Articles

 

Rachel Miller

Barasda, Rev. Andrew Jr.A Journey In FaithI believe being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered is something to be celebrated. We are bringing new vision and fresh hope to the world by helping people accept who they are in order to accept one another. I know we are loved by a merciful God, even when we're not ready for the romance.
Cauthen, KennethHomosexualityThose who think homosexual behavior is morally deficient offer three main arguments: (1) It is contrary to nature. (2) It is condemned in Scripture. (3) Its acceptance would ruin society. These   same three appeals were used in the past to defend  slavery, segregation, and the denial of the vote to women. In each of these instances nature and God were said to authorize a practice vital to the good of society. The condemnation of homosexuality has no more validity than the arguments used to support what everyone now would regard as huge errors of moral judgment.
 

Church and State, Religion and Politics

The question of religion and politics is not the same as the question of church and state. Failure to make this distinction results in confusion. The problem of church and state has to do with institutions and the spheres of action that are appropriate for each. Here the concept of separation is valid. Thorny problems arise in two particular areas. 1. The first involves trying to steer between avoiding an establishment of religion and permitting its free exercise. Prayer in public schools and is among the most contentious.  2. A second range of problems arises when religious belief and practice conflict with secular law.
Chaplin, RonAn Anglican Pride Day ServiceA Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to mark Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Pride Day.  Church of St. John the Evangelist, Ottawa, Canada
Conover, PatComing Out Christian 
Creech, JimmyA series of articles by and about Jimmy Creech
 Making a Family Amid Controversy: The Marriage of Larry & JamesA story of the covenant ceremony that led to the trial of Jimmy Creech.
 Response to the Judicial Chargeby Jimmy Creech, Senior Pastor First United Methodist Church, Omaha, Nebraska   January 26, 1998
 Statementby Jimmy Creech on 11/9/99 prior to his United Methodist Church trial in Grand Island, Nebraska where the church was prosecuting him for celebrating the holy union ceremony for Larry Ellis and Jim Raymer.
Egertson, Rev. Paul W. The Stranger in our MidstKeynote address at Building An Inclusive Church conference in April, 1999.
GALVIN, Charles E. [Charlie]  Jr.THE ONE, TRUE FAITHAttached please find an essay I wrote to address the needs of les/bi/gay people who have religious issues around their sexuality and are wondering whether God condemns them.
Kittlaus, Rev. Paul A Madison Affirmation: On Homosexuality and Christian FaithMay 12, 1997 -- A statement endorsed by 68 Christian clergy and additional non-Christian clergy was released today at a press conference at First Congregational Church, Madison, Wisconsin
Knepper, Jeanne Let My People In!Jeanne Knepper spoke these words in Cleveland on January 15, 2000 before the Pre-General Conference Briefing for press and heads of annual conference delegations to General Conference.
Kreider, Roberta Showalter Fifteen Reasons Why I Have Changed My MindBecause this issue (being gay) touched me so personally, I began to search and try to understand the gay/lesbian issue. It has only been within the last two or three years that I began to see that the beliefs I had held all my life might not be absolutely correct. I want to share with you the reasons why I have changed my mind.
LGBTRANLesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Religious Archives Network

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Religious Archives Network (LGBTRAN) coordinates and supports the identification, collection and preservation of personal papers and organizational records from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender religious movements. To encourage scholarly research and historical study of these important movements for social change, LGBTRAN disseminates information about these records and provides and facilitates access to them, using digital technology when possible.

Miller, Rachel

Cross-Dressing & the Bible
This material is designed for a discussion with religious leaders and other spiritually-oriented persons who object to cross-dressers on Biblical grounds. It requires a willingness on their part to objectively consider the Scriptural issues. It provides discussion points to ask and answer two basic questions:  1) Does Deuteronomy 22:5 declare that cross-dressing is intrinsically wrong?  2) Does it automatically condemn any form of cross-dressing as a sin requiring repentance in order to be accepted into the Christian church and to be accepted by God?

Planting Loving Seeds For Christians who feel excluded because of their differences
This series of 10 articles is designed for Christians who feel excluded from the mainstream of the church because of their differences. While the articles primarily address separation because of cross-dressing, they draw clear parallels to religious exclusion for any reason.

Transgender Spiritual Seminar
This seminar is designed for Christians who are also cross-dressers and who experience tension in reconciling those two aspects of their lives.   You will learn that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with cross-dressing from a Christian spiritual perspective, and that you don’t have to allow yourself to be condemned by any religious leader.  You will recognize the Good News of God’s love and grace and be equipped to take charge of your spiritual life.

We Hold These Truths - A series of articles that address the issue of discrimination within society and religious communities. 

On a societal level the focus is on liberty and justice for all as encapsulated in the Declaration of Independence and as frequently reiterated but often not observed.

On the spiritual level the focus is on love for all as children of God as encapsulated in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  This principle is also frequently reiterated but often not observed. 

The articles approach these subjects from the perspective of a cross-dresser which is how I learned first hand of the deadliness of discrimination.   Hopefully this material will provide a fresh insight into the problems we create as a society and as religious people when we exclude groups of people from the benefits that belong to all.

Montgomery, LynnWhat Does the Bible REALLY Say about Transsexualism?I realize that some of you are not of the Christian Faith. However, many are religious and are still struggling with gender issues vs. issues of their faith. And many people who have reconciled this conflict have families and friends who have not. Therefore, this article, complete with scripture passages, is dedicated to those people.
Nunley, Rev. JanChristian and Homosexual PersecutionHistory shows that homosexuals have long been persecuted by society in general and Christianity in particular.
 One Body of ChristWhat is at stake is the basic question of whether Episcopalians will hold to the historic truth that there is but one baptism into one Body of Christ - or rather maintain that there are two baptisms, separate and unequal: one for heterosexuals, the other for everyone else.
Pridgen, Rev. Carla &  Swenson, Rev. ErinChurch and Transgender 
 More Light on Transgender 
Progressive Christian WitnessProgressive Christian WitnessA Ministry of Pacific School of Religion is a Web-based resource that aims to strengthen the voices of progressive Christianity in the public square by publishing theologically grounded articles for laypeople and pastors on significant issues in American life.
Religious Tolerance. Org


What the Bible says about homosexuality

 

Roe, J. BenjaminBisexuality: A Complex RealityThis article is published in the Summer 1998 Issue of "Open Hands, Resources for Ministries Affirming the Diversity of Human Sexuality"
Stewart, SandraReparative Therapy of The Transgendered 
Tilsen, Rabbi Jon-JayCross Dressing and Deuteronomy 22:5
Townsley, JeramyHomosexuality and ChristianityAn extensive series of articles addressing this volatile subject.
Turner, TomHOMOSEXUALITY AND THE CHURCHGay acceptance, ordination, split nation's faithful.  The Arizona Daily Star. Sunday, May 30, 1993.

 


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