Baptist church struggles with how to handle photos of gay families

A Fort Worth church continues to struggle with how to handle photographs of gay members in a pictorial directory that's to be part of its 125th anniversary celebrations.

Broadway Baptist Church has debated whether the directory should include gay couples, or gay people individually but not as couples, or whether to omit all individual and family photos.

Members were to vote Sunday after morning worship. But in a clear indication that they are divided over how accepting to be of homosexuality, they met for an hour and then postponed any decision until deacons make a recommendation on Feb. 24.

"We will continue to discuss this issue together as a church family," Kathy Madeja, chair of the deacons, said in a prepared statement. "We do not want to rush to make a decision, but rather to continue to listen to each other and for God's leading for our church."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/DN-baptists_03met.ART0.State.Edition1.3688a03.html

there's no issue here, just plain old bigotry

by the gay families since they have been members if the church is unwilling to include them in their MEMBERSHIP directory.

ELCA Lutherans have tap-danced around gays in the clergy for years. I think these denominations need to have an up or down vote, and let the chips fall where they may.

Oh dear. It's real easy: Treat all the families the same. How tough is that? Come on, Broadway Baptist; you know what you're supposed to do. Just do it.

And start acting like the compassionate human beings you claim to be.

you should expect a few gays to show up.

I thought it was pretty funny.

goes a bit far.

and it just tickled me.

Are ya bigots or not? Shit or get off the pot.

or better yet, put them in burquas. Mustn't let anyone's delicate sensibilities be offended by actually seeing a picture of a gay person!

Think of the repercussions!1!1

There are gay-friendly churches out there now. A place where you can worship without feeling the hateful gaze of the pretend xtians on you at all times. Why would you attend this shithole of a church and associate with these shithole people? Makes me glad and proud to be an atheist. The people in this church are anti-xtian and anti-American. They ignore the true values of both.

United Church of Christ. Also known as Congregationalists--the people who started Harvard and Yale, and built the New England Meeting House style of church. Not related to the Holy roller Church of Christ.

Unitarian Universalist Churches and Fellowships.

Episcopalians.

The Metropolitan Community Church of the Resurrection.

The last one, compiled just before I joined in 2003, has family group pictures of gay and lesbian couples. I don't suppose that this new directory will be any different.

I believe the denomination is North American Baptist. They wouldn't even be having this discussion.

I was surprised, but it was nice to meet them.

The management obviously does not share their longing for tolerance and respect.

Since this controversy will inevitably overshadow whatever decision the church makes on the directory, however, perhaps the seeds of change will be sown and the couples who weren't accordingly featured will have the last laugh.

where a diversity of views is welcomed and women have a strong role in leadership. The church has long had gay members.

But controversy erupted recently over whether photographs of gay couples should be in the directory being assembled for the church's anniversary.



Gotta wonder if the church has a similar problem with the pictures on the "gay money" in the collection plate.

Isn't that how you handle all photos?

:shrug:

GET THE FUCK OVER IT!