Part 5: United Kingdom

Last updated on: December 17, 2012 at 2:31 am by Andrew Marin

Part 5: United Kingdom 2012-12-17T02:31:15-06:00 Andrew Marin

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.

What differences do you see between the UK and the US regarding the topic of homosexuality and the response of the churches?

I will be very clear on this. Right now the UK has a unique opportunity to potentially model for the rest of the world how to properly address and work within the tensions of faith and sexuality; leading the path of what peaceful and productive systemic relationships look like.

I believe this because, thus far, neither the GLBT or Christian communities have publicly or sustainably rallied their masses against the other. I know there will be Christians reading this who feel marginalized and disagree with me on that statement, citing things like the UK’s Hate Speech legislation. However, in regards to an irreconcilable national culture war between the GLBT and Christian communities, in comparison to America, there is no culture war. The UK is not even close to the very vocal, firmly rooted, abhorrence-filled structural disconnect that exists in America between our two communities.

There was a point where America was at the same place as the UK but unfortunately our GLBT and Christian communities gave in to the explosive disconnect birthed out of years of un-met silent tension. At the time, there were no national Christian or GLBT leaders willing to initiate and sustain any amount of conversation in a productive, God-honouring fashion. The only American national leaders that rose up fueled the fire and dug each community further into their stagnant modes of engagement, unsuccessfully trying to convince the other side they’re wrong and need to give up everything they have ever fought for. This aggressive, back-and-forth schism has persisted for the last decade with no reprise in site. I work every day of my life closely involved with both communities, acting as a bridge, attempting to shift the local and national conversation back towards a more productive trajectory. Each community is so strongly opposed and wounded by the other, both are convinced that each will win. In my estimation, even if the culture war lessens to the point where they can talk to the other rather than past the other, the American GLBT and Christian relations will still be about twenty years behind.

That doesn’t have to be the same fate for the UK. I believe it won’t be what happens if the right leaders from each community come forth to shape the national conversation. But a note of caution – I saw many similarities in the beginning stages of the American culture war clearly on display throughout the UK on my recent trip. There are signs from gay groups, prominently displayed that say, ‘Gay: Get over it!’. There is also public denial of the budding disconnect on the part of the Church. When I asked a Christian reporter about the signs hung around the country she said, ‘I already thought we were over it?’. The unfortunate truth is that if the GLBT community felt Christendom was indeed ‘over it’ there would be no need for the signs. Any further amount of ignoring this much-needed cultural redirection will land the UK in the exact same place as America. Look at my country now – it’s an embarrassing and sad state of affairs on display for the world to watch as many in the States continue to set such a poor precedent.

The thrust of my work today in America is to elevate the conversation. I define elevation as changing the conversation, working to find a new starting ground beyond the traditional fighting areas that have only torn us further away from a true biblical reconciliation. The wonder of the UK’s current situation is that there is not much of a systemic conversation to change, because ultimately one hasn’t been nationally sustained or publicly fought about for any significant length. The time is now to step out and show the rest of the world what an advanced national relationship between two communities that, on the outside, don’t seem to ever have that much in common, truly looks like. There is more in-depth and practical applications on how to start building a bridge individually and systemically, in my book, Love is an Orientation.

What do you think of the hope of England in comparison to the [hope of the] United States?

Much love.

www.themarinfoundation.org

Faith and Homosexuality

United Kingdom

Previous Post

January 8, 2010

Part 4: United Kingdom

Next Post

January 9, 2010 I'm Going to Gay Wedding Today

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Bridging Opposing Worldviews Culture Don't Drink and Drive Faith Guest Posts I'm Sorry Campaign Interviews Language Laura Statesir LGBT Living in the Tension Living in the Tension Gatherings Love Is an Orientation Love Is an Orientation Blog Love Is an Orientation Book Love Is an Orientation DVD Melinda Guerra Memory My One Sentence Bible Newsletter Our Last Option Parents & Families Politics Quick Quotes Quotes ReEngaging Civility Sexuality Speaking The Marin Foundation Theology Uncategorized Us Versus Us Videos Warren Perry Youth and Campus Ministry

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz