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Progressive Christian

2020-08-04T11:48:04-05:00

LOGO 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.

The Ultimate Question: What If You’re Wrong??

Last updated on: August 4, 2020 at 11:48 am By Susan Cottrell

Are we so terrified of an angry God that we choose to err of the side of judging a person instead of loving them? Unfortunately, the answer is “yes” for much of the church. And it is destroying the lives of people and entire families – many of whom we call brothers and sisters in Christ. What if it is wrong to condemn same-sex relationships? What if it is wrong to affirm same-sex relationships? “What if you’re wrong?” It is... Read more

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LGBTQ Support

bible and homosexuality

2017-04-19T19:14:38-05:00

LOGO 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.

My Easter Sunday with Jen Hatmaker and Her Downtown Friends

Last updated on: April 19, 2017 at 7:14 pm By Susan Cottrell

What would Jesus do on Easter Sunday? As I stood under the bridge in downtown Austin, a man balancing his hamburger, chips, and a drink walked straight to me. “Will you hold my cigarette?” For a nanosecond I processed the request, then I carefully took his lighted cigarette which freed him to reshuffle his food and drink. Jen Hatmaker, next to me, kindly guided him to a place at the table where others were eating. I followed. After a little... Read more

2021-01-19T13:17:13-05:00

LOGO 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.

Parents, Would You Rather Have a Gay Child or a Dead Child?

Last updated on: January 19, 2021 at 1:17 pm By Susan Cottrell

I am sorry if the title of this post shocks you, or strikes you as harsh or over-dramatic. But honestly, parents don’t realize what they’re asking of their LGBTQ+ kids. And they don’t realize what their rejection is doing to them. This is not some debate about inclusion. This is a matter of life and death. By making children stick to their own expectations and standards for them — whether they really think the lie that their gay child is... Read more

2017-03-21T09:49:25-05:00

LOGO 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.

Christians, Here’s Why You Don’t Have to be Afraid to Support Gays

Last updated on: March 21, 2017 at 9:49 am By Susan Cottrell

“Prejudices are breaking down. Walls are breaking down. Pastors are rethinking their entrenched positions. Parents are choosing their child over learned doctrine that doesn’t reconcile with their lived experience or with the heart of God.” I wanted to share this, from a Mom who is part of my private Facebook support group for Moms of LGBTQI children. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of moms — and dads — who feel the same way. Being only two years into... Read more

Church & Religion

Family Support

LGBTQ Support

bible and homosexuality

2017-03-12T17:32:51-05:00

LOGO 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.

To Christian Parents of LGBTQI Children

Last updated on: March 12, 2017 at 5:32 pm By Susan Cottrell

“You want to shove those words back in and put the lid on. But you can’t. Your child is gay. This goes against everything you’ve been taught. It was not what you had in mind, and you instantly wonder where you went wrong.” When you become a parent, you know to expect the unexpected. But for many Christian parents, nothing can prepare them to hear that their beloved child is gay. This is the child you have cradled, spoon fed... Read more

bible and homosexuality

2017-03-07T12:26:49-05:00

LOGO 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.

Can You Tell Which Woman is Transgender? And Why Does it Matter?

Last updated on: March 7, 2017 at 12:26 pm By Susan Cottrell

With all this 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, and 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 takes an authentic look at this knows there is no connection whatever between transgender people and... Read more

2017-02-28T15:17:11-05:00

LOGO 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.

Transgender & Bathrooms: Who Are The Ones Who Really Need Protecting?

Last updated on: February 28, 2017 at 3:17 pm By Susan Cottrell

What do you when the bully in a school is the teacher? What impact does it have on a child’s life when those he thought were there to protect him, turn out to be the biggest threat? J.D.’s mom, Shawna DiCintio, recalls J.D. as a happy, carefree kid, an up-and-coming advocate for youth, a leader determined to bring acceptance and awareness to LGBTQI youth. She was a competitive cheerleader who trained 12 hours a week and dreamed of going to... Read more

2017-02-21T12:23:18-05:00

LOGO 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.

You Had Me at Hello… My Advice to Adele

Last updated on: February 21, 2017 at 12:23 pm By Susan Cottrell

She was so upset. Almost to the point of tears. And nearly an hour later, you could still see the shame on her face. But why? Her voice. Her beauty. Her charm. She plays to sold-out stadiums. She delights her fans and moves people to tears. I am simply mesmerized as I watch her—including her outstanding performance last week on the Grammys. But as she started the tribute to the late George Michael, something was wrong, it wasn’t quite on,... Read more

2017-03-01T13:08:18-05:00

LOGO 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.

“You must obey!” It’s One of the Biggest Lies in the Church

Last updated on: March 1, 2017 at 1:08 pm By Susan Cottrell

One of the biggest lies perpetrated throughout Christendom is that God is primarily interested in our obedience. Not true. Patently false. To say our first responsibility to God is to obey is a big fat lie and distortion of the relationship God wants with us. God’s paramount interest in us is a relationship. Didn’t Jesus say simply, “Follow me!”? How quickly we complicate things by adding cherry-picked list of right and wrong behavior and focus our attention on that. By... Read more

homosexuality and the bible

lgbt child

lgbt christian

2017-10-16T19:02:58-05:00

LOGO 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.

LGBTQI: You Deserve to Love & be Loved! You Deserve to be Free!

Last updated on: October 16, 2017 at 7:02 pm By Susan Cottrell

Well, here you are! You’re gay or bi or lesbian or transgender or intersex or queer in some way or other. You may be or agender or pansexual. Or you may not yet be sure what the heck is going on! I understand. I really do. You may even be in a straight marriage and now you realize you’re not straight. Believe me I’ve heard that dilemma many times in private conversation. Wherever you are, I am here for you—to... Read more

homosexuality and the bible

lgbtq christian

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