MWR : Room for various views

Last updated November 24.

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May 4, 2009 issue

Room for various views

By Robert Kauffman Seattle

I commend the three pastors who authored the open letter that challenged Mennonite Church USA on the exclusion of gays and lesbians.

I am happy to be a member of a congregation that accepts gays and lesbians. I believe there must be room for a variety of viewpoints on issues that do not alter our faith in Jesus Christ, who calls us to be one.

I believe we cannot use the Bible as a legalistic guide to belief or behavior. We must remember the cultural and historical context of its creation. Slavery was condoned in the Bible, and yet we do not use the Bible to justify slavery today. Some have used the Bible as a basis for requiring women to wear head coverings and not to wear jewelry. I thought we were past that type of literal interpretation. A few passages speak against homosexual behavior, but can we not accept these references in their historical and cultural context? Jesus never refers to homosexual behavior, but he does speak against divorce and remarriage. Even there the church has come to a place of compassion rather than judgment.

Most psychologists and other scholars now agree that the attraction to the same sex is an inherited or physical condition that can seldom, if ever, be altered. Are we going to exclude those whom God has created with homosexual characteristics?

And even if we have trouble welcoming gays and lesbians into our midst, are we not compelled to follow Jesus’ example of ministering to all people, especially to the marginalized? Are not gays and lesbians one of the most marginalized groups among us? Must we make them repent in order to be welcomed? Maybe if there is any repentance necessary, it should be for us to repent of our self-righteousness.

Comments

Mr. Kauffman states "I am happy to be a member of a congregation that accepts gays and lesbians. I believe there must be room for a variety of viewpoints on issues that do not alter our faith in Jesus Christ, who calls us to be one."

Well, read on as I am suggesting that additional room be made in MC USA for people of faith who practice prostitution and polygamy.

That Open Letter referred to by Mr. Kauffman calls for the acceptance of Gay, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgenders (GLBT) into MC USA. It appears as if that letter inadvertently omitted people of faith that practice prostitution and polygamy. I conclude Mr. Kauffman would support revising the Open Letter to include those who practice prostitution and polygamy and welcome them with the GLBT people of faith. I am confident that there would be psychologists and other scholars who would agree that prostitution and polygamy may be inherited or a physical condition that can seldom, if ever, be altered, as Mr. Kauffman states. So, signers, if you really want to bless MC USA, recall the Open Letter and revise it to be all inclusive, making it GLBTPP. Adulterers are already welcomed therefore that issue need not be addressed. I hope I have not omitted any other group that should be church members

Does it not make you wonder why Jesus left Heaven, came to earth, died and shed his blood on the cross if the Radical Hospitality of Jusus would get sinners into Heaven without the blood?

- A. Dale Welty (may 4 at 11:59 p.m.)
It's interesting that Jesus had outright disdain, derogatory names, and condemnation for the RELIGOUS LEADERS of his day. They claimed all the legalistic answers and should have known better. But, could the blind lead the blind? Then, when it came to others, sinners, he didn't condemn them, but said, "Go and sin no more". Now, how do you suppose he would have dealt with those who just continued to sin and reject God's principles? There is a lot to be said of God's great LOVE, but also of God's JUSTICE and wrath for sin. Do we have a parallel here, and is there a sophisticated vocal rationalising leadership today?

- Harold Franz (may 5 at 9:09 p.m.)

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