HIGH GEAR/FEBRUARY 1978

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE

By Rev. C. Shawn Farrell

This is the first in a series of articles whose purpose is to affirm the positive side of Christianity for those have negated the goodness of human

persons whose traditional churches

sexuality.

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For hundreds of years, the gay community has seen religious establishments "the oppressor." However, in the past few years many Christian churches are taking a new look a their attitudes about human sexuality in general, and homosexuality in particular. Perhaps the foremost authority in this field is Dr. Norman Pittenger, theologian and author. In October 1967, there appeared from SCM Press (London, England), a 'Broadsheet' entitled "Time for Consent? Α Christian's Approach to Homosexuality." Although the appearance of the booklet was greeted, for the most part by church papers, with what was called 'a conspiracy of silence, the printing was exhausted in about a year and a half. That tightly-printed sixtyfour page booklet formed the basis for a paperback with the same title expanded and reprinted in 1970.

Dr. Pittenger received hundreds of letters from clergy as well as lay people thanking him for what he had written and saying that they, too, had for years endeavored to take the attitude which he urged in his book.

Quoting from Dr. Pittenger's prefatory note, he had this to say, "Even more moving were the scores of letters from homosexuals, bch men and

AKRON, OHIO 434-9794

the

women. I must say something about those letters. Without exception, they told me that they had hoped for, but despaired of, finding any Christian author who wrote understandingly about their situation. They may have had faith in God, as one of them said, but 'from the way his representatives on earth talk, I could not believe that he had any faith in me as one of his children'. My correspondents included many who were church Igoers but had always felt ill-atease since they knew that if members of their congregation learned of their sexual drive they would wish to exclude them from the Christian fellowship. Others wanted desperately to be Christians, to attend church services, and to receive Holy Communion, but thought they would be rejected by the clergy and the laity. Many wrote about their love for a particular friend with whom they lived, telling me how this sharing of life and love had given them a real sense of belonging." (end quote)

Dr. Pittenger goes on to state in this book that he takes for granted the goodness of human sexuality, that sexuality is Godgiven, a wonderful and beautiful thing.

That was 1970, and now in 1978 the community of men and women, who, for so long have been denied Christian fellow ship and ministry, need to know that many churches, individually and collectively, are re-examining their attitudes.

In an article on "Catholic Homosexuals" in 'Commonweal' (Feb. 5, 1974), the Catholic

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theologian Fr. Gregory Baum restated the concept of Christian calling in a gay context. The important question for Fr. Baum was not whether or not homosexuality was "natural" in the traditional sense, but whether it is capable of "mutuality," the state of loving interaction to which God calls all humankind. "Can it be integrated into this kind of human life, to which God summons us?" he asked. Obviously not all same-sex contacts involve mutuality and loving, supporting relationships, any more than do their heterosexual counterparts. But pointing to the experience and knowledgeable testimony of numerous gay men and women, and specifically to the religious witness of groups who endeavored to minister positvely to these men and women, (Dignity, Integrity, MC.C.), Fr. Baum concluded that "homosexual love is not contrary to the human nature, defined which humankind is summoned."

He went on to make the following statement, "If it is true that some people are constituitively homosexual and that homosexual relations allow for mutuality, then, from the viewpoint of Christian theology, it is the task of homosexuals to acknowledge themselves as such before God, and explore the meaning of this inclination for Christian life." Baum, in this statement, rejected the conventional church reaction to homosexuals as either sinners or sick, and affirmed the moral legitimacy of ethically responsible gay lifestyles.

77 NORTH ADAMS,

ANOTHER PARTY..

MARCH 18

MONDAY NIGHT BARGAIN NITE

PLAN ON ATTENDING

DIAGONALLY ACCROSS FROM CITY HOSPITAL

EPISCOPALIANS BAN GAYS

The Episcopal Church again reaffirmed the church's official position on homosexuality at a convention held at the Bond Court Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this month. Slightly more than half of the 80 clergy and about two thirds of the 300 lay delegates voted to exclude

the

homosexuals from priesthood. The conference also banned homosexual marriages. A patronizing statement approved by the delegates said that homosexuals are God's ohildren and as such have an equal claim on the "love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the church." The delegates generally felt that gays are also entitled to the

ODD & ENDS CONTINUED

Paul Newman now drinks Budweiser beer because "all the good things about Coors are simply outweighed by the company's violations of people's privacy and rights... Anita's not the only show Biz personality against gays. Christian Life magazie quotes Pat Boone as saying, "homosexuality is an abomination to God." He continues, "if homosexuals are treated as an accepted minority, others, such as sadomasochists, child abusers, exhibitionists and peeping toms will also want equal right," Well, why not, Pat???...

"The KKK is not embarrassed to admit that we endorse and seek the execution of all homosexuals." The quote is part of a taped message originating in Pasadena, California and naturally sponsored by the Ku Klux Klan. The National KKK of ficials have offered to protect Anita Bryant at her public appearances dressed, of course, in flowing white gowns.

The Bay Area Reporter writes that 12 well-known Catholic theologians have charged the Vatican's doctrinal congregation with a flagrant disregard of due process in prohibiting Father John McNeill from speaking on sexual of due process in ethics. Of the twelve, eight are either prists or nuns teaching in U.S. Catholic colleges.

The Reporter also quotes Sister Margaret Farley, an associate professor at Yale Divinity School as saying that she believes that the Roman Catholic Church will begin an evaluation of Scriptures that will lead to a change in

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equal protection of the law.

The Episcopal bishops late last year agreed on positions identical with the Bond Court convention. Rev. Terry Hunt urged the delegates to reject the bishops' view. He felt the Church's position could only lead to persecution of gay people.

Episcopalians

Homosexual are left with little choice but to attempt to live a celibate life. Homosexual activity continues to be viewed officially as sinful.

Some of the delegates felt that the church's position would change in the forseeable future. They pointed out that the decision to permit the ordination of women did not come on the first vote.

the Catholic stand on the gay issue. The liberal nun also believes that the ordination of Gays into the ministry and priesthood will someday be a reality. Maybe Sister would be surprised to find out how "gay" the priesthood already is!!!

Gay Activist Alliance/Columbus is sponsoring a Gay Community Valentine's Day Dance at the Campus Center of the Summit United Methodist Church, 82 East 16th St., Columbus (formerly called the Wesley Foundation). The date is February 12th from 8 P.M. until 1:00. Admission is $1.00. The dance is open to the entire Gay and Lesbian community. Tickets will be available from GAA members and at most of the bars. A party will follow afterward. The place will be announced at the dance.

Central Ohio Gay Coalition is planning a lobbying workshop to be held March 4, the day before the March 5 OGRC meeting in Columbus. Plans call for both lobbying experts and some representative government people to be at this workshop. Locations for both meetings will be announced soon. For more information, call COGC at 614291-9114 or write P.O. Box 8393, Columbus, Ohio 43201.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Seattle City Clark Wayne Angevine decided it was time to make public his own homosexuality after a policeman filed an initiative with the clerk to repeal a law protecting gays from job discrimination. Angevine, 43, a former state senator, said "Coming out like this isn't easy." Not easy Wayne, but well worth the pain and effort in the long run!!! *******

If you know of a Gay news item in Ohio or wish to advertise in High Gear, please call Cleveland: Dan Miecznikowski 631-9725 or Terry McCormick 226-2543 Akron: Steve Jobe 733-5612