October 2007 Archives
Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the
following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the
presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of
Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place.
Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and
debate orally with us, may do so by letter.
In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Continue reading On the door.
Have mercy, been waitin' for the bus all day.In the Chicago area, riders may be waiting a bit longer for the bus. In fact, depending on where they're waiting, it could be months... or years. Deep service cuts are about to take effect due to a lack of funding for public transportation.
Have mercy, been waitin' for the bus all day. - "Waitin' for the Bus", Gibbons, Hill
Continue reading Waitin' for the Bus.
When Tyra Hunter was 24 years old, she was riding in a car in Washington, D.C. Her car was broadsided by another car.
She was knocked unconscious due to the collision, but regained consciousness by the time emergency crews arrived. She was still dazed and had respiration problems because some of her teeth had been knocked into her airway.The paramedics went to work on Tyra, but in assessing the injuries they discovered she had male genitals.
At this point, one of the caregivers said "This ain't no bitch. It's a nigger. He's got a dick and balls." The paramedics ceased treating Tyra and instead laughed and joked about her while onlookers demanded they get back to work on her.
Later, after treating another injured passenger, other emergency workers found Tyra gagging and trying to move away from the insulting paramedics. Finally, a supervisor demanded that her airway be cleared.
In addition to these insults and lack of care, she was received at the hospital as "John Doe", given a contraindicated medication, and was not given blood that had been ordered for her. She died from lack of oxygen in her blood.
This is the kind of health care some transgender persons can expect. Value judgments can override common decency and mercy - and the basic job requirements. Amazingly, the District of Columbia defended the paramedics on the basis of their first amendment rights to free speech.
Time and again, I come back to what Jesus taught about how we treat others: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". "Love your neighbor as yourself" . The parable of the Good Samaritan, in which the person who acted as a neighbor to a victimized person was the one who didn't even get along with people of his kind. The parable of the sheep and the goats, where Jesus says that as you do to others, you do to him.
And yet, this is what we can expect from some of the people who choose a career in caring for others.
This is not how to do health care.
This is not how to do emergency care.
This is not how to be a Christian.
This is not how to be a human being.
Whatever one's opinion of transgender people, they are people. There is no excuse for allowing people to suffer while we laugh.
My prayer is that the paramedics learn to care for all others, and that they do not need to experience what Tyra did in order to learn it. I would not wish that on my enemies - because I love them.
Trial notes: http://www.gpac.org/im/tyra/tyindex.html
Remembering our dead: http://www.gender.org/remember/.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20.
At this point, one of the caregivers said "This ain't no bitch. It's a nigger. He's got a dick and balls." The paramedics ceased treating Tyra and instead laughed and joked about her while onlookers demanded they get back to work on her.
Later, after treating another injured passenger, other emergency workers found Tyra gagging and trying to move away from the insulting paramedics. Finally, a supervisor demanded that her airway be cleared.
In addition to these insults and lack of care, she was received at the hospital as "John Doe", given a contraindicated medication, and was not given blood that had been ordered for her. She died from lack of oxygen in her blood.
This is the kind of health care some transgender persons can expect. Value judgments can override common decency and mercy - and the basic job requirements. Amazingly, the District of Columbia defended the paramedics on the basis of their first amendment rights to free speech.
Time and again, I come back to what Jesus taught about how we treat others: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". "Love your neighbor as yourself" . The parable of the Good Samaritan, in which the person who acted as a neighbor to a victimized person was the one who didn't even get along with people of his kind. The parable of the sheep and the goats, where Jesus says that as you do to others, you do to him.
And yet, this is what we can expect from some of the people who choose a career in caring for others.
This is not how to do health care.
This is not how to do emergency care.
This is not how to be a Christian.
This is not how to be a human being.
Whatever one's opinion of transgender people, they are people. There is no excuse for allowing people to suffer while we laugh.
My prayer is that the paramedics learn to care for all others, and that they do not need to experience what Tyra did in order to learn it. I would not wish that on my enemies - because I love them.
Trial notes: http://www.gpac.org/im/tyra/tyindex.html
Remembering our dead: http://www.gender.org/remember/.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20.
No commentary today - just the real work concerns of a real human being.
http://rebeccaaugephd.blogspot.com/2007/10/returning-to-work-concerns.html
http://rebeccaaugephd.blogspot.com/2007/10/returning-to-work-concerns.html
We know how it is - everyone ends up in Heaven or Hell for eternity. Heaven is beautiful, safe, everything good and right. Hell is eternal punishment - pain and burning and freezing and loneliness.
