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Progressive Christian

2015-02-20T11:09:17-05:00

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.

Dear Susan: Should I Take the Red Pill or the Blue Pill?

Last updated on: February 20, 2015 at 11:09 am By Susan Cottrell

Are Christians ready to step outside of their box? Are they willing to take the “red pill?” Fortunately, many have and are coming to know the truth and the heart of God and the teachings of Jesus. Unfortunately, way too many have decided to take the “blue pill,” climb back into the box, seal it tight, and just ignore this whole “love your neighbor” thing as it applies to the LGBTQ community. When we talk to some of them, their... Read more

2017-10-18T13:19:35-05:00

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 Love Letter To My Anti-Gay Christian Friend

Last updated on: October 18, 2017 at 1:19 pm By Susan Cottrell

My friend, you are a lovely soul. You pour out the love of Jesus to strangers and those in pain. The sweet aroma of God is around you, and it inspires hope to the hopeless. But your attitude about and repulsion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people does not suit you. It doesn’t fit the compassion you otherwise exude – compassion that comes from the pit of pain and despair. You helped teach me not to judge others, saying,... Read more

2015-02-16T11:58:58-05:00

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.

Has Anyone Said to You: “I Don’t Think You’re Really A Christian?”

Last updated on: February 16, 2015 at 11:58 am By Susan Cottrell

“Well I don’t know if she’s really a Christian. She says she is, but I don’t see any evidence.” Has anyone said that to you (or someone you love) because you are gay, or because of your LGBTQ stand? …or anything else in your life? That kind of assessment is completely out-of-bounds. One man put it this way: “He is a glutton and drunkard – look at the people he hangs out with.” Of course, that man is a religious leader talking... Read more

2015-02-14T10:43:45-05:00

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.

Jesus Blog: How Does Jesus Want You to Love Each Other?

Last updated on: February 14, 2015 at 10:43 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… It gets complicated when you “disciple” one another and when you want to “hold each other accountable.” And it gets dangerous. Why? Because I think people have it all wrong. And because people are supposed to follow God, not each other. I have heard people quote the book of Matthew and say that “in discipleship we are helping one another learn to ‘obey all that I... Read more

2015-02-13T10:27:00-05:00

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.

Dear Susan: Am I Not Loving Gays When I Tell Them the “Truth” About Their Sin?

Last updated on: February 13, 2015 at 10:27 am By Susan Cottrell

You’ve heard the phrases… confronting people in their sin, tough love, speaking the truth in love, helping people live right. Call it what you will, but it’s really spiritual bullying. It’s not our job and it is doing more damage than you can possibly imagine. Broken families, homelessness, drug abuse, even suicide. For the bullies, it has been conveyed as the “godly” thing to do. Loving people so deeply and so purely that they just can’t let them “continue in... Read more

2015-02-12T16:12:17-05:00

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.

Did Someone Sneaky Hack Into Your Truth?

Last updated on: February 12, 2015 at 4:12 pm By Susan Cottrell

Well, I’ve been hacked! Woke up early this morning, sat at my desk to get some work done, answered a few blog comments – then suddenly couldn’t get in my email. Usual passwords wouldn’t sign me in. Fixed it pretty quickly, but it’s a creepy feeling. Someone sneaky had gotten into my email – and for what purpose? Then I saw the mass email they’d sent out to say I was stranded in Cyprus without my bag! If you replied... Read more

2015-02-11T11:31:07-05:00

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.

Do We Need Labels As We Search For The Divine?

Last updated on: February 11, 2015 at 11:31 am By Susan Cottrell

I believe we all have a desire in our hearts and souls for the divine. For love, acceptance, community. Jesus showed us all of those things. But the core teachings of much of today’s Christian religion, are incompatible with the life and teachings of Jesus. What is the answer? I don’t know. But I do know that scripture tells us that “the enemy comes against the simplicity that is in Jesus.” So what would it look like to live a... Read more

2015-02-09T11:38:32-05:00

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 Letter to my Lesbian Daughter After She Came Out on Facebook

Last updated on: February 9, 2015 at 11:38 am By Susan Cottrell

Our youngest daughter, Hannah, recently came out on Facebook. (Our second LGBTQ child.) It was the most amazing post! We had known for some time – but her public post came as a surprise to us and the response she got was overwhelming. I wrote this note for her and want to share it with you – and with all the others out there who might still be in the closet, or in pain from rejection. To those not receiving the... Read more

2015-02-07T10:01:09-05:00

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.

Jesus Blog: Sometimes Wandering Is The Perfect Thing To Do

Last updated on: February 7, 2015 at 10:01 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… What a journey! Would you pause for just a moment? Breathe. I want to ask you something… Do you know how much God loves you? Do you know how much God is for you? Do you know that the Bible says that God rejoices over you with singing? It’s true. And it’s not about someone else, it’s you. You! Sometimes there are obstacles on this journey... Read more

2015-02-06T12:21:19-05:00

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.

Dear Susan: Gays Are NOT Being Kicked Out of Churches. You’re Making it Up!

Last updated on: February 6, 2015 at 12:21 pm By Susan Cottrell

To stand at the church door and block someone from entering because they are gay – or for any reason – is indefensible. But some people don’t even believe that type of thing happens. How can they truly think that with countless tragic personal stories giving horrific details on how a gay person and/or or their families have been emotionally, physically, and spiritually abused? It is living inside the box, it is coming from a place of privilege. These are... Read more

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