Slog
News & ArtsMonday, May 9, 2011
Homo / ??!! / Religion NALT Watch: The Ad That Was Too Controversial for Sojourners
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, May 9, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Okay, um... gee. Not a believer, not interested in being welcomed into anyone's church (prefer the Fremont Market on Sundays to just about anything else), but that ad made me mist up a bit. "Welcome, everyone." Nice message, cute kid, cute couple. Now I don't think kids belong in churches—"Youth Pastor Watch" archives are here—but if you're gonna take your kid to church, you really ought to find a church where everyone is welcome... gay or straight.
So, anyway, this ad was rejected by Sojourners, which considers itself the leading publication—in print and on the web—for progressive Christians. Okay! If progressive Christians can't unite behind the concept of welcome then, gee, what the fuck good are they? Noisy NALT Christian and blogger John Shore—a progressive Christian in deed, not just word—isn't having it. In an open letter to "famous progressive Christian" Jim Wallis, president and CEO of Sojourners, Shore writes...
Anyway, last week or so the folks at Believe Out Loud tried to buy ad space for this video on Sojo.net. They were hoping the video might run on your site on Mother’s Day, for which of course it would have been particularly apropos. I say “would have been,” because guess what happened? Someone at Sojourners turned down the ad buy for the video! Can you believe it? Me neither! In refusing the video, someone in your office wrote to the Believe Out Loud people, “I’m afraid we’ll have to decline. Sojourners position is to avoid taking sides on this issue. In that care [sic], the decision to accept [this] advertising may give the appearance of taking sides.” That person went on to say that Sojourners has not taken a stance on gay marriage, or on the ordination of homosexuals.
I know! Can you imagine someone working for you declaring that video to be too radical or controversial for Sojourners to be associated with? It’s mind-boggling, isn’t it? Hasn’t that person even read the Sojourners Diversity Statement?
The ad doesn't endorse gay marriage. It recognizes the existence of same-sex couples and the fact that many gay couples are raising children and it endorses welcoming them. Just welcoming them. A gay wedding doesn't break out, no rice is thrown, no bouquets reeking of the gay agenda are tossed, no groomsmen are bent over and fisted. It welcomes gay couples and their children—most of whom will grow up to be straight—to come to church and meet this Jesus person they've heard so much about. The same Jesus who welcomed lepers and prostitutes and Samaritans. (Personally I can't stand Samaritans.) And suggesting that followers of this Jesus person might wanna welcome same-sex couples and their children is too controversial for the progressives at Sojourners? Shit like this would cause me to lose all hope for "progressive" Christians if it weren't for truly progressive Christians like John Shore.
Go read the rest of Shore's open letter to Wallis.
57
"I think the last time that Christians were ahead of the curve on social issues in America was on Emancipation. That's over a 150 years ago. "
The last time that *some* Christians were - a whole bunch of evangelicals were as pro-slavery as could be, and put it ahead of everything else, including their country, the lives of their fellow Americans, and their God.
One of the things that's Just Not Done in our society is to point out that the evangelical right is not just the spiritual descendant of that church, but the direct continuation of it.
The last time that *some* Christians were - a whole bunch of evangelicals were as pro-slavery as could be, and put it ahead of everything else, including their country, the lives of their fellow Americans, and their God.
One of the things that's Just Not Done in our society is to point out that the evangelical right is not just the spiritual descendant of that church, but the direct continuation of it.
56
The minister at my Christian, UCC church is a gay, married man, and although the reason I think he's a great minister has nothing to do with his being gay, I do think it's particularly convenient to have his example for my children, so they grow up knowing that gay is totally normal, totally compatible with religious faith, and might be one of the various characteristics of respected figures in their lives.
53
The root of this problem is that so many people (Christians and non-Christians) are not religiously literate enough to identify the different threads of Christianity. CNN producers will put Jim Wallis (white male evangelical) on opposite Rick Warren (white male evangelical) and act like that represents the full diversity of Christian thought. Meanwhile progressive MAINLINERS can't get on TV to talk about their faith and their activism as hard as they try. Neither can progressive Catholics (with the notable exception of Stephen Colbert.)
