Showing posts with label LGBTQ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LGBTQ. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

LGBTQ+ Rights and Concerns 2021 USA

 Christian and American Values

One of the social issues that divide Christians is support for LGBTQ+ rights. A year ago, Rev. Franklin Graham included LGBTQ concerns as part of his "2020: A Nation on the Brink" article. He asked readers: "Will the ungodly sexual agenda of the LGBTQ lobby be forced down the throats of our schools and our children?” (See January 7 2020)

As of January 2021,  lawmakers in 14 US states had introduced bills limiting LGBTQ+ rights according to CNN. The subject of the bills vary but several focus on the rights of Transpersons. A few issues to watch are attitudes about participation in sports, use of public restrooms, and gender-affirming healthcare. Because most Americans identify as Christian, these issues are Christian issues too. NBC is also covering the new bills.

According to governing .com, half of the people in the US live in states that do not have protections for LBGTQ+ persons. During 2020, the Human Rights Campaign reported there were 379 bills supporting equality for LGBTQ and 185 bills considered anti-LGBTQ. Concerns include access to housing, employment, public places and credit according to the article.

Conversion therapy is also on legislative agendas as can be seen in this search for "conversion therapy bill 2021."

The Equality Act

People who identify as LGBTQ+ are seeking protection in the Equality Act. A point of concern for religious conservatives is an exemption from regulations that interfere with the practice of their beliefs. It appears that some changes will become law this year but it is not evident what those changes will be. (Status update, March 16, 2021 WP).

Transgender Youth

Several states are considering limitations on healthcare for transgender youth. A May 23 episode of CBS 60 minutes addressed some of the concerns. The story included gender dysphoria and detransitioning.


Churches, Christian Schools, and Organizations

Christian leaders would do well to inform their congregants/employees/ students about the needs and concerns of people who identify as LGBTQ+ --especially transpersons. At a minimum, it would be helpful to encourage Christians to show love and respect toward people who identify as LGBTQ+ even as individual Christians wrestle with their moral stance. Too often, people can oppose an entire set of rights without considering the impact on the people of a specific right. Even worse are personal attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals who suffer real abuse when people vehemently disagree about laws and policies.

I would also hope that more and more Christians will learn about sex and gender and that Christian universities and seminaries include required sex education courses for all students.

Learn more about sex, morality, and Christian Cultures in A House Divided-- a text recommended by conservative Evangelicals. Publisher Link

Different views on Abortion, LGBTQ+ issues, and women are among the topics in A House Divided.


Also, consider Christian Morality--a text used in Christian University courses. Publisher Link

Christian philosopher, Brandon Schmidly addresses abortion in his Christian Morality Chapter.




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Saturday, July 18, 2020

GAY & CHRISTIAN Matthew Turner

 Matthew Paul Turner offers a glimpse at his struggle when he announced that he is gay on Friday 18 July 2020. Turner is a Christian and a prolific author. In his Facebook post he also notes that he and his wife Jessica are ending their marriage but remain friends.

 His emotions are noteworthy and may be helpful to understand a little of his inner distress:fear, shame, and self-hatred... sadness and grief.”

 The duration and scope of his experience express the deepness of his pain: “I’ve lived many days overwhelmed…”

 His Christian spirituality has evolved as he deconverts from “fundamentalist/evangelical churches” to an unspecified theology but an experience of embracing “freedom, hope, and God as a gay man.”

 In a House Divided: Sexuality, Morality,and Christian Cultures, I present research and interpretations of biblical texts on same-sex attraction and relationships. Christians view gay men differently from being full affirming to more traditional views that one cannot be gay and Christian or other views that one can be gay but must remain celibate.

 The painful transition experienced by Matthew and shared by Jessica offer a current illustration of the struggles with spiritual and gender identity. Obviously, the struggles become more complex when there is a marriage and children as well as a professional career linked to Christian consumers who may have a more traditional view of same-sex orientation and relationships.

