LGBTQ
June 22, 2023: Flux: American Evangelicals promoted anti-gay bills in Uganda, now US talks sanctions against Uganda for passing very same anti-gay bills
Uganda recently signed an anti-gay bill into law. Called by some the “worst of its kind in the world,” the law imposes life imprisonment for same-sex relations while using colonial language that such acts are “against the order of nature.”
Uganda recently signed an anti-gay bill into law. Called by some the “worst of its kind in the world,” the law imposes life imprisonment for same-sex relations while using colonial language that such acts are “against the order of nature.”
“A political agenda has taken over what would normally be in the realm of parents and medical professionals. We’ve completely turned that (weaponization) around, and now elected leaders are lining up to make sure they show that they do not stand for children being transitioned.” -Autmn Leva on transgender rights; Baptist News Global; 5.30.23
Jann Aldredge-Clanton
When my own Baptist tradition excluded me, Methodists opened wide their arms to welcome my pastoral ministry. Methodists could apply the liberating message of Jesus to me and other women barred from ministry by traditional biblical misinterpretations, so why would they not apply this same liberating message to LGBTQ people?
Millions of United Methodists worldwide, however, do support full inclusion of LGBTQ people, and many have written powerful statements based on the Bible. Many others continue to take biblical passages out of context, instead of using established hermeneutical principles they apply to other parts of Scripture, to back the “Traditional Plan” the General Conference adopted to reinforce the ban on LBGTQ clergy ordination and same-sex marriage. --Jann Aldredge Clanton; Baptist News Global; 3.19.19
Millions of United Methodists worldwide, however, do support full inclusion of LGBTQ people, and many have written powerful statements based on the Bible. Many others continue to take biblical passages out of context, instead of using established hermeneutical principles they apply to other parts of Scripture, to back the “Traditional Plan” the General Conference adopted to reinforce the ban on LBGTQ clergy ordination and same-sex marriage. --Jann Aldredge Clanton; Baptist News Global; 3.19.19
Mar 8, 2023: Christian Post: 'Orwellian': Street preacher appeals conviction for 'misgendering' man who identifies as a woman
A British Christian street preacher who was prosecuted and reported to counter-terrorism for alleged “misgendering” by refusing to say a man is a woman is appealing his conviction. He has been sharing the Bible’s message that we have all sinned by disobeying God’s laws for 15 years.
A British Christian street preacher who was prosecuted and reported to counter-terrorism for alleged “misgendering” by refusing to say a man is a woman is appealing his conviction. He has been sharing the Bible’s message that we have all sinned by disobeying God’s laws for 15 years.
Feb 9, 2023: Gospel Coalition: Downplaying the Sin of Homosexuality Won’t Win the Next Generation
Much has been made of Andy Stanley’s recently surfaced comments about church leaders and homosexuality—specifically his counsel on how the church must approach this issue if we’re to advance the gospel into the next generation.
Much has been made of Andy Stanley’s recently surfaced comments about church leaders and homosexuality—specifically his counsel on how the church must approach this issue if we’re to advance the gospel into the next generation.
Feb 7, 2023: Religion Unplugged: Why Do Modern Christians Favor, Or Oppose, Same-Sex Marriage?
(OPINION) THE QUESTION:
Why do 21st century Christians favor, or oppose, same-sex marriage?
(OPINION) THE QUESTION:
Why do 21st century Christians favor, or oppose, same-sex marriage?
Jan 28, 2023: Mother Jones: Being Gay Shouldn’t Be a Crime, Pope Says
In an interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis has become the first Roman Catholic pontiff to denounce laws that criminalize homosexuality.
“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” the 86-year-old pontiff told the AP on Tuesday. Laws that criminalize homosexuality, Francis said, are “unjust,” and the Catholic Church “must” seek to end them.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis has become the first Roman Catholic pontiff to denounce laws that criminalize homosexuality.
“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” the 86-year-old pontiff told the AP on Tuesday. Laws that criminalize homosexuality, Francis said, are “unjust,” and the Catholic Church “must” seek to end them.
Jan 26., 2023: Catholic News Agency: Christian baker loses appeal over transgender birthday cake case
A Colorado appellate court has ruled against a baker who appeared in court once again for declining to make a cake that contradicts his religious beliefs.
While Jack Phillips’ successful U.S. Supreme Court case concerned his refusal to make a same-sex wedding cake, he now faces a civil lawsuit for declining to make a cake celebrating a purported gender transition of a transgender-identifying attorney
A Colorado appellate court has ruled against a baker who appeared in court once again for declining to make a cake that contradicts his religious beliefs.