It's been a dirty trick of evangelicals in media for a good 30 years to say "Christian" when they really mean "evangelical". Look at magazines like "Christianity Today". Look at the "Christian Broadcasting Network". They're all evangelicals. And folks are just not religiously literate enough to notice this.
It's been a dirty trick of evangelicals in media for a good 30 years to say "Christian" when they really mean "evangelical". Look at magazines like "Christianity Today". Look at the "Christian Broadcasting Network". They're all evangelicals. And folks are just not religiously literate enough to notice this.
52
"Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that embraces theological diversity; we welcome different beliefs and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person."
http://www.uua.org/
http://www.uua.org/
51
What has to be remembered about Sojourners is that despite its relative liberalism (compared to the likes of Christianity Today) on many issues, its core theological orientation is still evangelical, NOT mainline. There are limits to how LGBT-positive you can be while taking the Bible literally.
49
A response from Wallis: http://blog.sojo.net/2011/05/09/a-statem…
Commenters there aren't too impressed, and neither am I.
Commenters there aren't too impressed, and neither am I.
48
@28, actually, I'm an ELCA Lutheran. A lot depends on what congregation you walk into, but most are welcoming and open to all, regardless of...well...anything that might be an excluding trait in some churches. It also depends on the part of the country you are in. Here in the deep, deep South, ELCA churches tend to be the most progressive around. I realize that's really not saying much in the region, but it is something. And in my own congregation, even most of the conservative folks are for equal rights and acceptance for all.
Case in point: One of our older members, a WWII vet and pretty darned close to a Tea Partier politically stood up in a congregational meeting a couple years ago when our last pastor retired. He said that some time ago when the congregation was calling a pastor, they turned down an otherwise perfect candidate because he was divorced, and he always regretted that decision. Then he said that this time "we should call the pastor who is right for our congregation - it doesn't matter if he is divorced, gay, or a woman." (Yes, he did say if "he" is a "woman." Can't win them all, I guess). I was so impressed that he said that, in front of all the other old folks who just want a traditional pastor and pastor's wife.
Our synod welcomed back on to the "regual" roster of clergy a partnered lesbian pastor this past year, and welcomed her congregation back in to full communion. It was an utterly joyous event. I'm just sad that we even had to have an event like that in the first place.
Case in point: One of our older members, a WWII vet and pretty darned close to a Tea Partier politically stood up in a congregational meeting a couple years ago when our last pastor retired. He said that some time ago when the congregation was calling a pastor, they turned down an otherwise perfect candidate because he was divorced, and he always regretted that decision. Then he said that this time "we should call the pastor who is right for our congregation - it doesn't matter if he is divorced, gay, or a woman." (Yes, he did say if "he" is a "woman." Can't win them all, I guess). I was so impressed that he said that, in front of all the other old folks who just want a traditional pastor and pastor's wife.
Our synod welcomed back on to the "regual" roster of clergy a partnered lesbian pastor this past year, and welcomed her congregation back in to full communion. It was an utterly joyous event. I'm just sad that we even had to have an event like that in the first place.
47
There's a lot of controversy about what jesus would do, but welcoming everyone is possibly the most blatant Jesus-like action there is. That ad was so jesus-like and innocuous that if it came on TV I would drunkenly yell at it for being a bunch of bullshit. Can't believe that wouldn't get play time.
46
So why do they hate lesbians again? The high rate of HIV infection among men who have sex with men is the usual justification for hating faggots. Seems a bit odd to allow a core moral belief to be contingent on the inability of medical science to cure a particular disease but whatever. If lesbians suffer a lower rate of HIV infection than straight girls does that make lesbianism a morally superior life-style choice that should be encouraged?
43
@33 I agree. Cheaper than a hospital too, only ten percent of your income. Or is that the Mormons? I get them all confused.
42
I teared up. But I think it was mainly because I felt for the pain of the kid and his parents, not that warm fuzzy you got from those no on 8 couples. (or was it yes on 8? Shit I have trouble remembering... you know what I mean)
I'm guessing the add was designed to challenge people who are like the meanies in the add to look at themselves in the mirror.
I'm guessing the add was designed to challenge people who are like the meanies in the add to look at themselves in the mirror.
40
@29: A heathen Greek named Aesop once commented "Physician, heal thyself."
Perhaps the faithful should hold themselves to their own sexual codes before attempting to force them on others.
