In a June 28 "The Seeker" blog post asking, "[s]hould gay flocks have their own churches," Chicago Tribune religion reporter Manya Brachear failed to find a conservative, orthodox Christians or Jews to level a warning about the incompatibility of homosexuality and those faith traditions.
"Three area churches who cater to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians are marching in today's Gay Pride parade," Brachear noted in opening her 16-paragraph post. "Should gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender flocks have their own sanctuaries? Or does the concept of a LGBT congregation encourage an isolation within faith communities that defies the very purpose of assembling for worship?"
Brachear then went on to cite a Christian pastor and a Jewish rabbi to defend their gay-oriented congregations. Both cited the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt in defense of their sexually-oriented ecclesiology.
Yet despite the Trib's insistence in her profile that "Chicago Tribune religion reporter Manya Brachear embodies the journalist’s quest for truth and the personal search for Truth--with a capital T," the so-called Seeker failed to consult religious conservatives among Jewish and Christian traditions in the Windy City who would rebuke the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with the teachings of those faiths.
Such voices of opposition might also argue that practicing homosexuals can be encouraged to repent and forsake homosexuality in the context of a loving community of worshipers from all walks of life, whereas self-segregation by sexual orientation only entrenches them further in sinful behavior.
Even leaving aside conservative or orthodox criticisms, Brachear could have found at least a semblance of balance by including a liberal pastor and rabbi who would agree with the liberal sexual ethics of his colleagues while disagreeing with the notion of separate congregations defined solely on the basis of its congregants' bedroom habits.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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Another Activist Journalist
July 1, 2009 - 13:51 ET by stratmanI would enjoy a video of this propagandist Brachear asking an Imam his thoughts on a GLBT mosque.
Should gay flocks have their own churches?
July 1, 2009 - 13:47 ET by moderncommentaries83In a word: Yes.
There are litterally dozens, if not hundreds, of Christian denominations that form their own congregations over quibbles and disagreements in theology and Biblical interpretation.
Many congregations and churches believe that the Bible asserts marriage is between a man and a woman. It is not a political belief, it is a religious and theological doctrine. Some don't.
I can't speak for the teachings of many other denominations, but the Catholic Church also believes that same-sex attraction (SSA) is a disorder, but not a sin in and of itself anymoreso than heterosexuality. We believe that sex is reserved for the sacrament of marriage, and should be open to life, requiring that it be between on man and one woman (as well as fulfilling what Scripture indicates is God's will). This is because we believe marriage, and sex, are to be full and unabashed signs of love and that marriage requires husbands and wives to give the gift of themselves fully. We also believe that when sexuality is misused or abused, it diminishes the humanity of the people invovled - turning them from people to objects.
Since homosexual acts are not, by nature, life-giving and have no possibility of ever being so (and infertility is different), homosexuals are called to live lives of chastity. Just as their non-married brothers and sisters in the faith are.
So there are many with SSA who live in full communion with the Catholic Church (and other denominations) who believe in what we teach about sexuality. Many of them also face criticism and condemnation from people who think this is horrible and oppressive. So I recognize that it's not easy for them.
However, the important point here is that those who have SSA choose, of their own free will, to partake in congregations whose theology they agree with. Nobody makes them stay.
If you didn't profess a belief in any theological dogma of any denomination - why would you go there?
I don't get that. At all. I run into lots of people who absolutely hate Catholic teaching on the priesthood, sexuality, contraception. Yet they stay. And not only do they stay, they make life miserable for the people who do hold the teachings of the Church dear and follow them.
It is rude, and selfish, for people to attempt to usurp the teachings of a faith they disagree with when a plethora of other options awaits them.
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
"I like the sound of a beer
July 1, 2009 - 14:09 ET by mattm"I like the sound of a beer church" - Red Forman
Although, if they want to form a congregation that deviates from clear teachings of scripture, don't call it a church.
There is a huge distinction between differences in methods like baptism etc., differences of church structure, or disputes regarding debatable passages of scripture and clear contradictions of basic precepts that have never been a source of contention between denominations, or even between major religions, for that matter.
Gay Church
July 1, 2009 - 16:35 ET by GothampcI don't understand why gays don't form their own church. Why try to change an already established organization if you don't agree with their views. Why not go start your own church?
catering to gays
July 1, 2009 - 13:57 ET by kono"Three area churches who cater to gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender Christians are marching in today's Gay Pride parade,"
Brachear noted in opening her 16-paragraph post.
In this context, the phrase 'cater to' refers to enabling, not to serving -- meaning they never have to hear that their lifestyle choice is contrary to natural and divine law. This kind of 'ministry' is like a lifeguard throwing a drowning person a millstone shaped like a life preserver.
Churches are here to help people conform their lives to God's Word, not to help conform God's Word to the people. I come to church to seek the One who saves, not the one who caters.