 Read the comments from the Turners below. I have also included links to their statements.

 **********

From Matthew Turner’s public post:

Dear friends, I have difficult news to share. After much thought, prayer, and counseling, Jessica and I have made the decision to end our marriage. While we’re best friends and thoroughly love doing life, parenting, and pursuing our dreams together, ending our marriage is necessary because I am gay.
▪️
Being gay isn’t a new discovery for me. However, as someone who spent 30+ years in fundamentalist/evangelical churches, exploring God through conservative theologies, I’ve lived many days overwhelmed by fear, shame, and self-hatred. Though my own faith evolved long ago to become LGBTQ+ affirming, my journey toward recognizing, accepting and embracing myself took much longer. But for the first time in my life, despite the sadness and grief I’m feeling right now, I can say with confidence that I’m ready to embrace freedom, hope, and God as a gay man.
▪️
I would not be able to say that without Jessica’s undying grace and support. I fell in love with her 17 years ago and still love her deeply. Despite her own grief and pain, she has loved and encouraged me to be fully me. Many of the steps I’ve taken recently wouldn’t have happened without Jessica walking beside me, helping me through every fear. Jessica is and will always be my hero. She’s brave, strong and showcases love like nobody I know.

Matthew Paul Turner

 **********

Jessica Turner’s public p perspective on her blog July 17, 2020

How do you write the most vulnerable, hardest post you’ve written in 14 years of being online?

My husband, my best friend has bravely shared his deepest truth this past year. He is gay. While this doesn’t change how much we love him, it does change our relationship. We are moving forward with ending our marriage, while remaining deeply committed to our family and each other.

We have worked for more than a year on trying to make our marriage work, even in light of Matthew’s truth, but it wasn’t healthy or fair to us or our children. We feel confident that this is the next right step for each of us and our family.

Our three incredible children have taken the news remarkably well. We are all adjusting to a new normal, with our home now extended under two rooftops. I am so grateful for the way we love each other and the deep belief that God is with us. We are both grieving the loss of what we had and taking hope in what is to come.

It is really important to me that you know that nothing you have seen on my social media or blog has been a lie. I have always loved Matthew, and he me. I will always champion him and his writing. You will continue to see him on my social media.

Jessica N. Turner

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Thursday, January 31, 2019

RELIGION & SEX EDUCATION




Sex education is an important component of learning to become a responsible adult. All youth get sex education from several sources—some more desirable than others. The world’s large religions have specific teaching about sexuality and morality, which can be a challenge for governments who wish to avoid religious teachings.

A recent bill in the US state of Colorado has caused some concern among Christians (reference below). But a Christian sex educator, April Janae,  has looked at the details and writes a post which addresses issues beyond her state. Her opinions are informed by experience and research. With her permission, I have included quotes from her Facebook post. I did not include some text that specifically addressed the Colorado issue. I’ve also included a link to the Sex-Education chapter she co-authored in Christian Morality.

*****

From April Jonae 30 January 2019

-Parents, it is YOUR job to educate your kids about sex. If you’re depending on the public school system to instill biblical values into your children, then you are in for a rude awakening. It is also your RIGHT to opt out your child from sex education at their school. This has always been the case, and the new bill also permits this. Your child doesn’t have to participate. So chill out with the comments on homeschooling your children if this bill passes. Signing the opt-out form will likely be a simpler option.
-Abstinence is NOT being removed from sex education. Abstinence will still be taught as the best option for teens, it will just no longer be presented as the only option. Contraceptives and medically-accurate info on their effectiveness will be taught as well. In my opinion, teaching abstinence-only is a dangerous thing. There will always be a population of teens that choose to engage in sexual behavior, and we are doing a great disservice to those students by not providing information to them that will reduce their risks of pregnancy and contraction of STIs.

-LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk for contracting STIs and engage in risky sexual behavior at a higher rate than heterosexual youth. So I believe that language that includes them in the conversation about the risks of sex can only be a good thing. Many abstinence-only sex ed programs do not address anything but heterosexual relationships, which causes LGBTQ youth to check out...hence the higher rates of STIs.

-My last thought: please do some research on abstinence-only sex education and it’s effectiveness in this country. When I first began researching sex ed, I assumed that abstinence-only education would have produced the lowest rates of teen pregnancy and STIs. I was shocked to learn that the opposite was true. Historically, abstinence-only programs have not delayed sexual activity, and students who have received abstinence-only education were more likely to experience unintended pregnancy and contract STIs at higher rates than students who receive comprehensive sex ed. That being said, I am not advocating that you stop teaching your children abstinence. I will certainly be teaching my children this principle. I am suggesting however, that we need to consider the facts when deciding what type of sex ed is taught in our schools.

*****

See Chapter 10 by April Janae (Montoya) and Shonna Crawford  “Tensions and Challenges: Christian Morality and Sex Education.” In Christian Morality. Available at Pickwick, AMAZON, and other bookstores.


FREE exam copies available to instructors and book reviewers from the publisher, PICKWICK – a brand of WIPFANDSTOCK.


You may also be interested in A House Divided: Sexuality, Morality, and Christian Cultures. Also available from PICKWICK and on AMAZON.








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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Mennonites Divide Over Sexuality


Many Christians are divided over matters of sexuality. At times the differences are too large to permit a sustainable "bridge." The Lancaster Mennonite Conference with 179 churches in the US states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York have split from the Larger Mennonite Church USA as of January 1, 2018.

The LMC is opposed to same-sex marriage, which appears to be the primary concern.

"Although Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s opposition to same-sex marriage has been cited as the principal cause for the separation, conference moderator L. Keith Weaver said vision, church polity and governance within MC USA also played a role." (Lancaster Online)

"Although Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s withdrawal is significant — according to published reports, it will reduce the size of MC USA by 14 percent — both Weaver and Stoltzfus said the split has been amicable." (Lancaster online)

This blog and the book, A House Divided, focus on issues of morality and sexuality in Christian Cultures. Same-sex relationships are not the only issue of concern to Christians. Additional information about biblical sexuality and morality can help think through the issues. Understandably, even a civil discussion does not lead to reconciliation when specific behavior is viewed as sinful by one party and not the other.


Learn more about A House Divided: Sexuality, Morality, and Christian Cultures 
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Monday, September 4, 2017

After Gnashing about Nashville Start a Conversation



American Evangelical leaders made a public statement of beliefs about Christian marriage, which included statements about sexuality. Many signed the Nashville Statement and many voiced or wrote statements of opposition.


Some like Catholic priest, James Martin, SJ responded with his own statement of affirmations and denials matching the format of the Nashville declaration put forth by the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Here's another thoughtful response by popular Christian author, Peter Enns: https://www.peteenns.com/lansdale-statement-see-get/?platform=hootsuite.


By 4 September, a Google search for "Nashville Statement" yielded over a million responses. Articles appeared in the N Y Times, Washington Post, and USA Today.



Nashville Statement, Article 10 gets a lot of attention.



"WE AFFIRM that it is sinful to approve of homosexual immorality or transgenderism and that such approval constitutes an essential departure from Christian faithfulness and witness.


WE DENY that the approval of homosexual immorality or transgenderism is a matter of moral indifference about which otherwise faithful Christians should agree to disagree." 

The Nashville Statement is a short document. And many responses are pithy blog posts or short commentaries in news sources. Unfortunately, the short responses fall short of a conversation that would better inform people about the diversity of Christian views addressing LGBTQ issues. It would be far too easy for Christians to simply accept the views of these leaders and join the growing chorus of harsh rhetoric of those who wish to attack people holding different beliefs.


