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Progressive Christian

2014-11-28T09:09:15-05:00

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 Tale of Two Thanksgivings

Last updated on: November 28, 2014 at 9:09 am By Susan Cottrell

Normally, I answer a Dear Susan question every Friday, but with this being Thanksgiving weekend, I wanted to share something special. Dear Susan will return next week. Did you give thanks yesterday? For your life as defined by you and others? Or for your life defined as being radically beloved by God? Here’s a new twist on an old story from Luke. Jesus told this story to religious leaders who were quite confident in their own abilities. I hope you... Read more

2015-11-24T10:23:38-05:00

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.

No Place at the Family Thanksgiving Table

Last updated on: November 24, 2015 at 10:23 am By Susan Cottrell

Do you still have a place at your family’s Thanksgiving table? For those of you who are spending this Thanksgiving with friends or new family, I understand how you feel. Many of us have been rejected by family because of being LGBTQ, or because of our love, affirmation and acceptance of those who are. This is a poem I wrote this morning and I wanted to share with you… You welcomed me into the world in joy and laughter You... Read more

2015-08-19T11:06:03-05:00

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.

From My Heart… What I Do and How I Do It

Last updated on: August 19, 2015 at 11:06 am By Susan Cottrell

We have never written a post like this before. It’s important and I want to thank you for reading. 🙂 When my daughter, Annie, came out 4 1/2 years ago, all hell broke loose. Actually, all heaven broke loose, and being the Mom of a gay child (UPDATE: I have actually been blessed with TWO gay children!) and a passionate, committed ally and advocate has been one of life’s great blessings. When circumstances in your life lead you to have... Read more

2014-11-24T10:11:29-05:00

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’re Hurting Me With Your Bible

Last updated on: November 24, 2014 at 10:11 am By Susan Cottrell

When anti-gay Christians say the phrase “my interpretation of the Bible” – they are really saying “God’s word.” When they say “my views on gays” – they are really saying “God’s way.” They are wrong. To have anti-gay views is inconsistent with the message of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus. It is time to take a high view of ‘God’s word’. It is time to reclaim the real meaning of unconditional love. It is time to stand up... Read more

2014-11-21T10:41:50-05:00

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: How Does God REALLY Feel About Gays?

Last updated on: November 21, 2014 at 10:41 am By Susan Cottrell

I love answering this question… ‘How does God really feel about gays?’ It is an issue that many in the church still struggle with. But more and more people are discovering the truth that how the non-affirming church feels is very different than how God feels. I write Dear Susan posts every Friday. Sometimes they are poignant, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes tender, sometimes funny… but hopefully always worth the read. 🙂 Here we go… Dear Susan: Is this a joke? More... Read more

2014-11-20T11:31:00-05:00

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.

Schrodinger’s Cat. No wait, make that Schrodinger’s Christianity!

Last updated on: November 20, 2014 at 11:31 am By Susan Cottrell

Schrodinger’s Cat Christianity “It is only by opening the box that you find out which it is.” – Sheldon Copper on The Big Bang Theory This is Rob writing today and I love The Big Bang Theory! Click on the photo above (or click here) to watch the classic clip where Sheldon explains the story of Schrodinger’s Cat, and the point of the story, to Penny, and how it applies to her relationship with Leonard. When I recently saw that... Read more

2014-11-19T10:15:08-05:00

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.

Become Affirming BEFORE Your Gay Child Comes Out

Last updated on: November 19, 2014 at 10:15 am By Susan Cottrell

I was privileged to sit on a parents’ panel at Matthew Vines’ The Reformation Project Conference. Others on the panel were Danny Cortez, Jane Clementi and Monte Vines. Kathy Baldock, the moderator, asked: “What is the best thing you can do to support your LGBTQ child?” Danny Cortez said: “Become affirming before they come out!” We all laughed because those of you who know Danny’s story know that he is a Southern Baptist preacher who toed the SBC party line... Read more

2014-11-18T10:57:41-05:00

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.

Biblical Values Christian Colleges & the Church Often Forget

Last updated on: November 18, 2014 at 10:57 am By Susan Cottrell

Title IX protection of transgender students on college campuses is clashing with Christian colleges’ claimed right to religious expression. What to do? How do we accommodate trans students and protect these colleges’ stated values? It’s a huge question, and it’s not going away. This Huffington Post piece gives an overview of the battle in many university campuses, including George Fox, Simpson and Spring Arbor. In a letter to the Department of Education, interim Simpson President Dr. Robin Dummer wrote that the school... Read more

2015-04-28T18:23:14-05:00

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 Does NOT Define Marriage as a Man and a Woman

Last updated on: April 28, 2015 at 6:23 pm By Susan Cottrell

“I am sorry if gay marriage attacks the sanctity of your fourth marriage.” Does God define marriage as only for one man and one woman? You would think so by how often it’s claimed. But the answer is ‘no’ and I am reclaiming that truth today. As marriage equality becomes the law of the land, pastors are seeking real answers for how to respond. As I said last week, there are people sitting in pews and pastors standing behind pulpits... Read more

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2014-11-15T10:55:38-05:00

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.

Jesus Blog: Don’t Wait!

Last updated on: November 15, 2014 at 10:55 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… 🙂 Did you hear the singing when you got up this morning? Did you see the dancing light of joy when you looked up at the sky? Did you feel waves of love rolling in, as if from a million surfing hearts? It was all for you! It was those who love you, those who support you, those who advocate for you. I know you feel... Read more

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