Perhaps the faithful should hold themselves to their own sexual codes before attempting to force them on others.
39
venomlash,
Mathew 9:12 is what comes to mind.
"On hearing this (this being the Pharisees complaining about his dinner companions), Jesus said. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
13
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call the righteous, but the sinner."
One of his favorite broken record is that being gay is a sickness. Putting it together the church is the hospital, the sermons the medicine, and Christ is the doctor who can heal. Thus, the repentant gay is the sinner that SB considers a "real" Christian (but only if he repents his sexual
orientation, though) that should be welcomed to the "hospital".
Standard Christian belief is that everyone is "sick", so he points the finger at himself.
It also sounds like another snippy comment directed at Dan.
Mathew 9:12 is what comes to mind.
"On hearing this (this being the Pharisees complaining about his dinner companions), Jesus said. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
13
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call the righteous, but the sinner."
One of his favorite broken record is that being gay is a sickness. Putting it together the church is the hospital, the sermons the medicine, and Christ is the doctor who can heal. Thus, the repentant gay is the sinner that SB considers a "real" Christian (but only if he repents his sexual
orientation, though) that should be welcomed to the "hospital".
Standard Christian belief is that everyone is "sick", so he points the finger at himself.
It also sounds like another snippy comment directed at Dan.
38
@37
He has no idea, he's just a kid starved for attention, so he writes things that he thinks will annoy the readers here, in hopes of getting a reaction, the sooner everyone starts ignoring him, the sooner he'll go away.
He has no idea, he's just a kid starved for attention, so he writes things that he thinks will annoy the readers here, in hopes of getting a reaction, the sooner everyone starts ignoring him, the sooner he'll go away.
36
Right. Gay America: if you're looking for social acceptance, go back to church. WTF?! This is so much cognitive dissidence my ears are still ringing.
35
Utne Reader has nominated Sojourners for a 2011 award in the Body/Spirit section.
Utne might want to rethink the Sojourner nomination.
Please ask Utne editors to withraw that nomination: dschimke@utne.com, KGoetzman @utne.com
Also, a petition to sign protesting Sojourners' bigotry:
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-soj…
Utne might want to rethink the Sojourner nomination.
Please ask Utne editors to withraw that nomination: dschimke@utne.com, KGoetzman @utne.com
Also, a petition to sign protesting Sojourners' bigotry:
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-soj…
34
I liked this video. And twitchy atheists: you don't have to personally like going to church to get that families who *do* want to go to church should absolutely be welcomed there.
I mean, I don't like proms, but I still wanted Constance and her gf to get to go to hers, because they wanted to.
I mean, I don't like proms, but I still wanted Constance and her gf to get to go to hers, because they wanted to.
33
Absolutely they should have been welcomed in the church. Where better for a sick person than a hospital?
32
I should clarify- by "those people" I mean the loud "Christians" and other "religious" people who never bothered to study their faith or anything else, but think they're experts, anyway.
31
@30 Trust me, those people upset me just as much.
The problem is, the people who are intelligent and mature in their faith are less likely to make noise about it. :/
The problem is, the people who are intelligent and mature in their faith are less likely to make noise about it. :/
30
@29: This atheist thanks you for your comment. I know some people of faith who aren't drooling troglodytes, but man oh man, those with loud voices sure do drown out the rest of you an awful lot.
29
As a Christian, I really enjoyed this video. The pastor was clearly the most Christ-like in that room, and I hope to see more people like him in more churches around the world.
And I just want to say... I am so tired of people saying that anyone who's religious/spiritual is ignorant, simple, feeble-minded, etc. President Obama is a devout Christian, and I don't think anyone could objectively say that he's unintelligent. Just because we have different views of the world and its purpose doesn't mean any of us is any more or less intelligent than anyone else. All I ask is for you (whoever you may be) to respect our beliefs, just as I and many others respect yours.
And I just want to say... I am so tired of people saying that anyone who's religious/spiritual is ignorant, simple, feeble-minded, etc. President Obama is a devout Christian, and I don't think anyone could objectively say that he's unintelligent. Just because we have different views of the world and its purpose doesn't mean any of us is any more or less intelligent than anyone else. All I ask is for you (whoever you may be) to respect our beliefs, just as I and many others respect yours.
