Who is my Neighbour? God, Gays and Good Samaritans
[This entry has now been published at online news and opinion source Eureka Street; please read it there. Andrew's Version will continue to be updated]
[This entry has now been published at online news and opinion source Eureka Street; please read it there. Andrew's Version will continue to be updated]
Thanks, Andrew, This is very well said, I hope it is heard...
ReplyDeletehmm good sermon :)
ReplyDeleteIts sad how the churches continually behave in ways that reinforce the (too often deserved) stereotype of christians as unloving and small-minded bigots. If only people would try opening up their minds when they open up their bibles!
Thank you so much, Andrew, for stressing the strong theme of inclusiveness in the parable, a theme which runs right through the Gospels. This was the 'scandal' which pitted the religious establishment against Jesus. It's sad to see the same conflict tearing at the heart of the Body of Christ today. The hateful cries for the withdrawal of the invitation to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA to speak in Australian churches are the latest sign of this. But it's heart-warming to read your words, a reminder that those with the hardest hearts and the loudest judgements don't speak for us all. And that those with inclusive hearts are not alone. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! What magic it would be if we could have a 'good gay', scrap that, ANY GAY, ANY BODY tell the story of the 'good christian' in the not too distant future!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed this type of action that perpetuates the belief that "church people" are hateful bigots. The actions of the Chrisitian Bretheren in this case are, I believe, shameful and would leave a christian following Jesus' principles of empathy and kindness aghast with disbelief.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to understand how exclusion, hatred and sanctimonious puffery can be incorporated into a christian worldview.
Having said that, it is a refreshing relief to find that mainstream churches and their members do not have such cruel views. It must be remembered that homosexuality is not a mere "lifestyle choice"; there are numerous physiological and psychological factors associated with same-sex attraction.
My thanks to you Andrew, for showing true kindness and acceptance. Those who profess faith in a loving god would do well to follow your gentle example.
Kind regards,
Ruth McFarlane