elysiansunshine
26792
2868
257
Recently moved to a new church, and I learned today that the pastor is a lesbian and that they welcome and are supportive of eve
Mar 11, 2013 4:18 AM
elysiansunshine
26792
2868
257
ladymakeup
Congrats on your new home and your new family OP! :)
CannotRememberMyLongUsername
Good on you. I lost my faith a while back. I find it wonderful that others can find place that will not judge and will love others.
AlwaysEatingAlmonds
Somebody please tell me how these long-ass captions are made. I get cut off after 5 words.
elysiansunshine
Imgur had an update and now you can write uber-long captions! Try it
integrandia
Nice! What denomination/church?
TigerWalt
I'm gonna guess Unitarian Universalist, ELCA, or a very liberal Episcopalian and/or Methodist. Emergent Church is also possible.
ThatDwarfWhoStealsYourOpinions
This is what true religion is. Teaching that it's okay to be different and allowing people to make their own decisions.
ConorHooper
No it's fucking not. It's about how to own women and not die in a fucking desert 2000 years ago. Fuck.
otfbeacon
The pastor's sexual preference is nobody's business.
guardinglives
Oh where is this glorious church located!!
alloutoflollipops
thatzunpossible
My old church (Episcopalian) had an openly gay reverend. I'm agnostic so I haven't been in a while, but they're cool people.
TheSilentRebel
Cherries & Tomatoes! :D
DixenCider
gif synced up perfcty with the song i am listening to.....its like i dont even care what happens for the rest of the day :-)
Kaylarra
I go to a church as well where everyone is accepted
gimmemoartearightnow
THIS is the sort of church I'm looking for. I'm stunned at how exclusive and downright mean many of my "devout Christian" colleagues are.
Nerdextrordinaire
I am divorced, 3 kids, 2 out of wedlock. I quit going to church to avoid hearing how horrible I am as a mother, and woman... I need this.
PaliQ
Unitarian Universalist churches accept anyone and everyone.
Rayrules
yay other Unitarians. This is exciting
Krasla
I just joined one a few months ago. Its a wonderful community to join and they *really* do accept anyone and everyone.
goldendaisy
My church is the same way- I love everybody there and we've had a lesbian pastor for a few years. Christianity can be good.
QwertyMcGiblets
As an atheist, this makes me smile
IDrawPokemon
Same here. People always get this horrid expression on their face when you tell people you're atheist. We're not all rude about it o__o
DarvaPaviohVannei
Exacta mundo. When I tell people I am atheist, they get uber disgusted with me all of a sudden and act like I just shot someone.Just(1/hue)
IDrawPokemon
It's pretty bad being in a catholic school though. o_o Like if a teacher mentions religion, they all awkwardly glance at me, like Idgaf bro.
DarvaPaviohVannei
Just saying "Oh, I am an atheist, I believe that there is no god. But I let you believe in whatever you desire" And bam, people hate my guts
DarvaPaviohVannei
3/0? Hi... I ended the sentence, go on and read something else much more interesting....
TheJealousCactus
They even allow aliens? How progressive.
flamingflamingo
Congrats!
thecomputernut
I am all for equal rights but this really isn't Christianity at all. Sorry but that church is not Biblical.
thecomputernut
Haha downvotes. No seriously the Bible literally says that everything in that church is wrong. Don't downvote cause you disagree.
TigerWalt
What if the pastor is an abstaining lesbian?
thecomputernut
The Bible states that homosexuality is an abomination. So it would still be wrong. With that said, I support gay marriage.
TigerWalt
It says the practice is, not the status.
thecomputernut
It just says homosexuality is wrong. I see no reason why that would only include acts, not feelings and thoughts.
king1823
This is strange to me. Homesexualty is one of the only abominations stated by the bible.
Dsharppe
I love how religion has to pretend that they now condone things that they would literally kill you for in the past .. and people buy it.
JeffreyDee
When did imgur become tumblr?
Sixcoup
What is the point being a pastor, if you don't believe or care about what you're supposed to preach ?
chocolatechickidee
(1/1) The priest at my old church was gay. He's first to admit that it's definitely not a choice, necessarily, to be gay. It's the lifestyle
chocolatechickidee
(2/2) that's a choice, and that's what the church is against. So by becoming a priest he is now abstinent and not acting on being gay.
