It's never finished

[angledge]

I just came out to my Bible study group. It's a small group (8-10 most Wednesday mornings), but there are a few members (conservative older white men) to whom I would've never imagined coming out. But we were discussing what people outside of the church might see within the church that they would want (fruits of the Spirit). I was silently considering the question when Sam said, "Angela, I can see that you're mulling this over; do you want to tell us what you're thinking?"

I couldn't turn down an opportunity like that, so I said, "I'm gay, so the community I interact with is completely different from the ones you all are involved with. It's hard to take the Gospel to the GLBTQ community because most of them are familiar with only the hateful, condemning face of Christianity." Then I told them about the picketers at SundayOUT. I told them that what the GLBTQ community is looking for - that the church can offer - is peace, love, comfort, hope - in other words, the same things straight people are looking for.

Afterwards, the only other woman in the group thanked me for sharing my life with them. Ray said that they loved me. But no-one else said anything. I think I really shocked some conservative old white men today.

Here are some of the things that make it hard to preach to my "Family":

http://www.confessingchurch.homestead.com/
http://www.augustinecollege.org/papers/EH_00_3.htm
http://www.godhatesfags.com

Comments

[angledge.livejournal.com]

CV said: Remember, we still love you, even if conservative old white men don't. Is their opinion that important to you? Are their beliefs about your worth more valid than mine, just because they are "good" Christian folk and I am not? Are Stacy, Tym, Kirsten, or I of lesser familial value to you just because we have not accepted God as our personal saviour?
The answers to your three questions are no, no, & no. I hope my LJ entry didn't make it sound like I was sorely hurt by this morning's little scene. I do not attribute any overarching value to the love/acceptance of these particular people. It's just shocking to me that DIRECTLY after an hour-long discussion about the things the church offers to the world (salvation, love, etc.), that this group would still display ... well, they weren't exactly being bigots, but they were definitely uncomfortable (latent homophobia, or maybe just disappointed expectations - "But she doesn't LOOK like a dyke!"). I was amazed that they couldn't sense the incongruity between their words & their deeds.

CV said: And until that last day, you will still have true friends to stand beside you in all things.
I know it, buddy. ::gives CV a big hug::