Sojourners is a web magazine that supposedly touts “progressive Christian commentary on faith, politics and culture”, seeks to “build a movement of spirituality and social change,” and promotes “unity in diversity” as desirable and “essential to fulfilling God’s ultimate desire.” So why did they reject Believe Out Loud’s Mother’s Day video of a pastor welcoming a lesbian couple to his church? Because it’s too political; this coming from a group that started in response to the Vietnam War.
Rev. Robert Chase, Founding Director of Intersections International the organization behind Believe Out Loud explained Sojourners’ slippery rationale:
Sojourners said, “I’m afraid we’ll have to decline. Sojourners position is to avoid taking sides on this issue. In that care [sic], the decision to accept advertising may give the appearance of taking sides.”…
I called the folks at Sojourners and asked what the problem was, what the “sides” in question might be. The first response was that Sojourners has not taken a stance on gay marriage (the ad is not about gay marriage); or on ordination of homosexuals (the ad is about welcome, not ordination); that the decision, made by “the folks in executive” (why such a high level decision?) was made quickly because of the Mother’s Day deadline. The rationale kept shifting. The reasoning made no sense.
Believe Out Loud’s ultimate goal is to get more local churches and denominations to embrace LGBT individuals. While Sojourners could have lived up to their self-proclaimed progressive values by running the video and beginning a conversation about BOL’s goal, they chickened out and lost a golden opportunity to stand at the forefront of an issue already past its time.
The idea that churches shouldn’t take stances on political issues is horse crap—churches do it all the time. What Sojourners really means is that they’re only willing to take stands on social issues that already have widespread popular support, which isn’t really “taking a stand” at all, but merely going along with the flock.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Tallskin
“Progressive” “christianity”?? Bit of an oxymoron that.
Like saying a “humanitarian nazi”.
Cam
So let me guess. The “Progressive” means that they are permissive about all the vices and “Sins” that the typical Hetro Christian commits.
So they are fine with drinking, divorce, pre-marital sex, won’t council them to not have abortions, welcome in drug addicts, criminals, etc……
But no gays…THEY’re sinners.
TampaZeke
It seems to me that they very clearly took a side!
the crustybastard
Thank you Sojourner magazine for reinforcing my decision to reject even “progressive” Christianity, and reminding me just how relentlessly toxic, useless and retarding all religion is.
Now please feel free to return to your regularly scheduled orgy of self-congratulation. That’s what Jesus would want.
judybrowni
Utne Reader has nominated Sojourners magazine for a 2011 award in the Body/Spirit section.
Please ask Utne to withraw that nomination by emailing the editors: [email protected] , [email protected]
tinkerbell
Christianity is SO last millennium.
lemon-lime
Love the video. It’s great to see Christian organizations like Believe Out Loud affirming us. I’m disappointed that the magazine chose to reject the application, but I’d like to see more of these videos produced and sent around.
@Tallskin: @Cam: @the crustybastard: Live and let live. I have plenty of thoughts about your acrid attitude towards anyone and everything that doesn’t agree with you, and I’m more than content to keep them to myself. Here’s an idea, why not stop whinging so much and do the same as me.
Jeffree
Until “progressive Christians” demographically & vocally outnumber and outpower the fundies, we’re left with “majority rule”, a world in which dominionist & apostolic Xters try to demonize LGBT people while the benign sects hide in their holy huddles, cowering.
Stand up & speak loudly about our equality, por favor. Serve as a dissenting opinion, a counterweight while I seek some justice as a gay person.
Until the tide turns, silence and elective mutism (go ahead, look it up!) are not enough to stop the laws & actions of the “moral majority” who want “us” to remain silent, passive, & invisible.
Et tu, Brute?
Cam
@lemon-lime: said….
“@Tallskin: @Cam: @the crustybastard: Live and let live. I have plenty of thoughts about your acrid attitude towards anyone and everything that doesn’t agree with you, and I’m more than content to keep them to myself. Here’s an idea, why not stop whinging so much and do the same as me.”
_____________________________________
Because, if we had all sat around and “Done the same as you”, we wouldn’t have a DADT repeal going through, the White House wouldn’t be pulling defense from DOMA, and we wouldn’t have marriage rights and job protection in multiple states.
Sitting around like a battered spouse and being grateful that you didn’t get hit “Today” is nothing to brag about.
Riker
@judybrowni – Thanks for the contact info at Utne. They need to hear from all of us regarding their nomination of Sojourners for an award. Totally undeserving in the light of their regressive actions.