Category Archives: Religion

Jun 09 0 comments
Anti-LGBT, Politics, Religion

Bishop Harry Jackson favors banning divorce, requiring forced marriages

In a column for the conservative Townhall.com, anti-gay pastor Biship Harry Jackson, Jr., laments over the psychological and biological harms of children living outside of families headed up by one dad and one mom.

Among his facts:

Consider these statistics. Over half of Americans studied in a survey in 2001 by Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government believe that the high number of single-parent families is a major cause of poverty. Studies also reveal that most Americans believe that welfare programs encourage single-parent families and teenage pregnancy.

Malcolm D. Williams in 1997, used a sample of 1,610 10-13 year-olds in a study. He found that children who learn to share significant ideas with their fathers had fewer behavior problems and developed stronger cognitive abilities than their peers.

Similar results were found in a 1995 study of 254 black adolescents living with both of their biological parents. Ninety-six percent of these boys said their fathers were their role models. In this study, only 44 percent of black adolescents who were not living with their fathers said their fathers were their role models.

The Journal of Family Psychology in 2000 reported a study of 116 African American students ages 10-13. The boys with married parents were found to have much higher levels of self esteem and a better sense of personal power and self-control compared to single-mother homes.

Repeatedly, scholarly studies focused on adolescence show that early onset of puberty in girls is a major problem. It is associated with negative psychological, social, and health problems. Depression, alcohol consumption, and higher teenage pregnancy rates are some of the results. An eight year study of girls and their families showed that a father’s presence in the home, with appropriate involvement in his children’s lives, contributed to later pubertal timing of the daughters in the seventh grade.

These studies and scores of others suggest what most Americans have always known: that both boys and girls, are deeply affected in both biological and psychological ways by the presence of their fathers. We have emphasized the father half of the biblical duo called “parents,” assuming the mother is intact within the family setting.

Sounds like some damn perfect arguments for divorce and requiring forced marriages, wouldn’t you say?

If he is so adamantly opposed to same-sex marriage because having two-parent, mom-dad homes are just so absolutely important and crucial, then I’m sure Jackson wouldn’t mind me signing him up to support two bills that would immediately fix his “nuclear family degradation” problem — two bills that would impact more children’s lives than all of the anti-gay marriage amendments put together:

1. The Sanctity of Marriage Act (SOMA) (a.k.a., the divorce ban). SOMA would ban divorce nationwide, thereby keeping healthy heterosexual, mom-dad parenting intact for all of our nation’s children
2. For the Future of our Children Act (FFCA). The FFCA would instantly change the plight of motherless and fatherless children across the country, by forcing young parents with unplanned pregnancies to immediately wed as soon as the female in the couple tested positive for a pregnancy. This bill would be historic, forever ridding our country of single parents everywhere!

Together with all of the “pro-family” advocates in the nation, Bishop Jackson could unveil the “Restoring America’s Marriages Relief and Aid Package,” including SOMA, FFCA and tax credits and stimulus checks for all parents who immediately disown their homo-sex-sinning children who fail to successfully complete the U.S. National Love Conquers Sexual Sin Trainings (disowned children will be deported to San Francisco, which will be involuntarily seceded from the Union and will become known as Degenerateland).

Yup, all that should do the trick. America would be on to a healthy, free and just existence for all!

Lemme hear a brother say, “Amen! Praise Jesus! Damn the queers!”

Jun 01 1 comments
LGBT, Religion

Christian Century on ‘Crisis’

The Christian Century magazine published an outstanding review of “Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing up Gay in America.” Edited by Mitchell Gold, the book was released in September 2008, has received rave reviews from all corners of the country.

David P. Gushee, professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University, a Baptist college in Macon, Ga. Gushee quickly recounts the stories of several of the books contributors, including Jared Horsford, Mitchell Gold, Jarrod Parker, Mary Lou Wallner, Elke Kennedy and me.

He boldly says:

As an evangelical Christian whose career has been spent in the South, I must say I find it scandalous that the most physically and psychologically dangerous place to be (or even appear to be) gay or lesbian in America is in the most religiously conservative families, congregations and regions of this country. Most often these are Christian contexts. Many of the most disturbing stories in this volume come from the Bible Belt. This marks an appalling Christian moral failure.

