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Readers are an integral part of Whosoever. We appreciate hearing from our readers, whether they have praise or hot coals to heap on our heads. With the new year, we're beginning this new feature of a reader forum. Here's some of the things our readers are saying.
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Editor:
Had it not been for its title, I would not have been aware that the
Letter was intended in love. Maybe I got out on the wrong side of the
bed this morning - and every morning for the past couple of weeks while
I have puzzled over the Letter - for I find the Letter offensive,
arrogant, patronising, presumptuous, judgemental and inclined to preach
at Rev. Phelps. I am well aware that by making these statements, I too
risk being called judgemental, but I really do find that many
statements - such as despite Rev. Collier's being in pain in his love
and risking another person's disdain and hatred, he must love that
person because God does - ring hollow and full of self-pity.
We all have different experiences of our God. The fact that someone
else may not share my view of God does not mean either that that person
does know God or needs help to know "my" God. I share Rev. Collier's
dislike of Rev. Phelps, disparaging remarks about gays, lesbians,
bisexuals and transgendered persons, but rather than experiencing anger
I find I am overwhelmed by sadness the latter's strongly-held beliefs
prevent his seeing the divine presence created by God within each and
every individual.
I wonder if Rev. Collier has sent the Letter to Rev. Phelps - it would
seem more genuine and appropriate if this has been done, rather than
merely displaying it in an online magazine which Rev. Phelps is unlikely
to read because of a probable presumption that the magazine merely
promotes the very individuals and behaviours against whom he campaigns.
With the exception of the Letter, I have greatly enjoyed the spiritual
depths and challenges provided by the diverse articles in Whosoever
magazine, and look forward to future editions. My sincere thanks to the
Editor for making the magazine readily available.
--Sue Wilkins
Editor:
Editor:
In His love,
--Curtis W. Towler
Editor:
As a journalist seeking to deal with the issue objectively, congratulations
on achieving just that. As a queer Christian woman who's been dismayed,
troubled, and shaken by much of what she has read and seen, I offer you my
undying gratitude.
--NR Davis
Editor:
The Experience of God in my life transcends the limited and limiting
explanations proffered by the stories, the myths, the midrashic
explanations set forth by the writers of the books chosen in antiquity
to be the canon of the scripture. Those stories, those words, those
myths and those illustrations worked to express what their writers
experienced in their encounters with God in the Christ, but those were
for those writers in their time, not for a contemporary person in our
time when a three tiered universe is a laughable concept, when the earth
is no longer perceived as flat and at the centre of all that is.
With Bishop Spong, I experience a mystery which cannot be reduced to
words, cannot be adequately described or defined even in modern day
myths or illumatory stories. The personal and corporate imminance
together with an incomprehensible transcendency considered are beyond
the grasp of any human mind, yet experientially, for me, they are real,
a real part of my being and all the "being" I encounter.
Phemenonologically, I experience these celestial awarnesses when
expressing and experiencing my transgenderedness, for in setting myself
free to be the who, the how, and the what I am created to be, I am
therewith made increasingly aware of the smile of God, the gentle touch
of the Creator loving me. Indeed, whosoever will may come, I have and
Just As I AM, gladly that I am as God has chosen for me to be.
J. Reviere, DD, Ph.D
Editor:
Of more importance is the fact that you're here at all. Your site is a ray
of hope for anyone struggling to keep hold of their faith (in whatever form
it takes) in the midst of all the bashing that is dished out, in
overwhelming volume, by the likes of the religious right (wrong!), and the
Christian Coalition. It is extremely difficult to continue to feel good
about yourself when much of the incoming information regarding a
fundamental part of you, your faith, is negative. This site helps remind
us that we are absolutely children of God and loved by Him. Go
figure!
Having been raised in a conservative Catholic home, it was a long jouney to
come to a place of true acceptance of who I am, and that it is OK to be me
AND at the same time be a spiritual person. It took me 10 years to
finally come out to my parents. It was a scary moment, but they already
knew (of course) and were/are accepting.
Unfortunately, they are diving deeper and deeper into the conservative end
of the Catholic church, which makes their struggle for acceptance more
difficult, but they try.
Many hopes for continued emotional and monetary support for this
publication. It is a wonderful and vital service for those of us fighting
the battle, be it internal or external, for unconditional love, acceptance,
and equality.
Thanks!
--Rosana Costello
Editor: Whosoever has helped me with torn emotions about God and the Church. Through this site, I've also gotten contacts to gay positive congregations and have talked with Mel White and Troy Perry via email. They have been so helpful to me. Again, thanks so much Candace!
--Ken
Editor:
I'm the webmaster for Broadway United Methodist Church. Our pastor, Greg
Dell, faces church trial for celebrating services of holy union for the gay
members of our congregation. We are also a target of picketing by Fred
Phelps.
Have a look at our site and if you would link to it or, better still, do a
story on the controversy over holy unions in the United Methodist Church,
I'd really appreciate it. I will had your 'zine to our links post haste.
Peace & pride,
--Tim Lowe
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