In the PC(USA) General Assembly this summer, we have an item of business called the 'Olympia Overture,' (POL-01), which will do two things if approved: 1) it will finally add 'orientation and gender identity' to what passes for our denomination's 'nondiscrimination policy,' about a decade after our denomination ended its ban on LGBTQIA+ ordination and weddings; and 2) it will allow presbyteries to question candidates for ordination whether they intend to carry out their duties without discrimination. Of course, in our denomination, candidates for ordination can 'declare their scruples' to any point in our tradition or polity, and the presbytery can still vote on whether or not to accept them as a candidate, on a case by case basis. That part is not changing.
Not surprisingly, the people who still do want to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people are up in arms, claiming their 'freedom of conscience' is being violated and that they were promised a decade or so ago when we ended our ban that they would never have to change. Petitions have been filed. The discriminators and their allies are claiming discrimination and victimization.
I am going to speak very bluntly from my personal stance on this issue:
It's 2024. Grow the @#$% up.
It's not discrimination to call out discrimination, or to be held accountable for discrimination.
Also, let's be real: you can't be an ally for the LGBTQIA+ community and also an ally for the people who want to discriminate against them. That's not how it works. There really is no middle ground between discrimination and non-discrimination.
There are at least two other Presbyterian denominations where discriminators can discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people as much as they want, and they'll likely never change. A lot of discriminators went there, and they'll certainly welcome more discriminators, too. However, they won't be welcoming any LGBTQIA+ folks any time soon.
I firmly believe that discriminating against the LGBTQIA+ community to be as heinous a sin and as grievous a disqualification from the ministry as any other form of sexual abuse, racial discrimination, gender discrimination, disability discrimination, or nationalism.
If you are a clergyperson and you discriminate against LGBTQIA+ persons, then I don't want you as my pastor and I don't want my kids around you.
If you are a congregation that discriminates against LGBTQIA+ persons, then I don't want you as my church and I won't be bringing my kids there to learn from your hate.
I get that this all might have been 'new news' to a lot of folks a decade or so ago, but there has been more than enough quality scholarship and books and resources and theological education out there to bring people up to speed on why there is no solid Biblical rationale for discriminating against LGBTQIA+ people in 2024. People have had time to go get themselves sorted out and educated on this issue. I am, therefore, quite understandably, out of patience with anyone who is still out there, demanding the 'freedom' to discriminate.
Frankly, I'm ok with a Great Reorganization whereby all of us in the mainline denominations, who have some congregations and clergy who discriminate and some who do not, to split--and for those of us who are ready to work in favor of full inclusion to work together cooperatively in building a new ecumenical American church movement. After all, I have far more in common with a Lutheran, a Methodist, an Episcopalian, a Disciple, a Mennonite, or a UCC member who is committed to full inclusion, justice, and human equity issues, than I do with fellow Presbyterians who want to discriminate.
Having some congregations and clergy within a denomination who are still free to discriminate also 'cheapens the brand.' Imagine going into a chain restaurant who promises a great customer care experience--but not that one branch that's in your town, because that's the one where they always spit in your lemonade. If you know they're going to spit in your lemonade in your local branch, are you really going to drive over to the next town to try the same chain, or are you going to avoid them altogether?
It's not about numbers; it's not about 'unity,' it's not about 'keeping the peace' at all costs. Instead, it's time to do what is right. Much like with racial justice and gender justice, it is time to let go of our regrettable past; take accountability for our past harms done; and be truly free to serve Jesus and love our neighbors as Jesus would have us love.
No comments:
Post a Comment