In contrast to the love and mercy that Jesus exemplified, Christian communities offer young lesbians and gays hate and rejection. Sometimes that rejection is declared directly from the pulpit. But even when church leaders attempt to be more careful, to “hate the sin but love the sinner” (as that hackneyed formulation has it), the love gets lost. Perhaps we need to focus on refining our ability to love; maybe we are not actually capable of compartmentalizing hate.

But the best line comes at the end: “Moreover, after reading these stories, I feel that Christians have something they need to request from God and from gays and lesbians, and that is forgiveness.”

Thank you Professor Gushee.

Mar 16 2 comments
Anti-LGBT, Health, LGBT, Politics, Religion, Sexuality, United States

N.C. Christian Action league foaming at the mouth over proposed youth bills

The radically conservative Christian Action League continues to foam at the mouth, lying through their teeth in order to scare the jeepers out of their blind followers.

In a “news” piece on their website, the League claims that the North Carolina School Violence Prevention Act (a.k.a. “the anti-bullying bill”) will require schools to teach that homosexuality is normal:

The bill requires local school boards to amend their existing bullying policies to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression.” The measure would not only create a protected status in North Carolina’s public schools for homosexuality, bisexuality, cross dressing and other alternative sexual behaviors, but would also require schools to teach that these behaviors are normal and acceptable.

Although I’d certainly have no problem with such a bill, the cold, hard truth is none like that exists. The School Violence Prevention Act in no way mentions anything about teaching students about homosexuality or LGBT issues. Read the bill for yourself.

On the Healthy Youth Act, a bill that would implement comprehensive sex ed in schools, the Christian Action League claims, erroneously, that the bill would require students to learn about homosexuality. Why on earth are us queer folks always the punching bag for these blowhards?

It’s sad, really, that groups like the “Christian” Action League have to resort to lies in order to prove their case. I’m pretty sure that lying was one of those commandments from God Moses delivered to the people. Maybe the Christian Action League got an abridged version.

Feb 27 1 comments
Anti-LGBT, Religion

James Dobson leaves Focus on the Family

THANK GOD!

Perhaps now Focus on the Family will become as toothless, ballsless and as silent as Liberty U. after Falwell died.

More from the AP

Statement published by Truth Wins Out’s Wayne Besen:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Feb. 27, 2009
Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org

TWO Comments On James Dobson Resigning As Focus on the Family Chairman
Truth Wins Out (TWO) expressed its hope today that James Dobson resigning as chairman of Focus on the Family would eventually lead the anti-gay organization in a new direction. Dobson has created an entire industry that distorts the lives of gay and lesbian people for political gain, says TWO.

“James Dobson’s legacy of lies has caused significant pain for gay and lesbian people and their families,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “We hope his departure will eventually signal a shift in tone and end Focus on the Family’s destructive attacks against gay and lesbian Americans.”

The Associated Press reports that Dobson, 72, will still be a powerful presence. He will continue to host his daily radio show, which reaches 1.5 million listeners in the United States. A Focus on the family spokesman also said he will “continue to speak out as he always has - a private citizen and not a representative of the organization he founded.”

“It is time for Focus on the Family to abandon the politics of polarization and choose moderate leaders who are not fixated on culture wars,” said Besen. “This would also be a good time for the organization to consider abandoning its failed ‘ex-gay’ ministry, Love Won Out.”

In Nov. 2008, Truth Wins Out protested Dobson’s selection into the Radio Hall of Fame. In the past two years, TWO has found eight researchers in three countries who say that Dobson has distorted their work. Videos and letters that these scientists sent to Dobson can be viewed at www.Respectmyresearch.org.

Dobson’s rhetoric is so divisive that former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) said that, “Dobson and his gang of thugs are real nasty bullies.” Focus on the Family co-founder Gil Alexander Moegerle said that, “I believe Dobson-style politics have been inept, simplistic, exclusionary, divisive and alarmingly sectarian…James Dobson’s political style has been one of relentlessly demonizing his adversaries.”

Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman on Oct. 23, 2004 that, “Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth.” Dobson also told the Daily Oklahoman that Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) is “a God’s people hater. I don’t know if he hates God, but he hates God’s people.”

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that defends gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people against anti-gay misinformation campaigns. TWO also counters the “ex-gay” industry and educates America about gay life.

Feb 12 0 comments
Anti-LGBT, Religion

Some Okla. rep’s forget their Sunday School lessons

scottjonesThe Dallas Voice blog points out that the Rev. Scott Jones (pictured right) was invited to give the opening prayer for the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. Jones originally reported the story at his blog, including the fact that at the end of the day, a Republican objected to including Jones’ remarks in the record.

Twenty representatives, including the infamously anti-gay Sally Kern, voted against including the pastor’s remarks. From the DV blog:

“It was an interesting moment, and rather chaotic,” Jones wrote on MyQuest. “One legislator commented, ‘We always enter the remarks.’ Others wanted to read what I had said, and came over to where I was and read my hard copy and kept saying, ‘What are they objecting to?’ Others came over to apologize. One legislator made a point of order to remind colleagues that if they were in the room, they had to vote, at which some of them fled … “

Sixty-four voted in favor of including the remarks. Twenty against. The total number of those scrambling out of the room? Many of them are surely included in the 17 representatives “excused” from the vote. (click here for voting records, scroll to Feb. 11).

Some where along their life paths, these 20 elected officials somehow forgot one of Christ’s most important lessons: “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

Jan 15 2 comments
LGBT, Media, Religion

New blog community for queer Emergent church folks

queermergentAdele, who I was pleased to meet at the National LGBT Blogger Initiative in Washington, D.C., back in December, has started Queermergent, a new blog for LGBT Christ-followers in the Emergent church movement.

Visit Queermergent for more.

Adele blogs at Existential Punk.

Jan 13 0 comments
Anti-LGBT, Religion

Liberty sets legal aim on N.C. Parks division

From Liberty Counsel:

Today, Liberty Counsel is filing a federal lawsuit against the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, alleging that the state policy used by park officials to threaten citation of members of Grace Baptist Church violates their right to freedom of speech. Liberty Counsel represents Pastor Tony Rivers and other church members in the case against the state of North Carolina, Lewis Ledford, Director of the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, and several park officials.

While several members of Grace Baptist Church of Wilson gathered at Fort Macon State Park, playing group games, swimming in the ocean, and having a picnic, they shared about Jesus Christ with some park visitors before leaving. They also offered cold bottled water, consistent with Jesus’ statement in the book of Mark: “For whoever gives you a cup of water in my name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Park Ranger Crocker approached the group and explained that they were not allowed to communicate with others unless they first obtained a permit. Pastor Rivers was given a warning and told that if it continued, they would be cited for a park rule violation.

The park rule cited by the park ranger is Title 15A Section 12B.1105 of the North Carolina Administrative Code, which states: “A person shall not hold any meeting, or exhibitions, perform any ceremony, or make any speech, unless he has a permit.” There is a minimum $30 fee for any such permit. There are no written criteria or time limits for approving permit applications.

Liberty Counsel is affiliated with the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Jan 13 2 comments
Anti-LGBT, Ex-gay, LGBT, Religion

Randy Thomas and ex-gay disingenuousness

In response to a recent Dan Savage column, ex-gay Randy Thomas, an official with Exodus International, wrote (h/t Ex-Gay Watch):

For the most part, we are intelligent, balanced, stable, tolerant of what we may not personally accept and loving. We looked at what identifying as gay and all of the predetermined relational options of what that means and said, “no thanks.” Some of us have experienced orientation shift and others haven’t … and we are all living out our faith and life as we see fit. I and everyone I know, have no desire to force others into our line of thinking.

Except that last line is a lie. Time and time again, ex-gay ministries or their supporters have forced gay teenagers at ages 16 or 17 into residential treatment centers.