28
@27 - Ha! Good one.
I also attend a UCC congregation like @24 and wouldn't be surprised if @20 also is UCC. We try to do more than provide lip service to the concept of "welcome, everyone" and I'll mention the watermelon ice cream thing at our council meeting tonight. Yes, we have gay couples as members...
I also attend a UCC congregation like @24 and wouldn't be surprised if @20 also is UCC. We try to do more than provide lip service to the concept of "welcome, everyone" and I'll mention the watermelon ice cream thing at our council meeting tonight. Yes, we have gay couples as members...
27
if "Welcome, everyone," is as good as it gets they should just turn around, go to Friendly's, and worship some of that ice cream that miraculously looks like a slice of watermelon.
26
I love the teapot example: I can't prove that there's no eight foot porcelain tea pot in orbit somewhere around our sun, I also can't prove that there is no God, but I'm not bound by intellectual honesty to admit that there may be one or more of each, it's okay to assume that the obvious in both cases is true, there isn't one and there isn't one, no problem. And yeah, we do have to live in peace with tea pot worshipers, they're just not going away any time soon.
25
Ah, the philosophies known as 'religion' (either from Latin religo 'to tie, to link, to bind', or relegere 'to read again'). Always a conversation maker.
I won't say religion is false or bad because I don't know for a fact that it is. I will say there were lots of religious people in history who did bad things, in the name of religion, but often enough in conflict with the tenets of the religions they claimed to follow -- so there's the whole 'is s/he really religious?' problem to deal with.
Anyways, as far as I can see religion isn't going anywhere soon, Like it or not, we'll have to live with it around.
I won't say religion is false or bad because I don't know for a fact that it is. I will say there were lots of religious people in history who did bad things, in the name of religion, but often enough in conflict with the tenets of the religions they claimed to follow -- so there's the whole 'is s/he really religious?' problem to deal with.
Anyways, as far as I can see religion isn't going anywhere soon, Like it or not, we'll have to live with it around.
24
As a person who defines myself as a Christian, I strongly disagree with the Sojourners decision and I found that ad to be endearing. Everyone is welcome at the church I attend, the Unversity Congregational United Church of Christ.
Dan, thank you for pointing out Sojourners' decision and presenting the viewpoint of a Christian who disagrees.
Dan, thank you for pointing out Sojourners' decision and presenting the viewpoint of a Christian who disagrees.
23
Churches for the most part have been big dumb beasts that do a lot of damage to the people around them (including their own members), but at this point in history we have a few of these big dumb dangerous beasts (including a few of the biggest) moving very slowly in the right direction. We can't "dismember" the beasts, folks got rights to believe horseshit if they want to, so the best we can do is to keep frightening them with mirrors, shoving and prodding them. They're simpleminded and once they really get going they often stampede . . .
21
@2: "Familiarity breeds contempt."
-Aesop
See, you can find a quotation from a notable person that says just about anything you want. And this one is at least relevant, with regard to the opinion BB voices at #5.
And the funny thing is that your quotation isn't even true in this regard. Little kids may think it's weird or unusual that one of their friends has two moms or two dads, but they don't perceive it as a bad thing until someone else tells them to.
-Aesop
See, you can find a quotation from a notable person that says just about anything you want. And this one is at least relevant, with regard to the opinion BB voices at #5.
And the funny thing is that your quotation isn't even true in this regard. Little kids may think it's weird or unusual that one of their friends has two moms or two dads, but they don't perceive it as a bad thing until someone else tells them to.
20
I'm in charge of publications for the library at my church. We won't be renewing our subscription to Sojourners, and I will be writing to them this week to tell them why, and I will tell our members why when questions come about where the magazine went this fall. The good thing is that I know our pastor will back me up on this one.
Just to give you a little different perspective, here is a program in Texas (of all places) that seeks to help LGBTQIA integrate their sexuality and their spirituality, and acknowledge that both are a gift from God, not matter your orientation.
http://www.spiritualprideproject.org/
And here is a similar program in Minnesota.
http://www.thenamingproject.org/
I've supported both though both financial and promotional means. If I'm going to be part of the NALT crowd, both my money and my actions need to speak louder than my words.
