[Uucf-bible] introduction

[elizabeth scheuerman]

Dear Tom,

Welcome.

If you want help reconciling your sexuality with the Bible, I would suggest
reading Peter Gomes' book, The Good Book.

There are very few passages about homosexuality in the bible.  As someone
else mentioned, Jesus says nothing about it, and nothing about sexuality of
any kind.  There are all sorts of injunctions in the Old Testament;
 Christians generally pay no attention to most of them.

Jesus, in my reading, was welcoming of everyone.  He preferred outcasts and
prostitutes to hypocrites and the self-righteous.  The two great
commandments are, of course, Love God, and Love your neighbor.  He says that
those commandments sum up the whole of the Torah.  Neither of those
commandments speak to hetero- or homo-sexuality; neither commandment
requires adult gays to be celibate.

I'm sorry about your depression.  It sounds as though the conflict between
what you have been taught about the Bible, Christianity, and sexuality, and
your awareness of being attracted to men rather than women, has led to
feelings of failure, worthlessness, and despair.  Please know that you, too,
are made in the image of God.  Please seek help for your depression.  If
your church community is causing you to be depressed, it is not good for
you.

Healthy religion heals.  (After all, most of the stories about Jesus have to
do with healing.)

Peace and blessings to you,

Betsy Scheuerman
Consulting Minister
Unitarian Universalist Ocean County Congregation (NJ)