Want a caterer? Call a restaurant.
John the baptist
July 1, 2009 - 14:49 ET by sevenHe paved the way for the coming of Jesus.
John was not seeker sensitive
John was not "catering" to the whims of the pharisees or others for that matter.
Sodom was destroyed. No church split. Lot and some family saved the rest destroyed.
A gay can read the explicit account of sodom being destroyed in Genesis and claim to have no clue as to what happened.
catering to gay folks
July 1, 2009 - 16:06 ET by nedpotterI think "catering" to gays is the wrong word--more like not being openly hostile. Nothing has chased more people away from church lately than some church's preoccupations with the only two sins that seem to matter these days--gay marriage and abortion. And for the record, I'm pro-life, straight, and think a marriage should be between a man and a woman. Until these churches start showing the same hostility to adulterers, idolators, thieves, etc. that they show to homosexuals, they're nothing but a self-righteous bunch of hypocrites. Or they could show forgiveness to all and welcome them to their church--what a concept!
comparisons with limited validity
July 1, 2009 - 16:50 ET by konoCan't remember the last time adulterers, idolaters, or thieves harassed others into codifying their behavior as normal, healthy, and protected.
As for self-righteous hypocrisy, most churches following the Catholic liturgical calendar preach directly against abortion once or twice a year (on "respect life" Sunday or the weekend of the march for life), and the majority of churches even mentioned Prop. 8 maybe three or four times in the preceding year. They preach for fidelity to covenantal promises and against idolatry and materialism almost every single Sunday, though.
Someone confessing homosexual acts will almost alway be reminded first that God loves him/her and be given a light penance. Someone confessing adultery will be told directly that they need to stop immediately; idolaters will be told they've got one foot in hell and the other on a banana peel, and thieves will be told to return what they took and apologize.
Yeah, I guess we're being unfairly heavy-handed on the homosexuals there...
I wasn't really referring to
July 2, 2009 - 06:05 ET by nedpotterI wasn't really referring to the Catholic church--although I'm not Catholic I admire their focus on a mix of salvational gospel and social justice gospel. Their attention to the less fortunate among us is unparalleled. The churches I had in mind were typified by a Baptist church in my town where the minister, in a sermon on homosexuality, used the word fag**t from the pulpit in describing practicing homosexuals. The young lady I worked with who attended that church was in tears when she related the incident. There just seems to be a sense of disproportionate emphasis and vitriol on some sins, like homosexuality. And not condemning a sin is not the same thing as condoning that sin.
So If the Condemnation of Sin was Equally Spread
July 1, 2009 - 18:39 ET by Retired GeekSo If the Condemnation of Sin was Equally spread to adulterers, idolators, thieves, Homosexuals and Abortions, then you would approve of it?
"Or they could show forgiveness to alland welcome them to their
July 2, 2009 - 02:28 ET by pahuberchurch--what a concept!"
Forgiveness comes only with repentence. We have seen through your BS.
P.S. Not that you would understand, but have you ever heard of the tyranny of the "or"?
Liberals Want a Society of Depravity
July 1, 2009 - 18:41 ET by Retired GeekLiberal mentality and morality seeks immediate rewards and instant gratifications without regard to long term consequences.
Liberals advocate satiating sexual lust, rather than a commitment between a man and a woman to become 'One Fulfilled Human Being', with sex as a just reward.
Liberalism is always characterized by an incredible short-sightedness for actions taken.
Liberalism demands that society changes, to match the depravity of the human soul, rather than the humans change to match values, standards, ideals and morality that have produced great societies throughout history.
Liberals 'Live In and For the Minute', rather than their personal future and the future of their Society.
Liberals deny that if every individual reached their 'Full Potential', Society would reach its 'Full Potential'.
Liberals believe that if Society is based on depravity and accepts the lowest behavior of its Citizens as the "Standard' - only then will Society fulfill the Liberal Utopia.
If they read the only preserved word of God for Today
July 2, 2009 - 02:26 ET by ChattychitoThe Homosexual, lesbian and effeminate (trans sexual male) would know that they are outside the will of God. for God has specifically said that any Israeli that practice such should be put to death.
and any Christian who practices such is to be ignored and put out of fellowship 1Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. It also points out to those who are saved that they are no longer Gay or Lesbian or BI or transgender 1Co 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. so none of these Gay people can claim to be God children or in his will if they don't believe what the Word of God says.
God is clear in what he says, Romans 1:24-27 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly (I wonder if that could be GRIDS), and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
All they have to do is believe Gods word and obey. but their feelings are stronger to them than Gods clear word.
"A man who doesn't borrow from the brains of others proves he has no brains of his own." CH Spurgeon
I
July 2, 2009 - 02:23 ET by Chattychitooops double posted