Just to give you a little different perspective, here is a program in Texas (of all places) that seeks to help LGBTQIA integrate their sexuality and their spirituality, and acknowledge that both are a gift from God, not matter your orientation.
http://www.spiritualprideproject.org/
And here is a similar program in Minnesota.
http://www.thenamingproject.org/
I've supported both though both financial and promotional means. If I'm going to be part of the NALT crowd, both my money and my actions need to speak louder than my words.
19
I'm glad to see that you posted this, Dan. I linked it as well on my "social network" site of choice.
18
@16 the apostles has been done: "look at all my trials and tribulations, sinking in a pool of wine..."
17
Don't forget, once he enters the condo, wifey is on her knees scrubbing the floor & he listens to his voicemail which says that junior is going to be staying a little while longer at the youth pastor's place.
16
@11 Excellent additions! Of course, guns...and maybe the Apostles could have a reality show where they bitch about him...
15
Christians claiming to be inclusive are like teabaggers saying they aren't racists. Sure, individuals in the group might not be, but the group as a whole is full of nasty bigots.
Belated Mother's Day thanks to my mother for raising me atheist. I can't imagine having to deal with this F-ed up religious crap being a part of my normality.
Belated Mother's Day thanks to my mother for raising me atheist. I can't imagine having to deal with this F-ed up religious crap being a part of my normality.
14
Was I the only one who saw the buildup as kind of creepy where everyone is looking and pointing and shifting and muttering around up until the priest says welcome? Maybe the music is cheerful, I dunno, but honestly, the body language of the people in the pews was not comfortable.
In any case, regardless, if I *facepalm* any further I'm probably going to knock myself out cold.
In any case, regardless, if I *facepalm* any further I'm probably going to knock myself out cold.
13
@6: So you're writing off more than 80 percent of the people in the world? How open-minded of you!
12
Pah! I just went and read full text of the Sojourners' diversity statement John Shore references. Sexual orientation is conspicuously absent from the second bullet point, where it belongs. Sojo.net are progressive on some issues, but not this one. Trouble is, once you are firmly progressive, the mainstreamers label you "not Christian", and, apparently, that just stings too much.
11
@9
You left out, the part where Jesus fondles his assault rifle, and then has his Mother put in prison for being an un-wed Mother...
You left out, the part where Jesus fondles his assault rifle, and then has his Mother put in prison for being an un-wed Mother...
10
I think the last time that Christians were ahead of the curve on social issues in America was on Emancipation. That's over a 150 years ago.
9
This is making me think about a possible alternative commercial, that would show Jesus driving a Hummer with a Bush/Cheney sticker on it, taking a parking spot from a little old lady, spitting at a panhandler, and meeting his mistress for a quickie, where we see a close up of the "God Hates Fags" tattoo on his ass. It would close with him handing an Enron business card to someone, before ignoring the doorman and heading up to his condo. You know, "What Would Jesus Do?", via fundie behaviour.
7
@5: Is he reciting that vice poem he loves so much again? Ya think he'd come up with some new material one and awhile….
6
Who cares? I know I don't. Religion is for saps and suckers and the ignorant. And if saying so makes you think I'm a bad person than you can suck it. SUCK IT!
5
@2: Oh, you know that's not true. After all, we've seen your hateful face for a long time, under many names, and you still keep getting your sorry ass banned.
3
Feh! Usually older gays are ever so pleased and moved by these symptoms of meme adaptation, but you're only what, 23? It doesn't add up.
2
roll out the welcome mat!
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
we first endure, then pity, then embrace
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
we first endure, then pity, then embrace
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
GOP Congressman: We Have to Ban Abortion Because Fetuses Are Masturbating In There by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: The Tell-Tale Handjob by Dan Savage
-
Foie Gras Tastes Like Cat Food by Callan Berry
-
Cap Hill Is Becoming a Little Like What? by Charles Mudede
-
SL Letter of the Day: Let Me Think... by Dan Savage
-
Pizza Update: Breaking the 5-Minute Barrier by Goldy
-
President Obama Says NSA Spying Is "Transparent" by Paul Constant
-
The Wednesday Morning News by Goldy
-
Less Than a Quarter of Americans Have Confidence in Newspapers by Eli Sanders
-
Slog Bible Study: Leviticus 20:9 by Goldy
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (57) RSS