tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post4508780822573662899..comments2024-02-28T22:03:19.609+00:00Comments on A Scottish Liberal: Gay couple in B&B row win court caseAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-41862971831148213482012-02-20T16:19:09.922+00:002012-02-20T16:19:09.922+00:00Thanks Don! I'll definitely take a look at th...Thanks Don! I'll definitely take a look at the book! I doin't think this is really an issue; at least not among most of teh Chroistians I know. It's a shame a few individual Christians in relation with the tabloid press and a few Tory MPs seem to want to make it one.<br /><br />I know of Spring Harvest although have never been myself - good to see that it's becoming more and more common for gay people to find themselves accepted - as of course they should be!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-61080800532262437952012-02-19T22:31:32.771+00:002012-02-19T22:31:32.771+00:00I am an out Christian in my church here in Cambrid...I am an out Christian in my church here in Cambridgeshire. For me it is just not an issue.<br /><br />I was at Spring Harvest (a Christian workshop) in 2010. The topic was "Through different Eyes". There were two sessions about Church and Gays. Andrew Marin from Chicago was the speaker, Pete Broadbent (Bishop of Willsden) the Chairmen, and both Steve Chalke and a London Baptist Minister where on the "stage" too. The very large room was packed.<br />Andrew Marin a straight man told us how he works with churches to accept gays into their churches and with gays they they feel comfortable with church.<br />I bought his book "Love is an Orientation" which I recommend you can get via Amazon.Don Harrisonhttp://www.donharrison.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-22583429813082443492011-01-23T14:44:55.277+00:002011-01-23T14:44:55.277+00:00Hi, I deliberately avoided referring to the C of S...Hi, I deliberately avoided referring to the C of S specifically, but since you asked...<br /><br />My own personal view echoes that expressed by the church's Life & Voice magazine in April 2009: "it's time for the Kirk to lead the way, to be true to its reforming character, as it has done over many issues over decades and centuries...dissenters, who have taken ordination vows to preserve the unity and peace of the Church, perhaps ought to agree to differ on this and allow the Church of Scotland to remain a broad and inclusive church that can celebrate its diversity".<br /><br />I don't see why diversity should be a problem. I believe in an inclusive church. What can be more contradictory than a church which preaches inclusivity - and is tolerant of evolving social attitudes on many issues - yet remains firmly opposed to "the homosexual lifestyle" (whatever that is). <br /><br />Of course, the Church is finally, after many years of internal struggle, going to have to tackle this issue directly later this year. I hope it has the courage to remain true to its radical tradition and its broadly liberal underpinnings. <br /><br />What specific position do I think the C of S should have? i don't think it should necessarily adopt one. At least not in the short term. That doesn't mean I advocate "sitting on the fence" but that the church should recognise the healthiness of differing views within it and not seek any to-down imposition of a particular line. It must ditch the antiquated "anti-homosexual lifestyle" stance but thereafter must allow local congregations to make decisions about, for example, the ordination of gay ministers. The leadership of the C of S must lead, but not in a heavy-handed manner that could alienate traditionalists. <br /><br />In my view, it's not just a question for the General Assembly of the C of S. This issue requires the more moderate, liberally-minded Christians to stand up. For too long the intolerant minority have been the most vocal and are consequently deemed to reflect mainstream Christian opinion. That must change.<br /><br />Having said this, at least the C of S is in open debate. In this respect, it's being far more honest and - dare I say it - showing itself to be far more in tune with public sympathies than many other denominations.<br /><br />As I said in the main post, the challenge is to marginalise the fundamentalist position and reclaim the argument from the traditionalist minority - not to develop hostility between those with different viewpoints.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-68575886182492001312011-01-23T13:17:29.401+00:002011-01-23T13:17:29.401+00:00What is your advice to the Church of Scotland? Wh...What is your advice to the Church of Scotland? What do you think of its sitting on the fence attitude?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com