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Progressive Christian

2016-08-27T14:22:48-05:00

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.

If You Were My Gay Child, This Is What I Would Tell You

Last updated on: August 27, 2016 at 2:22 pm 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

2015-08-14T13:25:24-05:00

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.

We Are Banned By 4 Top Anti-Gay Christian Facebook Pages. What Are They Afraid Of?

Last updated on: August 14, 2015 at 1:25 pm By Susan Cottrell

I am upsetting people. They respond by blocking and banning us — “in Jesus’ name.” I have to wonder: what are they afraid of? At the same time, I am hearing from more parents, more LGBTQ people, and more church leaders than ever. We are seeing Christian parents’ hearts freed to love, accept and affirm their gay child without sacrificing their faith; we are seeing those children’s hearts freed from parent, church and community wounds; and we are seeing churches... Read more

2015-08-10T14:42:40-05:00

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 Freedom of Living Outside of Your Bible

Last updated on: August 10, 2015 at 2:42 pm By Susan Cottrell

I came from a conservative evangelical background and was turned away from church, family members and friends because I love and affirm my LGBTQ child. Most of the Moms in my secret, private Facebook groups have the same story. As a result, some of us have become quite liberal politically – believe me, it can be hard to stay with a group actively fighting against your child. Others remain conservative. Though we are in complete agreement about defending our kids... Read more

2017-06-16T11:32:24-05:00

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.

A Great Letter From a Christian Dad Confused About His Gay Son

Last updated on: June 16, 2017 at 11:32 am By Robert Cottrell

Your child is gay. Your love for your child seems to somehow conflict with your faith – at least according to what you may hear from church and Christian friends. How is that possible? Many voices tell you that your child needs ‘tough love’, needs to be ‘confronted in their sin’, maybe even needs to be kicked out of the house. But your heart screams in confusion – doing that just doesn’t make sense. Like it or not, you are... Read more

2015-07-29T11:39:06-05:00

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 Bible is Not a Bag of Trail Mix

Last updated on: July 29, 2015 at 11:39 am By Susan Cottrell

My social media has been burning up with opinions ever since the court ruling on Marriage Equality. Yours too? The opinions won’t change things; it is now the law of the land. But perhaps opinions can change how we receive Marriage Equality, how we engage with LGBTQ people about it, how we engage in loving as Christ told his followers to love. The Bible is not trail mix from which we pick and choose. So what is it? How do... Read more

2019-06-10T13:58:22-05:00

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 Church is Killing Its Gay Children” – The Deadly Results of Shame

Last updated on: June 10, 2019 at 1:58 pm By Susan Cottrell

Shame. It says, “There is something fundamentally wrong with you.” It is the lie at the very root of our identity. If I did something wrong, I can apologize and make amends. But if I am fundamentally wrong, what hope do I have? Our greatest need is to be loved, to belong, to be accepted as we are. Shame says the exact opposite – that we do not fit in, are not acceptable as is and, fundamentally, are not lovable.... Read more

2015-07-22T10:05:10-05:00

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.

A Warning Label For The Bible

Last updated on: July 22, 2015 at 10:05 am By Robert Cottrell

This needs to be said. This may open the floodgates to break people free from the damage and bondage of the law-focused, behavior-focused, fundamental, religious, non-affirming church. Jim Rigby, a Pastor, theologian, and one of the bravest, boldest men I know, has the guts to say it – and I want to share it with you today. This was a simple, powerful, poignant, and potentially life-changing post Jim made on Facebook. I love the Bible and study it most days,... Read more

2015-07-17T13:25:05-05:00

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 Family Vacation. Everyone’s Here and Having Fun. Except Her.

Last updated on: July 17, 2015 at 1:25 pm By Susan Cottrell

You lie to the kids about why she is not here. It’s the family vacation and everyone’s here and having fun… except her. She is not welcome. Why?? Because she is gay. My heart goes out to those who have been left out, left behind and have had to deal with this kind of horrible pain and rejection from the people who are supposed to love you the most. And my dismay and anger goes out to the parents who... Read more

2016-01-14T20:08:00-05:00

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.

LGBTQ & The Issue of Celibacy

Last updated on: January 14, 2016 at 8:08 pm By Susan Cottrell

I am proud of Julie Rodgers. She was on staff at Wheaton College and committed to life-long celibacy for LGBTQ. I’m so proud that she has changed her mind, changed her heart and that she has just come out as “supportive of same-sex relationships.” In her courageous shift, Julie has dealt honestly with her own heart, and she’s dealt authentically with people’s lived experience and the consequences of the unlove that denies the gay reality. I found Julie’s talks early... Read more

2017-06-28T09:16:31-05:00

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 Absurdity of Straight Pride

Last updated on: June 28, 2017 at 9:16 am By Susan Cottrell

Someone posted this very clever little meme: Straight Pride. See what they did there? Here’s the thing: Straight Pride is superfluous. Straight is the dominant narrative. Straight people as a class have never been persecuted. Straight people take being straight for granted. Why would we need to express a special pride to be straight when straight people have never been persecuted because they’re straight? Can you just imagine the outcry that would ensue if straight people were subjected to the... Read more

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