Religion and Equality: Christian Gay Rights?

Are there Christian Gay Rights? Several religions do believe in equality in the eyes of God. Many, however, oppose equal rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queers. Check out giving strategies to reach equality...

INVITED ARTICLES ON

HOMOSEXUALITY, RELIGION, CHRISTIAN GAY RIGHT AND
EQUALITY BEFORE GOD

> Mitchell Gold, founder of Faith In America, discusses the harm done to LGBT Americans by some religious institutions.

> Donna Red Wing, Senior Advisor to the Interfaith Alliance, discusses Homosexuality, Religion, and Politics and how interfaith dialogue can help.

> Rev Debra Haffner, co-founder and director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, discusses how sexuality and spirituality relate to justice and equality for LGBT people.

Religion is very important in the life of many Americans. Some religions, however, do not support equality and actually oppose "gay marriage" as they opposed inter-racial marriage a few years ago.

Some religious leaders also believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans should not be protected against being fired for being who they are (despite that people are protected for being religious) or protected against hate crimes.

A panel of illustrious authors discusses the state of religion and equality and different strategies for major and mega donors to create a world in which religion does not interfere with the civil rights of all Americans.

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Homophobia is clearly rooted in sexism (see Suzanne Pharr’s extraordinary book, Homophobia, A Weapon of Sexism) and, as Andrew W. wrote, in the almost universal religious belief that homosexuality is wrong. Religions, however, differ in their approach to LGBT equality, and many mainline traditions are moving towards that equality and are experiencing painful and necessary schisms while others continue the rhetoric of “love the sinner, hate the sin.”

As LGBT Americans of many different faiths, or of no faith at all, it is my hope that we look to our religious freedom, written into the First Amendment to the Constitution, as we struggle towards full equality. The law of the land must reflect that first freedom and accord us full equality.

We can change hearts and minds. We can do what we can to help religious traditions in their struggle towards equality. I do not expect to change Southern Baptist doctrine or the canons of Catholicism, although I applaud those who try.

I can however, demand that my government disentangle itself from a specific religious view and accord its LGBT citizens all of the rights and privileges of citizenship. I can demand that my legislators adhere to the Constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. And I can insist that my President embrace full equality for all.

You may want to read Same Gender Marriage and Religious Freedom: A Call to Quiet Conversations and Public Debate by Reverend C. Welton Gaddy, a Baptist minister, at interfaithalliance.org/equality.

Religion made homosexuality wrong, sinful and deviant. It still does. Not a single denomination in the US has officially said "Homosexuality is Not Wrong, Sinful or Deviant." Not even MCC, UUA, Episcopalians, UCC or any others. We have 3,400 gay-friendly churches OUT OF 350,000 - not even 1%, leaving 99% un-friendly.

LGBT people will never be "equal" as long as we're "wrong." In the history of the LGBT Movement no group has ever rejected the Biblical lies about homosexuals. LGBT people have never won a popular vote and 75% of Americans believe we are "wrong." They got that belief from religion.

I hope we wake up and realize we can't be "equal" if we allow the religious lies to continue to define us.

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Last Modified 2009-01-27