Christians Apologize to the Gay Community
This posting and the video is a reflection of spiritual truth, love and humility. This is an example of what will unfold when true Christians lay down divisive doctrine and the "religious" traditions of men that have only harmed and driven a wedge of derision towards a misunderstood population of people for many generations; assigning personal prejudice and injustice to the sovereign God.
My heart and soul is satisfied to see what just happened last month in the Heartland of America. I pray for a "ripple affect" from the center of our country to each coast and then global saturation.
To God Be The Glory.
Samuel Marcus Brown
The Heartland Proclamation
by the Heartland Clergy for Inclusion As Christian clergy
we proclaim the Good News concerning Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons and publicly apologize where we have been silent. As disciples of Jesus, who assures us that the truth sets us free, we recognize that the debate is over. The verdict is in. Homosexuality is not a sickness, not a choice, and not a sin. We find no rational biblical or theological basis to condemn or deny the rights of any person based on sexual orientation. Silence by many has allowed political and religious rhetoric to monopolize public perception, creating the impression that there is only one Christian perspective on this issue. Yet we recognize and celebrate that we are far from alone, as Christians, in affirming that LGBT persons are distinctive, holy, and precious gifts to all who struggle to become the family of God.
In repentance and obedience to the Holy Spirit, we stand in solidarity as those who are committed to work and pray for full acceptance and inclusion of LGBT persons in our churches and in our world. We lament that LGBT persons are condemned and excluded by individuals and institutions, political and religious, who claim to be speaking the truth of Christian teaching. This leads directly and indirectly to intolerance, discrimination, suffering, and even death. The Holy Spirit compels us:
to affirm that the essence of Christian life is not focused on sexual orientation, but how one lives by grace in relationship with God, with compassion toward humanity;
to embrace the full inclusion of our LGBT brothers and sisters in all areas of church life, including leadership;
to declare that the violence must stop. Christ’s love moves us to work for the healing of wounded souls who are victims of abuse often propagated in the name of Christ;
to celebrate the prophetic witness of all people who have refused to let the voice of intolerance and violence speak for Christianity, especially LGBT persons, who have met hatred with love;
Therefore we call for an end to all religious and civil discrimination against any person based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. All laws must include and protect the freedoms, rights, and equal legal standing of all persons, in and outside the church.
235 signers so far: To See The List (click on the title of this posting to see the website and the full list)
If you are Clergy and wish to have your name added, please email us at:
PattiT@countrysideucc.org
I would like for you to forward this posting to some of your Christian friends & family.
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6 comments:
Long time coming!
It is long overdue, and there should be even more repentance and apologies going on. The way that LGBT are treated is a disgrace and God is not pleased.
There is no TRUE Christian with the LOVE of God in them that can spread hate and intolerance in the name of God. You just won't find a true follower of Christ thinking or acting this way.
There are many gays and lesbians who need to be set free who are also Preachers as well but have to hide in closets. They should not have to hide, I can't imagine how frustrating that must be.
Honestly, I am somewhat glad this scandal hit with Eddie Long, I say that because enough is enough of hiding and condemning and trying to 'change' a someones sexual identity when you yourself are the very thing you preach against.
I pray God uses all of these things for a NEW BEGINNING in the Christian world, it is overdue.
Thanks for posting this, love ya my brother!
Alicia
Thanks for sharing this video clip on the Christian Church and its apology to the gay community. I continue to pray that man moves from its insecurities and intolerance on the basis of sexual orientation and build a profound level of acceptance and tolerance, knowing that GOD makes no mistakes and loves all. I will surely forward this clip to others who would also appreciate the direction the Christian church is moving. My prayer is that others will jump on the band wagon of humanity and open their hearts to understand inclusion for all of mankind.
Yes this was very interesting and hopeful.
This is not an effort to get Christians chuches to accept Gay's into churches. Why don't you tell it as it vis; It is a effort designed to get Gay's accepted period. My thing is, why use the church as an exuse? Everyone knows that the faith of anyone is an individual and private matter, as we all of different ethnic groups have decided without the parade of promotions from a group of ministers welcoming us to our faith as a distinct group.
Luther,
Some Christian church organizations (individuals as well) apologized to the Gay Community due to the "religious" history of some Christians that has taken scripture out of context to demonize a group of people just as many of the Colonial Christians used scripture out of context to support/justify U.S.A Slavery; demonizing Africans in the slave trade.
An apology is in order according to the teachings and the history of Jesus Christ. (not the teachings of man's "religious" ideology)
Samuel,
I sent you an email. Check your Spam box in case it went there.
Hugs!
Alicia
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