Posts Tagged ‘Religious Values’
Lenten 14 Stations of Self-Reflection
This Holy Week, we would like to guide you on a journey of self-reflection: #14StationsofSelf. Inspired by the 14 Stations of the Cross, this exercise is meant to provide a meditative spring cleaning for the soul as we follow the story of the final days of Jesus’ life. Grab a pen and paper to write…
Read MoreAn Entire Universe of Life: A conversation with Julie Wood
“Mom, isn’t it amazing that in every “body” is an entire universe of life?” – Ben Wood in “Changing the Message”* Believe Out Loud sat down with LGBT activist and author Julie Wood to discuss how the loss of her son, Ben, to suicide in 2013 led her to dedicate her life to LGBT advocacy…
Read MorePope’s Damaging Message To Transgender Teens
Pope Francis’ long-awaited apostolic exhortation—“Amoris Laetitia,” or “The Joy of Love”—was released earlier this month. The good news is that Pope Francis urges church leaders to be pastors rather than church bureaucrats. The request wasn’t surprising because Pope Francis immediately taking the reigns of the Catholic Church displayed a pastoral countenance to his papacy. Pope…
Read MoreReclaiming Our Christian Faith
Last week, our hearts were broken for an eight year old Virginia girl who was shamed and excluded by her Christian school because she does not dress and act enough “like a girl.” The same day, World Vision announced they would hire individuals in same-sex marriages—a decision they reversed after merely two days with an apology…
Read MoreHow Will Faith Matter In The 2012 Democratic Convention
By Believe Out Loud Many people use the phrase, “Separation of Church and State,” to describe their ideal version of the United States of America. They want people to have the freedom to chose their own religion, or to not practice any religion at all. They want religion and government to be separate. The American…
Read MoreChristians Support Marriage Equality In The UK
By James Chapman Gay marriage is consistent with Christian values of ‘justice’ and ‘fairness’, the equalities minister has told religious critics. Helen Grant said she was a ‘God-fearing woman’ and suggested those of faith should support Government plans to legalise gay unions. Speaking ahead of a key vote on the issue next week, in which…
Read MoreGrieving through the Holidays: Painting Holy Women Icons of Grief
The holidays can be the toughest time of the year. We expect warm nostalgia, celebrations—both sacred and secular—overflowing with family warmth and bonding. For queer people estranged from their families of origin, this can be doubly difficult. Grief, too, can be one of hardest things to deal with around the holidays. Whether it’s grieving a…
Read MoreClose The Door, Or Open to All?
I was excited to take my now husband to the city I had considered home for many years. It was going to be his first time in New York City, having lived his whole adult life in the Pacific Northwest. I had lived in New York City for several years before moving to Washington State…
Read MoreBearing the Light of Advent with Holy Women Icons
As much as we want to share gratitude during the season of Thanksgiving, prepare for the hope of Advent, or celebrate Christmas, it’s difficult because the holiday season can be tough for queer folks. Disproportionately estranged from family means we often must create our own family. While these chosen families can be tremendously life-giving, it’s…
Read MoreChristian Underhistory: Facing The Horrors of Christianity Past
Let me tell you about my new podcast Christian Underhistory. It’s a Christian True Crime podcast. Each week I have a different guest, usually a preacher or a theologian or a seminarian, and I tell them a true horror story from Christian history. We usually engage in gallows humor, joke so we can get through it,…
Read More