I have sworn off engaging in Bible debates over whether or not LGBTQ people should receive equal rights (such as marriage, ordination, adoption, employment, military service, and so forth). I find debates over the Bible tedious and pointless. Here is my bottom line:
Were the writers of what has become the Bible homophobic?
Yes, some were probably. People who wrote the Bible had all kinds of strange ideas. Just read the darn thing.
Is the Bible as homophobic as are the current true believers?
No. The true believers are desperate to find a way to justify their prejudice. They really have to search and obfuscate. The pro-slavery people in the 1850s had more evidence from the Bible for their greed and delusion than do the anti-gay people.
Do I really care what the Bible says?
I have said before that if 500 verses of the Bible and if the resuscitated corpse of Jesus appeared before me and both clearly stated that gays are going to hell, I'd be happy to go to hell with them than to honor a homophobic god.
It is all about prejudice. And if there is such a thing as "sin" prejudice is the sin that keeps on sinning. But since so many people seem to think the Bible is a big player in all of this, someone has to produce this resource as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is offered the opportunity yet again to redeem itself and remove discrimination from its constitution.
Aric Clark and Doug Hagler of Two Friars and a Fool have produced an LGBTQ Ordination Resource. You can even download it in the church-bulletin-ready half-fold booklet format and the hand-out-to-the-commissioners-before-the-presbytery-meeting-ready full-page portrait format.
The usual suspects are already responding.
Did I mention how tedious this is? Once you start with the Bible, mystical theological gobbledy-gook is sure to follow. Nevertheless, I heartily commend Doug and Aric. I will copy their resource, link to it on the sidebar, and pass it out like candy just to show that the Bible is not as homophobic as are those who want to beat you over the head with it.
The Bible is a book. Even my middle school youth group gets that. They don't need debates over the translation of Hebrew verbs to know how and how not to treat others.
The issue is prejudice. The focus is people. Be kind. Treat others as you want to be treated.
The prejudiced people are out there. I don't understand how they think. Do they really believe all that superstition they dream up about the Bible? I can't imagine why they would want to treat human beings the way that they do. Yet we have to co-exist with them some how. So far, they have a slim majority in the Presbyterian Church. So far.
It could be different this time, though.
The difference will be making sure you get your tail to the presbytery meeting and vote. And get others there to vote. Make those calls. The speeches at the meeting are less important than getting the bodies there.
Let us end this 35 year dysfunction and pass Amendment 10A now.
Peace Out.
"Even my middle school youth group gets that. They don't need debates over the translation of Hebrew verbs to know how and how not to treat others. "
ReplyDeleteYou've got to be carefully taught.
As Paul wrote, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
Kids see it. Busybodies, fusspots, tattletales, and scolds do too, but they ignore it and try to hide it.
It's one thing to see through a glass darkly. It's another thing to spray paint over the glass intentionally, as the BFTSs do.
Thanks for the help distributing this thing. Since it is a summary document we do rehash a lot of tired old stuff, including the biblical arguments, but there's a bunch of theological and practical stuff in there too. Hopefully it is helpful, but nothing will change minds like relationships.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Alan.
ReplyDeleteAric, Yes, I focused on the bible but your practical suggestions and theological ideas are excellent as well!
Great work!
Definitely thanks for helping to distribute the doc - if it's helpful, that's wonderful. If not, it's another thing no-one is being forced to read :)
ReplyDeleteAric and Doug -
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I truly appreciate the brochure and the work you put into it. Because we live in an area where "Scripture trumps all", this is good information to have. Like John says, it really shouldn't matter what Scripture says, because acceptance and equality should be just that: accepted and equal, regardless of Scripture. Still, as someone who is only beginning to learn the language of religion, this brochure is a good thing.
You're welcome Snad.
ReplyDeleteYes Aric and Doug,
ReplyDeleteWe placed it in our bulletins this Sunday as an insert. I think folks found it very helpful!!