Any Christian churches that don't persecute homosexuals?

[KayleeZoo]

I am a member of the LDS church and am seriously considering leaving. It's appalling to me that the church is so adamantly against homosexuals in general, and especially gay marriage. I am definately Christian, and don't want to switch to anything that is un-Christian. Any ideas where I can take my children where they won't be taught to be so intolerant?

[anjelika]

Maybe try the Episcopalian Church (TEC) or United Church of Christ (UCC)?

[athansor]

The Episcopal church might be a good choice. The Church is going through some difficult times right now, becuase of their open stance on this issue (some members and even entire churches have left and formed a more conservative group). If you want an accepting church, it might be a good place for you.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by anjelika

Maybe try the Episcopalian Church (TEC) or United Church of Christ (UCC)?

These were the two, along with the Unitarian Universalist Church, that came to mind (although the UU Church is not strictly Christian and although they have many Christian members, and some churches have services and fellowships that are specifically Chirstian within their church, they often aren't "Christian enough" for people coming from a much more conservative church.)

Anyhow, this might help, too http://www.gaychurch.org/Find_a_Chur...ted_states.htm

It's a link to gay friendly churches by state.

[momma_unlimited]

Out of curiosity, did you consider persecution to be simply "non-supportive" of the homosexual lifestyle, or do you consider it to be openly insulting/judgmental towards the homosexual lifestyle?

At the Protestant church we have occasionally attended, I believe the official stance is that they do not condone homosexual relations, but they don't ever really talk about it and certainly do not speak in a derogatory way about homosexuals. I never really thought of this as "persecution". I know people who, if I asked them, would say they do not support Christian beliefs, and may even state they believe my beliefs are a "crutch" but they also don't speak derogatorily to me because I am a Christian. So, I don't consider them persecuting me.

I am not LDS so I am not sure if they are more outspoken/rude about it- I guess, what I am *really* wondering is, at what point does it go beyond "not condoning" to "persecuting"?

[ladybugzz]

The Lutheran church has a "stance" called Reconciling In Christ" ... meaning they openly accept homosexuals in both leadership and membership.

http://www.lcna.org/ric.shtm

[KayleeZoo]

The LDS church recently urged it's members to contribute (both their time and their money) to Proposition 8 in California. They not only disapprove of gay marriage, but they are trying to get gay marriage marriage banned/made illegal. They also contributed money to the fund that went to lobbying for the proposition to pass. I think that trying to deprive others of their rights is persecution; merely not agreeing with homosexual marriage is one thing; using your money and influence to ban it is totally different, IMO.

They are also doing Baptisms of the Dead for Jewish people; the heads of the Jewish faith have asked them to stop, they agreed, and are still doing it. I find that to be totally disrespectful of Judaism; we don't have a right to try and indoctrinate others against their will.

[notwonamesalike]

The United Methodist Church - while not as progressive as I would like, does have some congregations that are reconciling congregations which are dedicated to the inclusion of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It should be noted though, that not all congregations are reconciling. Some are transforming...I would stay a way from those....(sort of a love the sinner, hate the sin kind of congregation. )

You could always contact the district office for the UMC in your area and ask if there are reconciling congregations in the area.

[Liquesce]

The Metropolitan Community Church is specifically devoted to the social and spiritual equality of the gay community. You will never, ever find an anti-gay or anti-gay-marriage MCC congregation.

[mija y mijo]

I highly recommend the Episcopal Church!

[Shantimama]

The United Church of Canada.

[Picturesque]

We are a member of an "open and affirming" congregation, meaning that we are completely accepting of the LBGT community and support them in their lifestyles. Our denomination is the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This was the biggest factor for us in choosing a church because we did not want our son to be raised in an atmosphere of bigotry.

[mad4mady]

Originally Posted by KayleeZoo

I am a member of the LDS church and am seriously considering leaving. It's appalling to me that the church is so adamantly against homosexuals in general, and especially gay marriage. I am definitely Christian, and don't want to switch to anything that is un-Christian. Any ideas where I can take my children where they won't be taught to be so intolerant?

KayleeZoo- I just wanted to add in that I respect that you are able to see past your membership and connection with your church to see what they are doing is wrong. Not many people can do that

I would recommend UCC. My grandma attends that church and they are very open with everyone but still follow the traditions.

Megan

[bjorker]

Check out the Quakers. If I felt the need to find religion, that's where I would start.

[Sisyphus]

Originally Posted by momma_unlimited

Out of curiosity, did you consider persecution to be simply "non-supportive" of the homosexual lifestyle, or do you consider it to be openly insulting/judgmental towards the homosexual lifestyle?

FYI, homosexuality is NOT a "lifestyle" that's highly offensive.