EndersdoyouthinkthisisafuckingGame
Thank you for this! As a WELS Lutheran, we get smashed for being unaccepting of people, which isn't at all true. (1/2)
EndersdoyouthinkthisisafuckingGame
We view things EXACTLY how you presented them. I just wish more people could see that and understand.
colonizethesun
WELS here. I am so thankful for the original comment because I've had such trouble putting this into words.
Whitepeoplearemean
I believe that homosexuality is something that people can struggle with, be tempted by. But, not acting on it is where people have different
Whitepeoplearemean
Opinions :) BUT, I love Imgur for being accepting of everybody. Gay, straight, christian, athiest!
rpger9756
If you're a protestant and want all that, but also acceptance, try out Congregationalism. I'm an atheist, but that's where I came from.
pairofpears
upvote because I'm stoked for you and because I LOVE lilo and stitch!
PiTimesEisPie
Why... why did you get downvoted?
lesbiancheerleader
Or just give up your religion that hates who you are.
ConorHooper
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. +1 for reason and common sense.
seblack
It's not the religion that hates...it's the stupid people.
JimmieJammie
what has that to do with your gif?
crimsonmoose
I was thinking the same thing
HollandisnotaCountry
They're doing a happy dance, don't you see?
JimmieJammie
looks more like a deal with it dance or we are super cool dance to me...
Challenge90
Religion is probably not something you should talk about on Imgur....
AwkwardOstrichGirl
Boo, I'm a full-blown atheist and I think this post is awesome. Imgur's all about acceptance & freedom of speech. Live & let live!
CallMeInV
Isn't it sad how she is so proud and surprised at something that any decent human being should do anyway? Because it is so rare for religion
AwkwardOstrichGirl
I think it is a sad commentary on the state of most institutionalized religions, not sad for her, if that's what you mean. (1/2)
AwkwardOstrichGirl
(2/2) It's often demonized, but I'm just happy to see religion bring together communities while teaching acceptance, such as in this case.
sigfodr
It's not "all" about it. But it could be.
batarnak
I'm a semi-blown agnostic. ...Wait, did that sound dirty?
AwkwardOstrichGirl
Well maybe we can get together and I can make you a full-blown atheist... wait, does that sound dirty as well?
batarnak
I don't know, and I'm doing my best to deal with it. Wait, was that the definition of agnostic? :-)
Tokeru
As jesus said about the gays.. " "
Takemehomeeee
who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality," yeah, he said that...
Takemehomeeee
Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or(1)
Tokeru
lol there is no God. There is no such thing as sin. You have just wasted your entire life. lol
Takemehomeeee
on the other hand i can say there is a God, and there is such thing as sin, in modern day terms we call it crimes..think about that (1)
wismer
I was with you up until the crime part. Sin does not always equal crime.
Takemehomeeee
i know, but murder is a sin, and in modern day it's a crime, what i should have..bad choice of words there
Takemehomeeee
and you can believe what you want, don't tell me i wasted my life, don't mock my belief i'm just commenting on the comment..
misterstinkydroolface
Pretty sure the Bible says all those things are sins, including having a female minister.
iDrawStuff
This reminds me of an argument two players had about the rules in the Dungeon Masters' Guide way back in '88. Good times.
poimhn
I wish I had more than one upvote to give you for this!
fraxinusoleaceae
If purism to text is your criteria for membership, you're gonna find no christians, no lawyers, no democrats, no capitalists, no scientists.
ERICMC2
Yeah. And that just wouldn't be fun at all.
hairywall
the reference to women staying in their place and not teaching is because of the commonality of the pagan cults in greece to have (1/2)
hairywall
(2/3) high priestesses who often served as prostitutes. Having sex with one of these women was seen as a very spiritual thing. This...
hairywall
wasnt an effort to keep women down, but rather to set themselves apart from the pagan cults. In the same respect women are told to (3/4)
hairywall
keep their hair and faces covered because of the cultural norm of the greek cities. If a woman revealed her hair and face to a man she (4/5)
hairywall
was a prostitute and was "hocking her wares". The Bible does cite that women have their place within the church but this place can...(5/6)
umbreon26
So is associating with a woman on her period.
hairywall
this was not seen as a sin but a cleanliness measure. The standards of cleanliness in biblical times were much lower than now.
