Christian rally on gay rights [August 14-17 at/near U. of PA] - FReep opportunity?

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | August 3, 2003 | Kristin E. Holmes

[calvin sun]

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Back to Home >	Sunday, Aug 03, 2003

	Posted on Sun, Aug. 03, 2003
	Christian rally on gay rights A national convention is scheduled for Aug. 14-17 in Philadelphia. The goal: Fostering inclusive worship. By Kristin E. Holmes Inquirer Staff Writer The Book of Leviticus is often cited as clear proof that homosexual activity is forbidden. "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination," says Leviticus 18:22, New Revised Standard Version. "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination...," declares Leviticus 20:13. But religion professor David Otto argues that the Bible verses are not so black and white. When biblical and cultural context are considered, what appears to be absolute gives way to ambiguity, says Otto, a professor at Centenary College in Shreveport, La. Otto will be in Philadelphia later this month to discuss the Bible as a sacred text that offers something other than condemnation to gays and other sexual minorities. He will be among the speakers at a national convention of about 1,000 Christian gay-rights advocates that is billed as the largest ecumenical event of its kind ever held. Called WOW2003 (for "Witness Our Welcome"), it is scheduled for Aug. 14-17 at locations on and near the University of Pennsylvania campus. Homosexuality is a hot-button issue in the Christian world, as the current feuding in the Episcopal church shows. Many WOW participants will come from Protestant denominations - Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and others - that have fought internally for years about whether to allow same-sex rites and actively gay clergy. Otto, in a phone interview, said he would encourage WOW participants to read the Bible in a way that considers "the depth of the text" and the assumptions and biases brought by contemporary readers. Scripture often has multiple meanings, he said, so one needs to do "deep reading." Questions to apply to the Leviticus passage on homosexuality, he said, include: "How does this fit into the context of other statements of law in the chapter? What did the text mean culturally at the time? Is it the same as a modern-day understanding of homosexuality? Is it really sexuality at all, or does it have to do more with the role and status of women?" He also said churches had lost the ability to welcome the stranger. "In much of the Bible, an encounter with a stranger is not an encounter of fear, but a potential encounter with the sacred" - or God, Otto said. "How do we reclaim the ability to live in the midst of 'the other' and not see them as a threat?" WOW's goal is to foster inclusive worship in congregations. Convention activities will include workshops, Bible study, daily worship, gospel concerts, and a legal-rights forum. There also will be an exhibit of liturgical stoles owned by clergy, elders, deacons, seminarians and others who have been barred from serving their faith communities because of their sexual orientation. The convention sponsors are 13 gay-activist groups including More Light Presbyterians, the Reconciling Ministries Network (members of the United Methodist Church), and the Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ. Conference cochairman Marco Grimaldo said many participants come from churches struggling with issues of inclusiveness, a dilemma rooted in what he calls an unyielding world view. "Some people are so vested in their understanding of what Scripture means that it is very difficult for them to grow beyond that," Grimaldo said. "They feel they are going to lose something if the rest of us are allowed to study things in a new way." Registration information is at http://www.wow2k.org, or call 1-866-550-3500. Contact staff writer Kristin E. Holmes at 215-854-2791 or kholmes@phillynews.com.

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[gunnedah]

Paraphrased

Whoa unto those who have taken the key of knowledge and instead of teaching the truth and enlightening you keep them in ignorance.
There is a very evil wicked spirit being cast about today in America.

[azhenfud]

"When biblical and cultural context are considered, what appears to be absolute gives way to ambiguity, says Otto, a professor at Centenary College in Shreveport, La."

A muddled mind is never able to comprehend absolutes.

[azhenfud]

Oh, and BTW, I Corinthians Ch. 6. V. 9 also condemns the homosexual. Lists them among other "unrighteous" that won't inherit God's kingdom.

[Caipirabob]

CINO ALERT!

Folks, these "aint" Christians. Love the sinner, hate the sin, and never encourage the sin outright.

[Windsong]

Many WOW participants will come from Protestant denominations - Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and others - that have fought internally for years about whether to allow same-sex rites and actively gay clergy

There is your problem right there.

