The Bible is Not About Beating LGBT People Up

by Michael Jones · 2009-09-01 21:18:00 UTC
Topics:

Bible

What book happens to be required reading for about 99.9% of the anti-LGBT crowd?  The Bible.  But underneath its surface, what book is actually full of stories about liberation and justice that push a message of love, equality, and acceptance?  The Bible.  At least according to a new collection from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

HRC announced the release of a collection of writings, "Out in Scripture," which compiles 175 conversations about the Bible from 100 diverse scholars and pastors, from over 11 different denominations.  That's a whole lot of religion, and a whole lot of effort being put into debunking the myth that religion is incompatible with LGBT issues.

“Over the years my spiritual life and preaching has been transformed by ‘Out In Scripture,’” said Harry Knox, Director of HRC’s Religion and Faith Program.  “This is one of our signature projects.  As editor Sidney Fowler said, ‘The Bible is not about beating you up, but lifting us all up.  It includes the seeds of liberation and justice.’ Be prepared to be transformed as well.”

It's kind of like a week-by-week look at the Bible with a lens on LGBT spirituality.  And it highlights an ongoing trend between religiousity and LGBT rights.  More and more, in fact, clergy are becoming key players in debates over issues like marriage equality.  As HRC says about this collection, there's an extraordinary momentum building to foster religious voices for equality.

"Through this resource we are helping to assure that no one will again have to choose between who they are and what they believe," HRC said.  Here's hoping "Out in Scripture" helps to dispell the myth that the Bible has nothing to say about homosexuality other than condemnation.  Because the picture is much bigger for people willing to, as HRC says, open their hearts and minds a little bit more.

(Photo courtesy of Wonderlane's photostream on Flickr.)

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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