Gay bishop talks of challenges, progress
February 10, 2008

By TINA LAM

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

In a hallway at the conference of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a rainbow display of stoles -- bright scarves worn by priests and ministers -- was on display. On each stole was a personal message from a church member or minister describing how churches had accepted or rejected them.

A white stole embroidered in purple was from Jim Maynard, an American Baptist Church pastor who resigned from the ministry in 1997 because he feared his being gay would be too divisive an issue for his congregation.


Rabbi Stacy Offner had sent a tallit, similar to a stole, celebrating becoming the first lesbian rabbi in Minnesota in 1984.
Bishop V. Gene Robinson knew how they all felt.

One of the three-day conference's keynote speakers at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Robinson recalled the day he was consecrated as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church in 2004. He and his partner wore bulletproof vests beneath their clothes because of death threats.

But Robinson was proud his church was changing. The choice to make him bishop split the Anglican Church worldwide between those who supported Robinson and those who said a gay man shouldn't be in the position.

Four years later, the battle rages. Still, people call for his resignation.

"It's as if they think this would all go away if I was gone," he said Saturday.

Although Robinson finds the fight discouraging, he said progress has been made. More churches have talked about gays and lesbians in their midst, and more have sanctioned them as ministers or leaders.

In his speech, Robinson told the crowd of more than 2,000 people from all over the country that they were heroes.

"This room is full of people of uncommon courage," he said. "This conference could not have been imagined when I was growing up."

At a table in the hallway, Thomas Nelson and his wife, Linda Karle-Nelson, of Farmington Hills handed out literature. Each has a gay son from a previous marriage.

Nelson said his son and four of his five daughters have left the Catholic Church because of its stance on gay people, while Karle-Nelson's son has found a congregation that is open and accepting.

"Churches once supported slavery," Nelson said. "Someday, this will change, too."

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...802100619/1007/

I was going to paste this into events , but this shows how religions are changing slowly. althought the death threats from christians isn't pretty.

This issue is to be dealt with at length at the upcoming Anglican Conference this year, only held every 10 years (can't recall the name of it off the top of my head). It promises to be quite a fight between those in England who have accepted Gay bishops, and those elsewhere who oppose the move. I wouldn't be surprised if the Anglican Church officially split as a result of the debates - that would seem to be the logical turn of events (I'm surprised the split hasn't happened already, actually).

Though as for death-threats by Christians, I do agree, Lt Ripley, that this is definitely not pretty, and very VERY sad

50 CENT IS GAY

Ugh, once thing that just demotes religion in my eyes - how they change their views so easily to suit the current societal values.

I'm all for women and gays being priests and such, there is no difference to me and no reason why straight men are superior in the eyes of God to either of these (equality? Ha), but if they're just going to say no for thousands of years and then welcome them with open arms, how can they stay credible?

I'll come out and say it, I think it's stupid. They need to make up their minds about what is right and what is wrong, or else say, "Well, we kinda think it's like this for now, until people start thinking differently, then we'll change it so as not to lose our following."

People didn't like babies that didn't have a chance to be baptized going to purgatory, now according to the Catholic Church they're innocent and go straight to heaven. Adam and Eve were once literal, now they're suddenly metaphorical. Oh wait, EVERYTHING is now metaphorical. And how could be forget to mention that most of the Old Testament is no longer applicable? Or is it just metaphorical too? We don't keep women in tents during menstruation, nor do we stone our disobedient children to death in public places, even though the Bible explicitly states such.

I'm all for spirituality and beliefs, it keeps people in control and gives them a sense of comfort and protection when needed, but organized religion is just awful. When will people realize that it's not a deity running these organizations, but just other people?

I used to think God as in the church literally( I as very young) and no of course I know God is everywhere and you don't have to go to church to Worship him. I get so aggravate at our church and their " You have to go to church every Wednesday and Sunday to be close to God. I do love going to hear the sermons but the rest I can do without, It has become a social place instead of a worship place and that is so sad. It does not help that the congregation plans all these outside events that have really nothing to do with worshiping God but is just fellowship and socials. To be honest i dread going an thats sad that its come to that, Your right it is people running the churches and they need to focus more on God and what church is supposed to be about, Worshiping God and learning, Always a pleasure

I really respect how you're keeping your brain in your skull when you talk about your beliefs like that. Hehe, and did you ever notice how you HAVE to dress up to go to church? I remember when I used to go with my family while they were still forcing their beliefs on me. You could see everyone judging each other, little cheap shots floating from lips to ears about people's clothing and how horrible their sons were at hockey. Christian values my ass.

Well, if it makes you feel better, WraithGod, I am still of the persuasion that women and gays should not be priests (at least not "practicing gays" - if they happen to be attracted to men but accept that they should not, I would not have issue with them pastoring). That may not be the most acceptable beliefs according to you, but at least we're sticking with what the Bible says - not just changing our views.

*Funny though that despite holding to our outdated beliefs based on the Bible, our church has increased more than 400% in members since coming there, and that doesn't include people who have left to move to other churches. Despite holding to our old beliefs, my area (Sydney, Australia) is one of the few areas of the Western World where Christianity is actually on the increase. A Clue? No.

T-shirt *check*

Shorts *check*

Sandals *check*

The last time I dressed up for a church was when I went to a friend's wedding

If I could put in a word for Bishop Robinson, the focus of the OP article.

He wasn't foisted on New Hampshire. He was chosen by the people he leads, clerical and laity, voting separately but with one voice that he was their choice. And they knew him well, because of his long service in the area, both to the church and the larger community.

As to his personal life, he is one half of a domestic partnership that has already lasted longer than many straight people's marriages. In this controversy alone, that relationship has survived more of a crisis than many marriages ever face. Rumor has it that they are in love with each other.

So, not that it's any of my business. I'm not an Episcopalian, rarely confused for a Christian, even. But I did the read the Good Book, and I can't picture Jesus saying "Thanks for all your good work, Gene, but you're just not the right sort, not one of us. You understand."

That's unusual - I've never been to any service with anyone where people dressed like that, even at my cottage resort.

May I ask why you think that acting on a sexual attraction to men makes one ineligible for priesthood? If it's because the Bible says so, we've got issues. =P

My experience is opposite. Perhaps Aussies are just more laid back

I wouldn't endorse a gay priest anymore than I would endorse an adulterer to be priest, or a person addicted to pornography. God has set certain standards that we as Christians should follow (interpret that as "the Bible says so" if you wish), and for those in positions of leadership, that goes doubly so (more than, even).

But I wonder, if we have issues if that is my view, and we have issues if we change our view - your first post in this thread complained that Christians are changing their view on these matters - then it looks like we'd have issues regardless of how I responded.

I still stand by my original comment though - I don't think it's coincidence that Christianity is on the increase in Sydney when most other areas are declining, despite their attempts to change to fit in with what is acceptable in the wider world.

~ Regards, PA

godd post...i agree with what you are saying...there are standards for the priesthood/pastors/and even elders/deacons of the church...these standards are put in place for various reasons which the most important is not to take away from the church itself...

when i go i wear my jeans and a Jusus t-shirt...no body notices that but they notice if i don't come...i think that is the way it should be as far as dress goes as long as it is not sexually suggestive in some way as to divert attention away from the message for that day...

randomhit10