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Southern Baptists Begin Same-Sex Marriage Dialogue With LGBT Communityby NTEB News Desk |
Except those days be shortened should no flesh be saved
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Southern
Baptists took their first steps towards their eventual acceptance of same-sex
marriage by meeting with members of the LGBT community at the Ethics and
Religious Liberty Commission 2014 Conference in Nashville. While neither side
relinquished their position, most in attendance agreed that a shift had indeed
taken place.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn.—A gathering of Southern Baptists here opened
this week with Albert Mohler, stalwart head of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, apologizing for
“denying the reality of sexual orientation,” but saying
orientation “can change.”
It closed with a pastor saying “no one goes to hell for
being homosexual,” but he added Christians must remind gay
friends and family members that “the day of judgment is coming.”
The
statements from the largest and one of the most conservative Protestant
denominations made waves in the religious and gay communities. Some
praised the Southern Baptist Convention for
softening its tone and message when discussing homosexuals.
Critics complained that nothing really had changed.
But others who attended said a shift was taking place. In private meetings and one-on-one encounters during the week, Southern Baptists and gay-rights advocates said they established relationships they hope will carry both sides through a time of deep cultural change, particularly as the church navigates issues such as the increasing acceptance of same-sex marriage.
Mr.
Mohler this week met with Matthew Vines, an
openly gay Christian author who argues the Bible doesn’t prohibit lifelong
same-sex marriage. Mr. Mohler wrote a response to Mr. Vines’
book, “God and the Gay Christian.”
“It
was a gracious, honest conversation. I
think all evangelical Christians are having to learn anew how to discuss these
issues,” Mr. Mohler said.
The
pair agreed to keep in touch over email, and alert each other if one ever felt
wrongly portrayed by the other.
“This
was an amazing event,” said Mr. Vines. “Not for the public sessions but for the
private meetings. It’s not like anyone is
suddenly pro-gay,” said Mr. Vines. But, he added, “it feels like a new
era.”