While Jack Phillips’ successful U.S. Supreme Court case concerned his refusal to make a same-sex wedding cake, he now faces a civil lawsuit for declining to make a cake celebrating a purported gender transition of a transgender-identifying attorney
Jan 26, 2023: Christian Post: Andy Stanley says gay churchgoers 'have more faith than a lot of you'
Stanley, who leads the multi-site North Point Ministries and North Point Community Church based in Alpharetta, Georgia, said in a now-viral sermon clip that any LGBT individual who continues to go to church has "more faith than a lot of you."
"A gay person who still wants to attend church after the way they've been treated, I'm telling you, they have more faith than I do," Stanley said in the clip, which had over 1.2 million views on Twitter alone as of Thursday. "They have more faith than a lot of you."
Stanley, who leads the multi-site North Point Ministries and North Point Community Church based in Alpharetta, Georgia, said in a now-viral sermon clip that any LGBT individual who continues to go to church has "more faith than a lot of you."
"A gay person who still wants to attend church after the way they've been treated, I'm telling you, they have more faith than I do," Stanley said in the clip, which had over 1.2 million views on Twitter alone as of Thursday. "They have more faith than a lot of you."
Jan 13, 2023: Christianity Today: Federal Judge Tosses Challenge to Christian College Exemptions
In the ongoing tension between religious liberty and LGBT rights, the Department of Education and CCCU win one victory.
In the ongoing tension between religious liberty and LGBT rights, the Department of Education and CCCU win one victory.
Dec 9, 2022: ChurchLeader: Amy Grant To Host Niece’s Same-Sex Wedding, Believes Jesus Wants Us To ‘Love God and Love Each Other’
Grant’s influential platform has given her the opportunity to speak out for the LGBTQ community. In 2013, Grant did her first LGBTQ+ press interview with PrideSource.com for the promotion of her “How Mercy Looks From Here” album.
In that interview, Grant answered questions about her faith and the LGBTQ community. She shared, “I know that the religious community has not been very welcoming, but I just want to stress that the journey of faith brings us into community, but it’s really about one relationship. The journey of faith is just being willing and open to have a relationship with God. And everybody is welcome. Everybody.”
Grant’s influential platform has given her the opportunity to speak out for the LGBTQ community. In 2013, Grant did her first LGBTQ+ press interview with PrideSource.com for the promotion of her “How Mercy Looks From Here” album.
In that interview, Grant answered questions about her faith and the LGBTQ community. She shared, “I know that the religious community has not been very welcoming, but I just want to stress that the journey of faith brings us into community, but it’s really about one relationship. The journey of faith is just being willing and open to have a relationship with God. And everybody is welcome. Everybody.”
Dec 8, 2022: Charlotte Observer: Methodist church apologizes for controversial Durham church
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church sent a letter to neighbors in the Geer Street area, formally apologizing for planting a non-affirming church in the middle of a city that held North Carolina’s very first pride event and a rich history of protest.
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church sent a letter to neighbors in the Geer Street area, formally apologizing for planting a non-affirming church in the middle of a city that held North Carolina’s very first pride event and a rich history of protest.
June 6, 2022: Gender and sexuality are without a doubt two of the hottest issues of the day. Both are extremely personal, cutting too close to home, and as a result they need to be handled with great care. Conversations about these sensitive topics need to bear in mind that they do not concern mere issues, but fellow humans—“people to be loved,” as Preston Sprinkle suggests in the title of one of his books.
Yet we evangelicals often resort to no less than warmongering rhetoric. We fall prey to the divisive “us versus them” pattern of thinking. Believing ourselves to be in a culture war against the mainstream society, we feel the need to make our voices heard even when no one asked. To the outsider—the one we are pointing our righteous fingers at—we come across as lunatic haters, rather than prophets of hope or bearers of good news.
We may argue that “the Bible is clear on these issues”, adding that we have been called to preach “the truth in love”. And I’d like to believe that, deep down inside, our motivation is love for our neighbours. Yet, more typically, it seems to me that we are speaking out of fear or disgust. If this is our strategy for bringing people to Christ, we should not be surprised when it fails, causing backlash from those we are seeking to convert to our point of view. -Evangelical Focus: The unhelpful ways we talk about gender and sexuality
Yet we evangelicals often resort to no less than warmongering rhetoric. We fall prey to the divisive “us versus them” pattern of thinking. Believing ourselves to be in a culture war against the mainstream society, we feel the need to make our voices heard even when no one asked. To the outsider—the one we are pointing our righteous fingers at—we come across as lunatic haters, rather than prophets of hope or bearers of good news.
We may argue that “the Bible is clear on these issues”, adding that we have been called to preach “the truth in love”. And I’d like to believe that, deep down inside, our motivation is love for our neighbours. Yet, more typically, it seems to me that we are speaking out of fear or disgust. If this is our strategy for bringing people to Christ, we should not be surprised when it fails, causing backlash from those we are seeking to convert to our point of view. -Evangelical Focus: The unhelpful ways we talk about gender and sexuality