The trouble is, our visions of Heaven and Hell are substantially drawn from The Divine Comedy by Dante. Jesus actually offered life versus death. There is no eternal suffering in Jesus's ministry - the references to "unquenchable fire" are just that - a consuming fire that can't be stopped, not a fire in which things are burned but not consumed.
Jesus talks about those parts of humanity which are not desirable fruit being consumed in the fire. Whether those are individuals or aspects of individuals is less clear. However, I prefer to think of it as aspects.
In the parable of the wheat and the chaff, Jesus talks about the harvest and how the wheat will be threshed and the chaff is separated and burned. Chaff is the outside casing of wheat - the part that's not used.
So are we like wheat? Do we have good inside of us that would remain if the useless part is stripped away? I'd like to believe so. And I'd like to believe that what Jesus taught was how to maximize the grain - the seed of that which will live on after the useless chaff is gone.
Honestly, if the useless, undesirable parts of me are damned to the trashpile, or dungheap, or the unquenchable fire, that's fine with me. I'll be working on the seed to which Jesus promises eternal life.
If you prefer to believe in a God who punishes people with eternal suffering, that is your choice. I prefer to believe in a God who created us, loves us, and will help us to achieve the best.
The trouble is, our visions of Heaven and Hell are substantially drawn from The Divine Comedy by Dante. Jesus actually offered life versus death. There is no eternal suffering in Jesus's ministry - the references to "unquenchable fire" are just that - a consuming fire that can't be stopped, not a fire in which things are burned but not consumed.
Jesus talks about those parts of humanity which are not desirable fruit being consumed in the fire. Whether those are individuals or aspects of individuals is less clear. However, I prefer to think of it as aspects.
In the parable of the wheat and the chaff, Jesus talks about the harvest and how the wheat will be threshed and the chaff is separated and burned. Chaff is the outside casing of wheat - the part that's not used.
So are we like wheat? Do we have good inside of us that would remain if the useless part is stripped away? I'd like to believe so. And I'd like to believe that what Jesus taught was how to maximize the grain - the seed of that which will live on after the useless chaff is gone.
Honestly, if the useless, undesirable parts of me are damned to the trashpile, or dungheap, or the unquenchable fire, that's fine with me. I'll be working on the seed to which Jesus promises eternal life.
If you prefer to believe in a God who punishes people with eternal suffering, that is your choice. I prefer to believe in a God who created us, loves us, and will help us to achieve the best.
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward."- Mark 9:38-41
Sometimes we forget to recognize that we're more alike than we are different. Sometimes we let differences in one area keep us from working together in another.
But not Friends Congregational UCC in College Station, Texas. Even though many of the churches that worked with Prison Fellowship were critical of gay and Lesbian persons, this Open and Affirming (OnA) congregation did not let this get in the way of participating in Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program, which purchased gifts for children of inmates. Though they didn't agree on the sanctity of same-sex relationships, Friends Congregational realized that had nothing to do with helping children at Christmas. They believed in offering hope to kids whose only fault was having a parent who was convicted and imprisoned.
Unfortunately, after several years of participation, Prison Fellowship removed them from the program.
Prison Fellowship specifically refused to allow Friends Congregational UCC to continue to participate in a program to help imprisoned adults offer Christmas gifts to their children because Friends Congregational UCC is Open and Affirming of gay and Lesbian people.
The Rev. Dan De Leon, pastor of Friends Congregational, said the regional office of Prison Fellowship told him that, because the church belongs to the UCC's "Open and Affirming" program, it would not be allowed to participate in the Angel Tree program.
A Senior Vice President of Prison Fellowship said that, out of 12,000 participating churches, only a few congregations have been disqualified, usually due to doctrine on creation or homosexuality.
I doubt the kids - who would not have known which churches were involved, much less the churches' doctrine - would have cared.
"Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward."
References:
So the candidates were asked when children should be told about homosexuality. In programs like "It's Elementary", we're not talking about telling kids to be gay, or how to have gay sex. We're talking about different relationships. The fact is that there are kids who have same-sex parents - and it's good to teach kids to not beat up on the ones with same-sex parents, just as it's good to teach them to not beat up on children of divorced parents.
But the way some talk about tolerance, it would seem that it is the worst form of child abuse.
And isn't learning about other people a big part of elementary education? I remember learning about the people of Pompeii and about Umskikuk the Eskimo in Social Studies class. Learning about different people - and to not hate or be afraid of them - is an important part of growing up. After learning to respect people who are different, (we hope) adults will be less likely to attack people based on differences.
