Fact is people who are practicing real Christianity should be practicing radical acceptance and service, which includes fighting for other people's rights. Jesus was a radical whose ministry was all about destroying the social barriers that kept people from being treated like the beloved beings that they are, and if you're not doing Christianity like that, you're doin' it wrong. This is really not that revolutionary! There have been churches fighting for GLBT rights since the 1970s (such as my congregation, woo!), and most mainline denominations are, at least accepting, if not outright friendly. ELCA and TEC ordain practicing gay clergy, I believe Methodists recently came to a decision about marrying gay people, and Presbyterians are on their way too. There is a range within any denomination from right to left, but on the whole I think we are moving lefter, especially as the old bigots start to die out.
Last weekend I attended a beautiful Christian same-sex marriage at our local United Church of Christ. The two grooms are deeply committed Christians, and one of them is a Deacon at this very church. I'm not even Christian myself, but I was quite moved at how very present Christ and Christian love were in the ceremony. It was the most joyous and spiritually nourishing marriage ceremony I've ever witnessed.
This UCC church is the same one that has turned most of their front lawn into a vegetable garden where anyone needing food is welcome to harvest what they like. There's a rainbow flag above the front door, and a choir that you can sometimes hear even from outside. There are two other Christian churches in the neighborhood that are just as open and affirming, and progressive just like Jesus really was. As a non-Christian who has always liked Jesus very much, all I can say is...AMEN!
This UCC church is the same one that has turned most of their front lawn into a vegetable garden where anyone needing food is welcome to harvest what they like. There's a rainbow flag above the front door, and a choir that you can sometimes hear even from outside. There are two other Christian churches in the neighborhood that are just as open and affirming, and progressive just like Jesus really was.
Comments 7
Reply
This UCC church is the same one that has turned most of their front lawn into a vegetable garden where anyone needing food is welcome to harvest what they like. There's a rainbow flag above the front door, and a choir that you can sometimes hear even from outside. There are two other Christian churches in the neighborhood that are just as open and affirming, and progressive just like Jesus really was. As a non-Christian who has always liked Jesus very much, all I can say is...AMEN!
Reply
Reply
That sounds amazing! What area is that?
Reply
Reply
Awesome story. Even in notoriously homophobic Kenya there are Christians working for equality!
ETA: I just found another one! UCC SUES NC over gay marriage ban taking a cue from Hobby Lobby's suit, hahaha. Beautiful irony.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/28/church-lawsuit-gay-marriage-ban-religious-freedom_n_5228834.html?utm_hp_ref=christianity
Reply
Leave a comment