The Rev. William Sloane Coffin on Homosexuality:

[Kat45]

He writes on the blog at a UCC website, "Accessible Airwaves," created re: the censorship of the church's TV ad:

"The UCC properly implied that millions of American Christians are at odds with the Christian Right. They know that the Biblical book of Leviticus forbids homosexual relations. They are also aware that the same book condemns barbequed ribs and Monday Night Football for it is ?toevah? ? an abomination ? not only to eat pork but merely to touch the skin of a dead pig.
In reality, there are no biblical literalists, only selective literalists. By abolishing slavery and ordaining women, millions of Protestants have gone far beyond biblical literalism. It?s time we did the same for homophobia.
Homosexuality was not a big issue for Biblical writers. All told, there are only seven verses in 66 books that refer to it. Nowhere in the four gospels is it ever mentioned. Not everything Biblical is Christ-like, and verses involving more hate than love have no place whatsoever in the human heart. For Christians, the problem is not how to reconcile homosexuality with the scriptural passages that condemn it, but how to reconcile the rejection and abuse of homosexuals with the love of Christ. The UCC ad claims that it can, and must be done."

http://accessibleairwaves.org/2005/02/its-clear-that-homophobia-is-reason.html

[bunkerbuster1]

1. Well, he's just plain wrong.

They haven't made footballs out of pig skin for a long time.

[IrateCitizen]

2. I have the utmost respect for WSC as a man of faith

His personal life was an unmitigated disaster. As a minister, however, he was one of a kind.

I'm glad to see he's still remaining active on these issues even as his health sadly deteriorates.

[Inland]

3. Chi Bears biblically correct, as they rarely touch the ball

[MissMarple]

4. Does this mean fundies can now eat fried shrimp and pork rinds?

I'm sure this has been most inconvenient for them, especially with the baby back ribs.

I was just looking at some of Leviticus, some of that stuff is NASTY! Issues and scabs and blood... and shhhh...nakedness.

People who read that on a regular basis must have some severe psychological problems, not to mention extreme stress with their cognitive dissonance.

[IrateCitizen]

5. Leviticus was created as a sanitary code for 4-5K years ago...

And actually, much of the stuff in there, especially with regards to food restrictions, was quite accurate for the time in which it was created.

But the rest of the stuff, about hair over the temples, stoning of people, and the like, was pure superstition. People who employ reason in their daily lives can easily see this. It's just unfortunate that the fundies are a bit short in that department.

[ComerPerro]

6. Well, they only believe the Bible literally when it justifies their hatred

and bigotry.

I know a lot of fundie-types who talk about this crap all the time. But you don't exactly see them folowing all the other requirements.

That is the thing that infuriates me. To me, it is not possible to believe the Bible literally in parts you like, and then to say that the rest is either dated or is symbolic.

This is where fundies are the most vulnerable, I think.

You made a great point about reason. I don't know why these people can't just think for themselves and do so in a rational manner.

[IrateCitizen]

8. Re: people thinking for themselves

It's funny you bring this up -- I'm taking a course on the Age of Enlightenment right now, and I just read a passage by Emmanuel Kant that seems to sum this up quite well.

Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why such a great part of mankind, long after nature has set them free from the guidance of others, still gladly remain immature for life and why it is so easy for others to set themselves up as guardians. It is so easy to be immature. If I have a book that has understanding for me, a pastor who has conscience for me, a doctor who judges my diet for me, and so forth, surely I do not need to trouble myself. I have no need to think, if only I can pay; others will take over the tedious business for me....

In short, it's just much easier for people NOT to think, to be TOLD what to believe. Thinking leads to questions, which lead to uncertianty. Those who simply "believe" are not troubled by these higher-order problems, and therefore can live simple lives comforted by the belief that the world has order.

[JerseygirlCT]

7. I saved this one -- thanks!