All Entries in the "Faith" Category
Faith, Family and God: Thinking About Relativism & Keeping Perspective
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist— Religious leaders, especially those opposed to LGBTQ civil and human rights, narrowly define relativism as pop culture’s attempt to impose or project its values on God, thus undermining society. According to them, relativism is enabling political correctness to compromise sacred, timeless truths. Evidently, it is possible to force the Maker [...]
Faith, Family, and God: Will the New Pope Bring Change Because of His Humility?
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Before you go any further take a Valium, enjoy a cocktail, or get your Tagamet ready. Your blood pressure may spike. Pope Francis I, the newly enthroned leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, does not support marriage equality and LGBTQ adoption of children. Yet his humility and training as a Jesuit, [...]
Faith, Family, and God: No Change with New Pope; Empowering LGBTQ Christians
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Benedict XVI’s unexpected abdication as Pope and Bishop of Rome doesn’t mean much for LGBTQ civil and human rights. His successor won’t change the Catholic Church’s official position toward LGBTQ people and families. Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, for example, a top tier contender to be the next Pope, has [...]
Faith, Family, and God: The Marriage Ceremony & the Importance of Choosing a Celebrant
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– One of the most joyous events in the lives of two people is joining together in marriage. Increasingly, more LGBTQ couples are choosing to have their unions blessed or solemnized by ordained clergy. More faiths and denominations within those traditions embrace the holy, sacramental validity of two persons of the [...]
Faith, Family, and God: Time, Death and Not Looking Forward to the New Year
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– New Year’s makes me depressed. I’ve never liked the holiday. The more time passes, the more distasteful it gets. There’s much on my to-do list and time is diminishing at a faster clip. This is not about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Nor is it about Blue Christmas Syndrome where millions struggle [...]
Faith, Family, and God: Christmas is a Myth and Jesus Was not Born in December
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Atheists and humanists are using bus, city and highway billboards to proclaim the myth of Christmas. Religious folks are having their annual conniption about the so-called disrespect. Others complain retailers use “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Step back and look at the big picture. People are the same all [...]
Faith, Family, and God: You Don’t Go to Hell – Myths and Legends
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Many in the LGBTQ community, especially those of practicing faith, are surprised when I share that hell is myth, legend and folklore. Lucifer is Halloween fun, nothing more. If I’m wrong, there will be hell to pay. Some argue Satan’s strength comes from the spiritually bankrupt like me who deny [...]
Faith, Family, and God: French Catholicism and the Theory of Universality
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Approximately three-fourths of the French people support marriage equality. The new socialist government intends to make it reality. The French Catholic Church opposes the government’s initiative and in doing so has further undercut its credibility as a spiritual home and resource. On August 15, Catholic Churches throughout the country held [...]
In the Name of God: Episcopal Marriage Rite; Liturgy Approved for Same-Gender Unions
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– The Episcopal Church, the American branch of the Anglican Communion, nominally headed by Elizabeth Windsor (a.k.a. Her Majesty the Queen), has approved a liturgy (a sacred service) for same-gender unions, The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant, for use beginning December 2. Priests will still need the permission of [...]
More Non-bigoted Religious Spokespeople Into the Discussion of LGBT Rights
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– GLAAD released a study that identifies an enormous religious opportunity to further LGBT rights. GLAAD joined with the University of Missouri Center on Religion and the Professions to analyze 316 LGBT news stories. The findings showed that “three out of four religious messages came from people whose religions have formal [...]
Book Review: A Jewish Lesbian’s Faith Journey
By Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– The Choosing – A Rabbi’s Journey from Silent Nights to High Holy Days by Andrea Myers is a lesbian’s spiritual sojourn. She shares her coming out journey starting as a Christian then converting to Judaism and its impact on her family. It’s done with love, compassion, much humor, and deep [...]
You, Like the Sunflowers, Are One of God’s Great Creations—Don’t Forget It
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– It’s that time of year. In my home, seedlings have been growing in small cups since March. They need to be potted for the deck garden. There is something very mystical in observing seeds sprout and grow. Tiny shells break open, push up from the dark earth, and grow into [...]
Good Theology Must Keep Religion From Sliding Into Superstition & Persecution
By Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Rev. Dr. Patrick S. Cheng, lawyer, theologian, and seminary professor has a powerful intellectual acumen that brings a new revelation to faith. He is a passionate scholar of LGBTQ Christian theology. There are many types and categories of theology, both Christian and non-Christian. Although Rev. Cheng writes from a Christian [...]
Kirk Cameron may be a bigot, but we shouldn’t totally dismiss him
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist– Actor Kirk Cameron upset many when he honestly answered a direct question during an interview about homosexuality. Without hesitation, he condemned it. According to Cameron, homosexuality is “unnatural. … I think that it’s detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.” Although everyone reading this column [...]
Faith, Family, and God – Some LGBTQS Prayers to Consider
By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist Depending on family and personal experiences, LGBTQS attitudes about prayer may range from curious to ambivalent to negative. Because a social conservative prays doesn’t mean anyone should avoid it. Think about it. Would you stop being a Mets, Yankees or Red Sox fan because a homophobic, anti-marriage-equality crusader happened to support [...]