Of course, some people are afraid that such programs indoctrinate children into a lifestyle. Perhaps the Pompeii part of 6th grade social studies is what led to toga parties. I don't know - I've never been to a toga party. I have, however, been to Alaska and visited Inuit there. I didn't join them to live there the rest of my life, though.
Perhaps what people really fear is that a broad public school education will counteract the narrow training they give their children at home. It may really be about control - if we limit a child's knowledge, the child will only see limited options as an adult.
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." - Proverbs 22:6
So what is the right way? Is it the way of judgment of others, or of love for others?
It saddens me that people who are followers of Jesus need the help of public schools to teach their children to love their neighbors. Parents, teach your children to do what you believe is right - but also teach them the love that Jesus had for others - even (perhaps especially) for those who were scorned.
References:
But the way some talk about tolerance, it would seem that it is the worst form of child abuse.
And isn't learning about other people a big part of elementary education? I remember learning about the people of Pompeii and about Umskikuk the Eskimo in Social Studies class. Learning about different people - and to not hate or be afraid of them - is an important part of growing up. After learning to respect people who are different, (we hope) adults will be less likely to attack people based on differences.
Of course, some people are afraid that such programs indoctrinate children into a lifestyle. Perhaps the Pompeii part of 6th grade social studies is what led to toga parties. I don't know - I've never been to a toga party. I have, however, been to Alaska and visited Inuit there. I didn't join them to live there the rest of my life, though.
Perhaps what people really fear is that a broad public school education will counteract the narrow training they give their children at home. It may really be about control - if we limit a child's knowledge, the child will only see limited options as an adult.
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." - Proverbs 22:6
So what is the right way? Is it the way of judgment of others, or of love for others?
It saddens me that people who are followers of Jesus need the help of public schools to teach their children to love their neighbors. Parents, teach your children to do what you believe is right - but also teach them the love that Jesus had for others - even (perhaps especially) for those who were scorned.
References:
How many of each animal did Moses bring on the ark?
How many automobiles can you name that are in the Bible?
Without looking, how many verses are in chapter 17 of the Gospel according to Mark?
Answers after the jump.
How many automobiles can you name that are in the Bible?
Without looking, how many verses are in chapter 17 of the Gospel according to Mark?
Answers after the jump.
Continue reading Friday Fun: Bible Riddles.
The City of Chicago has awarded $14 million to a man who accused two Chicago Police Department officers of doing a "cavity search" using a screwdriver, causing internal injuries. While the officers claimed innocence, they could not explain the presence of screwdrivers in the glovebox of the police car, not the presence of fecal matter in the glovebox.
Meanwhile, a New Jersey woman was followed by a car registered to a company that doesn't exist. The Postmaster of the town in which the car is registered cannot comment because "it's a sensitive matter".
Are these our public servants?
It's certainly not the way I understand service.
While the disciples argued over who would be the greatest, or requested the favor of sitting at the left and right hands of Jesus, Jesus told his followers that the greatest would be the least, and the least: greatest. Jesus's own humility in serving the disciples - demonstrating hospitality to his own followers - shows his own ability to be a servant.
True servants do not spy on those they serve. Those who do right do not hide in shadows - or behind post office boxes for companies that don't exist. And true servants are not cruel, and do not seek to debase those they serve - even if such a person is a suspect.
The heart of service is in respect and in love. If we love one another, we will respect each other. Jesus taught his followers to even love their enemies - how much more should we love those of whom we only have suspicion?
References:
Meanwhile, a New Jersey woman was followed by a car registered to a company that doesn't exist. The Postmaster of the town in which the car is registered cannot comment because "it's a sensitive matter".
Are these our public servants?
It's certainly not the way I understand service.
While the disciples argued over who would be the greatest, or requested the favor of sitting at the left and right hands of Jesus, Jesus told his followers that the greatest would be the least, and the least: greatest. Jesus's own humility in serving the disciples - demonstrating hospitality to his own followers - shows his own ability to be a servant.
True servants do not spy on those they serve. Those who do right do not hide in shadows - or behind post office boxes for companies that don't exist. And true servants are not cruel, and do not seek to debase those they serve - even if such a person is a suspect.
The heart of service is in respect and in love. If we love one another, we will respect each other. Jesus taught his followers to even love their enemies - how much more should we love those of whom we only have suspicion?
References:
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13705
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13731
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13741
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13767
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13917
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13999
- http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=14060
- http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nyroc245387882sep24,0,1911059,full.story
- http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/2007/09/is-that-wiretap.html
In Colossians, Paul speaks of marriage: "And you husbands must love your wives and never treat them harshly."
