The Queer Christian: Navigating Faith, Church and the Bible

This sermon was delivered the Sunday after the 2024 Presidential election. An election that has left many fearful.

Today we sit in our grief, tomorrow we sit in our anger, and then after that we accept that empire will never save us and we mobilize to create more just and safer communities and political systems

Struggling to decide on an abortion? Bad news from an amnio or genetic screening? Still feeling guilt from a previous abortion? Reluctant to vote for a pro-choice candidate? This short podcast could change your life. This podcast was created using these AI tools: NotebookLM, Copilot, Descript and ChatGPT.

“I’m afraid I’m going to hell because I’m not attracted to men. Please give me an unbiased interpretation of Romans 1.” We received this question from a young woman, M.V. This podcast was created by one of Google’s newest AI engines, NotebookLM. (https://notebookLM.google.com) We gave NotebookLM M.V.’s question and these six quotes: 1. Justin Lee, from the book: “Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the...

What do you say to a gay son or daughter when they come out? With the benefit of hindsight Linda Robertson shares her thoughts on what she wishes she had said to her 12-year-old son Ryan when he came out. This podcast is extracted from an interview with Becky Aste (a Trauma-Informed Marriage Coach) on her podcast, Your Breakthrough Blueprint, from an emotional episode called, Can I love God and my...

I am 12-years old and gay. In 2001, Ryan Robertson, 12-years old, reached out to his mother on Instant Messenger. Their lives forever changed. Then, 11 years later, Linda Robertson told their story publicly on Facebook, hoping that it would help other families avoid the missteps and pain they experienced. Here is the original Facebook post, read and dramatized by AI generated voices. I have change...

Almost half its users are Queer: Dateability is a dating app designed for the disabled and chronically ill communities. Individuals with disabilities or chronic illness often encounter problems on dating apps. Alexa and Jacqueline Child have created Dateability, a safe and accepting space to find meaningful connections for people with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities. To learn...

A transgender listener shares their pre-transition struggles and brings a unique perspective to Matthew 19:12. For more on Matthew 19, and Jesus’s affirming words, see episodes: 6, 7, and 16. Link to various translations of Matthew 19:12: https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%2019:12 Link to the history of the transgender flag: https://www.pointofpride.org/blog/the-history-of-the-transgend...

Is same sex attraction a mental illness? UCLA Prof. Evelyn Hooker, whose research showed that gay men were just as mentally healthy as straight men. And how one cleverly designed experiment changed the views of many medical professionals and theologians. Articles quoted: Catholic Catechism: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/568/ The Pope Speaks: https://www.latimes.com/...

This episode challenges conventional messages on well-being and prompts listeners to question what truly contributes to their wellbeing and living “The Good Life.” Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠ Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠   Episode Cover art: Microsoft Copilot #Bible #Christian #Affirming

Pastor Danielle Parrish explores the profound biblical narrative of lost sheep, coins, and sons, emphasizing God's inclusive love. She challenges traditional interpretations by asserting the equal importance of women in Jesus' teachings, presenting a powerful message of inclusivity and unconditional love. Drawing from her deep understanding of first-century Jewish cultural, she takes you o...

The podcast reflects on Pastor Steve Reed's Christmas letter, lamenting the changes in white evangelicalism and criticizing its failure to align with Jesus' teachings. Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠ Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠   Synthesized speech using: ⁠⁠ https://maestra.ai/ Episode cover art generated by https://pixlr.com AI prompt: “a patriotic Am...

We discuss the deeply flawed practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation. Related Episodes: 8. Paul, Gay Marriage and Gender Pronouns 11. Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church and Some Are Committing Suicide 12. The Problems with Purity 13. When Is Sex Between Two Unmarried People God Honoring? (Seven rules for sex between unmarried people) 21. A Trans Christian's Quest...

The vibrant diversity of gender-fluid and non-binary individuals in Native American cultures; the tragic ban of same-sex marriages by the Navajo Nation Council; and the role of Christian churches in a cultural genocide, which attempted to erase the history of Two-Spirit individuals and their unique and respected roles in many tribes. Quoted or referenced in podcast: https://www.washingtonpost.com/...

