{"id":43,"date":"2018-11-15T03:37:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T03:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jesus4lesbians.com\/?page_id=43"},"modified":"2018-12-11T14:29:51","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T06:29:51","slug":"the-issues","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/Jesus4lesbians.com\/","title":{"rendered":"The Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ch1 Early Experiences and How my Mind Has Changed<\/strong><\/p>\n

I begin with my personal experience because, when everything is said and done, my personal encounters with homosexuals<\/a> impacts how I register their place in society and in the churches<\/a>.\u00a0 In this, there is no neutral starting point for me or for anyone else.\u00a0No matter how many degrees one has earned or how many ordinations that one has experienced, no one can escape their personal experiential base.<\/a><\/span>\u00a0 Anyone denying this is not sufficiently self-aware and cannot be trusted as a guide<\/a> in addressing the issue of homosexuality.<\/p>\n

Ch2 How the Bible and Cardinal Ratzinger Treat and Mistreat Homosexuals<\/strong><\/p>\n

I will now introduce Matthew Vines\u2019 marvelous skill and disarming authenticity<\/a> in probing the limits of using the Bible<\/a> to discover God’s hateful condemnation of homosexuality.\u00a0 Immediately thereafter I will unravel the dangerous flaws found in Cardinal Ratzinger\u2019s arguments against same-sex marriages<\/a>.\u00a0 This section will unmask the hidden fallacies<\/a> found in the Catholic and evangelical Protestant claims<\/a> to have found God\u2019s point of view.\u00a0 It will also address whether <\/span>my criticisms of Ratzinger\u2019s Doctrine are rash and disrespectful<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ch3 How John J. McNeill, Pope Francis, and the U.S. Supreme Court Safeguard our Future <\/strong><\/p>\n

Now I will use case studies to expose how authoritarian approaches<\/a> serve to destroy communities and to defeat the very goals that their exponents hope to achieve<\/span>.\u00a0 I will borrow healthy points of departure from John McNeill, Pope Francis, and the U.S. Supreme Court that enable Christian communities to reaffirm the wisdom of Jesus and to bind up the wounds of all our children<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 I even offer a healing balm for those who vigorously disagree<\/a> with me.<\/p>\n

Ch4 Nonviolent Resistance to the Christian Taliban<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I circulated my first three chapters, I heard from those who were disgusted with how certain bishops and pastors have resorted\u00a0 to using intimidation and threats in order to silence believers<\/a> who support same-sex marriages.\u00a0 Those afflicted<\/a> are, in most instances, justly angry and ready to take action against the menace of authoritarian fundamentalists<\/a> within their church<\/span>.\u00a0 It is for the afflicted, and most especially for the afflicted youths<\/a>, that I have created this chapter on “nonviolent resistance.”<\/p>\n

Ch5 How Jesus Silenced the Fundamentalists<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our struggle against fundamentalism<\/a> needs all the help we can get from Jesus.\u00a0 When the Gospels are explored, it is clear that homosexuality and same-sex marriages do not show up<\/a>.\u00a0 However, what one does discover is how Jesus vigorously confronted Jewish fundamentalists in his day<\/span><\/a>; hence, we, as disciples of the Lord,\u00a0 have much to learn from Jesus\u2019 nonviolent resistance<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Note: This is the hub of this site.\u00a0 It is a simplified outline of my book.\u00a0 Click on those underlined words that attract your attention, and you will be immediately shown a blog that invites you to explore and interact freely with the topic chosen.<\/p>\n

Follow your interests.\u00a0 Follow your bliss.\u00a0 Leave behind a personal trail of your stories, your concerns, your hunches, your improvements, and, above all, your gratitude–gratitude for what others have posted that expands your own searching and softens your heart.<\/p>\n

Help make this a safe place<\/strong> where everyone can humbly speak their truth and be surrounded with gratitude and encouragement.\u00a0 Honor the truth that each person has found even when it is not “your” truth.\u00a0 Just as the Lord gave you a unique face and a special “calling,” allow yourself to be brave and “serve the Lord” by holding onto “your” truth while acknowledging, “God is not finished with me yet!”\u00a0 Above all, avoid harsh criticism (that crushes the broken spirit) and stay away from giving unsolicited advice.\u00a0 “May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace” (Rom 15:13) <\/em><\/span>.\u00a0 ~~Aaron<\/p><\/blockquote>\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ch1 Early Experiences and How my Mind Has Changed I begin with my personal experience because, when everything is said and done, my personal encounters with homosexuals impacts how I register their place in society and in the churches.\u00a0 In this, there is no neutral starting point for me or for anyone else.\u00a0No matter how … <\/p>\n

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