looked at your bible? Jesus loved everyone – every person. Did He love every sin? No ! Hello... two different things. As Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, Neither do I condemn you... go and SIN NO MORE. So the two things are entirely compatible – love your neighbor, hate sin. Or as Gandhi said it – love the sinner, hate the sin. But those who would push their truly evil agenda (which is to deny that a sin is a sin) would FORCE others to accept the sin and call them "bigots" if they don't. Thank you for reading. God bless you and have a great day.
Mike,
"Um, Colin...the Bible never said that EVERY animal was on the ark...it said one of every KIND. Maybe you should go read the book that you claim to know is wrong."
Um, Mike ... the Bible never said that ONE of every kind was on the ark. It said two or seven.
Maybe you should go read the book that you claim to know"
This article is nutz... Ok we get it you want to be judged on merits and not on what goes on behind close doors. Well stop talking about it because I use to be ok with LGBT issues but now it's so in my face to the point im actually starting to be aginst it. Think of it like Paris Hilton and Kim kardasians effect...it's literally making me sick !!!
I agree, Yea you're Gay or a Les, I don't care know get out of my face about it, mind your own f*ing business and I'll mind mine, and why the he!! do you need a parade to celebrate your se x ual orientation?
Ok, but you hets gotta stop that kissin' and hand holdin' and se_xin' on that thar TV screen every two minutes! It's all in the face all the time! omg!
You seem to be under the mistaken impression that just because you might be ok with gay people doesn't mean a majority of religious people are. Hence the reason we are still forced to fight for equality and to not be treated as second-class citizens. And if you don't think that's still an issue then I would say you were never as ok with gay people as you claim.
As for parades, Pride is about many things but one of the more unspoken of those is that it is to celebrate those in the community who are no longer with us – whether from HIV/AIDS, suicide or just those who've been killed for simply being gay. We honor those who have died in our own way....who are you to say our way of celebrating those lives is unacceptable because you don't like it "being in your face"?!