Gay and Christian in the World of Today II

[fritzkep]

REALLY hopeful about the interview with Pope Francis.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/pope-francis-churchs-obsession-with-gays-abortion-and-contraception-means-it-could-fall-like-a-house-of-cards-8827784.html

[CellarDweller115]

Very interesting article, thanks Fritz!

[Jeff Wrangler]

Next week will be the 40th anniversary of the first ordination of women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, which took place in Philadelphia in 1974.

Also, the Church of England has finally approved the ordination of women as bishops.

[CellarDweller115]

I was at a luncheon today, and discussion turned to the new pope.

These people are not conspiracy theorists, I've known them for years, however, more than a few thought that the new pope was getting sick a lot, and that he's being poisoned by people at the Vatican, because he's too progressive.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Speaking of popes, a vial of the blood of Saint John Paul II has been exposed to view after Mass at the cathedral in Philadelphia this weekend.

I mean no offense to Roman Catholics, but ... eeeew.

This isn't the Middle Ages. I can understand people perhaps wanting to make a pilgrimage to his tomb and pray there, for example, but ... sending a vial of his blood on a road trip?

Who saved a sample of his blood, and when, and why? 

[bubba]

[CellarDweller115]

Pastors are leaving their congregations after losing their churchgoers to QAnon

Sophia Ankel Mar 14, 2021, 12:02 PM

On the morning of the Capitol riot, Vern Swieringa told his wife during a walk with their dogs: "Something is going to happen today. I don't know what, but something's going to happen today."

The Christian Reformed Church pastor from Michigan had been watching for months as some members of his congregation grew captivated by videos about the QAnon conspiracy theory on social media, openly discussing sex trafficking and Satan-worshipping pedophiles.

He had watched as other spiritual advisors, including the self-proclaimed "Trump Prophet" Mark Taylor, incorporated wild and dangerous QAnon beliefs into their sermons on YouTube and as organizers of the Christian Jericho March gathered in Washington, DC, days before the insurrection, urging followers to "pray, march, fast, and rally for election integrity."

So when hundreds of President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol hours after his premonition, Swieringa was shocked, but not surprised.


https://www.businessinsider.com/pastors-quit-after-qanon-radicalize-congregation-2021-3

[tfferg]

Australian researchers have published a report on their interviews with survivors of religious conversion practices. It includes some important new findings.

Healing Spiritual Harms: Supporting Recovery from LGBTQA+ Change and Suppression Practices.

It raises a number of issues which it is important that secular therapists and councillors need to take into account.

The report is available online.