So what of same-sex relationships? There are some who refuse to recognize same-sex relationships, but a failure to acknowledge something has not effect on whether it exists.
There is abuse in some same-sex relationships - both Lesbian and gay. Unfortunately, few domestic abuse shelters are equipped to deal with women abused by women, or men abused by anyone.
In the case of women abused by female partners, shelters rarely have programs to help a woman deal with physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological abuse by a female spouse. The assumption that women are beaten by men often runs high, and a Lesbian may find such a shelter to be a poor fit. The offender programs are generally geared toward men, and often - for the comfort and openness of sharing - do not allow women to attend.
In the case of men abused by male partners, the options are almost universally non-existent. It is rare indeed to find a shelter for abused men - whether the offender was male or female. And an offender program for men who abuse women may be hostile to a gay man.
Fortunately, awareness of this problem is increasing. As reported in the Miami Herald, training for health care professionals has begun. Knowing that domestic abuse can happen in any kind of relationship is the first step toward recognition and intervention - and eventually, recovery.
Am I my brother's (or sister's) keeper? While Cain asked that about the very brother he killed, we can all ask that about any person who is abused. We must recognize our connectedness as God's creations and work to protect each other.
And for persons being abused by a same-sex partner: please seek help. Although help may be scarce, it does exist. Do not give up hope. Tell your physician, police, hospital workers, therapist - tell someone.
We are all created in God's image. Do not allow anyone to be abused.
References: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2007/10/doctors-shed-li.html
So what of same-sex relationships? There are some who refuse to recognize same-sex relationships, but a failure to acknowledge something has not effect on whether it exists.
There is abuse in some same-sex relationships - both Lesbian and gay. Unfortunately, few domestic abuse shelters are equipped to deal with women abused by women, or men abused by anyone.
In the case of women abused by female partners, shelters rarely have programs to help a woman deal with physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological abuse by a female spouse. The assumption that women are beaten by men often runs high, and a Lesbian may find such a shelter to be a poor fit. The offender programs are generally geared toward men, and often - for the comfort and openness of sharing - do not allow women to attend.
In the case of men abused by male partners, the options are almost universally non-existent. It is rare indeed to find a shelter for abused men - whether the offender was male or female. And an offender program for men who abuse women may be hostile to a gay man.
Fortunately, awareness of this problem is increasing. As reported in the Miami Herald, training for health care professionals has begun. Knowing that domestic abuse can happen in any kind of relationship is the first step toward recognition and intervention - and eventually, recovery.
Am I my brother's (or sister's) keeper? While Cain asked that about the very brother he killed, we can all ask that about any person who is abused. We must recognize our connectedness as God's creations and work to protect each other.
And for persons being abused by a same-sex partner: please seek help. Although help may be scarce, it does exist. Do not give up hope. Tell your physician, police, hospital workers, therapist - tell someone.
We are all created in God's image. Do not allow anyone to be abused.
References: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2007/10/doctors-shed-li.html
...our praise band, "Inspiration!", is about to start the prelude for the service at the harvest festival in Forrest.. More later.
When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." But He said to them, "You give them something to eat."This miracle is the only one reported in all of the gospels. It's too bad that, with all the hungry people in the world today, that we can't repeat it now.
And they said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people." For there were about five thousand men.
And He said to His disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of fifty." And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them. - Luke 9:12-17
Or can we?
At 8:30AM today, I'll be rehearsing with my church's praise band. At 10:30, we'll be part of the service at the Harvest Festival in Forrest Illinois.
Three churches will come together to celebrate the harvest to which we all contributed. Two urban churches - * Grace Lutheran Church & School of Forest Park, IL and Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ - sponsored acres of land tilled by members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Forrest Illinois. The harvest of corn will be sold at market rate, and the money raised will be used in a growing project in Africa. The United States Agency for International Development will match the money raised. So from the modest contributions of two churches and the labor of a third, sustainable agriculture will be developed so that people can feed themselves.
This is the work of Foods Resource Bank. 15 Mainline Christian denominations participate in reproducing this miracle of feeding the multitude.
I'd go on, but I have a celebration to prepare for.
Jesus said to them:
"You give them something to eat."
So the Arkansas Attorney General decided that a law that said gay people can't adopt was unconstitutional. No matter - the Arkansas legislature went back and said only married couples could adopt.
To put this another way, children may not be adopted by unmarried persons regardless of sexual orientation.
Throughout the Bible - in the Hebrew and Christian books - priests and prophets have spoken of the importance of caring for orphans. Yet Arkansas decided it would be better for these children to be housed in foster and group homes than to find a permanent home with one or more parents.
