Volume 2: Issue 5
March/April 1998
Coming Out As Christians
Table Of Contents
Cover Story: Coming Out As Christians:
How do we re-claim the title, "Christian?" In my upstairs office at
home, on the wall above my desk, is a quote by the author Larry King
(not the radio guy, the other one) that says, "The Best Way To Work Your
Way Through The Bad Times Is To Work Your Way Through The Bad Times."
The corollary would be, "The best way to re-claim the title of
'Christian' is to reclaim the title of 'Christian.'"
Gay and Lesbian Christians have a double challenge of coming out. We
have to come out as homosexuals and as Christians. How can we have an
effective witness for Christ in the gay community if we don't come out
as both gay and as Christian?
We must stand up and be counted as those who are "living" our faith
as Christians, not merely "professing" our faith as Christians. Our actions
must speak louder than our words. Anyone can claim to be a Christian, but
it is the true Christian that acts on that faith, showing the world what
one can accomplish by truly following Christ and his examples.
What I still have problems with is the word, "pride". While I will admit to
struggling with those vagaries known as self-respect and self-esteem, pride
always seemed like a rather large thing to claim just for being.
All people have a closet in which they hide. Coming out as the real 'me' is frightening, per se, and all people have to do it.
If I truly believe that the Lord loves me unconditionally and has forgiven me ALL my sins, why would I still be afraid to "come out?" What could be holding me back?
The most important thing Gay and Lesbian's can do for
themselves is to develop self love, respect, and come "OUT." This takes a
leap of faith.
As lesbians and gay men, our greatest gift to the church is the pain and
suffering in our community. That pain can help open eyes to injustice,
awaken people out of self-righteous complacency and point people beyond
"the image formed by the art and imagination of mortals" to God. We are
missionaries to our churches.
Homospirituality:
"A pilgrimage? But why?" That was my first incredulous question to my friend of forty years, a question that was motivated by his invitation to join with him and two other men on a two week journey as pilgrims.
When we accept God into our lives, surely there must be some changes? I believe morality is as individual as the person. What is right for one may be sin to another and thus we must refrain from judgement.
Features:
-- By: Stephen R. Caldwell
"Historical Jesus" research raises some challenging questions
for both Christians and non-Christians who take religious and
spiritual matters seriously. How does orthodox creedal Christianity
relate to the teachings of Jesus?
Last September, Walt Whitman Community School in Dallas, the first private
school in the country for students dealing with lesbian and gay issues, opened
for business.
Three poems from three different contributors.
Whosoever readers give thanks and praise for God's blessings in their lives!
Readers sound off on what they like and dislike about Whosoever.
Who Is My Neighbor?
In real estate we have the luxury of choosing our neighbors. We can meet them, get to know them and assess whether or not we'll be able to get along with them in the future. As Christians, we do not have this luxury. Jesus makes it clear that everyone, without exception, is our neighbor.
We've got a whole basketful of reasons to define and limit who our
neighbor is, and to determine the kind of response that neighbor deserves.
But love, divine love, expands our vision, extends our response, and
increases our commitment to Christian living.
From The Pulpit:
Your Bible doesn't tell my name... but that is because I could be anyone. I could even be you. And the wonder is that God loves each of us no matter
how alone, or invisible we feel.
They say storms can come up quite suddenly on the Sea of Galilee,
not unlike the suddeness of storms in our lives. The hardest kinds of
storms to weather are those that take us by surprise because they catch us
with our guard down.
Bible Study and Inspiration:
It had been decades since I myself believed that there was anything
wrong with homosexuality. On this point, either the Bible was just plain
wrong, or I was. Naturally, I thought it was probably the Bible; after
all, if I think I'm probably wrong about something, I'm going to change
my mind. But I was willing to learn otherwise.
The glorious truth of the Gospel is that the
very God who
requires us to be righteous is the same God that gives us that
righteousness as a free gift.
Holy Humor!
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