Angie's Aim

Introduction to blog series addressing Homosexuality & Christianity : If you want to know more about homosexuality, you can buy a book about it. There are plenty out there. I know. I used to sell them! So, this series isn’t going to be a regurgitation of information found in books. These are real conversations that will not be predictable.

Although this is still a “baby blog,” I have been blessed with such brilliant commenters (I’m not beyond flattery – It’s a southern thang!) that I’m eager to have these conversations with you! I believe that when folks like you share things you are challenged by in your sphere of influence, the ripple effects can rock the world… much more so than starting a ministry or getting involved politically (though those things have their place).

So, why should you be interested in this? This topic may not hit close to home with you. But I assert that although we’ll talk about things specific to homosexuality, it’s not really the issue. That’s the great illusion. Engaging in conversations about complex issues tends to surface our core spiritual values. It may be a shocking look in the mirror revealing hidden pride & prejudice. Or it could deepen convictions that were seeds planted long ago in need of watering. Ultimately it renews our minds and continues to transform us more into the image of Jesus Christ. And who couldn’t stand more of that?

Personally, I believe this is a defining issue in Christianity today… the church’s Achilles’ heel. In spite of all our strengths impacting the world for Christ, our reaction and response to people who deal with homosexual feelings could be our fatal weakness in our witness to the world.

The majority of my blog commenters are Christians, so I’ll speak to that audience, but anyone is welcome to join in…

So… what do I know? Why should you care what I think about homosexuality anyway? I am not gay. I don’t wield a degree in psychology as my authority. I am not an accredited counselor who specializes in gender identity disorders or sexual orientation.

But for 15 years I have been tutored by relationships that far supercede anything I’ve read in a book. So homosexuality is more than just a word to me… it’s the faces of people I have loved and who have generously loved me better than I deserve.

They are men and women who are gay as well as men and women who have same-sex attractions that they choose not to act on because of their faith convictions. They are single, married to the opposite sex, in a committed gay relationship, celibate, promiscuous... They are Christian, atheist, searching, ambivalent… They are parents, grandparents, adolescents… They are college students, factory workers and adults who have jobs in education, medicine, law, banking, engineering, religion, music…

They are men and women just like you and me.  They are confident, fearful, fulfilled, yearning, popular, outcasts… humans, created in the image of God.  And one category doesn't fit all.

I cannot presume to speak for them, yet their voices have been silenced to a large degree in the Christian community. They deserve to be heard, so I endeavor to speak of their lives with deep love and respect.

If you’re reading this, you are invited to join in these conversations. No need to RSVP. Just show up when you can and make yourself comfortable here. I'm putting on a pot of coffee on this chilly autumn afternoon, and I lift a toast to you!  Wherever you may be on the issue of homosexuality, your story matters.  Diverse opinions are not only expected, they are welcome!

So, y'all come back now, ye hear?!

(The plan is to post 2-3 chunks a week - depending on resulting dialogue.  Lord willing, we can get through it all before Thanksgiving!  I'm looking forward to our time together!)