tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post9020048879359673490..comments2023-02-24T13:09:13.013-03:00Comments on I Like It!: To my gay friends and to Anne Rice, I am sorryLinda Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05860998998692857696noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post-17884881565239271912012-07-15T19:34:52.181-03:002012-07-15T19:34:52.181-03:00Thank you Carol and Donna. Carol - you are fortuna...Thank you Carol and Donna. Carol - you are fortunate that your growing up church experience was so generous. Many churches were not and still are not. And Donna, thanks so much for your comments. And yes, we as writers should be the first to stand up against injustice.Linda Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05860998998692857696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post-90158738840762659752012-07-15T17:07:27.972-03:002012-07-15T17:07:27.972-03:00Thank you Linda - a very thought provoking and pas...Thank you Linda - a very thought provoking and passionately honest blog. I think you may have shown a forward step to the rest of us. I pray more Christians will think this way, more churches will rise above judgement and more Christian organizations and institutions will speak out. And wouldn't it show our Christian authenticity if various writing conferences we attend or list-serves and prayer lines to which we belong offered sound roots of faith as you have provided above. We talk about Changing the world - and yes, we have a strong voice if we join together.Donna Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16145465431329677552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post-50397638638569222502012-07-13T16:24:19.280-03:002012-07-13T16:24:19.280-03:00Perhaps my Presbyterian background has never been ...Perhaps my Presbyterian background has never been much for focusing on "fire and brimstone", but I've never been in a church that has suggested condemnation for any of the things that turned Anne off Christianity. I admit I'm still confused about homosexuality because I don't believe the bible condones it, but the thing is... I don't define any relationship based on sexuality. I have several gay acquaintances and have two gay relatives, but we don't discuss their preferences any more than I discuss bedroom activities with my married friends. (I don't think it's an avoidance thing; it's just not a usual topic of conversation for any of us.) <br /><br />I don't believe God wants us to be in positions of judgment, whether as individuals or as congregations. We're told not to condemn others. We don't have to believe a person's choice is right to stand with them in Christian love and acceptance. God's love is for everyone and ours should be, too.Carol Garvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02182655399708415140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post-82309614020982115322012-07-13T14:11:20.564-03:002012-07-13T14:11:20.564-03:00Thanks Laura and NJ for commenting. And I SO under...Thanks Laura and NJ for commenting. And I SO understand about the traditional church. There are so many hurting people in our world who 'think' that God hates them because of the way the established church has acted toward them. God - who doesn't hate them - must be so grieved. As Christians we certainly have not been 'little Christs' to them.Linda Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05860998998692857696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post-63507141780885422522012-07-13T12:57:07.250-03:002012-07-13T12:57:07.250-03:00Unfortunately, the traditional church reminds me m...Unfortunately, the traditional church reminds me more of religion in Jesus' day than the way Jesus called us to follow. So much hurt and so much pain in our world, and it isn't getting better.N. J. Lindquisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16869669605112956713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4416968251392335308.post-28623233494684768642012-07-13T11:45:54.119-03:002012-07-13T11:45:54.119-03:00This is a wonderful blog post about a difficult is...This is a wonderful blog post about a difficult issue. Thank you, Linda Hall, for your eloquent statements.Laura Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13783090946075414148noreply@blogger.com