Religious Institute releases Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity.

[Sapphire Blue]

Religious Institute releases Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity.


MULTIFAITH COALITION CALLS FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO EMBRACE SEXUAL AND GENDER DIVERSITY AS A BLESSING

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2007- A coalition of national faith leaders announced today that they have issued an Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity that calls for a faith-based approach that affirms diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

The Open Letter, released in conjunction with pride services throughout the United States, will be sent to more than 20,000 clergy, heads of faith groups and institutions across the country. Published by the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, this Open Letter is the first of its kind by a multifaith group of religious leaders. Every member of the US Congress will also receive a copy as an important reminder that progressive people of faith expect justice.

The historic proclamation challenges religious leaders to use the pulpit to address the complex realities of diversity and to advocate in secular and faith-based contexts for justice and the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. That includes advocating for the ordination of LGBT clergy, family recognition and marriage equality.

“Sexual and gender oppression can no longer be portrayed as virtuous and morally defensible,” said the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, Director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing. “While religious denominations continue to debate issues of sexuality, the silence and condemnation of clergy have led to destroyed relationships, suicidal despair and discrimination and violence against LGBT persons. Denying that God created diversity as a blessing is denying Biblical teaching”

(snip)

Click here to read a copy of the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity.


http://www.religiousinstitute.org/diversity.html

[Fridays Child]

1. It's a start.

[xchrom]

2. ...

''the silence and condemnation of clergy have led to destroyed relationships, suicidal despair and discrimination and violence against LGBT persons. Denying that God created diversity as a blessing is denying Biblical teaching”

[DeSwiss]

3. Well, a step in the right direction....

...who would have thunk it???

What took em' so long to figure it out? Oh well, 20,000 down, and only a gazillion to go.....

K&R!!! :)

[bluerum]

4. Wow. Progressives are taking action. It amazes me, that after 12 years

of a republic congress and senate, nearly 8 years of an insane monkey pretending to run the country, that the fanatical religious fundies have not been able to advance their anti-whatever madness through the legal machinery. All I can think is that there are enough people in this country who believe in equity and fairness willing to at least stand in the road and block the fundies.

Now, I can feel a progressive backlash building up steam - getting ready to roll across the country and the world.

[NMMNG]

5. Intriguing

Sacred texts provide moral wisdom and challenge, but some passages may also
conflict with contemporary ethical insights. As we move toward a more just society,
we approach our texts and traditions with fresh questions and new understandings.
For example, biblical texts that condone slavery, regard women as property, forbid
divorce, or equate disease with divine retribution can no longer be regarded as
authoritative. We honor instead those texts and traditions that invite us to welcome the
stranger, love our neighbor as ourselves, and view all people as created in God’s image.
Even so, we cannot rely exclusively on scripture or tradition for understanding sexual and
gender diversity today. We must also pay attention to the wisdom of excluded, often
silenced people, as well as to findings from the biological and social sciences.


Funny how the pick-and-choose fundies don't get that.

[and-justice-for-all]

6. Haha, this is a blantent act of desperation....

...To get people to the pews. church attendance is in the toilet so now they want to change their tune to get people to the whoreship centers. Not buying it! the sooner these organizations sink the better.

I do remember asking them to be concerned about my sexual preference or my life. It makes me ill that these clowns think they have some say as to how I conduct my life, fuck them.

[Sapphire Blue]

7. Perhaps you might want to learn something about the Institute befor making such a statement...

http://www.religiousinstitute.org/index.html

[and-justice-for-all]

8. I like my statement...

..And I know all I need to know about religion, I have no intrest in giving credit to a religious moderate group. There intentions are obvious, as well as always the same.

[Sapphire Blue]

9. Not having lived your life, all I can say is that I respect your feelings regarding religion.

You must have good reason for feeling the way that you do.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. I think you're missing something here

These are the people calling for full inclusion of all people, including GLBT people.

They're not interested particularly in your sex life; they're very interested in your being welcomed anywhere, and not discriminated against.

And most of the religious groups participating or mentioned have been working toward full inclusion for a very long time. Some have gotten there faster, to be sure. But this isn't anything new at all -- just a good, very public statement of unity across faiths about the issue.

It's a very good thing.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. Very cool. I'm glad to see this published.

The work has definitely been going on for years -- more public recognition of it is a very good thing for all concerned.