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COLJohn said:For Freddie I want to state my position on this issue: I am a Christian, and I deplore trhe attitudes of so-called Christians that are homophobic or exclusionary in any way. That behavior runs counter to everything that Christianity espouses. I no longer worship in a church, and I probably never will again unless I find one populated with members like JA and Freddie -- and I doubt that will ever happen. It becomes increasingly difficult to maintain one's beliefs in the face of the actions of the Cathlic church and pedophile priests and of the politicizing from the pulpit. I would not have even aired my spiritual beliefs were it not for Freddie, who, to me, embodies what Christianity, or any religion for that matter, is supposed to represent. Surrounded by fundamentalists who are mean-spirited, judgmental, homophobic, exclusionary, and limited in their ability to analyze social issues that they blithely condemn or approve, I find it easy to understand why so many people reject religions altogether. I would much rather have dialogue with many of the atheists on this board for whom I have great respect than the pseudo-Christians I have to deal with on a daily basis. Hats off to you, Freddie!
Thanks John,
And Stronzo and a host of others speaking up. It is time that we stop letting homophobic people take over our religions, houses of worship, Scouts, and every other organization.
For the record, the three denominations that are on record as not considering homosexuality a reason not to serve in ANY capacity in the church are the Episcopal Church, The Presbyterian Church USA and the United Church of Christ.
The United Methodist Church accepts all gays in all positions of the church including paid positions except for the ordained ministry which is reserved for celibate singles or those marriaged.
If gay marriage is ever legal all across the United States I'm sure the United Methodist Chruch will lift the ban on gays who are sexually active from being ordained. For Methodists it is a matter of being married. Ministers in an active straigt relationship must also be married to be ordained as well.
But the United Methodist Church is not homophobic. We have lost homophobic members in the last few decades. Our gain. Their loss.
I hope more people will speak up and let the all on the LPSG know that there are many Christians who are practicing gays and have no religious problem with it and there are many Christians who deplore homophobic in any shape, form or fashion. Period.
As Jesus said, "If you have done it into the least of these my brethern you have done it unto me." I'm not worried about the gays getting into heaven. It is the fake "fundie" Christians who if there is indeed a literal hell are heading there in a hand basket.
*For the record, hell is a symbolic of God's purging the universe of evil and imperfection. I don't believe in an enternal damnation for bad people. At worst, the really bad people just cease to exist. At best, they are given another chance. The only mention of that is that Jesus went into hell to preach to the one there according to the gospels. That must be a way to telling us that there is a second chance down the road for everyone.*