HeeelllloooooooMurse
Not entirely true. That makes you unclean which isn't the same thing as sin. Being sick made you unclean as well. TMYK
CrunchyLumpia
Leviticus, you so crazy.
weliveinaspaceshipdear
AND BACON. NO MORE BACON. NO BACON FOR YOU.
umbreon26
D:
QwertyMcGiblets
Working on Sundays, wearing mixed fabrics, cutting your hair, leather and not obeying your parents
LittleAutumnLeaves
Actually, I think the bacon thing was retracted in the New Testament. Someone must have made God a bacon sandwich, cos He changed His mind!
TigerWalt
1. Are we sure this is a Christian posting? 2. The 1st Timothy verse for female ministers refers only to the church in Ephesus.
Whitepeoplearemean
I took a new Testament class at my community college and we talked about this. No way around it. It's controversial.
TigerWalt
I won't deny it's controversial, but there are ways around it. If you'd like to know them, I'd be happy to message you.
NotACanadian
It's categorized exactly the same as fornication, adultery, incest and bestiality.
TigerWalt
Actually, Paul's letters seem to imply that sexual sin is different because it's a sin against the body vs. someone else.
TigerWalt
And both Jesus and John state that there are different levels of severity for different sins, so that's a tough claim to make.
NotACanadian
Where do you see that?
TigerWalt
John 19:11 "He... hath the greater sin." and 1 John 5:17b "...there is sin that does not lead to death."
Sixcoup
Pastor are not jew or muslim, they are chistian.
TigerWalt
Could have been Unitarian Universalist.
Jusmar
Hooray for religious acceptance! I'm gonna guess you aren't in central Texas.
ChicagoBadger
Talk about an oxymoron.
BDSMBlooddoll
I wish OP was in Alabama.
FatForYou
Austin is one of the most liberal cities in America.
biotek
So many people in Central TX area! When did this happen?!
9times
Your problem is with assholes...and assholes are everywhere.
amyisawesomeness
As someone who is from central Texas, we aren't as bad as everyone makes us out to be! Especially in Austin :)
imp0ssiblegirl
Actually in Central Texas, specifically Austin, there are quite a few extremely accepting churches.
stouf761
You must not be Texan. If so, must be Houston or Dallas, in which case just move to California already.
IsaidWe
They would but the taxes would kill them.
Jeskasan
The small towns are conservative and the big city's are liberal. I'm not really either but I'm going to raise my kids here.
ScheherazadeDreams
Texas isn't really liberal or conservative, it's more libertarian. The mayor of Houston is gay.
MrsFartSimpson
Ya, ok.
almostsomething182
As someone in central texas, my church accepts everyone. I even had a gay teacher at private school (Christian, of course)
ReductioAdHitlerum
Hold the goddamn phones. Austin, Texas is a very liberal city (It's central). But yeah, that's about all.
thepantslessman
+1 for ATX
HollandisnotaCountry
Remember the conclusion of this:
People in Texas stood up for them, in NYC they did not..
DorthLous
Remember the number of people in the restaurant at both location and what science tells us crowds do vs individuals ;)
HollandisnotaCountry
But does it matter where this crowd is? That was actually my point in this..
DorthLous
More people are less likely to react to an event, as the personal responsibility is spread. Fun facts ;) Good news? People reacted ^^
minnow1776
That's probably because people in NYC will cut their own nipples off if it means they don't have to deal with other people
SweetestTaboo
as a New Yorker, I can confirm this
cousinskeeter
I've lived in North, Central, South, and currently West texas! Nicest people you will ever meet. Except for the panhandle. we don't go there
RiderDernhelm
My church in Austin is incredibly accepting and welcoming to all people :) Come on down, y'all!
KrazeHonkey
As someone who lives in central Texas - you just need to look a little harder, my friend.
arnoldez
How gays are treated in Texas: http://youtu.be/Zhl9MLno424 WARNING: 3:50 will warm your heart and bring you to tears.
robotkelcie
Omg, so many tears. That letter was beautiful.
ayebrows
As someone in South Texas...dude, it's not that bad around here.
