Green: Convention’s vote to sever ties with Fort Worth church over gay members is ‘malicious’ example of ‘narrow-minded bigotry’
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| Broadway Baptist Church member Scott Green |
FORT WORTH — The Southern Baptist Convention’s decision this week to sever ties with Broadway Baptist Church over its acceptance of gays was "groundless and malicious" and an example of "narrow-minded bigotry," according to Scott Green, the only openly gay member of the congregation who’s commented publicly about the decision.
In an e-mail sent exclusively to Dallas Voice on Wednesday, June 24, Green added that the SBC "plays with people’s lives more than they know."
Delegates to the SBC’s annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., voted a day earlier to terminate the denomination’s relationship with Broadway Baptist, on grounds the church violated an article in the SBC constitution banning congregations that "affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior."
The SBC’s investigation and ouster of Broadway Baptist stemmed from a recent debate at the 127-year-old, 2,000-member congregation about whether to include photos of gay couples in a church directory.
"I, along with Broadway Baptist Church, am deeply saddened by the events at the Southern Baptist Convention this week in Louisville, " Green said in the e-mail. "Their groundless and malicious actions severely diminish the denomination. They also play with people’s lives in more ways than they know."
Green went on to note that the official theme of this year’s annual SBC meeting in Louisville was, "Love Loud: Actions Speak Louder Than Words."
"Their words have become laughable!" he wrote. "The Broadway that I know and love is full of good, kind and thoughtful individuals. What some forget is that we are all on the same journey. How sad to diminish the workings of God in the world because of narrow-minded bigotry."
Green concluded by saying that despite the SBC’s decision, "we will still move forward with the work of the Church … ministering to the poor and homeless, welcoming everyone that wishes to enter our doors, and spreading the good news of Christ."
The 49-year-old Green, who’s been a member of Broadway Baptist for 20 years, supported a compromise approved by the congregation in
February 2008 after gay couples requested to be pictured together in the directory.
Under the compromise, the directory included "candid, small and large group pictures," but no family photos of either gay or straight couples.
The SBC’s investigation began after last year’s annual meeting, when a pastor from North Carolina made a motion to declare Broadway "not in cooperation" with the convention.
During the investigation, Broadway Baptist leaders reportedly acknowledged that the church has gay members, including some who serve on committees, but denied the congregation had taken steps to "affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior."
In a statement released shortly after Tuesday’s vote, Broadway Baptist deacon chair Kathy Madeja reiterated this position. It marked the first time the SBC had expelled a church for being pro-gay despite the fact that the congregation disputed the charge.
"We are disappointed with the decision of the Southern Baptist Convention," Madeja said. "We do not believe Broadway has taken any action which would justify its being deemed not in friendly cooperation with the SBC. It is unfortunate that the Southern Baptist Convention decided otherwise and has severed its affiliation with Broadway Baptist Church."
E-mail wright@dallasvoice.com
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 26, 2009.
“During the investigation, Broadway Baptist leaders reportedly acknowledged that the church has gay members, including some who serve on committees, but denied the congregation had taken steps to “affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior.—
Why do gay people go to this Church? They do not “affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior.”
Jesus Christ. What am I missing? Religion is the only thing in the world that makes gay “wrong” and gay people support it?
Gays will NEVER have EQUAL rights as long as they are WRONG.
it’s time to end the wrong. I’m not wrong. Neither are you. Religion is wrong.
If accepting practicing homosexuals into the membership of the church is not “affirming, approving, or endorsing homosexual behavior,” I don’t know what is.
The SBC is not engaging in any malicious actions when they attempt to uphold the practices and traditions that they are built upon. It’s not like Broadway Baptist was forced to join the SBC. They agreed when they became a member church that they too would follow the SBC model of what it means to be a gospel-centered body of believers.
Steven:
You are correct, CHURCH is no place for HOMOSEXUALS.
Maybe someday, when RELIGION stops making gay people WRONG, Church may be appropriate.
The religious “wrong” of being gay is what prevent equal rights. We must end that wrong – even if it means ending religion. Religion has a horrible track record anyway.
Andrew:
Religion itself, as a concept, can be neither right nor wrong. What man does with religion, however, can be. And what man has done in the past with religion is pretty much the same thing that man does with everything. He mucks it up.