Children need a loving home. To deny children of the opportunity to be loved is to go against God's law and basic compassion.
Let us put the needs of children first.
References:
To put this another way, children may not be adopted by unmarried persons regardless of sexual orientation.
Throughout the Bible - in the Hebrew and Christian books - priests and prophets have spoken of the importance of caring for orphans. Yet Arkansas decided it would be better for these children to be housed in foster and group homes than to find a permanent home with one or more parents.
Children need a loving home. To deny children of the opportunity to be loved is to go against God's law and basic compassion.
Let us put the needs of children first.
References:
Today is the day.
The challenge is before us is to more honestly share who we truly are: with ourselves, with our families, with our friends, with the world.
If we are out to ourselves, we have only just begun. We may love ourselves enough to acknowledge who we are, but we must also love our neighbors as ourselves. That means being honest about our stories, our lives, our identities.
Coming out is a continuous process. Although we mark today as a time to come out, we must always be willing to share the truth about ourselves with others. Rather than inventing lies about a mundane life, we can tell the truth about our passions, our strengths, and our weaknesses.
Coming out is not easy. It brings anxiety, and at times it is risky. Yet believers are not called to quiet safety, and prophets are not called to silence. We - gay, Lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, supportive, and leather; conservative and progressive; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Pagan and Wiccan; grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren; we must share what we have been given.
Do not withhold the beauty that is you. Celebrate the unique creation you are.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
The challenge is before us is to more honestly share who we truly are: with ourselves, with our families, with our friends, with the world.
Yeshua says: Whoever knows everything but himself, lacks everything.It is important that we know and accept who we are. Self-denial is an affront to the one who created us, and to ourselves. If we love our creator, we will not deny that creation. If we love that creation - ourselves - we will also not deny it.
- Gospel of Thomas, 67
If we are out to ourselves, we have only just begun. We may love ourselves enough to acknowledge who we are, but we must also love our neighbors as ourselves. That means being honest about our stories, our lives, our identities.
Coming out is a continuous process. Although we mark today as a time to come out, we must always be willing to share the truth about ourselves with others. Rather than inventing lies about a mundane life, we can tell the truth about our passions, our strengths, and our weaknesses.
Coming out is not easy. It brings anxiety, and at times it is risky. Yet believers are not called to quiet safety, and prophets are not called to silence. We - gay, Lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, supportive, and leather; conservative and progressive; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Pagan and Wiccan; grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren; we must share what we have been given.
Do not withhold the beauty that is you. Celebrate the unique creation you are.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
Sure, there are some great reasons to come out - about anything.
But before we decide to tell the world your secret, it's important to consider a few things:
1. Will this affect others?
Consider these things in anticipation of National Coming Out Day. Try to not overreach. Instead, try to gradually broaden your boundaries.
But before we decide to tell the world your secret, it's important to consider a few things:
1. Will this affect others?
Although we may be ready to come out, our friends and family may not. It is important to come out first to those close to us, before springing the news on the world. Our loved ones deserve to hear it first hand.2. Is this dangerous?
Our loved ones also deserve to be a part of the discussion on coming out. Although the decisions are still ours, our friends and family need to be able to talk with us about it.
There are times when coming out can adversely affect our lives. We have to consider the risks, and whether we're willing to take them.3. Am I ready?
We must ask ourselves about the people to whom we're coming out. Will they be a physical threat to us? Will our homes and livelihoods be threatened? If so, how will they be threatened? And how will we deal with these threats?
As exhilarating as the feeling must be, we must "count the cost" of living openly.
Coming out - about any aspect of our lives - is rarely done all at once. We must admit to ourselves who we are. Then we may come out to some close, trusted friends or relatives, or perhaps a professional counselor. Coming out is not a one-time event - it is an ongoing process of self-discovery and sharing.
Consider these things in anticipation of National Coming Out Day. Try to not overreach. Instead, try to gradually broaden your boundaries.
Yesterday, I showed what trouble we can avoid by coming out.
Today I'd like to examine some of the benefits.
Being honest - or at least not hiding - aspects of our lives can reduce stress. Stress can lead to heart disease, insomnia, weight gain, and many other medical issues, so this is not a trivial benefit.
For those of us who are single, coming out offers more opportunities to meet those with whom we might want to partner. Greater choice means we may find better matches and happier home lives.
Note that the above can apply to closet Barbie collectors, closet Buddhists, or any other group of people.
Add a study shows that, statistically, gay and lesbian people who come out have stronger careers.
Being honest about who we are and what we do can keep us from living double lives that take an incredible amount of energy to maintain.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
References:
Today I'd like to examine some of the benefits.
Being honest - or at least not hiding - aspects of our lives can reduce stress. Stress can lead to heart disease, insomnia, weight gain, and many other medical issues, so this is not a trivial benefit.
For those of us who are single, coming out offers more opportunities to meet those with whom we might want to partner. Greater choice means we may find better matches and happier home lives.
Note that the above can apply to closet Barbie collectors, closet Buddhists, or any other group of people.
Add a study shows that, statistically, gay and lesbian people who come out have stronger careers.
Being honest about who we are and what we do can keep us from living double lives that take an incredible amount of energy to maintain.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
References:
I gave you all a break on Sunday, but it's time to resume preparation for National Coming Out Day.
OK, so I'm gay. Or Republican. Or transgender. Or I like to gossip. Why not stay in the closet?
There are certainly advantages to being in the closet. There aren't a lot of questions to answer. You don't have to worry about people criticizing you.
All you have to worry about is being found out.
Brian Wingfield has an interesting article on sex scandals - and the publicity that surrounds them - in Forbes. But it's not just notoriety one risks.
Repressing an important aspect of one's life can lead people to behave in erratic ways, such as text messaging young people, seeking sexual partners in parks and public bathrooms, and patronizing prostitutes. And if this sort of behavior comes to light, the fallout can be enormous. Representative Mark Foley resigned from Congress in disgrace. Ted Haggard lost his ministry.
In addition to the personal losses these men incurred, their families, friends, and constituents or parishioners also suffered by being put at risk and by feeling betrayed by trusted leaders.
How great can the toll be?
Michael Crawford reports that a 55 year old man killed himself rather than face the consequences of being caught in a park sex sting.
The toll can be quite high, but even the less controversial parts of our lives can wreak havoc.
We might just keep quiet about where we stand politically, so as to not lose standing with friends. Yet how does it feel to listen to people say things with which you disagree, talking to you as if you were with them on the issues? We don't have to get in big arguments, but we're often afraid to just say "well, I feel differently".
In the third chapter of the Gospel of John we read
Had these men, who so loathed homosexuality, merely admitted they struggled with it, their lives would have been much healthier.
When we are ashamed, we should admit what we do and who we are and get help.
When we are not ashamed, we should celebrate what we do and who we are.
If instead we hide what we do and who we are, we deny ourselves, harming ourselves and those around us.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
References:
OK, so I'm gay. Or Republican. Or transgender. Or I like to gossip. Why not stay in the closet?
There are certainly advantages to being in the closet. There aren't a lot of questions to answer. You don't have to worry about people criticizing you.
All you have to worry about is being found out.
Brian Wingfield has an interesting article on sex scandals - and the publicity that surrounds them - in Forbes. But it's not just notoriety one risks.
Repressing an important aspect of one's life can lead people to behave in erratic ways, such as text messaging young people, seeking sexual partners in parks and public bathrooms, and patronizing prostitutes. And if this sort of behavior comes to light, the fallout can be enormous. Representative Mark Foley resigned from Congress in disgrace. Ted Haggard lost his ministry.
In addition to the personal losses these men incurred, their families, friends, and constituents or parishioners also suffered by being put at risk and by feeling betrayed by trusted leaders.
How great can the toll be?
Michael Crawford reports that a 55 year old man killed himself rather than face the consequences of being caught in a park sex sting.
The toll can be quite high, but even the less controversial parts of our lives can wreak havoc.
We might just keep quiet about where we stand politically, so as to not lose standing with friends. Yet how does it feel to listen to people say things with which you disagree, talking to you as if you were with them on the issues? We don't have to get in big arguments, but we're often afraid to just say "well, I feel differently".
In the third chapter of the Gospel of John we read
19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.Whether or not we are ashamed of the things we do, we should bring them to the light. We cannot at the same time condemn something and secretly do the same thing.
Had these men, who so loathed homosexuality, merely admitted they struggled with it, their lives would have been much healthier.
When we are ashamed, we should admit what we do and who we are and get help.
When we are not ashamed, we should celebrate what we do and who we are.
If instead we hide what we do and who we are, we deny ourselves, harming ourselves and those around us.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
References:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28Think about this.
We are all one.
There are no distinctions.
Imagine if we, as Christians, stopped making distinctions between people.
Imagine we stopped distinguishing between people based on color of skin or national origin or citizenship.
Imagine we stopped distinguishing between classes.
Imagine we stopped distinguishing between genders.
Imagine we valued each member of the body of Christ equally - both in and out of church activities.
Imagine we supported each member fully, and didn't distinguish based on where one came from, what kind of work one did, or what gender role(s) one fit.
Imagine we took this idea further and applied it to all of humanity.
Just imagine.
Marriage, it is said in many a wedding homily, is not to be entered into lightly. It is a life-long commitment.
Although gay and lesbian people are often accused of being promiscuous, at least some seem to take marriage as a serious commitment.
A young man named Jonathan Erwin-Frank wrote a powerful essay about marriage. In it, he argues for same-sex marriage for many of the same reasons that opposite-sex couples desire it.
On the other hand, same sex could change marriage.Greta Christina outlines how same-sex marriage could alter the institution - to everyone's benefit.
Same-sex households exist. They are families - some with children, some without. Marriage will strengthen these families. And isn't that what family values are really about?
References:
Although gay and lesbian people are often accused of being promiscuous, at least some seem to take marriage as a serious commitment.
A young man named Jonathan Erwin-Frank wrote a powerful essay about marriage. In it, he argues for same-sex marriage for many of the same reasons that opposite-sex couples desire it.
On the other hand, same sex could change marriage.Greta Christina outlines how same-sex marriage could alter the institution - to everyone's benefit.
Same-sex households exist. They are families - some with children, some without. Marriage will strengthen these families. And isn't that what family values are really about?
References:
- http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=655373
- http://straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com/2007/09/glbt-people-can-believe-in-sanctity-of.html
- http://straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com/2007/09/will-iowa-marriage-ruling-actually-hurt.html
- http://gretachristina.typepad.com/greta_christinas_weblog/2007/10/how-gay-marriag.html
We all have things about us which we'd like to change. But it's critical that we own these things about ourselves as well. Whether they can be changed or not, we need to accept that these are things about ourselves.
I deal with low self-esteem and anxiety. I can choose to deny this, but it won't help me.
What happens when we live in denial? At the very least, we fail to deal with the very issues that trouble us. At the worst, we're caught in hypocrisy.
People have laughed at Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), Reverend Ted Haggard, Florida State Rep. Bob Allen , Louisiana St. Bernard Parish Councilman Joey DiFatta, and others. Yet a compassionate heart recognizes these people have lived in fear and denial, unable to find a healthy way to deal with an important part of their lives. The better choice is to pray for these men, that they will come to come out to themselves - to recognize their same-sex attraction. Recognizing an issue is the first step to dealing with it.
So what are you hiding? What's your secret?
You don't have to tell me.
You don't have to tell anyone.
Except yourself.
I deal with low self-esteem and anxiety. I can choose to deny this, but it won't help me.
What happens when we live in denial? At the very least, we fail to deal with the very issues that trouble us. At the worst, we're caught in hypocrisy.
People have laughed at Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), Reverend Ted Haggard, Florida State Rep. Bob Allen , Louisiana St. Bernard Parish Councilman Joey DiFatta, and others. Yet a compassionate heart recognizes these people have lived in fear and denial, unable to find a healthy way to deal with an important part of their lives. The better choice is to pray for these men, that they will come to come out to themselves - to recognize their same-sex attraction. Recognizing an issue is the first step to dealing with it.
So what are you hiding? What's your secret?
You don't have to tell me.
You don't have to tell anyone.
Except yourself.
Coming out part I: Coming Out to Yourself.
Who are you?
Really?
Think about all the dimensions of who you are. Consider using adjectives instead of nouns. Adjectives describe aspects of yourself; nouns label and categorize.
Explore the things you enjoy, the things that are important to you, the things that hold special meaning.
Coming out is not just about sexual or gender identity.
Maybe everyone knows you're gay, but no one knows you're a Republican.
Or a Christian.
Or a stamp collector.
Take this opportunity to get to know yourself.
Jesus taught his followers to love each other as they loved themselves. It's time to raise that bar - to love ourselves and others more.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
Who are you?
Really?
Think about all the dimensions of who you are. Consider using adjectives instead of nouns. Adjectives describe aspects of yourself; nouns label and categorize.
Explore the things you enjoy, the things that are important to you, the things that hold special meaning.
Coming out is not just about sexual or gender identity.
Maybe everyone knows you're gay, but no one knows you're a Republican.
Or a Christian.
Or a stamp collector.
Take this opportunity to get to know yourself.
Jesus taught his followers to love each other as they loved themselves. It's time to raise that bar - to love ourselves and others more.
National Coming Out Day is October 11.
It's only one week before October 11, National Coming Out Day. It's time to consider coming out. It's time to own who we are.
We are straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, and asexual.
We are women, men, and combinations of these social ideas.
We have bodies and genes and chromosomes that neatly line up as "male" or "female" - or not.
And we are wonderfully made in God's image.
Who are we to deny what God has made in us? Who are we to hide what we are born to be? Who are we to publicly deny God's gift to us?
Who are we to be ashamed of God's work?
Who are you?
We are straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, and asexual.
We are women, men, and combinations of these social ideas.
We have bodies and genes and chromosomes that neatly line up as "male" or "female" - or not.
And we are wonderfully made in God's image.
Who are we to deny what God has made in us? Who are we to hide what we are born to be? Who are we to publicly deny God's gift to us?
Who are we to be ashamed of God's work?
Who are you?
Another entry in health - a day late.
So children get the brush-off. I suppose that makes sense: State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) protects people who won't be able to vote for a few years anyway, so it's not much of a constituency yet. But, seeing as George W. Bush won't be running for re-election, why would he care? What's the point of the veto?
I understand the fear: middle-class parents might forgo buying their own insurance and enroll in SCHIP. But we're not talking about parents here, we're talking about children. Lower-middle-class parents often have to choose between rent, food, transportation, school books & supplies, and health care.
Let's not make choices that punish the innocent for the perceived sins of their parents. Let's not deny health care for children because of choices we fear their parents will make. Instead, let our grace extend to these little ones, ensuring that they can grow up healthy and have a chance at a better life than their parents may have had.
Who knows? Perhaps they will become healthy - and wealthy - enough to care for their then-aging parents, decreasing the burden on us all.
References:
So children get the brush-off. I suppose that makes sense: State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) protects people who won't be able to vote for a few years anyway, so it's not much of a constituency yet. But, seeing as George W. Bush won't be running for re-election, why would he care? What's the point of the veto?
I understand the fear: middle-class parents might forgo buying their own insurance and enroll in SCHIP. But we're not talking about parents here, we're talking about children. Lower-middle-class parents often have to choose between rent, food, transportation, school books & supplies, and health care.
Let's not make choices that punish the innocent for the perceived sins of their parents. Let's not deny health care for children because of choices we fear their parents will make. Instead, let our grace extend to these little ones, ensuring that they can grow up healthy and have a chance at a better life than their parents may have had.
Who knows? Perhaps they will become healthy - and wealthy - enough to care for their then-aging parents, decreasing the burden on us all.
References:
- http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3151
- http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14947772&ft=1&f=3
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2007 YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Outstanding Achievement and Racial Justice Awards:
References:
http://windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=16163
- Terri Hemmert (Communications): WXRT Radio Personality (first female morning drive Chicago radio personality)
- Cheryle Robinson Jackson (Racial Justice): First Female President and CEO of Chicago Urban League
- Sarah Levy (Promise): Founder of Sarah's Pastries & Candies
- The Reverend Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite (Professions): First female President of Chicago Theological Seminary
- Padmasree Warrior (Business): Executive Vice President and CTO of Motorola
References:
http://windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=16163
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it's important that we all really think about this killer of women...and men.
Yes, though it is rare, men can and do get breast cancer. So while there is no recommendation that men get mammograms, they should also be aware of changes in the tissues around their nipples, as well as discharge from their nipples. This includes transmen - though the breast tissue has been reduced, there is still risk.
And of course all women should be aware of changes in their breasts. This includes transwomen - especially due to the risks from hormone replacement therapy. Please do not let your fear of being "outed" prevent you from seeking medical help - and being honest with your health care providers about your medical history.
And intersex people, clearly, are also at risk. There is no human being - except those who have had mastectomies to prevent breast cancer - who is free of risk.
If we are to be stewards of what God has given us, we must first be stewards of our own bodies. Be vigilant for signs of cancer. Do not be afraid to ask your health care provider about changes in your breasts.
References:
Yes, though it is rare, men can and do get breast cancer. So while there is no recommendation that men get mammograms, they should also be aware of changes in the tissues around their nipples, as well as discharge from their nipples. This includes transmen - though the breast tissue has been reduced, there is still risk.
And of course all women should be aware of changes in their breasts. This includes transwomen - especially due to the risks from hormone replacement therapy. Please do not let your fear of being "outed" prevent you from seeking medical help - and being honest with your health care providers about your medical history.
And intersex people, clearly, are also at risk. There is no human being - except those who have had mastectomies to prevent breast cancer - who is free of risk.
If we are to be stewards of what God has given us, we must first be stewards of our own bodies. Be vigilant for signs of cancer. Do not be afraid to ask your health care provider about changes in your breasts.
References:
