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Progressive Christian

2017-07-16T16:30:36-05:00

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.

Pastor Looks Up In Tears. “I Had No Idea.”

Last updated on: July 16, 2017 at 4:30 pm By Susan Cottrell

Love the ‘sinner,’ then kick them out of church, and their family too if they don’t side with you against their child. I just can’t get my head around that. Telling someone they are no longer welcome in your church, in your home – and calling it love?!? It makes no sense to me at all. It is not love in any way. As Rob says, “To stand at the church door and block anyone from entering, for any reason,... Read more

2015-01-31T08:25:09-05:00

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: Restore the Beauty of Home

Last updated on: January 31, 2015 at 8:25 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Home. A place of welcome, acceptance, rejuvenation. A place to be safe and to be loved, without condition. A beautifully designed space of rest. But beautiful things break down in the using – or the misusing. Families can turn a safe haven into a concentration camp, so those within have no place of escape. Families throw over their privileged position as your ‘Biggest Fan’ – replacing it with ‘Biggest... Read more

2015-01-30T11:11:55-05:00

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: After 15 Years, My Church Kicked Me Out Because I’m Gay!

Last updated on: January 30, 2015 at 11:11 am By Susan Cottrell

I have to admit that I am losing patience. To stand at the church door and block someone from entering because they are gay – or for any reason – is indefensible. What do you have to believe about God, about Jesus, about the Bible to do that and think that you are actually doing the right thing, doing what God wants you to do, doing what Jesus would do. But it happens all the time. People who are gay,... Read more

2015-01-29T13:36:33-05:00

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.

Auschwitz Pink Triangle – A Familiar “Teaching of Contempt”

Last updated on: January 29, 2015 at 1:36 pm By Susan Cottrell

Auschwitz. Terror. Gas ovens. An efficient killing machine that murdered millions of people. Millions. The total numbers of those murdered in the Holocaust have been estimated at some 11 million, though recent discoveries have raised the toll to up to 20 million people. More than half of them Jews, the rest priests, pastors, Jehovah’s Witnesses, disabled, and other minorities – including homosexuals, not just Jews but Hitler’s own SS officers, all forced to wear a pink triangle to identify them... Read more

2015-11-17T10:46:27-05:00

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 Complicated Pain of Hiding Your True Colors

Last updated on: November 17, 2015 at 10:46 am By Susan Cottrell

To come out as LGBTQ can be excruciating. Such a high price is extracted, so much is at stake, who can blame people who hide their true selves? My heart weeps. Today I bring you a post that gives us a glimpse into just how hard it is, from my beloved friend Marg Herder at Christian Feminism Today. I offer this as a counter-balance to yesterday’s difficult and challenging post by Stephen at Sacred Tension. Please, read it with your heart open. No... Read more

2016-01-14T20:10:23-05:00

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.

Is ‘Side B Required Celibacy’ the New Ex-Gay?

Last updated on: January 14, 2016 at 8:10 pm By Susan Cottrell

I am honored to share a thought-provoking article. It may not be one with which I or you may agree, but it is important that we all hear & understand the reality of this author’s story & perspective. Written by Stephen, “an amateur musician, writer & communicator at Sacred Tension – a blog about faith, doubt, art & sexuality.” Stephen has a tender-hearted style and his story is compelling… Sometimes, your heart starts to break, and you don’t know why.... Read more

2015-01-24T11:02:56-05:00

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: You Are Loved, Exactly As You Are!

Last updated on: January 24, 2015 at 11:02 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… My friend, I want you to know that God loves you exactly the way you are. Exactly. You may have been told you have to change before God will embrace you. You’ve been given a list of conditions before you can be a child of God. Hear me now: GOD DOES NOT REQUIRE THAT OF YOU. God loves you exactly as you are, completely, no exceptions, no requirements, no change... Read more

2015-01-21T10:09:59-05:00

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 A Matter of Life or Death

Last updated on: January 21, 2015 at 10:09 am By Susan Cottrell

Leelah Alcorn. Ryan Robertson. Tyler Clementi. “The message prohibiting LGBTQ relationships is a message of death,” Danny Cortez, a Southern Baptist pastor, said at the Gay Christian Network Conference in Portland, as he described his journey from nonaffirming pastor to affirming pastor and dad. If you’ve been in these circles you’ve probably heard Danny’s story. Death. Shame. Rejection. Conditional love. Limits to God’s acceptance. There is no life in any of that. If it brings shame, it’s outside our parameter... Read more

2015-01-19T08:28:37-05:00

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.

To a Church That Dehumanizes Gays

Last updated on: January 19, 2015 at 8:28 am By Susan Cottrell

“We need to attend church somewhere that is farther along in wrestling with these complex issues, somewhere John and any of his LGBT friends can join us if they wish and hear about God’s grace without having to feel defensive or ‘less than.'” This is a letter my friend wrote to their church. It beautifully expresses the need for churches to love LGBTQ. It’s worth the read. Dear Pastor, Last time we talked with you, we said we needed to... Read more

2015-06-25T19:24:47-05:00

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 the Church Should Be Afraid NOT to Affirm LGBTQ

Last updated on: June 25, 2015 at 7:24 pm By Susan Cottrell

“What if you’re wrong about defending gays?” A dear friend asked me this yesterday, with sincere concern about my ongoing advocacy. Then the followup, “Aren’t you afraid of leading people astray?” This seems to be the underlying fear for so many in the church. What if homosexuality is wrong, as they’ve been taught since birth, in the church and in the culture? Fear has so consumed the church and larger culture on this issue, fear it has been spoonfed for... Read more

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