Zach Stark

Zach Stark

Back in Summer 2005, teenager Zach Stark was forced into an Exodus International-affiliated treatment center. The late Jerry Falwell, an Exodus supporter, “dismissed psychologists’ claims that consent is fundamental to a healthy counseling relationship and that parents should not force their gay kids into therapy.”

And we can’t forget about Lance Carroll, who was forced to attend the same residential treatment center as Stark. He says the “therapy” included isolation and group shaming sessions where one participant would be singled out and shamed for the personal occurrences in their life.

There’s also this gem, the story of Jeff Williamson, a young man whose parents made an appointment for him to go to an ex-gay therapist referred by Focus on the Family, an Exodus supporter. He says he wasn’t “exactly forced,” but felt “an intense pressure” from his parents. What else is a teenager supposed to do?

It’s situations like Williamson’s that might just be the most dangerous. Teenagers and other young people who feel so pressured to go into these therapies that they keep all of their emotion, grief or anger bottled up inside. For LGBT youth, who are already more susceptible to suicide, these factors are all a dangerous combination.

Jan 13 0 comments
Health, LGBT, Religion

Campus Crusade to work with gay group on HIV/AIDS?

In my hometown paper’s weekly religion section last Saturday, an article profiling a Florida Campus Crusade leader noted the leader’s initiative to start an HIV/AIDS outreach group with a campus LGBT student organization:

Josh Spavin knows the stereotypes about evangelical Christians — judgmental, sanctimonious, narrow-minded. He may not buy into the image, but he knows how real — and damaging — it can be.

So that’s why Spavin, a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida and an intern with the university’s chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ International, wants to start an HIV/AIDS outreach with a campus gay-lesbian group.

“Because of the way they perceive us,” Spavin, 25 said. “What we wanted to do is find common ground where we can serve along side with them…. We don’t necessarily agree with their choices, because that’s not part of our faith, but we still love them.”

Spavin will be walking a thin line — one that separates Christian charity and anti-gay proselytizing. The article doesn’t interview anyone with a campus LGBT group, but I hope they are wise enough to put into place restrictions on how Campus Crusade can approach those LGBT people with HIV/AIDS. It’d be an awful sight to see the Crusaders take this opportunity to show gay and lesbian people “the evil of their ways.” The campus gay group certainly wouldn’t want to be known as the group that enabled it.

Despite my skepticism, I wish Spavin the best of luck. Maybe he will change something. Maybe he’ll learn real life lessons he’s never had the chance to know before.

Jan 12 0 comments
LGBT, Media, Politics, Religion

Confirming their own fears

Raleigh’s News & Observer published an insightful column Sunday:

Every argument against gay marriage is rooted in prejudice. There is no compelling state interest that should trump the gay community’s demand for equal rights.

Opponents of same-sex marriage offer two lines of attack.

The first is religious. The Bible (and the Quran), they say, casts homosexuality as a sin. That’s true. But the Bible also suggests that the world is 6,000 years old and offers scores of rules we blithely ignore. I don’t believe anyone wants to start executing adulterers (Leviticus 20:10).

If most believers followed the Bible literally, their rejection of homosexuality would truly reflect their faith. Instead, they cite its prohibition because it confirms their prejudices and fears.

Writer Peder Zane should be proud, but I should add he missed another great insight near the end of his piece:

The second line of attack involves the slippery slope. If we approve gay marriage, opponents say, then everything will be permissible.

Warren expressed this rationale in a December interview with the Web site Beliefnet.com.

“I’m opposed to redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage [as being between a man and a woman],” he explained. “I’m opposed to having a brother and sister being together and calling that marriage. I’m opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that marriage. I’m opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.”

In fairness, his appeal to 5,000 years of history is not without weight. Social structures do not arise and endure willy-nilly but because they satisfy basic societal needs. They also change over time as they conflict with evolving needs and sensibilities.

A commenter called him out:

The author of this article and the editor who approved are both clueless! The argument that it’s the way we have always done done it was used to justify slavery and has been used to suppress womens rights and now to suppress the rights of people who are born gay. It seems there is an element of society which needs to define it self by what it can offer but buy what it wants to deny others. Shame on you!