I’m a gay man, in a long-term relationship (nearly 13 years). I am happy with my relationship and my faith and do not find them in conflict.
I am obviously saddened by the dislike shown towards gay people by the religious right, but am interested in how other parts of the Church can help to promote and encourage loving gay relationships within Christian context – something that the Church has been very bad at doing, and so as a result many gay people, particularly those with partners, end up feeling estranged from the Church. Is there room to celebrate faithful gay couples within your vision of emergent church?
Answer: As you know, several sectors of the church...
a) are already welcoming to gay people in committed (non-promiscuous) relationships.
In some other sectors, b) the churches don’t believe that homosexual behavior is right, but they are still committed to welcoming people and treating them with respect.
And sadly, in many others, c) the churches use language that subjects homosexual people to a continual experience of rejection and shame. As for churches that I know in the “emergent” conversation, I think you’d find a mix of a) and b) above.