A-LISTS spiritual by rev. randy besta
SEXUALITY AND SPIRITUALITY
“I won’t give space to those who choose to use sacred scriptures to condemn and hate
...I know in my heart that God
created us just as we are, perfect in every way imaginable. Who are we to doubt that perfection?”
When I read the papers or watch the news, I am continually amazed at how society seems not to have moved forward on a number of issues, if not regressed altogether. As pastor of a progressive Christian church, the area that jumps out at me the loudest is the issue of sexuality and spirituality. Considering how far the country has advanced over the past 40 years on other issues, why this one is still an issue today is a mystery to me. Having previously served in a conservative church in the Bible Belt, I am acutely
aware of the belief that Christianity is the one and only true religion; the Bible is the inerrant word of God and we are to follow all of its teachings without waiver. The premise that the U.S. was not founded as a Christian nation and was never intended to be exclusionary, or is not a theocracy is foreign to them. I won’t give space to those who choose to use sacred scriptures to condemn and hate, nor will I address each of the “clobber passages” that some of the more fundamentalist churches use to condemn sexuality. Rather, I believe we need to look beyond that limited view and focus on the larger issue of celebrating who we are sexually and who we are spiritually. I firmly believe that we have the freedom to worship as we see fit, and we have the
right to love and be with whomever we choose. Our constitution guarantees equal protection under the law and my own personal faith and relationship with God affirms the right to love, and be loved, regardless of my sexual identity. Most faith traditions are made up with different schools of thought; some con-
servative, others progressive. Whether you are Quaker, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim or Christian, you can find a community of people who share your beliefs and faith and who also share in the knowledge that your sexuality or gender identity is something to be celebrated, not looked down upon. I know in my heart that God created us just as we are, perfect in every way imaginable. Who are we to doubt that perfection? On April 9, Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church in Santa Ana comes
together to celebrate 40 years of being a progressive Christian Church and of providing that sacred space in Southern California. Apart from our specific community, there are other churches, synagogues, temples and meeting halls that exist where your sexuality
or gender identity is not an issue. They exist everywhere in Southern California; I urge you to seek them out and begin to celebrate the uniqueness of you, the perfection that is you. While Christ Chapel Metropolitan Community Church has been proud to lead the way in Southern California for the past 40 years, we are equally satisfied that other faith communities are now following our lead. What would make us even prouder when we come to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, is that the issue of a person’s sexuality or gender identity, will be non-existant in every sacred meeting space in the country. I pray we will be able to come together to celebrate each other, whoever we are, just as we are, right in the community in which we live. The era of congregational votes to recognize equality, the breaking away of churches or the splitting of denominations will be a thing of the past. It will be a place we can all live in, filled with open, honest, acceptance and equality. As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, I urge each and every one of you to celebrate
your personal anniversary. Celebrate your sexual identity and celebrate how many days, weeks or years you have been able to embrace it fully. Celebrate your spiritual beliefs and give thanks that when needed, they are there for you, providing a foundation in your life. Bet- ter yet, celebrate your sexuality and your spirituality together; allow them to exist in perfect harmony, just as I believe God has planned.
PEACE
REV. RANDY BESTA In April 2010 Rev. Randy Besta joined Christ Chapel MCC as Pastor. Prior to his arrival he served as Interim Minister at MCC of the Upstate in South Carolina. He comes to Christ Chapel originally from MCC Toronto, where he began his journey with Metropoli- tan Community Church.
30
RAGE monthly | MARCH 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84