How LGBT activism is changing religion

[TexasTowelie]

About 25 years ago, few people are certain of the date now, the leaders of a church in the middle of the gayborhood made an astonishing decision. The pastor of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church told the congregation it wasn’t appropriate for gay men and women to be in positions of leadership and those who were would be stripped of those roles.

The announcement stunned many of the church members.

“That was a devastating statement,” Shirley Cooper said. “We felt like we had been kicked in the head. Later, the gay people were in the kitchen crying. They had prepared the Thanksgiving dinner for the church, and they, as well as many of us, were wondering what was going to happen next.”

What happened next emptied a good deal of the pews. Cooper and her husband were members of Oak Lawn United Methodist, and they supported their gay son. After that announcement, they spent a year looking for another church, finally choosing Northaven United Methodist Church.

More at http://www.dallasvoice.com/lgbt-activism-changing-religion-10167912.html .

Cross-posted in the LGBT Group.

[hrmjustin]

1. I hope the Methodist Church goes the way of the Episcopalian Church.

It is a shame that the leadership of the denomination will not stand with LGBT members but the rank and file clergy tend to be more8re accepting.

[Warpy]

2. Some religions are desperately in need of big changes

Unfortunately, they're the very ones who dig their heels in and refuse to budge.

They'll be back on the lunatic fringe after the old folks in them die off and the young folks realize they're not only cruel, they're completely misinterpreting the few parts of the bible they've actually bothered to read.

Anyone who has ever been constipated knows that this shit will pass, too, although it's uncomfortable while it does.

[cbayer]

3. Certainly not the first time that religious activists on the left

have stepped up to the plate when there was a matter of civil rights on the table.

I am glad to see their numbers growing and appreciate this analysis.