Thursday, February 11, 2010

ROWAN'S BACKHANDED 'APOLOGY' TO GAYS

This article entitled, Rowan's Backhanded 'Apology' to Gays, is one that deserves to be read.

Part of it reads as follows:

So, while Williams is so, so sorry for how he has undervalued the lives of gays and lesbians, he continues to oppose a new law that would recognize the value of that same slighted group - and dare to cloak his objection in religious doubletalk.

It's high time that we recognized that most of the institutional Church, including many professed "liberal" denominations, churches, and clergy, are homophobic and can't be counted upon to set the moral tone in society to affirm Gay people and LGBT civil and sacramental rights. This was true in regard to the African American civil rights struggle, and it's no less true in the LGBT civil rights struggle!

It also must be recognized that much of this homophobia stems the financial gains that are accrued by "playing to the audience" of those who have been erroneously taught that homosexuality is a sin and contravenes "biblical principles." To maintain and increase church membership, and keep money coming into the collection plates, people like Williams don't want to rock the boat and risk losing even more members than they already have.

Moreover, as long as churches are tax-exempt, taxpayers (you and I) are subsidizing their homophobic rhetoric and actions that have caused untold suffering, suicides, assaults, and murders of LGBT people. If they want to be a private club and discriminate, I suppose that's their business. But they must not be allowed to do it with our money, as we thereby become culpable in the spreading of their homophobia!

If they want to retain their tax-exempt status, it's not unreasonable that we require professing Christians to live up to Jesus' teachings of loving and not judging people. If they refuse to do that, they are presumably contravening the very reason for their tax-exempt status in society, and should have that exemption removed, so that they are free to preach and act in ways that are really diametrically opposed to Jesus' teachings.
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4 comments:

genevieve said...

This is why they do it, Jerry. To keep the money rolling in. I can understand why LGBT people reject the church, the bible, and go to Wiccan and other religions.

What galls me is that it's hypocrisy right out where it can be seen. Even sadder is the gullible masses that follow such leaders never thinking for themselves.

Jerry Maneker said...

Hi genevieve: I always maintained that if there was money to be made by supporting equal rights for LGBT people, even the most strident homophobic and transphobic clergy would be proudly marching in Pride Parades. Take care, Jerry.

DC HAMPTON JACOBS said...

I don't think tax-exempt status for religious institutions should be maintained under any circumstances!

Jerry Maneker said...

I absolutely agree, Don Charles. And I belong to a Facebook group that advocates for the loss of tax exemptions for churches. Best wishes, Jerry.