Being There for the LGBTQIA+ Community

[mvillarreal]

Hi, everyone! As some of you may know, the United Methodist Church just passed a resolution excluding anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ from being a minister. Please know that if you are personally affected by this, I am here for you. If you know someone who has been affected by this decision, please be there for them, as this is a time of great grief for many LGBT members of the UMC. Please keep the LGBTQIA+ community and the religious community suffering division in your hearts and in your prayers and actions of peace and justice.

[AZ1970]

Thank you for your loving support of this community. My son is gay and non binary. If he felt called to serve others through a church he should be allowed to. I can’t wait until we as a nation can stop the division with this issue. Depression and suicide are high with this population. It’s so very sad.

[ChicagoGirl1961]

Aren't there some churches that are accepting of the gay community?

[mvillarreal in reply to ChicagoGirl1961]

Yes. The UMC was among them, but they recently voted to not allow LGBTQIA+ individuals to be ministers, which is very saddening to many of the people I know who were on their way to becoming clergy in the UMC and were also gay, lesbian, or transgender. But yes, the Episcopalian church, some local UMC churches (thought that may now change), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Unitarian Universalist church, Unity, Christian Science, the United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and various other denominations are LGBTQIA+ friendly.

[hypercat54]

Hi one very good reason why I can't take any religion seriously as I hate sexism, racism, homophobia etc. This seems to be present in every religion. x

[mvillarreal in reply to hypercat54]

Yes, it's very unfortunate. There are, however, churches and religions that are accepting of all genders, ethnic backgrounds, races, and sexual orientations (the United Methodist Church used to be one of them). The United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Unity, the Episcopal Church, and various others are LGBTQIA+ affirming. There are also various progressive mosques and Reform and Conservative Jewish synagogues that are accepting of everyone as well.

[hypercat54 in reply to mvillarreal]

Fair enough, but I don't know of any where women can hold the highest positions alongside men. x

[LovelySnow in reply to hypercat54]

Not that this makes all religion infallible, but I believe Disciples of Christ gives equal opportunity for women to hold any position. (Their current president is a woman - article in link). google.com/amp/s/www.nbcnew...

I'm also not trying to change your mind, hypercat. I respect you & your opinions.

[hypercat54 in reply to LovelySnow]

As I do you. Everyone is entitled to believe what they want to and I firmly believe that. I only get hacked off when others try and force their opinions on to me. Live and let live and agree peacefully to differ is my motto. x

[LovelySnow in reply to hypercat54]

Yes, for sure. 👍✌💕

[hypercat54 in reply to LovelySnow]

🐱‍👓👌😎 x

[LovelySnow in reply to hypercat54]

I'm sorry, hypercat. I know you kindly received my comment, but I don't feel good about it. I rarely (if ever) comment about "religion" on this forum because this is a safe place and I love that about this. (It was also 4:30 in the morning...:p). I was going to delete it - and might, still - but wanted to say that.

Anyway, have a good day/night.🌈

[hypercat54 in reply to LovelySnow]

Oh no worries LovelySnow (love your name). It's only preaching or trying to convert others which causes problems on here, the same way discussing politics or sex can. Anything which people hold strong opposing views about are best avoided to keep the peace.

Most people can discuss things politely and respect each others standpoint, but unfortunately you do get a few who have to become abusive which spoils it for the rest. Please don't delete your reply. x

[LovelySnow in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks, hypercat. 💖🐈💖🐈💖🐈

[mvillarreal in reply to hypercat54]

All of those mentioned above allow women to be ordained, but I do agree that those paths that do not allow that are very problematic.

[aaronm in reply to hypercat54]

The Episcopal church supports equality among all.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to hypercat54]

The Anglican Church and others

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

hi hypercat,I feel the same ,regarding sexism,racism and of course any discrimination of sexual identity,bible is filled with male hierarchy===it appears that Malefigureheads dominated history for centuries and its only been the past 2 that women are being recognised for theyr role and significance throughout social history-as is equality for Lgbt rights .

