The Word of God

I don't think we can preach about a God "out there" or purvey a gospel that does not involve ourselves,warts and all. At the center of Christianity, at least, is a notion of the divine becoming human and, especially in Greek Orthodoxy, of the human becoming divine (He made himself poor that we might become rich, etc.)

In my studies I have come to realize that the Bible and all its contents are not the word of God (as we profess at the end of readings) but the word of God according to man.

I think we gays, bi's and lesbians should continue to reachout, search and include God in our lives. It is sad that American society is so terribly archaic in it's thinking. I am convinced that we have not escaped religious persecution. That was why the 1492 group fled Europe. They were feeling oppressed. Europe is so much more tolerant of gays and bi's than we are here in America.

We must continue to enlighten "straights" (God I hate labels). We must continue to teach them that we are good honest, caring, loving people. I get especially upset when the images of 'queens' are used to exemplify gays. I get upset when, during coffee hour after church someone will say "Homosexuals are all child molesters". I invite them to go home and look at the Sunday paper and count the number of children who have been molested by heterosexuals.

We recently found need to have a new priest at out parish. The old confessed to fucking around with one of our female parishoners and was working on two others. (So much for heterosexual priests) I suggested to the search committee that find a gay priest. That way we would know exactly where we stood!! Instead we got a very boring minister and deacon wife.

Our bishop, when asked, said that he has ordained gay priests (celibate) in the past and would do so again. He also sees nothing wrongwith a mongamous gay or lesbian relationship. I find this a breath of fresh air. I feel good to be Episcopal. I can build and grow on this.

So I invite all members to join the cause. When you hear an injustice being spoken, speak out, gently and kindly. Point out that Jesus never spoke of the subject. Point out that divorce was considered a sin and punishable by death. That one seems to always be glossed over.

I invite you to read a great book entitled Wrestling With the The Angel by Brian Bouldry, Editor. It is a compliation of stories of faith and religion in the lives of gay men covering all religions.