Aiden Yang's transformation as he liberates the good troublemaker within, explores the Beatitudes, and finds inspiration from rapper Bad Bunny. Aiden Yang, a Trans-Christian Asian American, describes the many challenges to living true to your authentic self: Challenges from your church; challenges from your family; and challenges from a capitalist society. Aiden takes you on a transformative j...

1946 About the movie: 1946 - THE MISTRANSLATION THAT SHIFTED CULTURE This is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant d...

7 Bible scriptures that are MISUSED to condemn the LGBTQIA+ Community. Janet sets the record straight. In this episode, the second half of Janet Edmonds new leaflet, we look at 7 Bible scriptures that are INCORRECTLY used to condemn sexual minorities. Links to Janet's writing: Janet's leaflet, read in this podcast: GOD LOVES YOU - God Loves All of the LGBTQIA+ Community!! https://www.slide...

Using the Bible to condemn all queer people is a MISINTERPRETATION of the original scriptures and the initial purpose of why they were written. In this episode, the first half of Janet Edmonds new leaflet, a look at two AMAZING Bible scriptures that are AFFIRMING and ENCOURAGING for the LGBTQIA+ Community. Links to Janet's writing: Janet's leaflet, read in this podcast: GOD LOVES YOU - God...

“For, there are some who have been gay from birth, so knit together in their mother's wombs and created in God's image.” This is a modern, amplified translation of Jesus' words from Matthew 19: 11-12 and the topic of this episode. Scripture quoted: · Matthew 19: 11-12 (ESV) · Matthew 19: 11-12 (King James Version) · Matthew 19: 12 (Multiple translations) · Matthew 19: 12 (original Greek) · Psalm 1...

We look at the traditional view of Isaiah’s blessing, which is surprisingly affirming of sexual minorities. Join me as we look at the great blessing in Isaiah 56: 4-5. Scripture quoted: · Isaiah 56: 4-5 · Matthew 19: 11-12 · Galatians 3: 28 (NASB) · Leviticus 21: 18-20 References and URLs: Quote from Janet Edmond “It is difficult to overstate the significance of this story about the Ethiopian eunu...

In this episode: I discuss with Grandma Clair three things that predict successful relationships and marriages. From The Gottman Institute: https://www.gottman.com/ · The Magic Relationship Ratio (used in Podcast) https://youtu.be/Xw9SE315GtA · Four horsemen https://youtu.be/1o30Ps-_8is · “Bids” https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/ · Singles newsletter https://www.gottman.com/...

Are the rules for gay sex different than straight sex? GRANDMA CLAIR’S: SEVEN RULES FOR SAFE SEX: 1) If you can become pregnant get a LARC. 2) When dating go slowly, start with your hands and wait awhile before you move to oral or intercourse. 3) Only have intercourse inside of a monogamous and romantic relationship. 4) ALWAYS use condoms, to protect against STIs. 5) Avoid hook-up sex. And if you...

From Apple Podcast reviews: A young man wrote: “I really don’t know how to say this, but thank you. Your podcasts helped me stop my suicidal thoughts. You saved my life…” A gay mom wrote: “You put some scriptures that have been used to harm people into perspective. In my gut, I knew those scriptures didn’t apply to me, but I lacked the ability to articulate that for others. I have shared your Podc...

Millions of Christian’s feel guilt or shame about premarital sex. But should they? What do the Gospels and the 10 Commandments actually say about premarital sex? This episode is also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MYsj67BTnkY References and URLs Terry Gross Fresh Air interview of Linda Kay Klein: Transcript and audio: https://www.npr.org/transcripts/648737143 Linda Kay Klein’s book, PURE :...

21% of Gen Z identifies as LGBT according to a 2022 Gallup Poll. Both parents and churches are failing to keep them safe. Research tells us there are surprisingly large benefits to health and wellbeing associated with church attendance. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to religion, particularly for some young Christians and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This episode is also available on Yo...