[hypercat54 in reply to lorianxiety]

Totally agree. Have you ever heard of Aphra Ben? She was a woman playwright who had more shows than Shakespeare at around the same time but has been 'forgotten by his-tory'. x

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

,Thanks I looked her up Aphra Ben,interesting,there are many outstanding women Ethyl Smyth female composer The Wreckers and the signature tune Shoulder to shoulder the televised series for Suffaragettes--theres many more as you probably have heard of but my brains overought tonight trying to stave off Anxiety-its good though to apply ones mind to this particular subject,its a topic I never tire of!

[hypercat54 in reply to lorianxiety]

Oh never heard of the composer. I know back in the 50/60's consciousness raising involved ressurecting famous women of the past who had been forgotten by history. You know the painter Joshua Reynolds? Well apparently he had an sister called Kate who was recognised as a better painter than him. He was jealous of her and as he was head of the family he made her marry a man in the country and forbid her to paint. Which is why you hear of him and not her.

Have you ever read 'The Woman's Room' by Marylin French? It quite literally changed my life and explained many things I knew but detailed the whole process of sexism and how it worked. x

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

You never heard of Ethel smyth is because apparently shes been the only female composer of her time.Marilyn French yes,I read that book years ag0-i cant quite remember the contents--and I do look upon myself as a Feminist--very much into Womens Rights though not that militant-im a reserved-advocate haha-are you in UK?

[hypercat54 in reply to lorianxiety]

Yes in UK. x

[mvillarreal in reply to hypercat54]

hypercat54 I just wanna say, your profile pick is adorable!

[hypercat54 in reply to mvillarreal]

Oh thank you I change my avatar depending how I am feeling and my last one was as black as I felt. Now I am feeling more like the kitten on it so changed it again. x

[Emily16]

Well said. All in all we are all God’s children. He loves each one of us no matter who we are or what we do. Prayers for all my brothers and sisters.🙏🏽💕

[aaronm]

God loves everyone equally no matter their sexual orientation or gender. Churches that profess to hold God's standards of respect should follow in that path but...

[lorianxiety in reply to aaronm]

Its a strange world and its been a lifelong struggle for the acceptance of same sex ,both in everyday life and in the Church's -IM speaking of R,C. among the many who retain traditional values and the hypocrisy is rife....Other places too though my brainbox is worn out .Christians(born again)and others that live by the bible are not on the whole tolerant of others outwith traditional values.

[hypercat54 in reply to lorianxiety]

Yes I agree. I have found though that many people who profess to be religious (no one here and I am not pointing the finger at anyone, this is purely my experience), are among the most intolerant of others who aren't believers.. x

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

yes,I can agree with you on that point ,hypocrisy is rife especially with the "holier than thou" lot my oldest sister being one example!

[Mary-intussuception in reply to lorianxiety]

What a sweeping generalisation!

How offensive to genuine, loving, caring Christians.

Christian Faith in action can be seen / found - if you look for it.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to hypercat54]

How intolerant are the Christians who run Food banks (voluntarily); Work as Street Pastors, helping late night clubbers and people who've had too much to drink (voluntarily ) and run night shelters for the homeless in cold weather (voluntarily) ; Unpaid Counsellors ; comforters, pastoral visitors, etc etc . . . .

[hypercat54]

Oh dear sorry to hear about your sister! Both my cousins are born again christians and they are still lovely people though. x

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

Ive nothing against people who are religious whichever faith they follow but being of Italian stock ,my sisters the eldest and we were all born into RC faith-,she my sisters attitude is that those who aren't followers or church-goers make them feel less of a person--im leaning towards spiritual .

[hypercat54 in reply to lorianxiety]

not good! x

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

im standing my ground -im a very logical person as a rule though anxiety has certainly ruffled me hopefully not beyond redemption.lol

[hypercat54 in reply to lorianxiety]

Never beyond redemption x

[lorianxiety in reply to hypercat54]

Well,that's true-just as well,couldnt cope full stop!