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Discussion: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Part 2
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kims2 |
Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Part 2
Jan 14 2009, 4:13 PM EST
(Letter continues)As you know the issue of homosexuality is a difficult issue. I have known former church members who are homosexual and have found them to be good, caring and decent persons of God. There is room in God's world for homosexuals to contribute to the church and to society and indeed over the years they have contributed. Certainly homosexuals have basic rights that should be guaranteed them by the church and the government however ordination is not a right but a privilege and marriage has biblically been reserved for a man and a woman. Given this understanding, those in our local church feel very comfortable with the way our denomination currently handles the issue of homosexuality and we do not see the need to change that viewpoint. Kim, I wish you the very best in your struggle and do pray that you might find a local church where you feel valued and welcomed. Sincerely, Rev. Michael Ida kims2 speaking again, this was written by the First Baptist Church of Delavan, Wisconsin on January 6th, 2009. Good to find some sort of postiveness from one of these churches. Most times I am criticized and pastors think they can save me from something. Do you find this valuable?
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atmasilver |
1. RE: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Part 2
Jan 14 2009, 8:57 PM EST
Humph.Interesting church. It seems whenever a gay person is about to get married, they leave, and with glowing letters of recommendation. Or am I just putting words into his mouth? 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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ErikKoepnick |
2. RE: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Part 2
Aug 21 2009, 9:29 PM EDT
First, let me say that this letter is not positive. I say this because Rev. Ida is lying about the "welcoming" environment of his church, as evidenced by his over-use of the word "homosexual." Many self-professed ordained Baptist heterosexuals use this same ill-fated logic to say that they are welcoming, but in fact, they are personally disgusted by LGBT people. He cannot even name a person in his church, he refers to some children of members who are "homosexuals," but treats them like an alien life form. I have worshiped at that church and I will say that they are in the dark ages when it comes to LGBT issues, but they are very good and faithful people. Which brings me to my second point...I have family members and close family friends at that church that fully support my ordination as a minister and I am a "self-professed practicing homosexual." The Rev. Ida is obviously speaking from his blind experience as an outsider transplanted into Delavan. Personally I attend the United Church of Christ, Delavan and they might not be an ONA church of the UCC, but they are in their actions and in their ministry. They are supporting me as I continue in seminary and they are not hiding disgust and lies behind their backs. To Rev. Ida: reread the Old Testament and tell me what "biblical marriage" is... While this subject gets me angry anyway, Rev. Ida is ignoring what he doesn't want to see, namely gay people in his congregation and major sections of the bible that support a biblical framework for multiple wives and extra marital affairs. I pray that God brings peace of heart and mind to any that worship in that congregation. Erik J. Koepnick 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
Treknott |
3. RE: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Pa
Aug 21 2009, 11:41 PM EDT
That's why we say "If your church does not WELCOME LGBT and our families .... leave. And find another church"http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/thread/2142506/Most+churches+are+NOT+against+us%21 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
Castaway5555 |
4. RE: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Pa
Aug 23 2009, 11:30 AM EDT
"Comfortable with the way our denomination handles this issue" - the refuge of the cowardly - hiding behind a faceless institution. Oh well, we've seen it before on the question of women's ordination and the earlier struggles of suffrage; and earlier still on slavery, and well into the Civil Rights era - "comfort" - hardly a reliable test for truth.
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MplsVala |
5. RE: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Part 2
Aug 23 2009, 2:19 PM EDT
| Post edited: Aug 23 2009, 2:28 PM EDT
I agree with Erik. This letter may be civil and polite, but it is not positive with respect to Kim. Now it sounds like Kim has had much worse from others and that's a great pity, but that still doesn't make this an actual positive response.The advice to find a more welcoming church seems sound to me also. The Evangelical Lutherans met here this last week and the majority of them voted for progress. (And this with a tornado stealing their food tents as they voted, right there in downtown Mpls.) More and more churches are slowing seeking enlightenment rather than clinging to the positions of long dead translators. That's the American way. Europeans just jetison their religions when they deviate too greatly from common sense. Americans dig their heels in and insist the churches change. And by taking yourself, your family, and your contributions elsewhere, the church will learn something too. Especially if lots of people follow your example. Do you find this valuable? |
musical123 |
6. RE: Positive Letter From First Baptist Church Of Delavan, Wisconsin Part 2
Aug 23 2009, 8:04 PM EDT
As a gay person of faith, I know hat the best way to influence heterosexual Christians is with a faith based (not equality based) discussion. To this end, the best and probably definitive book which is very persuasive is What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage by David G. Myers and Letha Dawson Scanzoni It puts the discussion in terms with which most Christians (even conservatives) will agree. Do you find this valuable? |
