Sunday, September 6th I wrote a response to the stance of First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC opening its doors with full rights and privileges to every member. This article appeared in the Op Ed section of the Greenville News. There is no pecking order in that church. I applaud their courageous stand. I have received quite a few responses to that article. Most have been positive but, of course, not all. I share four responses that I have received because they tell a little of the large struggle of people found in every church--or people who have great trouble with the church today.
I joined First Baptist Greenville in March 2013. A few months earlier I was hospitalized in
Birmingham, Alabama for suicidal ideation as a result of struggles associated with being gay
in a deeply religious environment. I had attended reparative therapy for three years in an effort
to change my orientation, and had devoted a substantial portion of my life to suppressing my
sexuality in accordance with my Southern Baptist faith. In August 2013, I cracked from the
pressure and could no longer hold up to the judgement. It was a difficult period in my life.
First Baptist Greenville and churches like it have literally saved my life. They have provided a
safe place for me to grow in my faith without fear of condemnation. Many people have difficulty
understanding this, but your writing indicates that you understand it perfectly. It's my prayer
that the threshold of all of our churches will be so low that no one is barred from entering our
doors."
"Enjoyed your article in the Greenville News 9/6/15...Our son is gay and found it hard to accept
at first. Now we love and support fully both he and his partner of 14 years. Both have
successful careers in...and we see them often. I'm so happy your previous church and also
the First Baptist church in Greenville have been true Christians to open doors to everyone.
Such a fine example to set and hope it and your article helps the healing."
"Thank you for your op ed piece in The Greenville News today. I wish everyone had your heart.
I am sixty years old, gay, grew up Southern Baptist. I was baptized twice in the Baptist church
(felt like I was scared into the first one) asa a child, and later as a young adult. I was also
"baptized" in the Episcopal church much later. Searching, searching! Eight years ago I
finally found my church home at Triune Chapel in Greenville. Check out our pastor's sermon
from today on our website."
"Thank you for your timely and eloquent op-ed piece in this morning's Greenville News.
It was extremely moving--indeed, it was hard for me to hold back the tears when I got to
the part about Kevin's communion. I hope that the response to your piece will be favorable,
though I fear some might not be.Amen to your courage for being willing to face that possibility
(probability?).
I share your admiration for First Baptist Greenville. They, too, are showing great courage,
as well as compassion. I know many folk in the community who likewise applaud their
integrity and leadership. Finally on a personal noted. I was in a loving, monogamous
relationship for twenty-four years (my partner died in ...). He and I faced many challenges
in our struggle for acceptance. Having been raised in the Methodist Church, I felt compelled
to leave that denomination because of its views on homosexuality. (I am now a Quaker).
I continue to hope and pray that God has a place for me in his creation just as I am (if you'll
excuse a lapsed Methodist quoting a Baptist hymn!)."
can read it on my blog: 8/25/15)
--Roger Lovette / rogerlovette.blogspot.com
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