to me

Begin forwarded message:

From: Kathryn

Subject: Stand for DOMA

Date:

To:

To my dear brothers and sisters in Christ

I am writing to you today in response to the public plea for members of Blank Blank Church (EGC) to rally and support the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). All of my life I have been raised with the teaching that homosexuality was unnatural and an abomination. In my young mind, I could not fathom a more reprehensible act before God. I was also of the mindset that if "God said it, I was to believe it, and that should settle it". I have, until very recently, lived out my faith in an unquestioningly manner.

Please know that as I move forward in my email, that my thoughts toward EGC are wrought with love and gratitude for the good that has been sown into my life and the lives of others. However, I feel the need to challenge the plea to support DOMA.

Throughout history, discrimination, oppression and abuse have to varying degrees been sanctioned by the church (reflect on Crusades, slavery, women's rights, rights of African Americans, etc.). As we look back, we often feel appalled and think, "What were they thinking? How could anyone have stood by and allowed those things to happen?" By in large, there were "biblical reasons" (which were really scripture read through the lenses of a long tradition steeped in culture and perpetuated by varying leaders within the institution). I am not saying that EGC holds those views (the spirit of equality is evident). However, supporting DOMA with the underpinnings that homosexuality is wrong,

is, I feel, walking in a similar spirit as our forefathers (both spiritual and public governing officials).

My reasons for saying that are two-fold. One, denying any person equal rights is discrimination and therefore oppressivewhether you agree with their position or not. Legislating morality is the very reason we broke from England. We sought out equality and religious freedom FOR ALL. Based on that reason alone, I would not support DOMA. Secondly, there is reasonable doubt to the accurate translation of the words referring to homosexuality. IF BY CHANCE the traditional renderings referring to homosexuality are wrong, we have done great injustice to our brothers and sisters throughout the ages. I am not willing to take that chance. The number one reason for suicide among young people today is the oppression and rejection by society and families of young people "coming out". I am concerned about the churches contribution to those statistics.

Oppression is by definition "the prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control". If one is going to take a stand against something that they feel is "wrong", that stand must be taken in love and not in the form of oppression or legislation. If legislation was all that was needed, I wonder if Christ would have come as a political leader. Gandhi wisely said, "whenever you have truth, it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected". Im not one to believe that truth is subjective or to believe firmly in moral relativism, but I do think that wherever we land with our truth, we must not be oppressive in the giving of that truth. Scripture teaches us to gently teach those who oppose usnot issue legislative mandates against them.

It is noted in the annals of history that: 1. Inter-racial marriage was wrong. Legislation was implemented to limit and punish and remove equal marital rights. A Georgia court stated that inter-racial marriage marriage "not only unnatural, but always productive of deplorable results," such as increased effeminate behavior in the population. "They are productive of evil, and evil only, without any corresponding good (in accordance with) the God of nature."

2. Women owning property is wrong and detrimental to the marriage institution: As stated by a New York legislator back in the our earl y history "If any single thing should remain untouched by the hand of the reformer, it was the sacred institution of marriage [which] was about to be destroyed in one thoughtless blow that might produce change in all phases of domestic life."

We all would disagree with the statements above. They seem ludicrous to us in this modern age, but they carry a similar thinking to todays posture toward the gay community. I think we need to step back and carefully consider our current steps. Will we,

100 years from now look back at the injustices of the church and society against the gay community in the same way the we look back on the legislated inequality of African Americans and women? I surely hope not.

With all that said, I know that each person must act as they are "fully convinced in their minds" and each person must give an account for themselves and must follow their conscience on matters. I carry no grudge or ill-will in my heart, but for me, I must stand against EGC in their support of DOMA. I feel there are many points of theology in which I can disagree and still remain in fellowship with a local body. This is not one of them. To me this gets to the point of mistreatment of another human being. My convictions are strong in this matter and I wish to communicate my reasons for not continuing my attendance and interpreting at EGC.

As with all things, I am open to God's leading in changing my perspective, but as it stands now, I must part ways with EGC and take my stand. Again, not with malicebut with love and tenderness toward you as my brothers and sisters in Christ.

My hope is that you would receive my email in the spirit in which it was intended, that being love.

With the greatest sincerity,

Kathryn