Christians apologizing

[Kobi]

Thank you for posting this. It is 2 years old, and as Corkey said a hoax.
But lets presume it was real and did happen for the right reasons.

I think I can understand why the author of the article may have some misgivings about the signs. But, I tend to agree with those who commented on the article.

Being a recovering catholic, I do believe in - let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me, and I believe in doing unto others as I would have them do onto me. Sometimes, I am even successful at it.

I dont expect others to understand all the ins and out of how the things they may say and do may affect me. But, if a sincere hand of peace is offered to me, as a good faith gesture of trying to right a wrong, I will reach out.

It just makes sense to me. Understanding, learning, evolution are not destinations. They are journeys of growth and development. Making mistakes and misjudgements is part of being human. Forgiveness and healing is also part of being human.

I can perpetuate hate or I can be an instrument of peace. The choice is mine. And, it is a selfish choice not an altruistic one. It is all about my well being, my peace of mind, the person I am and strive to be, the example I prefer to set.

It will never be about what what goes on out there. It will always be about what goes on inside of me.

Hoax or not, is an interesting topic to think about.

[boobookitty]

Originally Posted by Kobi

Thank you for posting this. It is 2 years old, and as Corkey said a hoax.
But lets presume it was real and did happen for the right reasons.

I think I can understand why the author of the article may have some misgivings about the signs. But, I tend to agree with those who commented on the article.

Being a recovering catholic, I do believe in - let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me, and I believe in doing unto others as I would have them do onto me. Sometimes, I am even successful at it.

I dont expect others to understand all the ins and out of how the things they may say and do may affect me. But, if a sincere hand of peace is offered to me, as a good faith gesture of trying to right a wrong, I will reach out.

It just makes sense to me. Understanding, learning, evolution are not destinations. They are journeys of growth and development. Making mistakes and misjudgements is part of being human. Forgiveness and healing is also part of being human.

I can perpetuate hate or I can be an instrument of peace. The choice is mine. And, it is a selfish choice not an altruistic one. It is all about my well being, my peace of mind, the person I am and strive to be, the example I prefer to set.

It will never be about what what goes on out there. It will always be about what goes on inside of me.

Hoax or not, is an interesting topic to think about.

I agree, it would be nice to be able to have safe conversations about faith.

[dark_crystal]

Originally Posted by blush

Should we go into churches with signs? Half naked or not? What would the signs say?

Originally Posted by Dude

no , that would be disrespectful.
that's their safe place and we get to have ours and
live our lives without being critiqued, picketed and
shamed.

I have always thought that the fastest way to "win" this "fight" would be through the Church.

We have a valid argument in the separation of church and state and how we shouldn't have to make a religious argument for our rights, and that is absolutely correct and I am sure it will work eventually, but....

imagine if every church was gay in the same proportions that the population is gay. If ten percent of every congregation was respectfully, but openly gay.

What if we had a big gay meeting and decided we were all going to google the church closest to our zip code and just start showing up?

You wouldn't have to be disrespectful or disruptive. You wouldn't even have to announce your presence. When new people show up the church folks get ALL up in your business and the first question is "are you married?"

I bet the whole thing would be over in a year.

Now, the obvious question is "are you putting your money where your mouth is, Jenny? Shouldn't you be on your way to Faith United Methodist right now?"

Heck, no. The whole idea terrifies me.

But, still. I bet it would work.

[Gentle Tiger]

While this may be a hoax, I think it is something that should happen and on a regular basis and in different ways. I am one of those people feels the need to apologize for those who give Christianity a bad name. People of faith should be finding different ways to be supportive and say I'm sorry. My church for example, marches every year in San Diego Pride. We do this because want everyone to know there is a place where all are welcome, where we will not seduce you with acceptance and then try to change you, etc.

As an assistant pastor, I have lost track of the number of people I've encountered who have left their faith not because they have discovered another path in their spirituality but because of how they have been spiritually abused/exploited.

I have to head out to services and other tasks for today but I will be come back. Good discussion.

[Quintease]

I didn't realise he'd admitted it was a hoax

I knew there were a lot of questions and queries about his actions, particularly since his church was rumoured to support conversion therapy. What a tosser.

[Miss Scarlett]

It's a shame this was a hoax and even sadder that it's not and won't be the only one resorting to such tactics...

At Pride Charlotte 2007 a group was handing out silicon bracelets in Pride colors...people were snapping them up until it was discovered (and announced from the stage) that the seemingly friendly folks handing them out were members of one of the uglier protest groups and inside the bracelet was the address for a hate filled anti-LGBT web site where the main message was how we were all going to burn in hell...

[Ciaran]

Assuming it had not been a hoax (and, even if it was, there are similar examples of Christians apologising for homophobia and bigotry in the name of their religion), I actually am not in favour of it.

In fact, I am strongly against this type of apology.

Rather, in my mind, an apology needs to be personal. I am a Roman Catholic but I do not believe that I have the power or the authority to apologise on behalf of that Church to the many people it has, and continues to, hurt. Similarly, I don't see how others can apologise for the actions of their wider communities either.

Maybe it's just a semantics point but, to me, it is important.

With that said, I am wholly supportive of those religious folk, esp. those who are "straight" who are unambiguously in favour of equal rights for LGBT peoples and, more personally, who welcome LGBT people into their faith communities. Furthermore, those who are LGBT and practitioners of faith can play a powerful role in hopefully ensuring any future hurt caused by churches in the name of God is minimised.

Yesterday, I attended a one-day workshop here in London for LGBT Roman Catholics. It was tremendously powerful, if sometimes difficult, for me, esp. as my intuitive Roman Catholic faith tends to be on the more reactionary and judgemental side. I don't do Pride but a visible Roman Catholic community will be marching at London Pride (www.sohomasses.com) - whilst I won't be marching, I did however buy one of the t-shirts that they will be wearing on the march. It's a simply design of a cross and the words, "Nobody knows I'm Catholic".