Yale University’s Professor John Boswell unearthed controversial evidence in the 1970s that condemnation of same-sex unions is actually relatively recent. The church in earlier times, he claimed, accepted and celebrated them. So when the six Catholic bishops say: “the Government cannot redefine the natural institution of marriage, a union between a man and a woman”, the response today is “why not?”
The fourth, and for some the clinching discovery, is that gay and lesbian pastors, teachers and leaders actually do a great job. As do LGBT congregation members as they participate more and more.
These four factors are leading many Jews and Christians worldwide to welcome LGBT people and support gay marriage. It is not yet a majority. But heading that way.
Advertisement
In May last year the conservative Presbyterians accepted gays in ministry in both the USA and Scotland. Other denominations are following. In the Roman Catholic church pressure is building. Change is being urged from within. The matter of active homosexuals in the priesthood is now in the open. The impact of legitimate gay marriage on recruiting priests is being discussed. But no-one expects change soon.
The world is changing. Churches and synagogues are changing. The battles, however, have a way to go.
Discuss in our Forums
See what other readers are saying about this article!
Click here to read & post comments.
91 posts so far.
About the Author
Alan Austin is an Australian freelance journalist currently based in Nîmes in the South of France. His special interests are overseas development, Indigenous affairs and the interface between the religious communities and secular government. As a freelance writer, Alan has worked for many media outlets over the years and been published in most Australian newspapers. He worked for eight years with ABC Radio and Television’s religious broadcasts unit and seven years with World Vision. His most recent part-time appointment was with the Uniting Church magazine Crosslight.
reddit this
Del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
StumbleUpon
