Local paper quoted me as being in favor of gay marriage,

[Critters2]

so at a wedding reception tonight, this guy comes up to me and starts, well, not yelling, but speaking very sternly, pointing his finger, etc, about how I'm not Christian and neither is my church and I'm leading people to hell, and on and on.

I've learned two other pastors have denounced me from the pulpit. I really hate this feeling. Even when I know that I believe this, and I think I'm right morally, ethically and theologically, I get tired of being the odd person out. I know the other pastors in town get together and do things. And I know I'm not invited, and I never will be.

Still, when a reporter calls and asks if I'm in favor of gay marriage, I have to say "yes". When a reporter asks if I perform gay weddings, I have to say "yes". It's who I am.

*sigh*

[Flaxbee]

1. and who you are is wonderful, and what you say is right

... the majority of people in this country just don't realize it yet.

I'm sure it is lonely being one of the only ones in your professional community who has the courage to take a stand on this issue.

edited because I hit "post" before finishing my sentence

[Critters2]

5. I wish they would realize it. But they will in time, I know. Thanks! nt

[JackBeck]

2. Now you know what it feels like to be gay.

Every, single day, without provocation, we get get told we are not equal, or not moral, or not ethical, or undeserving of equal status.

Welcome to the club.

[Critters2]

6. I know all this, and it's why I must take this stand. Thanks for reminding me

why this is a justice issue I can't ignore. No one should feel this way. I'm sorry you do!
:hug:

[auntAgonist]

3. ....

:hug: :applause: :hug:

it IS who you are :)

aA

[Critters2]

7. Yes. Yes it is. Thanks! nt

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. Remind them of God's love and how God created us all for a reason.

FWIW, I support you fully in embracing and encouraging love and equality. Judge not lest thou be judged...

[Critters2]

8. Thanks, Peake. Your support means a lot! nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. maybe you need a different church

sorry that people are assy to you

[Critters2]

11. Yeah, we clergy often complain that it's hard to get what laypeople get

from a church. I do have a good judicatory exec, though she's overorked. Thanks for your kind words.

Btw, "assy" is a great word. I need to try working it into conversations :)

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. lisa and i say it all the time. the dog for instance is always assy

[Gormy Cuss]

10. The truth hurts

and some day those other pastors will find that out.

[Critters2]

12. I know. There were clergy who supported slavery and opposed

civil rights for African Americans. Now no self-respecting Christian would publicly expouse those views. The same will be true about glbt rights one day.

Thanks, Gormy!

[khashka]

13. And we thank you very very much....

I'm sorry you feel alone in this. You Are Not Alone.

Chritianity has become a joke. And it shouldn't be - I've seen it work in people's lives, making them better than they ever thought they could be.

It takes an enormous amount of strength, of courage, of character to stand up for people unlike yourself. And Isn't that the true test of a Christian?


Khash.

[Droopy]

15. K & R, mycritters2

If it weren't for people like you we wouldn't have any rights in this country.

[tigereye]

16. good for you

sometimes it's not easy being the only one to stand up for what you believe.

:thumbsup:

[Lil Missy]

17. Thank you for being who you are.

God made me, and us, this way, and I am much happier to just accept it.

You will go to heaven in the end. I promise.

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

18. It sucks that your fellow pastors have not seen the light on this issue yet.

:hug:

The moral high road can be lonely sometimes.

:hug:

[Lex]

19. Why are people in the wrong always more aggressive, more loud,

more in other people's faces?


Thanks for standing your ground.

[Droopy]

21. It's a trait of people who deep down know that they are wrong.

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. 'The spread of evil is the symptom of a vacuum

Whenever evil wins, it is only by default: by the moral failure of those who evade the fact that there can be no compromise on basic principles."

—Ayn Rand