Denominationalism

[sirchtruth]

"How does this fit into the context of other statements of law in the chapter? What did the text mean culturally at the time? Is it the same as a modern-day understanding of homosexuality? Is it really sexuality at all, or does it have to do more with the role and status of women?"

He knows exactly what it means, but he let's his selfish hardened heart over rule the spirit.

His first two questions are worth mentioning, but how many ways can a man lie with a man?

Revelation 2& 3

[joesnuffy]

"When biblical and cultural context are considered, what appears to be absolute gives way to ambiguity, says Otto, a professor at Centenary College in Shreveport, La."

Well what happend to Soddom and Gomorah I think pretty much indicates God's mind on the subject

[joesnuffy]

There is your problem right there.

Denominationalism

The real problem is still being hatched -------------> Ecumenism

[Salem]

"When biblical and cultural context are considered, what appears to be absolute gives way to ambiguity ... Scripture often has multiple meanings, he said, so one needs to do "deep reading."

Ah, the thinking of a mush-minded post-modernist "academic" valiantly enlightning those of us who have, up till now, imposed our intolerant preconceived biases on the Bible.

"... Yea, hath God said ... ?"

What a fraud.

[upchuck]

The convention sponsors are 13 gay-activist groups including More Light Presbyterians, the Reconciling Ministries Network (members of the United Methodist Church), and the Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ.

Gee, they left out the Southern Baptist Convention :)

• The Bible has numerous passages condemming homosexual acts and relationships.
• IMHO, the AIDS disease is a modern version of what God did to Soddom and Gomorah.
• Lest there be any doubt, the Catholic church has come out strongly against the homosexual lifestyle.
• Homosexuality is also condemned in most other major religions (Islam, Buddhism, etc.)

This may be a rally on queer rights. But no way is it a "Christian" rally on queer rights.

Pardon me for not pandering to the queers and using their symbol of choice, "gay."

[azhenfud]

How true!

"How does this fit into the context of other statements of law in the chapter? What did the text mean culturally at the time? Is it the same as a modern-day understanding of homosexuality? Is it really sexuality at all, or does it have to do more with the role and status of women?"

Genesis Ch.3 V.1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

That old serpent, the devil, is still just as subtil and cunning...

[Free_at_last_-2001]

That old serpent, the devil, is still just as subtil and cunning... - yes the greatest thing evil can do is pretend it doesn't exist!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

If you follow the links at the bottom you will find:

Special Activities

Christian Lesbians OUT "Nite of Passion"

...(the speakers)"will connect us to their sensual/sexual passions.... some topics to be lovingly explored include: erotic & Sexual power/passion; omnigendered passion, finding your passions; fierce friendships; making the connections internationally, and life as OUT lesbians in these times....."

Funny, not a single word about anything having to do with religion....... apparently this is more of a lesbian hook up service than a spiritual renewal/awakening convention....

[Brad’s Gramma]

What an ignorant group of people. Their Bibles wide open, but unable to grasp the truth.

Wait......UNWILLING to grasp the truth is more like it.

[Cindy]

STRAIGHT TALK FROM THE BIBLE: "SEXUAL SINS"
http://truthusa.com/discus/messages/3031/3042.html

[HiTech RedNeck]

WOW = What Odious Whitewash.

[quietolong]

There may be some gray areas in the Bible. But the passages are not rainbow colored.

[F16Fighter]

[Religion professor David] Otto in a phone interview, said he would encourage WOW participants to read the Bible in a way that considers "the depth of the text" and the assumptions and biases brought by contemporary readers.

Gee, how many new redacted Bibles will be published in the coming years, sanctioned by David Otto/Bishop Sponge-types?

We can assume the Book of Leviticus will be declared by the nouveau Christian elite to be "null and void" due to it's homophobia" and "hate-speech."

[RobbyS]

Nonsense. If there is anything clear it is that homosexuality is proscribed by both the Old and New Testaments. Futhermore, it is incosistent with the whole tenor of the Bible on the question of sex, which focuses on the relationship between men and women.