Gay bishop: 'It is about God's love' | Chicago Sun-Times

[Ediacara]

Gay bishop: 'It is about God's love'

February 9, 2004

BY CATHLEEN FALSANI Religion Reporter

The roiling controversy threatening to split the Episcopal Church may be a blessing in disguise, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop and the man at the center of the controversy, told parishioners Sunday in Chicago.

"You know, some blessings are painful at the beginning," Robinson said during his sermon at St. Edmund's Episcopal Church, 61st and Michigan. "Lots of congregations beyond ours are sitting around having discussions, sometimes heated, about what makes us church, what holds us together, what we really believe and why? How do we read Scripture?

"My God, we've got Episcopalians looking for their Bibles! Who would have thought it?" the bishop quipped, as the congregation erupted in laughter.

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[AirConditionedGypsie]

1. Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone"

But he also told this woman caught in adultery, to "Go and sin no more."

So IMO there must be a balance.

[cally]

2. This was the church of my childhood

The preaching concentrated on tolerance, acceptance, living God's word, helping those in need. I hate what's happened with the Christian right. Gay marriage wasn't discussed during my childhood where the discussions were about giving women the right to minister and supporting civil rights. Because I grew up during a mainstream Protestant church during the 70's, it would be impossible for me to not agree with this quote:

"It is about a God who loves us beyond our wildest imaginings. Why are people so angry that God's love might be extended to folks like me, and folks like you?"

Part of the fight within the church over Gay/Lesbian marriage is just a new battle over the same issues that have long divided Christian churches. Does being a Christian mean accepting the church's teachings on sexuality, 'morality', who to love, procreation, and in many ways Paul's teachings? Or does being a Christian mean accepting the teachings of Jesus, forgiveness, love, and God's grace, creating a world where all are accepted and loved?

[Rockholm]

3. What God Has Brought Together....

Let no man put asunder. I think that is the blessing at the end of a religious wedding. I believe that God may have indeed brought my partner of 8 years and I together. That same God willing, we will be joined in matrimony in June 2004 in my beloved home state of Massachusetts. So sad that the "church" is so blind to love and full of hate.