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2019-05-08T08:40:34-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Why the Sadness Won’t Go Away: A Tribute to Rachel Held Evans
Last updated on: May 8, 2019 at 8:40 am By Susan Cottrell
Years ago at a conference, the husband of a dear friend said to me, “Your work has helped my wife through a tremendously difficult time. Thank you, thank you for what you do.” Deeply moved I said, “You are so welcome!” Ten minutes later he found me again and said, “I’m sorry, I thought you were Rachel Held Evans.” Well, there you go! And who better to defer to than Rachel? She has helped many of us through tremendously difficult... Read more
2019-03-05T15:55:07-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Why The Church Has Painted Itself Into a Corner
Last updated on: March 5, 2019 at 3:55 pm By Susan Cottrell
Well there you go. We just saw this in the Methodist Church. This is what happens when you put the dignity of human beings in the hands of ruling authorities: the thumb may go up and the thumb may go down. When people (it’s traditionally straight men of the accepted color) are put in charge of deciding the fate of other people, especially people who do not look like them, things fall apart. Of course they will marginalize others: that’s... Read more
2019-01-06T19:12:12-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Why I Chose my LGBTQ Child Over the Evangelical Church
Last updated on: January 6, 2019 at 7:12 pm By Susan Cottrell
She stood on stage in front of over 5,000 people. She told of a phone call she received where her life changed forever. It was her daughter on the other end, “Mom, I think I am bisexual.” She turned to her church, her community, for support. She was told that she had to choose between her church or her daughter. Her voice cracked as she shared of the life she knew dissolving. She loves her community and she loves her... Read more
2019-04-02T12:24:55-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Which Woman is Transgender? And Why it Doesn’t Matter.
Last updated on: April 2, 2019 at 12:24 pm By Susan Cottrell
March 31 was Transgender Day of Visibility. With all the conversation about who we pee next to, I wondered if you could tell who was actually a transgender woman. Can you spot her? Can you tell? Do you care? Unfortunately, many seem to care – especially those in the nonaffirming church – and they have responded with fear-mongering and vicious lies, trying to make this about the safety of our children. Honestly, they should be ashamed of themselves. Anyone who... Read more
2018-03-29T10:27:37-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Is Your Theology on LGBTQ Right or Wrong? Take this Easy Test.
Last updated on: March 29, 2018 at 10:27 am By Susan Cottrell
Today’s cultural landscape seems designed to divide us. News and social media practically push us to one end of the spectrum or the other, on whatever issue. This is binary or dual thinking because it offers only two choices, even for the most complex layered issues. We stampede over people in our rush to be right. Christians—with Jesus in common—likewise trample people in their quest to be right. They too choose sides in complex questions. (Gender roles, providing for the... Read more
2018-03-27T09:52:38-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
What Happened in Just 5 Years
Last updated on: March 27, 2018 at 9:52 am By Susan Cottrell
When I learned that Alex’s mother threw dishes at her and threw her down the stairs because she’s gay—that’s the day I knew I had to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. I’d been educating myself since my two daughters came out—nearly a decade ago now—and I was shocked by what I learned: A scant 6 verses have been misinterpreted and abused to marginalize and oppress our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. Duplicitous Christians stand firmly against “gays” while abuses of power... Read more
2018-03-15T14:20:01-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
I’m the Dad of Two Queer Kids. Are You Listening?
Last updated on: March 15, 2018 at 2:20 pm By Robert Cottrell
Every time I tell our story, and I say that I have two queer daughters, I have to add a disclaimer. Usually something like, “that’s the phrase they chose.” If I don’t, it is inevitable that I will get confronted on my use of the word queer. It is an immediate reminder that while we may have come so far, we have so far to go. Why should a label matter so much? If you knew my two daughters, it... Read more
2018-01-05T14:29:47-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Doesn’t God Tell Us To Hate Evil? (This Could Change Everything!)
Last updated on: January 5, 2018 at 2:29 pm By Susan Cottrell
Alarming numbers of young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer are becoming homeless, kicked out of families and churches, choosing substance abuse, and even making the tragic decision to end their own lives. What are we called to do? When certain Pharisees — the ones who were focused on behaving the “right” way instead of loving — were nose-to-nose with Jesus, they missed him! They didn’t understand at all. You may be doing the same thing. This... Read more
2017-10-11T07:21:59-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
What is the Biggest Threat to Christianity? Jesus!
Last updated on: October 11, 2017 at 7:21 am By Susan Cottrell
We have been betrayed by those closest to us. We have written about being shamed, shunned and judged, and how our faith has been questioned. We have talked about people who tell us we are leading people into hell. All “in God’s name.” Usually from those in the nonaffirming, conservative church. Why? Because of our love, support and advocacy for our daughters and other LGBTQI people. Of course, they don’t see it that way. There are people in this group... Read more
2017-10-02T08:54:22-05:00
Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Finding Freedom from Focus on the Family’s ‘Gospel of Exclusion’
Last updated on: October 2, 2017 at 8:54 am By Susan Cottrell
When Amber Cantorna came out, her father-- an executive at Focus on the Family-- completely rejected her. She now tells her story. Read more
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