[mamabadger]

Originally Posted by Sisyphus

FYI, homosexuality is NOT a "lifestyle" that's highly offensive.

Apart from that, I would still like to hear an answer to the question. Are the only two options for churches "actively supporting" or "persecuting"?

[Raene]

I know many Methodist churches that are reconciling...i.e. gays are welcome. Unitarian Churches are also okay but what they believe isn't what I believe, so I prefer Methodist churches.

[Cherry Alive]

Originally Posted by KayleeZoo

The LDS church recently urged it's members to contribute (both their time and their money) to Proposition 8 in California. They not only disapprove of gay marriage, but they are trying to get gay marriage marriage banned/made illegal. They also contributed money to the fund that went to lobbying for the proposition to pass. I think that trying to deprive others of their rights is persecution; merely not agreeing with homosexual marriage is one thing; using your money and influence to ban it is totally different, IMO.

This breaks my heart—along with the fact Proposition 8 passed.

Sadly, I have two cousins who are in the closet and one who I suspect may be. They are all sibs and their family (like most of my extended family) is Mormon—but also very competitive and judgemental (aunt/uncle are soccer parents x 10). It saddens (though doesn't surprise) me they are pushing so hard against gay rights. Mormons are very pro-family—which is a really wonderful part of the religion. Unfortunately, right now the church has a very narrow view on what constitutes a family. It was hell listening to my grandmother berate my mom for divorcing my father and having a career, but since then she's mellowed out and become *much* more open-minded. I can only wish for the same for the rest of the church someday.

DH and I were married by an awesome Unitarian Priest in Binghamton, NY (a very conservative area, IMO). DH's family is Catholic-based and mine is Mormon and Catholic-based.

We really *loved* that church, and while I've never been part of a group religion (aside from going to extended family church services) I've actually considered investigating ones around our state, bc of our wonderful experience being married in NY.

It was very open and very much pro-Gay rights. They even had a banner for same-sex marriage on the front. Though they seem to be open to many religions, they struck me as using a lot of elements of Christianity.

[kapatasana]

Off the top of my head (When I was Christian, I did a lot of research on this some open and accepting Christian Churches:

-Many Episcopal Churches

-United Church of Christ (UCC)

-Disciples of Christ (This church is very accepting of gay people, but also theologically quite conservative, and very "evangelical" (at least the one I visited) so gay/gay friendly Christians who fall into the "evangelical" camp would probably be at home here)

-Unity Church

-Metropolitan Community Church (VERY open and accepting )

-Presbyterian Church USA (Most of them anyway, but NOT Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) or Orthodox Presbyterian, neither of which is known to be very gay friendly, though I'm sure there are some acceptions)

-Religious Society of Friends/ Quakers (Like UU, not all Quakers are Christians, (like me, I'm a quaker, but not Christian), but it really depends on the group. Some Meetings are very Christ Centered, others not so much, others a mix. I attend a FGC (Friends General Conference) meeting. We have members who are very very Christ Centered, and others who are not. We are also very open and affirming Independent Quakers I've heard are kind of like UU, but I don't know for sure, I've never been to a meeting. Conservative Friends are definitely pretty Christ Centered as a group, not sure about their stance on homosexuality though), and Evangelical Friends, are as I've heard, much like other evangelical protestants in many ways, and I would venture to guess, not super supportive of Same Sex couples, but again, I don't know for sure.

-UU of course (again, as was said before, the Christ Centered-ness really depends on the Church)

-Many Independent/Liberal Churches with protestant roots (though TYPICALLY not a church labeled "non denominational", they tend to lean VERY conservative, though again, I'm sure there are acceptations.

-Liberal Catholic Church - Don't know too much about them, but pretty sure they're gay friendly

Others to consider:

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), it really depends on the church, as a denomination they're getting there, I went to an ELCA church briefly, and never ever heard anything anti-gay. I've heard some ELCA churches are very open and affirming.

Christian Science, I don't think there is an "official stance" on homosexuality, I think it's something that's left up to the individual to decide

Reformed Church in America (RCA), Like many other "Mainline Protestant" denominations, I think they're "getting there" as well. They tend to be more liberal than the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). I like in a HUGE reformed area though so that might give me a bit of a different perspective. I don't believe that the RCA is exactly open and affirming, but in general they seem at least kind of accepting, I think there stance now is kind of a "we don't know, we can't judge" kind of thing, but again, I might be way off base here.

United Methodist, Some are really really accepting, others are really really not, it really depends on the church.

Some "Emergent/Emerging" Churches, but also some are not. Again, it's more of a "We don't know" kind of thing.

I'm sure there are others, but that's all I can think of right now.

[medaroge]

Unity!