Bhargo
as someone who occasionally visits cousins who live in Texas, it really is.
ayebrows
Compared to what? Someplace like Washington or Maine, sure. Compared to most of the South and Midwest/Southwest? Nope.
loristardigradus
I lived in South Texas/Central Texas for like ten years and I agree with you. Seriously it's not that bad.
ScheherazadeDreams
Agreed. http://youtu.be/5JibZ2U3o-M
Jusmar
Here it's either your Christian or you're practicing out of a double wide in the backwoods. I've been shunned from places for being agnostic
ayebrows
That sucks. Thankfully most people around here are just like whatever, do what you want to do, just don't run around being loud 'bout it.
WowWhatAWhore
Kinda makes religion obsolete. Why bother change the word of God if you believe he is the one and only? Not religious btw. Just wondering.
Starjammer
The Word of God has been plucked and fucked to excuse peoples bigotries
minnow1776
3/2 the era we live in does.
SoapyMammaryMasturbation
I guess it could be summed up like this: There are two types of religious beleif - often within the same faith: Dogmatic and inspired.
minnow1776
2/2 in the exact social context the original church lived in. So the overarching message of God doesn't change, but how he deals with
minnow1776
1/2 The word of God doesn't change, but the historical context in which we live does. Nobody would be religious if we were expected to live
whoopsywoo
Just like a company changes in order to sell a product, religions change to sell faith. And they've been doing it for years.
whoopsywoo
The Catholic Church changed it policy on music and indulgences many years ago so as far as I'm concerned they should change other policy
usingthisforatest
It's not changing the word of God, but instead no longer selectively enforcing mistranslations.
wishuponastar
I know i'll get downvoted for this, but i agree with you. religion isnt just about being a good person and acceptance even though thats 1/3
wishuponastar
a big part of it, it is also about the truth, that Jesus died to pay for our sins, (2/3)
WowWhatAWhore
Jesus didn't die for my sins. Im gay. Going to hell anyway. So thanks for trying Jesus.
wishuponastar
the thing is, he did die for your sins. he loves you just as much as he loves every other person in the world.
wishuponastar
and there are certain things that we need to acknowledge as problems, to have a relationship with God. (3/3)
gypster
Arrrgh, the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.
superskin
most perfect comment about the bible i've seen
SayIAmYou
A rule can change if it no longer expresses the principle behind its original use. In a different context, a different rule can be needed.
WowWhatAWhore
Who, as an inferior compared to god has the authority to change what came from a divine being? (2)
minnow1776
1/2 There are a lot of people who feel that way and would like that the church never change, but social contexts change and so too does
minnow1776
2/2 our use of the rules. For example, none of us have to worry about eating meat that is sacrificed to other gods, yet the basic principle
minnow1776
4/2 And I feel I should clarify whenever a change takes place it is not a decision made lightly, and usually happens over decades.
WowWhatAWhore
The fact people make changes. I mean it looses all credibility. You don't have the power then to claim it's the word of god. simple as that
WowWhatAWhore
So it's made up then? So why believe in a higher power if your rules are man-made? As said; The word of god is true is it not? (1)
SayIAmYou
The principle is not man-made, the rule is the example people are capable of understanding and using at that time. See the distinction?
WowWhatAWhore
Why would a God leave so much open and then blame humans for their flaws? Sorry but the reasoning behind it is just bullocks(2)
WowWhatAWhore
The principle get a different meaning depending on how you interpret it. Why do this? Why leave to people what the teachings mean?(1)
sigfodr
In large part, the Jewish community believes the Torah is not to be taken literally. Things are open for discussion and interpretation.
WowWhatAWhore
Which just baffles me. Why would a god leave things open for discussion? It's the teaching passed down on to "his" people.(1)
WowWhatAWhore
Why do you need a god to tell you how to live if you can take it and change the meaning as you pleases. It sounds like just a human thing (2
baronridiculous
Let me help you out with this: These are made-up stories from the Iron Age, with virtually no relevance to modern life. You either make 1/2
WowWhatAWhore
That's not the point I'm after. I just don't get why a religious person still thinks there is a god. Even though humans change the context.
baronridiculous
up new rules and pretend to find them in the old rules, or you take the old rules literally and you're an insane fanatic living by rules 2/?
WowWhatAWhore
Already knowing that if there really would be a god we would have noticed by now. Wouldn't you get mad if your teachings were changed?