The good news coming from the Nashville Statement is the opportunity to see clearly what Christian Evangelicals believe about marriage and sex. Most of us knew their beliefs before the statement went public. But the public statement is a reminder that the issues divide Christians and others. And it is a reminder that strongly held beliefs lead to divisions that are not easily bridged by changes in law. 

In fact, as I write this post, I am reminded that in 1957 white people in Little Rock Arkansas saw US troops force integration so that nine African American students could attend the White, Central High School.

Rather than unthinkly accept the beliefs of the Nashville Statement authors, Christians, and those who wish to understand Christians, have the opportunity to start a conversation in churches, schools, and organizations.




There are books on the subject of faith, sexuality, and Christian morality. Here's my book and a discussion guide. The publisher (wipfandstock) provides free copies to course instructors and those willing to review the book for a review article. I realize I am taking advantage of the situation to promote my book. 

My point in writing the book was to address the divisions in society--especially Christian cultures. 

People at least ought to understand why Christians disagree and the points that the facts  support (or do not support). There are different perspectives on same-sex sex and marriage as well as other related issues.

Inexpensive copies of A House Divided are available on AMAZON and other book sellers. 

The Discussion Guide is only available on AMAZON.


What Christians, and people interested in Christian cultures, need to know:


  • CULTURAL CONTEXT. Most of the Bible was written by Jewish men in ancient cultures, which provide an important context for understanding beliefs about marriage, sex, and relationships. Old laws, teachings, and moral stories have a context that won't fit on bumper stickers or in simple proclamations.


  • CHRISTIAN DIVERSITY. Christians have different views about Christian marriage and sex because there are variations in the way scholars translate and interpret biblical texts. Christianity is the worlds' largest religion with over 2.2 billion adherents. The words of a few white men in Nashville, TN hardly represent the wisdom of Christian scholars around the world.

  • BIBLICAL SILENCE. The Bible does not address some of the points in the Nashville Statement. The Bible does not address transgender issues or same-sex marriage. For Christians to make statments about such issues requires an interpretation of what biblical writers wrote and did not write. You can probably think of a lot of things not covered in the Bible. Claiming to speak for God seems a bit risky. Follow biblical advice by evaluating the words of any would-be prophets-- including the folks writing from Nashville.

  • MORAL PRINCIPLES. The New Testament authors used ethical principles like "love your neighbor" to interpret old laws for Christians. For example, Christians do not practice animal sacrifice, circumcision, or Sabbath Day resting. Old laws were re-interpreted by Jesus and his followers. The sabbath was for man (or people), said Jesus. And circumcision was a matter of the heart-- not a literal cut-the-flesh requirement. 
  • Christians since Jesus derived ethical principles from old laws. This is my simplification of the previous point.

  • FACTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE. For example, in my book and others' books, you can read more about sexuality and the variations in natural attraction and sense of identity that produce considerable distress for sexual minorities and their families--especially those in cultures where they are shamed as sinners, treated with disrespect-- if not violence, and isolated from loved ones, including the faith family that embraced them before their sexuality emerged. Christian leaders ought to understand sexuality before making proclamations.


Some thoughts--

Let us read the Bible with understanding of its cultural context.

Let us learn about sex and the distress people experience when cultures are in conflict about sexual issues.

Let us learn about moral thinking in the Bible itself as practiced by Jesus and Paul in contrast to that of pharisees and those pushing a rigid adherence to religious traditions.

Let us start a conversation with other Christians. We all have our blind spots when thinking clearly.

Let us promote the love of God. It seems to me some people don't trust a loving God to work with those Christians who discovered that their sexuality was different from the majority of people.


See the book's website for more. A House Divided 
     at  https://sites.google.com/site/dividedchristians/ 

You can also learn more about a Christian approach to the concerns of sexual minorities from the writings of Mark Yarhouse.










Saturday, March 19, 2016

LOVING GAYS and HATING SIN



Christians and Homosexuals: Love and Sin

Recently I spoke on a topic I have studied for about two years—the division between Christians over same-sex marriage. My perception of the event was that the tone became negative when one person repeated the words “homosexuals” and “sin.”

Although my hope was to encourage discussion about differing views, I found myself attempting to present other perspectives on the issues. On reflection, I experienced the power of emotion behind the words homosexual and sin compared to words about loving one’s neighbor. Although it was said that “God loves homosexuals,” it appeared to me that the message of sin overcame the message of love.

I might be wrong of course, it's only my perception.

In years past, before Christians really dealt with issues of discrimination against persons who identify as LGBTQ, sexual minorities were disparagingly labeled “homosexuals.” If I heard anything at all, it was some message of condemnation—these were people guilty of some special kind of sin.

In some cases, Christian messages have changed in recent years.

As society began to show respect for sexual minorities. And as more and more Christians revealed they too were a sexual minority, many Christians changed their stance. Most Christians I know want to be loving toward all persons.

But Christians do not want to be on the wrong side of God. In particular, fundamentalist Christians do not want to affirm or even tolerate sin. Tolerance is another one of those emotional trigger words.

For fundamentalist Christians, same-sex marriage is a double-barreled problem-- same-sex relations are sinful and same-sex marriage violates the view that biblical marriage is between one man and one woman. It’s not just an intellectual thing- it’s an emotional thing.

Any challenge to the conservative view appears to evoke a strongly felt need to defend one’s position. Any attempt to consider the views of other Christians is seen as an attack on what God has said.

Identities in Conflict

What I think I perceive among Christians is an external representation of the inner struggle reported by sexual minorities. 

Externally, Christians have a spiritual identity, which they vocally defend against threats to that identity. For fundamentalists, that spiritual identity includes strong beliefs about sin, sex, marriage, and the reality of hell among other things.

The strong beliefs are linked to God’s authority based on an interpretation of select biblical texts. It’s the same strength of conviction that has caused families and churches to split.

Externally, progressive Christians have not been as forceful as have fundamentalists. Finding it difficult to engage discussion, progressives remain silent or move on. If they are heterosexuals, neither their spiritual nor their sexual identities are under attack.

As I listen to the concerns of LGBT Christians, I hear identities in inner conflict. Those with a strong spiritual identity who grew up in conservative Christian homes and churches express the stress of having a part of their identity identified as sin. In the conservative view, their desire for love and marriage must be abandoned if they are to avoid sin. In contrast, heterosexual Christians only have to channel their romantic and sexual desires toward their spouse –they don’t have to deny a fundamental aspect of their identity. (Of course we know heterosexuals have a hard time controlling their sexuality but they don’t have to give it up.)

The odd thing is, fundamentalist Christians don't bother with mundane things like adultery, divorce, and remarriage anymore. The battle cry is "homosexual-sin."

Homosexual, homosexual, homosexual- like a verbal yellow star to mark them as unclean.

Sin, sin, sin- constant condemnation

“Love the sinner and hate the sin” hollows out love leaving a disingenuous ring.

Theology aside, the language of Christian love is often conditional.



Among Christians, fundamentalists control the boundaries of Evangelicals. Fundamentalists make the rules for Evangelicals to live by. Evangelicals remain in the closet--some under fear for loss of employment. I see no spiritual home for sexual minorities in Evangelical Christianity. Not yet anyway. Perhaps that will change.

Sadly, I suspect many LGBT Christian youth are spiritually homeless. Others have homes but are hidden in Christian High Schools and Colleges where their hidden identities are continually exposed to shaming until they can find a way of escape.

So where will the survivors go? Who welcomes sexual minorities? If it’s not too late, they’ll find a progressive Christian home. A place where God's love shines forth.

Others will go where Christians must hide in closets.

It's a hard thing for Evangelicals to show God's love to sexual minorities when they look through lenses of sin but it's different when the look through lenses of godly love.



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