Meanwhile, Back At The Hateful Side Of Religion

So, we have Reverend Greg Renstrom, risking being defrocked, because he wants to bless same-sex unions as he sees Jesus doing.

And then we have the Crystal Cathedral, out in California, where they are asking choir members to sign a covenant on them being heterosexual and Christian.

Indeed, the "Crystal Cathedral Worship Choir and Worship Team Covenant" states that members should commit to being Christians by following the Bible in every way.

They won't eat shellfish?
They won't get tattoos?
They won't clothing of mixed fabrics?
They won't cut their hair?

Oh, no, they're just going to pick and choose which parts of the Bible to which they should adhere. You know, that whole man shall not lie with man blibbety blah bay blue homophobia!

Sheila Schuller Coleman

Sheila Schuller Coleman, the senior pastor and senior homophobe of the Crystal Cathedral, says the Reform Church has consistently maintained that marriage must be between one man and one woman, and that the statement is just part of a covenant. But several members of the cathedral's choir are reluctant to sign.

Why?

Maybe they're gay and don't want to sign their name to something that says they cannot be who they are and love who they choose.

Maybe they're straight and think that God is love and she would never have anyone sign such a hateful statement.

Both old and new members of the choir are offended by a statement in the document that refers to homosexuality, and say that this is the first time they have seen the cathedral take a firm stand against homosexuality. The covenant states: 

"I understand that in an era where images of family relationship and personal sexuality are often confused, Crystal Cathedral Ministries believes that it is important to teach and model the biblical view. I understand that Crystal Cathedral Ministries teaches that sexual intimacy is intended by God to only be within the bonds of marriage, between one man and one woman."

Former member, Ann Moore Waltz, does not agree with the statement in the covenant: "If I were still in the choir and if that was presented to me, and if a gay person had walked out, I would have walked out with him or he. If you are a Christian group and people come to you, you should be a good servant, love them and shine the light of Jesus on them – regardless of who they are."

Sheila Schuller Coleman is now on damage control, saying the document is intended to "clarify expectations placed on them as ministry leaders." She adds: "It is true that our new choir covenant includes a definition of marriage and that may have contributed to the hurt. The definition is the one that our denomination, The Reformed Church in America, and the Crystal Cathedral adheres to, based on its understanding of the scriptures."

At least an understanding of the scriptures to which they want to follow. Those other ones, about shrimp and pigskin and tattoos, well, times have changed so let's just act as if those don't exist.

Here's my take on the Bible.

It's a history book, written by men about a time long ago.
It isn't a teaching book.
It isn't a moral guide.

If it was, people would be following every single rule in the Bible to the letter.
God is love, people, and you're starting to piss her off.

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