I have received a couple of e-mails in response to the article regarding how as a minister I can say "It is OK to be gay" with what the Bible supposedly says. Here are a few links you may find helpful.
- More Light Presbyterians has a number of links regarding biblical interpretation.
- Rev. Mel White has a booklet you can download, What the Bible Says--And Doesn't Say--About Homosexuality.
- PFLAG has some resources including a pamphlet you can download, Faith in Our Families: Parents, Families and Friends Talk About Religion and Homosexuality.
- GayChurch also has a number of resources, including a listing of congregations that are welcoming and affirming to lgbtq people and straight allies.
- About.com has a listing of links to gay friendly organizations within various faith communities.
- A new film is worth watching, For the Bible Tells Me So. Screenings are being held all over the country. At some point, we will bring it to the Tri-Cities.
I am really thrilled about the positive response we have received about PFLAG Tri-Cities. It is pretty awesome having our article on the front page of the Sunday paper. Check out our
I too am glad your efforts in our area of the world have gottne positive reviews. Thanks for doing all you do.
ReplyDeleteI am really excited about the new PFLAG chapter in Tri-Cities. There is a very good core of people here to educate those who want to learn. There will always be prejudice, I'm confident it will lessen over time. I just saw the movie "Hairspray" last night and was reminded of the long, yet not-so-long time ago when segregation was a norm. Integration was evil, and bi-racial marriages were grounds for lynchings! If we keep peace and equality for all as our goal, one day we will all be able to accept and love all of God's children.
ReplyDeleteJohn, we are showing 'For the Bible Tells Me So' at Milligan next week. I bought the film earlier this year, watched it, and thought it was an important film to show here at the school. We are going to show the film and then have a panel discussion with several of our faculty to talk openly about the topic. I will give you more information soon.
ReplyDeletePeace, Andy
Oooh! I want to be on the panel, Andy! Pick me!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have details for that. Do you think any Milligan faculty would be open and affirming of lgbts?
Thanks, Doc! Actually, once you pull off the layer of fear and fundamentalism, there are human beings. They just need a chance.
ReplyDeleteScott,
"I am really excited about the new PFLAG chapter in Tri-Cities. There is a very good core of people here to educate those who want to learn."
Exactly. This is no bush league PFLAG. We have a whole bucket-load of professionals who are ready and willing to make a difference here.
John, I think that you could be on the panel--we were actually looking for a local minister to help out. Let me talk to the person that is helping me put this together.
ReplyDeleteWe have a couple of professors who are affirming of lgbt, and then we have a couple of people who will be presenting the other side.
The reason we are doing this is because we are especially wanting those people who are training to go into the ordained ministry to see that there is another side.
I will be in touch.
Peace, Andy
Please get the details for that screening so we can spread the word - I for one would like to be in the audience supporting the side of openness and inclusiveness, and I'm sure others would, too!
ReplyDeletethank you, thank you for the links. very good reading. i'm going to pass it on to my daughter. am also printing a bunch of those pamphlets.
ReplyDeletei had a customer come in the shop the other day, she had recognized me in the paper. i braced myself...but the only comment was that she had brought me a copy in case i had not gotten one for myself. it was a wonderful moment. :)
Bible Thumping Boy in my daughter's algebra class claimed that members of his church were sending you "hundreds" of emails in response to the paper. I find that claim...interesting.
Great, Andy. I look forward to hearing more from you!
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
Awesome!
"i had a customer come in the shop the other day, she had recognized me in the paper. i braced myself...but the only comment was that she had brought me a copy in case i had not gotten one for myself. it was a wonderful moment. :)"
Cool! That is worth far more than 'hundreds of emails'.
The desperation of the resistance illustrates that their argument is lost.