My Decision on What to Share

If you read my last post, you know that I have been agonizing over whether or not to state my opinions on a certain blog that one of the groups in my church has. It is a private blog and more or less one related to church issues, although they often talk about barbecue, sports, books, etc. It tends to be quite conservative on church issues.

After one or two of the posters felt free to air their views about Gay Marriage ("Good News in Maine!") I thought maybe it would be productive to offer a pragmatic question on how the church should deal with gay people who are already in their midst.

My thought process on whether or not to do so went kind of like this:

Pro: These people should realize that there are already a lot of us in their midst. The group in question is not officially conservative, or anti-gay, or anything like that. But I get the impression that they think they are all in agreement against the "gay agenda." (My resolution: I think the group is more mixed, and more open minded than I have given them credit for. I think there are a few who are vocal, but they don't really speak for the majority.)

Con: Why stir up an issue that is very divisive, and neither side is going to change their minds based upon what I write. (My resolution: Probably true. I like to think that I can pursuade by writing, but most people probably won't "hear" what I say...)

I could keep on going pro and con and talk myself in and out of it. But I have made the decision NOT to post on their blog. Many of you gave me feedback and advice, and I am very, very greatful for it. One consistent idea was that I should just be myself, be a partner, be a step-father, and let them know me for who I am. (By the way: I am now a chalice bearer, so they will get to see me in that role too.) Anyway, probably not a one of them would ever say something anti-gay in my presence, once they knew me. Politeness, if nothing else, would dictate this. I would hope that respect would also come into play, but you never know, as that's something that has to be earned.

There may come a day when something needs to be on the record. I still think the question of how to treat gay people needs to be talked about by the church leadership. I become more and more angry when I think about the double standards that are applied between homosexuality and divorce. But that's for another day.

I want to share what I think is a very significant breakfast that took place on Thursday morning. It's so good, that I want to put it on a separate post. Stay tuned for a couple seconds and I will write it.

Thanks again for the support and advice you have given me.