Posts by Believe Out Loud
The Inevitable Rise Of Progressive Christianity
It is inevitable that Christians who would now be described as “liberal” will be the overwhelming majority of Christians in America. That sea change, the waters of which we already feel swelling everywhere around us, can no sooner be stopped than can the moon passing across the night sky. Today’s conservative evangelical Christians who are…
Read MoreThe Elephant In The Room: “I Remain, Still, A Gay Christian”
Letter of the week: Hi John! I stumbled across your site about two weeks ago, and have just been absolutely floored as I’ve gone back and read post after post. I’ve been so blessed through your writings and the comments that people have left. As a mid-twenties gay Christian in a small-town, conservative evangelical community,…
Read MoreSilent Supporter? It’s Time To Come Out Of The Closet
The religious right is out of the closet. No, not THAT closet (although I’m sure that door could swing open and reveal some hidden friends). No, the religious right is out, loud and proud in an entirely different direction. They have no qualms declaring the (widely-disproved) success of reparative therapy. They have unbound enthusiasm for protecting…
Read MoreSecretly Gay-Affirming Pastors: You Are Not Alone
Yesterday I received this email (which I use here by permission): Dear John, Hi. My name is [deleted]. I am nearly 48-years-old, and am married with two grown children. I am also a Methodist minister in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I have come to believe that I live in a black hole which is unknown…
Read MoreAudacious Activism In The Fight For LGBT Equality
I have a friend in Dayton, OH who just pulled off an act of delightfully bold LGBT activism. A long-time, anti-LGBT City Commissioner, now up for re-election, let his website domain name lapse. My friend – with an eye (and a plan) for stupid mistakes – took it over and is now reminding visitors to…
Read MoreMay God’s Extravagant Love & Grace Inspire The Fellowship Meeting In Minneapolis
“You are the church, I am the church, we are the church together! We who follow Jesus, all round the world, we are the church together.” The lyrics to this chorus say it all. With all of our stories, our congregations, our disagreements, our ministries and our global relationships—we are the church together. This week,…
Read MoreGays Are Us Part II: Refuting The Arguments That Label LGBT Equality A “White” Issue
As the nation prepares to celebrate the dedication of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., this weekend, I am reminded that while much has changed since the March on Washington 48 years ago, much remains the same. What has changed includes the entry of sexism, heterosexism, and other forms of oppression…
Read MoreGays Are Us: Why LGBT Equality Is Not A “White” Issue
At last month’s 102nd annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a historic workshop focused on overcoming homophobia within the black community. As an African American, heterosexual, male pastor of a traditionally black Baptist church in the inner city of Washington, D.C., I was glad to see this legendary organization…
Read MoreA Church Of The Future And It Is Good
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in …” Matthew 25:35 This past weekend, Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio celebrated twenty years of being a More Light Church — a congregation…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Christianity Used To Justify?
Everyday the first thing I do here at Believe Out Loud is look for LGBT religious related news. I look for stories to feature on our website or interesting people with whom we ally ourselves. This morning, I was on The Advocate website, and came across a story about one of my favorite comediennes: Lucille…
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