#affirmingtheology

[earlsings]

Reposted from @affirmingyouthministries It’s okay to be a follower of God or a self identified Christian and to be and out and proud queer person loving whoever you want and living your life. It’s not only okay, but it’s good and beautiful and needed. Our ministry exists to spread this good news to queer youth❤️ . . . . . . #queer #queertheology #lgbtq+ #lgbtqia #transgender #transvisibility #transpride #transgender #queertheology #trans #queeryouth #gayteen #gaychristian #gayicon #queerchristian #gaypride #nonbinary #affirmingyouthministries #affirmingtheology #youthministry #affirmingyouthministries https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn-9CFxMjxh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thetravelerspath]

On Patriarchy, Homophobia and the Bible.

Homophobia is rooted in patriarchal norms. From the belief that the masculine social organisation (gender identity) of sex (biology) comes the assertion that the feminine is subordinate/submissive. Associated with this belief is the idea that men who act in a womanish way lack self-control (literal translation of malakoi: effeminate, those lacking self-control, 1 Corinthians 6:9), and therefore degrade themselves by submitting to other men in sexual acts. Before our advances in science and psychology allowed us to understand sexual identity (including orientation), sexual relationships were organised according into social positions, with the masculine dominating the feminine. Our best scholarship recognises that the terms in the NT passages regarding same-sex behaviour are not references to homosexuality as a whole, as sexual orientation wasn’t a concept in ancient times; gay people existed, but as already stated, sexuality was organised according to social position, not orientation. The most acceptable consensus is that they are references to forms of abuse, like prostitution and molestation. In fact, there was even a Greek word for equal-position, committed same-sex relationships, but Paul used the words referring to forms of abuse when he wrote the NT, instead of the word referring to same-sex committed relationships. Come the late 1940’s, and evangelical Christians have placed the word ‘homosexual’ into the New Testament, completely changing the meaning of the text. No longer does it vaguely refer to abusive sexual acts usually between older men and younger boys, or forms of economic exploitation (prostitution), but to every gay person who has ever lived. We haven’t even touched base with lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex people yet, either.

The reason we haven’t touched base with LBTI people yet is because the Bible, again influenced by patriarchal norms, was written to condemn forms of abuse committed by the masculine gender. This is really important to understand. If we read the passages about same-sex acts in light of the rest of scripture, we can actually see that the social organisation of the patriarchy is invalid within the kingdom of God, because there is neither male nor female, just as there is neither slave or free (a social position of power) or Jew and Gentile (religious positions), as in Galatians 3:28. These verses are a condemnation of the abuse that takes place against all people within the structure of the patriarchy. Once we know that patriarchy is not a valid phIlosophy within God's kingdom, we can then go one step further and ask how same-sex relationships, or relationships for LGBT+ people as a whole, can fulfill God’s intention. We can first affirm LGBT+ people, bless their relationships, and include them as part of the body of Christ.

Not only that, but the greater meaning behind these verses, as a condemnation of the abuse of social positions, is that of inclusive love. The Christian who finds inspiration within the Bible can dedicate their efforts to helping their own context reflect the kingdom of God. They can support the enjoyment of equality and self-sacrificial community. Regulations based on gender and other forms of social organisation become obsolete. We’re all children of God.

For more in depth reading about this, see 'God and the Gay Christian’ by Matthew Vines; or 'Walking the Bridgeless Canyon’ by Kathy V. Baldock.

Like this page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelingWell/posts/329142860784507

[earlsings]

It’s not enough- especially if we call ourselves Christians. Part of what made us want to start Affirming Youth Ministries is the lack of affirming churches we saw in our area. Most Christians just don’t allow themselves to see the negative impact our bad theology and systems of oppression and supremacy culture has on people. ID: a tweet from @carloshappynpo that says, “it’s not enough to say, ‘I’m not homophobic.’ It’s necessary to speak against homophobia. To repent of religious oppression and purity culture manipulation. To care for and learn from our queer neighbors. To welcome our LGBTQI family fully. It’s necessary to love.” . . . . . . #queer #queertheology #lgbtq+ #lgbtqia #transgender #transvisibility #transpride #transgender #queertheology #trans #queeryouth #gayteen #gaychristian #gayicon #queerchristian #gaypride #nonbinary #affirmingyouthministries #affirmingtheology #youthministry #affirmingyouthministries #homophobia Reposted from @affirmingyouthministries https://www.instagram.com/p/CobE7Y4LWRz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[earlsings]

Reposted from @affirmingyouthministries What else would you add to this helpful list from @parentstogether? ID: White text over a teal background with a rainbow stripe on the side. The text says: “HOW TO SUPPORT A CHILD THAT IS COMING OUT AS LGBTQ+: Congratulate them, affirm their identity and pronouns, make your unconditional love clear, listen and learn, thank them for sharing with you, create a safe open environment, be an advocate.”. . . . . . #queer #queertheology #lgbtq+ #asexuality #lgbtqia #transgender #asexual #genderfluid #transpride #transgender #genderqueer #queertheology #trans #queeryouth #gayteen #gaychristian #queersupport #youthsupport #familyministry #queerchristian #gaypride #nonbinary #affirmingyouthministries #affirming #affirmingtheology #youthministry #progressivechristian https://www.instagram.com/p/CganHSTsnSs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=