Who
I think it would be a wonderful statement to speak about the very nature of God. We could discuss the what of who exactly God is. Is God a he? a she? more of an it? We say we are made in the image and likeness of God so the jumping off point could bring myriad images and discussions. But the who that I am thinking of, a very timely who, is them. The them being the Roman church.
Since they have no compunction trying to get everyone to believe that they are the one true church, the vicar of Christ on earth and that they speak directly for God, they make easy targets. But a target that even Christ himself would aim at I strongly suspect.
There has been an incredible amount of media attention and internet traffic these past few days about conciliatory tones and statements from the Vatican about gays. I applaud the Bishops that are speaking up and focusing on hot button issues. But really, short of abandoning centuries old philosophies and tradition, nothing of substance can ever really change. It will amount to double talk or some form of circular logic that is at the heart of way too much of Roman policy already. It is not unlike the logic and policies about divorce. ' we do not allow divorce' but we do grant annulments. No matter how you explain it, it is still a divorce, Roman, religious, but still a divorce. I know because I know the reasoning's and I can spout almost verbatim what the difference is. I can say but it would still be obfuscation and lies.
So what of the LGBTQ community and the Roman church? So there are discussion that probably revolve around half of the clergy being gay and we can't all be that bad so they must have something to offer. 'Are we nothing more that religious zealots'? When push comes to shove, not only are a large percentage of the clergy gay, they have been excellent shepherds at times. Gay people in general have historically been great contributors to society in every realm. You can try to deny it but it's true. The church may be getting around to discussing that we are worthy of the love and respect that any of God's creations do but that will fall short of changing policy and rules. If anything we would be relegated to second class status within the church. Until everyone, every member of the church is recognized and proclaimed as equal sinners and equally loved, there can be no moving forward for the Roman church.
Please do not get me wrong, I am so hopeful that the movement of the Spirit in the Roman church will be allowed full movement to flourish and bring much needed light, intelligence and reform. I am hopeful. The discussions make it so even if the movement seems highly unlikely. It seems more likely ( and please forgive me ) that the Pope will be offed by some errant conservative Cardinal who sees himself as a Roman Catholic jihadist. It would not be the first or seven second time. Many things are done in the name of God that are truly unholy.
What is unholy also is subjugating a group of people to second class heirs to the kingdom of God. Maintaining policies, philosophies and dogma to fit an outdated human paradigm is truly unholy. Even if people in the LGBTQ community were recent constructs of God, they would still be worthy of no less love and respect by the church. I know that God herself loves us no less. I know God loves us with the reckless abandon that is a hallmark of her existence.
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
I think it would be a wonderful statement to speak about the very nature of God. We could discuss the what of who exactly God is. Is God a he? a she? more of an it? We say we are made in the image and likeness of God so the jumping off point could bring myriad images and discussions. But the who that I am thinking of, a very timely who, is them. The them being the Roman church.
Since they have no compunction trying to get everyone to believe that they are the one true church, the vicar of Christ on earth and that they speak directly for God, they make easy targets. But a target that even Christ himself would aim at I strongly suspect.
There has been an incredible amount of media attention and internet traffic these past few days about conciliatory tones and statements from the Vatican about gays. I applaud the Bishops that are speaking up and focusing on hot button issues. But really, short of abandoning centuries old philosophies and tradition, nothing of substance can ever really change. It will amount to double talk or some form of circular logic that is at the heart of way too much of Roman policy already. It is not unlike the logic and policies about divorce. ' we do not allow divorce' but we do grant annulments. No matter how you explain it, it is still a divorce, Roman, religious, but still a divorce. I know because I know the reasoning's and I can spout almost verbatim what the difference is. I can say but it would still be obfuscation and lies.
So what of the LGBTQ community and the Roman church? So there are discussion that probably revolve around half of the clergy being gay and we can't all be that bad so they must have something to offer. 'Are we nothing more that religious zealots'? When push comes to shove, not only are a large percentage of the clergy gay, they have been excellent shepherds at times. Gay people in general have historically been great contributors to society in every realm. You can try to deny it but it's true. The church may be getting around to discussing that we are worthy of the love and respect that any of God's creations do but that will fall short of changing policy and rules. If anything we would be relegated to second class status within the church. Until everyone, every member of the church is recognized and proclaimed as equal sinners and equally loved, there can be no moving forward for the Roman church.
Please do not get me wrong, I am so hopeful that the movement of the Spirit in the Roman church will be allowed full movement to flourish and bring much needed light, intelligence and reform. I am hopeful. The discussions make it so even if the movement seems highly unlikely. It seems more likely ( and please forgive me ) that the Pope will be offed by some errant conservative Cardinal who sees himself as a Roman Catholic jihadist. It would not be the first or seven second time. Many things are done in the name of God that are truly unholy.
What is unholy also is subjugating a group of people to second class heirs to the kingdom of God. Maintaining policies, philosophies and dogma to fit an outdated human paradigm is truly unholy. Even if people in the LGBTQ community were recent constructs of God, they would still be worthy of no less love and respect by the church. I know that God herself loves us no less. I know God loves us with the reckless abandon that is a hallmark of her existence.
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
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