tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438555530050940668.post770376146937557812..comments2023-11-02T07:07:17.651-05:00Comments on Love Is An Orientation: Guest Post: Divorce of the Church—Part 2Andrew Marinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15792774593779675643noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438555530050940668.post-19212988592430676942009-04-02T08:54:00.000-05:002009-04-02T08:54:00.000-05:00The key is to be able to have these discussions in...The key is to be able to have these discussions in such a fashion - all things productive that further each community's understanding to put an end to this culture war.<BR/><BR/>It is my strong conviction to be able to recognize a difference in theological belief systems, and yet in staying committed, be able then to peacefully communicate (and then step out through tangible actions) the things that back up such a framework.<BR/><BR/>I find too often that whenever people like Jeff bring up what he did in his comment, progressive circles jump all over him and try their hardest to shut him, and his voice out. That is wrong. And yet just the same, it happens with DJ in more conservative cirlces - just as wrong as well (the resason I wanted him to share his insights here - to educate all of us in the unspoken).<BR/><BR/>Neither expereince should be invalidated, because it is a legitimate expression to each's life story. These are the things we need to hear, and these are the things we need to make an intentional effort to bridge - not just in words but in works as well!<BR/><BR/>I would encourage each of us to seek out someone in our local neighborhood that is coming from a totally different experiential place (as Dave Gibbons says, biblically speaking, our neighbor is the person most unlike us), and get together with them to start knowing what it means to put hands and feet to Christ's bridge building ways.Andrew Marinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15792774593779675643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438555530050940668.post-7822504779426078662009-04-02T08:12:00.000-05:002009-04-02T08:12:00.000-05:00I know such people as well, Jeff, and I too wish t...I know such people as well, Jeff, and I too wish to build that bridge and get over it.<BR/><BR/>Pomo! Thanks as usual for love and support :)D.J. Free!https://www.blogger.com/profile/18149708709543170148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438555530050940668.post-65032535099311202202009-04-02T06:14:00.000-05:002009-04-02T06:14:00.000-05:00Well, after I commented so quickly to Part 1, I've...Well, after I commented so quickly to Part 1, I've been left in deep thought after Part 2 and the follow-up replies from both DJ and Andy. I've probably made my own share of people in the church uncomfortable as I started to share with some years ago that I struggled with Same Sex Attraction but decided to not come out as gay, instead seeking a path toward heterosexual marriage if the Lord brought the right woman into my life (which He did). But all I generally hear in church are statements against gay marriage but no words of love or encouragement towards those who may be struggling with a homosexual orientation and what to do about it. Our theological beliefs on this issue are probably going to stay different, DJ, but I think we still have much to learn from and share with each other and with the church at large. Like Andy is doing, let's work on building the bridge. I know too many who just want to be separate and spew their beliefs and do nothing to build relationship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6438555530050940668.post-32692821719254181792009-04-01T16:45:00.000-05:002009-04-01T16:45:00.000-05:00Excellent thoughts DJ! Thank you for putting into ...Excellent thoughts DJ! Thank you for putting into words the silent pressure that is often not thought about. People usually see "us" as the ones causing the strife (Although its usually talked about in terms of "them" because "they" couldn't possibly be in the church). While my existence causes stress for some people, the fact that my existence causes stress to them causes stress for me!Pomoprophethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16365996287266677853noreply@blogger.com