Why the church ostracizes those who are gay

The Wonderful Divide, as geologists call it, is a rocky ridge that runs from the mountains in Alaska all the way through South America. The moisture on the west side of the Divide runs into the Pacific Ocean; the water on the east side finds its way toward the Atlantic. Water that at one time was flowing in the same river is now separated, and never again the twain shall meet.

The ruling of the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states has confronted us with our control great divide: on the one side are those who hold to a biblical definition of marriage, and on the other are those who are “same-sex affirming,” insistent on providing a loving and welcoming stance toward these now-honored unions.

As one conservative law professor said, after the backlash regarding the Protest 2015 RFRA decision in Indiana,

Cultural pressure is going to radically reduce orthodox Christian numbers in the years to reach. The meaning of what it means to be a faithful Christian is going to appear under intense passion, not only from outside the churches, but from within. There will be serious stigma attached to standing up for or

Homosexuality and Gospel Truth: Towards Effective Pastoral Care

HOMOSEXUALITY AND GOSPEL TRUTH:
TOWARDS Efficient PASTORAL CARE

by Fr Robert A. Gahl, Jr.
Pontifical University of the Holy Cross

1. Human Love and Sexuality

"It is not good that the man should be alone" (Gn 2:18). With these words, the Publication of Genesis introduces the creation of Eve, the first woman. The inspired creation story explains the origin of the difference between man and female by indicating that human beings, made in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gn 1:26), are called to loving communion. In addition, according to the Genesis account, the complementarity between gentleman and woman, a reflection of "the inner oneness of the Creator", is directed towards this communion.¹ Ever since the creation of our first parents, sexual intercourse was always meant to be a beautiful expression of human love for the sake of bearing fruit within a family and for unifying husband and wife. The Church therefore "celebrates the divine plan of the loving and life-giving union of men and women in the sacrament of marriage".² Consequently, in accord with natural regulation, the Church teaches that any use of the sexual facul

Southern Baptist Convention Shuns Gay Youth with BSA Vote

WASHINGTON – Today the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) approved a resolution condemning the Male child Scouts of America’s (BSA) decision to allow openly-gay Scouts, and called for the removal of all pro-equality BSA executives and board leaders.  Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin, who was raised Southern Baptist, called out the SBC resolution as affirming and promoting intolerance, and counter to the Biblical teachings of the Golden Rule. 

“The Southern Baptist Convention is declaring that gay youth should be rejected and ostracized, simply because of how God made them,” said HRC president Chad Griffin.  “As someone who was raised in the Southern Baptist Church, I know firsthand the importance faith has in the lives of young people.  This proceed by the Southern Baptist Convention will cause deeper divisions within families, and will harm young people who seek church as a place of cherish and acceptance.  The last thing that kids require – especially LGBT kids – is one more voice telling them they’re not good enough.

“Sadly, the Sout

I was baptized a few weeks before my 19th birthday because of the Book of Romans and its assurance that once you come to Christ, your mind is renewed and you are set free from the bondage of sin.

After my baptism, I walked around with my Bible. I told my whole family and strangers about my conversion from atheism. I understand I seemed deranged, but I was floored by the concept of God’s promises and his unfathomable, boundless grace. I could not understand how anyone could deny such good news.

I could not understand how there was ever a time I did not believe.

My newly acquired faith hit me at a time when I did not know which way was up. I was on the verge of dropping out of society college, I could not find a fit socially, I was fighting constantly with my parents, and I had no concept of the future. I believed Christ was the only way to sort out my post-adolescent messes.

I was zealous about reading the Bible, going to church, and praying. I was relentless. And yet, I had not brought to God my biggest obstacle—my sexuality. It was not until I came out to a companion at the church by recklessly confessing my love for him that my sexuality came into the mix.

Poor guy, I came out of

Homosexuality

In your book What’s so Amazing about Grace? you tell about your friendship with Soulforce leader Mel White.  What is your position on gays and lesbians in the church?

You don’t beat around the bush, do you?  Mel—formerly a ghost writer for famous Christians and now a prominent gay activist—was one of my closest friends for years before he revealed to me his sexual orientation.  (He still is a complete friend, by the way.)  He had repressed and hidden his homosexuality, and in fact was married and was making a fine career in Christian publishing and also in ministry as a pastor and professor at Fuller Seminary.  Mel became a window to me into a world I knew nothing about.  He tells his own story in the book Stranger at the Gate.  We all understand well how explosive this issue can be.  I get hate letters complete of equal venom from both sides: from conservative Christians appalled that I would maintain a friendship with Mel and note compassionately about gays and lesbians, and from the other side wishing I would go further with a full endorsement of gay rights.

In my affair with Mel White, I have to remind myself