I agree that throughout history fallible men and women have abused the people’s trust in religious systems from Islam to Christianity and beyond. But to make a blanket statement that religion itself is to blame seems a little disingenuous.
Now, back to the argument at hand. Religion is not making gay people wrong. The people that adhere to this particular religion (Christianity) believe that God has revealed through the Bible that homosexual behavior is a slight against himself. We can argue the merits of that belief all you’d like, but the fact remains that their belief’s are theirs to choose. To assume that you could put enough social pressure on such an institution to change their views is, quite frankly, silly. On the one hand you’ve got the revealed word of the almighty God of the universe, and on the other you’ve got a bunch of activists. It’s just not going to happen.
Steven said: “On the one hand you’ve got the revealed word of the almighty God of the universe, and on the other you’ve got a bunch of activists.”
The difference is the “bunch of activists” are REAL.
Religion infects people before they can even think. It is a set of beliefs that are “inherited,” not learned and chosen. As silly as this collection of beliefs are, they would be rejected by “common sense” if it wasn’t for “faith.” Faith is defined as “the ability to believe something you cannot prove.” This concept is used by religion, politicians and con-men.
I do not need faith to believe a “bunch of activists” or to understand love or fairness. That’s my “truth.”
Religion is the only thing that makes gay wrong. Before religion gay was okay. After religion it was wrong. Look it up.
The Broadway Baptist Church was dismissed from the Christian-Club for just admitting gays, even if they made them “sit in the back of the Church.” No REAL Christian doctrine is ever going to say HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT WRONG. That’s the problem. Try telling the Southern Baptist Convention that their religion is “just a concept.” That’s a sure ticket to Hell. These people believe this because it was put in their minds BEFORE they could think. Flying planes into buildings or disowning your own child for being gay is the same manifestation of religious belief. The same religious terrorism.
It’s time for gays to wake up and realize that religion is the problem, not republicans, conservatives and bigots. It is the “belief” that gays are “wrong,” not the believers infected with this belief. Like Jesus said “forgive them for they know what they do.” As true believers, they just can’t help themselves. We must end the belief.
End the WRONG to end the HATE.
A sad moment in time for Christianity, but perhaps the Conference’s decision was the ignoble tail wagging the ambivalent dog. Although my personal view is that homosexuality is not a sin, the real loss for Christians here is the conduct of those in the Conference who do believe it is a sin. From these leaders, I expected a decision that supports tolerance and inclusion.
Even if some Christian generic tribunal determined that being gay is a sin, the lack of tolerance on the part of the Conference offends me. Jesus preached of tolerance and grace, not of dichotomous, rigorous standards and fleeting societal determinations about what is moral.
I am a mere heterosexual, middle-aged, mainstream Methodist so I do not expect my opinion to have much influence. I merely hope that by their actions here, Christian leaders are not teaching that homosexuality is wrong whereas hate is right. Jesus would disagree and his opinion has, or used to have influence.
Lee said: From these leaders, I expected a decision that supports tolerance and inclusion.”
We do not need to be TOLERATED. There is nothing WRONG with being a homosexual.
You sound a lot like the so-called gay-friendly churches, like Cathedral of Hope – they “welcome gays and lesbians” but still make them WRONG. It’s just marketing.
Your point that Jesus would encourage a little tolerance doesn’t make Jesus any better. “Look the other way” acceptance isn’t very courageous. There is no reason to tolerate us – we don’t tolerate blacks or women.
For 2,000 years RELIGION has made gay WRONG. That is the injustice.
We are not wrong, religion is. Religion can’t prove anything it believes or professes, but we can prove religion made us wrong. We need to end THAT wrong.
Still waiting for the Cathedral of Hope to proclaim HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT WRONG . . .
This has nothing to do with “the revealed word of the almighty God of the universe” — the God of the universe said nothing at all on the matter. Mistranslators, social activists like Paul, and church bureaucracies have established the erroneous notion that the church(es) have anything at all to say about homosexuality. If you are to misunderstand texts to say that the church hates homosexuality, it hates heterosexual marriage as well.
One of the outstanding traits of our country is the ability to freely worship in the way our faith directs. Why would you waste time calling out people who follow a faith and doctrine that is different from yours?
If you don’t choose to follow the bible as God’s inspired word, that is completely trustworthy, then so be it. I just find it curious that so much effort is spent beating down those who do. Our country is big enough for both.
