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Progressive Christian

2019-06-07T12:43:07-05:00

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.

7 Reasons Christian Parents Who Reject Their Gay Children Are Being Arrogant

Last updated on: June 7, 2019 at 12:43 pm By Susan Cottrell

How Arrogant Must You Be to Reject Your LGBTQ Child? EXTREMELY. To stand at the door of your home, or of your church, and tell someone that they are not welcome is indefensible. But it happens every day to people who just happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning. And nothing hurts a heart more than when that rejection comes from a Mom or a Dad. The driving force behind people who reject their children for whatever... Read more

2016-08-04T19:34:25-05:00

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.

Would Unconditional Love Change Things?

Last updated on: August 4, 2016 at 7:34 pm By Susan Cottrell

It’s women’s gymnastics time again! It is my favorite Olympic event, of all time, period. I feel the adrenaline as I watch them. Those young women perform skills so hard they shouldn’t be possible! They work years to develop their ability–and they make it look easy! Consider the balance beam: the commentator says the gymnast’s boldness is the difference between winning and losing. The more she attacks and goes for each skill, the less likely she is to fall off the beam.... Read more

2016-07-26T10:50:30-05:00

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.

It’s Baaack! The Nightmare of Ex-Gay Reparative Therapy

Last updated on: July 26, 2016 at 10:50 am By Susan Cottrell

So-called “reparative therapy” is in the news again! Yippee! Nevermind that those who have been through it report the horrific abuse involved, the lifelong scars sustained, the devastating self-loathing that results. Don’t worry that the medical and psychiatric community has decried it as not only failed as a practice that doesn’t deliver the hope-for result of a changed orientation–that should be reason enough to put it to rest–but it’s also loaded with deadly side effects. Depression, self-loathing, suicide. How out-to-lunch, out of touch,... Read more

2016-07-12T20:26:44-05:00

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 Biggest Mistake I Made as an LGBTQ Ally & Advocate

Last updated on: July 12, 2016 at 8:26 pm By Robert Cottrell

At points in my journey as the Dad of two LGBTQ children—coming from being a leader in the Evangelical church for 25 years—my privilege as a straight white male was pointed out to me. I didn’t get it. And so I denied it. That’s how privilege works. Privilege is invisible to those who have it. My biggest mistake as an advocate and an ally, and probably as a human being, was not to acknowledge my privilege sooner. This prevented me... Read more

2018-04-10T10:08:42-05:00

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.

11 Things I Would Tell You If You Were My LGBTQI Child

Last updated on: April 10, 2018 at 10:08 am By Susan Cottrell

I was heartsick that a Pastor – claiming to speak for God – called his Christian teenage son ‘disgraceful, demon-possessed poison.’ Many of you have been called words like this – by strangers, friends, people in your church, family, and maybe even your Dad too. And you carry deeper wounds than anyone even knows. Well, this Mom wants to tell you a few things. I have five grown children, three girls and two boys – including two queer (their word)... Read more

2016-06-22T11:01:41-05:00

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.

Obergefell & Orlando, From Joy to Grief… What Do We Do Now?

Last updated on: June 22, 2016 at 11:01 am By Susan Cottrell

The world is grieving the horrific mass murder of so many innocent LGBTQ people and family. Hearts are wrecked, wondering where we go from here. Moms in my secret Facebook support group are afraid for their kids, wondering how to help them navigate when a place of sanctuary can be destroyed in one disastrous night. LGBTQ people have sent tender messages, afraid for their lives—many who lost friends that night—but they are tired of living in fear. That’s what the... Read more

2016-06-09T19:48:13-05:00

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.

“Uh, No, We Don’t Have Gay People Here!”

Last updated on: June 9, 2016 at 7:48 pm By Susan Cottrell

So many people in power are completely out of touch with the people they are supposed to serve. This is another reason to be wary. You see it in the recent rape cases making national news. And perhaps you’ve seen Upworthy, a YouTube channel full of uplifting and eye-opening videos. Rachel Maddow interviewed State Representative Jim Buchy who co-sponsored the “heartbeat” abortion ban. Maddow asked Buchy: “What do you think makes a woman want to have an abortion?” After stumbling... Read more

2016-06-01T10:31:49-05:00

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.

11 Reasons You Should Absolutely Go to Your LGBTQ Child’s Wedding

Last updated on: June 1, 2016 at 10:31 am By Susan Cottrell

One of the most spectacular weekends of my life was the time of my daughter’s wedding! I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Here’s what I got to enjoy: a Friday night crawfish boil with both families eating, drinking, and enjoying each other. Saturday morning of beignets and coffee, and a walk down Magazine Street with all the girls. Helping my daughter with her makeup and outfit and flowers. (She didn’t need help–I needed to help.) Telling... Read more

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2016-05-26T11:05:28-05:00

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.

God is NOT a Bully… Though Some Christians Are

Last updated on: May 26, 2016 at 11:05 am By Susan Cottrell

Here is the great tragedy of the church: it has distorted God’s message for humanity to be all about behavior. The “astoundingly good news” (that’s what gospel means) is NOT that we can now be well behaved. In fact, Jesus never talked about being well behaved but about how lavishly God loves you. God doesn’t want us focused on behavior but on relationship. Between you and God, you and the Divine. The thing is that people really like power… and... Read more

2016-05-20T11:06:37-05:00

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.

Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith

Last updated on: May 20, 2016 at 11:06 am By Susan Cottrell

I took my laptop with me to the kitchen for a lunch break from writing — I like to enjoy TED Talks as I cook — and today it was “10 Most Inspirational Ads.” It was ad number eight, I think, that got me. I won’t do it justice here but essentially: the little boy was caught stealing medicine for his mother, but a kind man gave him a break, paying for the meds and giving him soup as well... Read more

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