Soulforce-An organization to support

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

Soulforce: Freedom for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People

I was involved with their West Point action on Wednesday. I chose to be arrested there and seriously, the most amazing experience ever. I plan on getting more active with the group. Below is their mission statement:

Soulforce Mission Statement
"The purpose of Soulforce is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance."
Wherever you are on your journey of faith,
Whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity,
Whatever your religion, race, age, ability, color, or creed,
You are welcome to join us in learning, teaching, and applying
the 'soul force' principles of relentless nonviolent resistance
as taught by Gandhi and King
as we work together to stop spiritual violence
against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people
that flows out of the teachings and actions
of religious leaders and their communities of faith.
-The People of Soulforce
What is Spiritual Violence?
Spiritual violence is the misuse of religion to sanction the condemnation and rejection of any of God’s children.
Misusing religion and/or God to support society’s bias against sexual and gender minorities also inappropriately justifies psychological, legal and physical violence against them. Some zealots blatantly articulate spiritual violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people when they scream "God Hates Fags."
Mainline churches may be less blatant and more sophisticated, but they are no less guilty of spiritual violence. It is just as violent spiritually when pastors and parents—quoting scripture—condemn and reject members of their congregation and their family. When this happens, God’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender children also feel condemned and rejected by their Creator as well.

[Maat]

1. They sure are worthy of our support.

For one, check out the Rev. Jimmy Creech. He is quite the effectively activist. In fact, he was ordained, and they took that away from him, because he chose to marry two same-sex couples. He and his wife have been very pro-active in human rights.

And Mel White KNOWS what is going on; he used to work with Jerry Falwell - before he came out!

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. I went to lunch with the co-directors after the action.

They're very cool and motivated, plenty of plans for upcoming actions in the next year. Mel White wrote their phamplet discrediting the Bible's case against homosexuality. It's $1.50 on their site, but I got a bunch of free copies on Wednesday. White definitely presents a very good argument debunking the argument against it. Very logical.

Soulforce is also providing a lawyer for those arrested at West Point and will pay any fines that we incur. Knowing that, I felt that there was no reason for me not to get arrested.

[Maat]

3. That is SO cool!

I have to ask Jimmy Creech if he is related to a nutty religious hardrightie named 'Mark Creech.' I'll bet they are brothers, who went in opposite directions.