Chuck,
I don’t care if you believe the Bible or Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, that’s your choice – just don’t suggest it’s the TRUTH. You can’t prove any of it, which is why you must use “FAITH.” I can prove this: RELIGION is the only thing that makes GAY wrong.
So, if you want to be part of religion, then you are also making gay wrong.
Equal Rights for gays will never happen as long as “gay is wrong.” If you are religious, ask your Church if they are willing to un-wrong homosexuality.
“Equal Rights for gays will never happen as long as “gay is wrong.”
I disagree with that statement because a larger percentage of the country agrees with your position each year. I am obviously presenting a case as a minority here.
Equal rights is just that. You can’t speak rights from one side and then tell the other side that they don’t have a right to their position.
Christianity is a narrow-minded faith. There is only one way to a right and eternal relationship with God. That is through Jesus Christ. Christianity also recognizes that all are wrong, not just gays. I need daily forgiveness for my wrongs.
Chuck,
Homosexuals are the only group of people made WRONG by religion.
Gays should ask their religions to un-wrong them. The FACT that religion makes homosexuals WRONG has caused all the pain and hardship suffered by gay people. It is the single source of all the hatred and bigotry. Enough, already. Ask your particular brand of christianity (there are +1800) to grow up or go away.
People have used religion for evil. That is impure religion.
Understanding that we are ALL wrong before God is a fundamental concept in Christianity. Compassion can separate the person from their behavior. Parents love there children regardless of their behavior.
We are called as Christians to do this. Just as a parent is there to lovingly correct and instruct their children, the church is there to do the same for its members.
Chuck:
If you want to be “wrong” in front of God – go ahead. Just stop making me wrong. It’s your story, not mine. I have evolved and I understand religion for what it is – wishful thinking and a surrender of our personal freedom. We can all choose our beliefs, but you cannot use yours to make me wrong anymore.
Religion made gay wrong. If you insist on being on both sides of that equation, it is your choice.
Please understand that many of the homosexual community are waking up and understanding that they will no longer let religion make them wrong. They will no longer be part of the single most damaging institution to gays.
I’m not wrong, religion is.
Actually, I would be rejoicing right now to realize that I wasn’t part of the Southern Baptist Convention. That would be a wonderful blessing! It seems that every time you read about them in the news, they are condemning or expelling some person or group. If this keep this up, there won’t be any on them left!
If something doesn’t work for you, then move on. It serves no purpose. We are fortunate to having many churches in the DFW area that accept gay people.
Actually, I would be rejoicing right now to realize that I wasn’t part of the Southern Baptist Convention. That would be a wonderful blessing! It seems that every time you read about them in the news, they are condemning or expelling some person or group. If they keep this up, there won’t be any on them left!
If something doesn’t work for you, then move on. It serves no purpose. We are fortunate to having many churches in the DFW area that accept gay people.
Ron:
Being accepted or tolerated by gay-friendly Churches misses the point. Sure, you can join them and contribute, but you are still WRONG. As long as we tolerate being made wrong by religion we will not have equal rights. It is our own fault.
I am not wrong – religion is.
I will agree that the stigma of gay being a sin is a misinterpretation of man supposedly from God. The bible has been translated so many times, who knows what it actually said in the beginning. However, as an American citizen, we are all entitled to our opinions, and guaranteed the freedom to religion and speech. Therefore, if the SBC wishes to remove a church they can, however, it is their loss, and they will have to deal with their maker when they have died for their transgressions. At the same time, as a community, the GLBT people can’t spew hate and then rail against it. Posting hateful comments on here and else where doesn’t help secure us as a recognized, equal people in this country. I agree that religion is being use maliciously to govern this country, and that the government isn’t an extension of the church, and that those who think so should be put in their place, but we can also not forget the right to freedom of beliefs and speech, as long as it doesn’t invade or interfere with the rights of other people. The thing this country has forgotten in its religious zealot state, is that we have a constitution that should be governing us, not a church, or a majority of hate mongers. I believe that every one is allowed to their own opinion, but has no right to cause harm, or interfere with other citizens of the country, and that the separation of church and state is a good thing, and it should be enforced more.
Those of you who are asking why is homosexuality wrong or think homosexuality is OK need to read this:
https://www.contenderministries.org/articles/christianliving/homosexuality.php
I challenge you to read the whole thing before responding.