Theological Thought for the Day - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

padre411 · 3rd Feb 2010, 11:50 AM

I am a married Episcopal priest in the early stages of coming out.

Since the bible gets used for so much gay bashing, I find myself now looking at it with new eyes.

The verse that caught my attention today is 1 Corinthians 15:10:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and God's grace toward me has not been in vain."

I think I can live with that.

Katherine · 3rd Feb 2010, 12:17 PM

*likes this*

Steve712 · 3rd Feb 2010, 01:18 PM

"Gets used for" is accurate; however, one must keep in mind that some of the writers of the Bible, most notably Saul of Tarsus, bashed homosexuals outright in their writings. There is no "misinterpreting" what Saul wrote, like there purportedly is with the very straight-forward verses of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13.

Beachboi92 · 3rd Feb 2010, 01:30 PM

yeah but thankfully the outright parts of the bible that bash homosexuality are easily blown off by anyone willing to think. For example a lot of parts where homosexuality is directly bashed the word homosexuality isn't even supposed to be there. It had to do with there being no word for homosexuality in that language and someone added it in when they translated it one of the times. And of course we all know leviticus is a bunch of crap.....

Daniel · 3rd Feb 2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padre411

I am a married Episcopal priest in the early stages of coming out.

Since the bible gets used for so much gay bashing, I find myself now looking at it with new eyes.

The verse that caught my attention today is 1 Corinthians 15:10:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and God's grace toward me has not been in vain."

I think I can live with that.

Thank you. I think it is a nice way that you are looking at the positive aspects of the Bible.

padre411 · 3rd Feb 2010, 02:46 PM

Steve712: The bible must be read carefully, somewhat selectively and while always attempting to understand the historical context. Anyone who says they are not selective is a liar. To hold Leviticus up as a book of primary authority is insane (otherwise we'd be stoning women who wear red clothes and gold jewelry). And Paul might be a little more problematic except that I'm pretty sure he thought of homosexuality in the context of prostitution in temples. Asking the bible to speak to homosexuality as we understand it now is like looking to the bible to explain an internal combustion engine.

beckyg · 3rd Feb 2010, 04:11 PM

Mike, I'm so happy you are here! So many struggle with religion and homosexuality. I hope you will not only gain strength for what you are going through but also be someone that people can reach out to that are struggling with being gay and a Christian. Welcome to EC!

3rd Feb 2010, 11:50 AM	#1
padre411 El Padre Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay (Kinsey 5.5) Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Southwestern US Age: 49 Posts: 416 Join Date: Jan 2010	Theological Thought for the Day I am a married Episcopal priest in the early stages of coming out. Since the bible gets used for so much gay bashing, I find myself now looking at it with new eyes. The verse that caught my attention today is 1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and God's grace toward me has not been in vain." I think I can live with that. __________________ Mike "The danger is not that there is no bread. The danger is that we believe we are not hungry because of a lie" - Simone Weil There is always a graceful path forward.

3rd Feb 2010, 12:17 PM	#2
Katherine Professional Cuddler Full Member Gender: 75% female Orientation: 110% gay Out Status: 98% out Location: The land of rednecks and pine trees (Georgia) Age: 19 Posts: 1,745 Join Date: Mar 2009	Re: Theological Thought for the Day likes this __________________ Overly emotional five-foot-tall vegetarian gamer girl who procrastinates way too much. Loves food, art, cats, and making people smile.

3rd Feb 2010, 01:18 PM	#3
Steve712 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Mostly out. Location: New Brunswick, Canada Age: 17 Posts: 1,292 Join Date: Feb 2010	Re: Theological Thought for the Day "Gets used for" is accurate; however, one must keep in mind that some of the writers of the Bible, most notably Saul of Tarsus, bashed homosexuals outright in their writings. There is no "misinterpreting" what Saul wrote, like there purportedly is with the very straight-forward verses of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. __________________ "Yet if hope has flown away / In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, / Is it therefore the less gone?" - Poe

3rd Feb 2010, 01:30 PM	#4
Beachboi92 Occasionally Caddy Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: queer Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Frederick Maryland Age: 19 Posts: 2,226 Join Date: Jul 2009	Re: Theological Thought for the Day yeah but thankfully the outright parts of the bible that bash homosexuality are easily blown off by anyone willing to think. For example a lot of parts where homosexuality is directly bashed the word homosexuality isn't even supposed to be there. It had to do with there being no word for homosexuality in that language and someone added it in when they translated it one of the times. And of course we all know leviticus is a bunch of crap..... __________________ All men are created equal, it is only men themselves who place themselves above equality. David Allan Coe

3rd Feb 2010, 02:46 PM	#6
padre411 El Padre Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay (Kinsey 5.5) Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Southwestern US Age: 49 Posts: 416 Join Date: Jan 2010	Re: Theological Thought for the Day Steve712: The bible must be read carefully, somewhat selectively and while always attempting to understand the historical context. Anyone who says they are not selective is a liar. To hold Leviticus up as a book of primary authority is insane (otherwise we'd be stoning women who wear red clothes and gold jewelry). And Paul might be a little more problematic except that I'm pretty sure he thought of homosexuality in the context of prostitution in temples. Asking the bible to speak to homosexuality as we understand it now is like looking to the bible to explain an internal combustion engine. __________________ Mike "The danger is not that there is no bread. The danger is that we believe we are not hungry because of a lie" - Simone Weil There is always a graceful path forward.

3rd Feb 2010, 04:11 PM	#7
beckyg PFLAG Mom Community Liaison Gender: Female Orientation: Straight Out Status: Out to everyone/Yes, parents come out too! Location: Middle of Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 7,572 Join Date: Mar 2007	Re: Theological Thought for the Day Mike, I'm so happy you are here! So many struggle with religion and homosexuality. I hope you will not only gain strength for what you are going through but also be someone that people can reach out to that are struggling with being gay and a Christian. Welcome to EC! __________________ "When we're free to love anyone we choose, When this worlds big enough for all different views, When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew, Then we shall be free" ~ Garth Brooks

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