Frustrating

www.manhattandeclaration.org/faqs

Is there any concern that you will be offendeing your fellow Christians who have had abortions or are gay? Or do you not believe that a practicing gay or lesbian can be a Christian?

The Manhattan Declaration is very clear about this. Here is what it says: "We acknowledge that there are those who are disposed towards homosexual and polyamorous conduct and relationships, just as there are those who are disposed towards other forms of immoral conduct....

urgh.... that rubs me the wrong way. The Catholic church has some beautiful things to say about the dignity and worth of all humans, even gay and lesbian men and women. But they always have to go there... and lump it in with immorality. Rats!

For me, there are two issues at hand.

1. Separation of church and state... which is often misunderstood. But for today's purposes, lets just remember that a church institiution must be very careful about appearing to be making political mandates. I know the RC church has plenty of lawyers to help them draft statements that are not officially political. But the point is still made. Some people will say that you cannot be Catholic if you have certain political stances. However, the church has no right, legal or otherwise, to demand any sort of politics from a congregant.

I know of *liberal* churches who have been prosecuted for even hinting at a political stance. Yet the RC church has had a greater political sway than any liberal church. The point is that we must all be mindful about the legal privilege we have in our country- that of political and religous freedom.

2. My education in ethics is limited. However, something in me bristles when I see a homosexual relationship labeled as immoral. You mean we can have a divorce rate with heterosexual couples of over 50%, but a committed, long-term, monogamous, respectful, and loving homosexual relationship is immoral? If we have to assign degrees of morality to behavior, I would have to say that it is more moral to be in a committed homosexual relationship than in a destructive church marriage between man and woman.

Generally, I try not to judge at all. Yet we all have values that we place on bits and peices of life that we witness.

This is what I know: Several men and women I have known have had destructive lives until they understood that they are gay and pursued a healthy relationship with a same-sex partner. Yes, just as many gay people cheat, 'divorce', etc. as heteros. But on the positive side, just as many gay people have committed, loving relationships as heteros. I know that some very unhappy, destructive people have been able to heal and grow when they admitted that they were gay. Once feeling whole in their sexual identity, they were able to pursue that desires of the healthy person- spiritual growth, relationships, family or community service.

My sister was ... well, messed up until she understood that her years of trying to find the right man was wrong for her. She found the right woman and has gone on to do amazing things. She has recieved many awards, national and local, for her incredible service. She has saved countless lives- no exaggeration- as a paramedic. She has travelled to Haiti and provided medical and emotional support.

My sister was unable to give in ways she really wanted to until she understood who she was. She has a right to be in a meaningful and supportive relationship with another human. She deserves the closeness of a marital relationship. Everthing good in her yearns for her life-partner. And together, they do good things for this world.

The irony...my sister has always been devoutly Christian, even when the rest of my family has been all over the religious map! And yet she, who wants a relationship with Jesus, is told that she is immoral for being who GOD created.

No religious path is going to be perfect. All churches, no matter how long the tradition, no matter how deep the lineage to Christ... all churches have a *husk* that is wrapped around the golden kernal of truth. Sometimes we must dig deeper than the husk to find the truth. But that husk... it can be green and living or it can be dried and crumbly. And the issues with politics and gay relationships... a bit on the dry side.