Evangelical shift on gays: Why 'clobber scriptures' are losing ground

[The Straight Story]

Evangelical shift on gays: Why 'clobber scriptures' are losing ground

Atlanta – In 1987, Jim Bakker’s sex scandal shocked the evangelical world. The husband of mascara-laden Tammy Faye was a super-televangelist with an average viewership numbering over 12 million and ministry contributions estimated at $1 million per week. Then came a litany of accusations, including the rape of 26-year-old Jessica Hahn and financial fraud. Twenty-three years later, his son, Jay Bakker, is causing another uproar among the faithful. This time, it’s over homosexuality.

In his new book, “Fall to Grace: A Revolution of God, Self, and Society,” the younger Bakker makes the case that Christians should reconsider their position on homosexuality. Such views may find a hearing among young evangelicals who are shifting on gay and lesbian rights. If the Christian establishment fails to recognize this shift and adjust its rhetoric, leaders may find their young congregants departing, not defending, their churches.

Mr. Bakker, who is straight and divorced, says that religious people for far too long have used selective “clobber scriptures” to condemn gays and lesbians. A closer look at the teachings of the full biblical narrative, he says, leads us away from this position. “The simple fact is that Old Testament references in Leviticus do treat homosexuality as a sin ... a capital offense even,” Bakker writes. “But before you say, ‘I told you so,’ consider this: Eating shellfish, cutting your sideburns and getting tattoos were equally prohibited by ancient religious law.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20110324/cm_csm/371982

[Drale]

1. I can honestly say I don't know anyone in their 20's who

goes to church anymore. The only time I go is on Christmas and Easter and thats to make my mother happy. Religion is a slowly dieing thing.

[David__77]

3. Oh, there are a lot! Fewer percentage-wise for sure though.

And it's a regional thing. I live in California, and I don't know very many. I forget there are even religious people, because I honestly never think about it day-to-day. Most of the people I've known who said they were religious-minded move away from that position over time.

[xchrom]

2. I like jay - and I liked his mom. Nt

[midnight]

4. "Clobber Scriptures" Losing... Amen!

[gratuitous]

5. Much of the Levitical Holiness Code has been contextualized

Which seems only right, since it was contextualized the other way for so many years (centuries). For example, the word that has come down to the modern reader as "abomination" meaning a particularly loathesome or deplorable thing, came from a word that originally meant "against our custom or practice." While an abomination eventually acquired a very negative cachet, the original intent was for same sex relations to be classed as something the ancient Hebrews didn't do as a matter of social custom. Note that it isn't specified as to who's to carry out the penalty (such as later in verse 27). Perhaps the matter is to be left in God's hands, and it isn't up to us?

And Bakker's closing point, that some other very common modern practices were "equally prohibited" by the Levitical Code is spot on. Why do some churchly people get so exercised about homosexuality, but not cutting hair? I suppose the shellfish thing is excused by Peter's vision in Acts 10, but the tattoos and the hair cutting weren't similarly "re-dispensated." Some denominations and congregations have decided to quit checking genitals at the church door; more will surely follow, and in 20 years on this issue, I've never heard of a congregation going back after making a decision for inclusion.

[madrchsod]

6. i still have`t figured out why the so called christians...

use the old testament. after all jesus was a miracle man who kind`a said the old testament was bullshit.
plus he did`t have a problem with gay people as long as they treated people as they would want to be treated.


i guess my problem is i`m one of those believers in christ`s universal message.

[elocs]

7. Sorry, but no, Jesus never said or implied that the OT was bullshit.

A religion centered around the words of Jesus would be much preferable to the buffet Christianity that we so often see, selectively picking and choosing what scripture is important to them and disregarding the rest.

[Snoutport]

8. well said. nt

[madrchsod]

10. ya after i wrote that i realized it was`t what i meant to say.

thanks for reminding me that i should proof read

[SharonAnn]

9. Oh, you're a "Red Letter Christian", believing in Jesus' words (the ones in red).

[Joe Bacon]

11. Yeah, but most "¢hri$tian$" are Rand-Letter ¢hri$tian$!

There is a difference between Real Christians and Republican mutated ¢hri$tian$ who talk the Je$u$ talk and walk the Ayn Rand walk.

Sadly, the real Christians are in a dwindling minority, while the false ones pushing the $upply $ide Je$u$ shit are in the overwhelming majority.

[customerserviceguy]

12. Just one niggle

"Rape" of Jessica Hahn? As I recall, she was more than willing. And that included her Playboy picture spread.