Religion It’s a Start
posted by on February 6 at 11:30 AM
A little good news:
A group of Christian ministers from mainstream denominations will march in the Mardi Gras parade to apologise for the church’s hostility to gay and lesbian people.The apology statement by the group calling itself the 100 Reverends asked for forgiveness, but insisted the signatories were individuals and not official representatives of any denominations.
“The church has been responsible for fostering hatred towards and exacerbating the marginalisation of the GLBT community,” Pastor Mike Hercock said. “We choose to stand with the Lord of the church and offer friendship and welcome.”
Friendship and welcome, but not approval. The fine print:
Metropolitan Community Church, which caters to gay and lesbian Christians, has given support to the statement and float, but will not play a major role. “Not everyone who is part of that approves of homosexual people, they’re just apologising for the way the church has behaved,” MCC Reverend Karl Hand said.
Apologetic gay bashing is better unapologetic gay bashing, I guess, and it’s remarkable that these preachers have decided to make their apologies by taking part in Sydney’s Mardi Gras Parade, which features a lot of naked and nearly-naked male flesh—no wait. Now it all makes sense.
"Apologetic gay bashing is better unapologetic gay bashing..."
hmmm...sounds like the rationale for supporting a Democrat for President.
"I'm sorry, but each state should be allowed to legalize bigotry and I won't say a thing to discourage voters, but I will expect your vote nonetheless because I think you are super."
When I started reading this, I thought wow this is pretty progressive for New Orleans but then saw it was in Sydney, Australia and now wish I was there for their Mardi Gras Parade.
please provide photograghic proof of these allegedly naked males...I won't believe it until I see it...
Anyone notice the names? Pastor Hercock & Rev. Hand !
*slap* "we're sorry." *slap* "no, really, we're sorry." *slap* Jesus loves you, too. *slap*
I remember going to both Mardi Gras and Decadence in the past and how it was so disheartening to see African-American churches out in force with their children protesting the event. It made me feel sad for them but I know these Southern churches do not represent the majority of African-Americans.
Sounds pretty much exactly like the tolerance you were touting yesterday.
Exactly Gital.
Dan, weren't you just yesterday crowing about how tolerant you are?
Well, this is the 100 Reverends being tolerant. They may not 100% support gays and everything we do and are, but they are apologizing for past bad behavior of the church in general, and demonstrating tolerance, even if not !00% agreement.
Sounds just fine to me.
Boy, it's really too bad that the oldest church in Seattle hasn't gotten in on this whole accepting the gays thing. There are so many things they could do to show that Christians aren't all crazy bastards like Fred Phelps or Pastor Hutch.
For a start, maybe they could welcome gay and lesbian members without prejudice or distaste. Or they could show symbolic support for the gay community by letting the Seattle Men's Chorus rehearse in their building. Or maybe - this would be great - maybe they could send delegates to their denomination's general conference and try to get some of those nasty homophobic passages removed from the church's Book of Discipline. Man, that would rule.
But like I said, it's a shame they don't do any of that. Because I'm sure that if they did, Dan would know about it right away.
It is the tolerance I was touting yesterday -- hence the title of the post. And I was sincere when I wrote that apologetic gay bashing was better than unapologetic gay bashing. But I got in a swipe, it's true. Sometimes I can't resist.
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