(cross-posted at Deny My Freedom)
Although there is definitely a side of religions of all denominations that are more open, it gets very little attention compared to the rabid evangelical Christians who comprise the fundamentalist base of the Republican Party. I’m no big fan of religion in general, but the Episcopal Church in America has been one of the most forward-thinking groups, installing a gay bishop almost three years ago. Now, the newest person to break the mold – a female bishop who now leads the Episcopal Church – addresses the issue of homosexuality.
Newly elected leader of the U.S. Episcopal Church Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said on Monday she believed homosexuality was no sin and homosexuals were created by God to love people of the same gender.
[…]
Interviewed on CNN, Jefferts Schori was asked if it was a sin to be homosexual.
“I don’t believe so. I believe that God creates us with different gifts. Each one of us comes into this world with a different collection of things that challenge us and things that give us joy and allow us to bless the world around us,” she said.
“Some people come into this world with affections ordered toward other people of the same gender and some people come into this world with affections directed at people of the other gender.”
Whether or not you’re a religious person or not, this strikes at the core disagreement of homosexuality – whether or not it is inherent in people or if it a lifestyle choice. Most religious groups denounce homosexuality, quoting some passage or other from the Bible as proof that God hates gays. In this case, Jefferts Schori speaks about the issue in the perfect religious – and moral – framework. We are all different, and each of us lends a uniqueness to the world. Our sexual orientation does nothing to change that, and every life should be celebrated for the diversity that it adds to the wonderfully intricate quilt of humanity.
The article ends on this excellent quote from Jefferts Schori:
“The Bible has a great deal to teach us about how to live as human beings. The Bible does not have so much to teach us about what sorts of food to eat, what sorts of clothes to wear — there are rules in the Bible about those that we don’t observe today,” she said.
“The Bible tells us about how to treat other human beings, and that’s certainly the great message of Jesus — to include the unincluded.”
Better words could not be said.
