“Earlier in the week, the church voted to open the door to ordaining openly gay bishops. And on Thursday the bishops voted to start the process of developing rites for blessing same-sex marriages, and to give the green light to bishops who are already doing so.”

The New York Times –
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/us/17bishop.html?pagewanted=1&hp
Laura Goodstein

Bravo.

I think we can declare the year 2009 as a tremendous victory, in general for LGBT folks.
I do believe that Jesus kissed men? And, what kind of “all loving God” would hate anybody? It is totally educated to believe that this extreme dichotomy of heaven and hell, with regard to anyone not believing ending up in the latter, is just about as realistic as the pit of Hades, flying unicorns, or magical Egyptian priests. While I digress a bit here, I believe I am adding to the conversation from the Times.

For me, it is a bit sad that modern Christianity is what gets all the press. In a word, I’m sick of it. For the most part, any previous world religion is ignored, except for being taught in grade school. And Wicca (the planet’s oldest religion)? “Oh, that’s evil. People get killed and sacrificed to the devil. ” What a laugh! But, that is the stigma.

Now, I am not sure if the original writer of the bible would arguable be the greatest writer in history, or is the church the best marketer in history? Interesting when looked at from that, more financial perspective, isn’t it?

Also, Christianity is one of the very few (if not the only) religion in history that has persecuted gay folks so openly.

So, once again Episcopalians – bravo.

Am I arguing that elements of the bible don’t teach us basic values? Absolutely not. I think it’s more the fact that certain European kings throughout history have twisted it toward their own hell bent Inquisitional practices that I have a hard time with. Alas, during that period, the Bible was no better off than Mein Kampf.

I think, in any religion, we need more positive people like Bishop Gene Robinson. He brings up long standing relationships within the church that are timeless bonds. That alone is something to be admired, weather religious or not! As well, he brings up that this (in reference to gay marriage), is where the country is heading. As someone who tends to see all sides of the coin (if you will), I whole heartedly agree.

I don’t think there has ever been a period in history when so many more doors are opening for the LGBT crowd. And, I am very proud to say that Obama is, in a way, spear heading it. Even though we are waiting for him to follow through with certain policies where LGBT is concerned, just the fact that he is black, and president, has put huge, heaping dose of “alternate thinking” in the every day faces of America, and the entire world. So, in a way, the above Times article doesn’t surprise me.

Some say the “progressive movement” is not moving fast enough. Others are no doubt saying that it is moving too fast. I back up Mr. Obama with his statement that he is turning a huge cruise ship in a different direction, and it will take time. Things will happen as they happen. The point is, we all have to believe that this extremely educated man is doing his best with what he has to work with. It’s sort of the “frustrated genius” syndrome.

So, don’t worry yourselves too much that you aren’t getting this, or that, in whatever area. Work the best with what you have, and by the grace of God, be grateful!