Churches Still Ejecting Gays and Lesbians
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Bigotry in churches is keeping young people from the pews.
Some are staying away because they don't want to participate in institutions that offer hate in place of God's love. Others are literally being ejected from their churches because of their sexuality.
Bobbie Pierce is an example. His congregation, Ambassador's Bible Chapel in Newberry Township, has removed him from membership and refused him communion because he's gay. Their leadership says this is an act of love meant to force Mr. Pierce to change his sinful ways but homosexuality is not a sin: bigotry is.
It is vital that progressive communities of faith continue to preach God's message of radical love for all to counter act those that preach hate. This debate has implications not just for who attends church but how gays and lesbians are treated in the public square. Anti-gay hate laws continue to be justified, in a form of theological malpractice, with Christian teachings. We know better. God calls us to be a just society filled with grace and not judgement. Bobbie Pierce and others like him need to know he is welcome in God's house.
There Are No Strangers In God's House: A Homily on Matthew 25:31-46 by Rev. Chuck Currie from The Rev. Chuck Currie on Vimeo.