To The Contrary on PBS
We programmed our Tivo to record shows with the words "gay" and "lesbian" in the title or synopsis, so not only are we getting everything that Marcia Gay Harden and Lisa Gay Hamilton have ever done, but we're also getting shows like To the Contrary on PBS, that we never would have known about otherwise. To The Contrary recently included lesbian ministries in their round table discussion, with a particular focus on the rise of women in the Metropolitan Community Church, or MCC.
MCC's ordained pastors are primarily female, and many of those women are lesbians. No show on gay Christians is complete without the mention of Leviticus 18:22, and To The Contrary included that near the beginning. (Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.) Like clockwork a representative from some sort of family values council said, "the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination," and went on to say that homosexuality is not an intended form of natural sexual expression. It always strikes me as odd to hear someone who is heterosexual by nature, say that homosexuality is not natural. How does he know? Words hold far greater impact when they come from experience and not simply from untested beliefs. And the fact that varied interpretations exist, proves that the Bible does not "clearly state" much of anything. If the Bible was simply a set of black and white rules, there would be very little reason to pursue a greater depth of faith.
The most poignant statement in this special was meant to explain just how welcoming MCC can be, but I think it speaks volumes about God as well. Rev. Elder Darlene Garner of MCC, was talking about the frequency with which we Christians are asked to fit into a category and become defined by a familiar profile in order to be considered acceptable in many conservative traditions, but at MCC she said, "One just needs to be present in order to be acceptable." That statement is highly empowering and comforting. It has been my experience that God requires the same of us. God will work to teach and refine us as GLBT Christians, but God doesn't work to change us.
In a panel discussion, one Biblical scholar suggested that women and homosexuals have always been present and vital to church history, but the way that history has been written and passed on has failed to include the extent and impact. Something tells me that if the Bible were written today, the testimonies of faith by GLBT Christians would also be excluded because more powerful conservative groups would fight to keep them out. I think the Bible tells the truth and that God speaks through it, but I don't think it tells the whole story. That's precisely why it's so important to allow ourselves to be vessels and to allow God to speak through us today. We may not be the perfect filters, but we can be the truth. We in combination with God's other vessels will tell the whole story.
Earlier in the show Rev. Nancy Wilson said you can certainly find more justification for slavery in the Bible than you can for excluding homosexuals. No mainstream Christian church follows the laws of Leviticus. "What they do," she said, "is pick and choose and follow those laws which support their prejudices." Precisely. Only they don't think of it as using the Bible to support a prejudice. They have adopted the attitude that it is simply their duty to defend God's territory, and since homosexuality is considered to be an infringement they must do whatever they can to stop the invasion. Discrimination is an obvious by-product. To The Contrary concluded with this fitting statement that counters this type of attitude, whether it is aimed at homosexuals, women, or a number of other groups who have been denied power and rights in the past. Panelist Kim Gandy said, "People are called to the ministry by God, and God doesn't discriminate." Exactly. It's a matter of faith between the believer and God. God will lead if we will follow. It's nice to find shows that give that sentiment a voice.
MCC's ordained pastors are primarily female, and many of those women are lesbians. No show on gay Christians is complete without the mention of Leviticus 18:22, and To The Contrary included that near the beginning. (Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.) Like clockwork a representative from some sort of family values council said, "the Bible clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination," and went on to say that homosexuality is not an intended form of natural sexual expression. It always strikes me as odd to hear someone who is heterosexual by nature, say that homosexuality is not natural. How does he know? Words hold far greater impact when they come from experience and not simply from untested beliefs. And the fact that varied interpretations exist, proves that the Bible does not "clearly state" much of anything. If the Bible was simply a set of black and white rules, there would be very little reason to pursue a greater depth of faith.
The most poignant statement in this special was meant to explain just how welcoming MCC can be, but I think it speaks volumes about God as well. Rev. Elder Darlene Garner of MCC, was talking about the frequency with which we Christians are asked to fit into a category and become defined by a familiar profile in order to be considered acceptable in many conservative traditions, but at MCC she said, "One just needs to be present in order to be acceptable." That statement is highly empowering and comforting. It has been my experience that God requires the same of us. God will work to teach and refine us as GLBT Christians, but God doesn't work to change us.
In a panel discussion, one Biblical scholar suggested that women and homosexuals have always been present and vital to church history, but the way that history has been written and passed on has failed to include the extent and impact. Something tells me that if the Bible were written today, the testimonies of faith by GLBT Christians would also be excluded because more powerful conservative groups would fight to keep them out. I think the Bible tells the truth and that God speaks through it, but I don't think it tells the whole story. That's precisely why it's so important to allow ourselves to be vessels and to allow God to speak through us today. We may not be the perfect filters, but we can be the truth. We in combination with God's other vessels will tell the whole story.
Earlier in the show Rev. Nancy Wilson said you can certainly find more justification for slavery in the Bible than you can for excluding homosexuals. No mainstream Christian church follows the laws of Leviticus. "What they do," she said, "is pick and choose and follow those laws which support their prejudices." Precisely. Only they don't think of it as using the Bible to support a prejudice. They have adopted the attitude that it is simply their duty to defend God's territory, and since homosexuality is considered to be an infringement they must do whatever they can to stop the invasion. Discrimination is an obvious by-product. To The Contrary concluded with this fitting statement that counters this type of attitude, whether it is aimed at homosexuals, women, or a number of other groups who have been denied power and rights in the past. Panelist Kim Gandy said, "People are called to the ministry by God, and God doesn't discriminate." Exactly. It's a matter of faith between the believer and God. God will lead if we will follow. It's nice to find shows that give that sentiment a voice.
posted by Jen Austin at 6:30 PM
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