[New post] What does the Pride parade say to Ocean Grovers?
Blogfinger posted: " Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, 6/4/23. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is not a church, but it is a religious organization that follows the tenets of the Methodist Church. There have been concerns about h" https://blogfinger.net
Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, 6/4/23.
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is not a church, but it is a religious organization that follows the tenets of the Methodist Church.
There have been concerns about how some Christian organizations treat gays, especially if their theology fits the definition of "evangelical." It is true that some Christian churches and groups are not supportive of homosexuality, but in the case of the CMA, they do not wear their theology on their sleeves. Supposedly they belong to the conservative wing of Methodism, but that doesn't mean that gays shouldn't be treated badly.
Look at the photo above. There is a Catholic Church which is very welcoming to LGBT folks. So one can't generalize.
I have personally heard a few persons in the Grove attempt to associate the CMA with homophobic "right wing" evangelical groups, but there is no evidence which we have seen. The CMA has tried to have a good relationship with the gay community in the Grove, and that relationship has been weakened lately.
If someone wants to go after the CMA they need to get beyond the theology which opposes homosexuality. Their theology is for them to live with; no one can take that away.
But if some find justification for discrimination in CMA doctrine, then criticism may be valid, but where does one find such evidence within the CMA? We haven't seen it.
There are quite a a few variations on a theme, so the actual behavior of the CMA in Ocean Grove must be studied with sharp focus, and the facts must be studied individually and without unproven generalizations as occurred in the NJ.com/Star Ledger yesterday and today.
Let's be fair and truthful when discussing the CMA and how it treats other religions and gender issues. The assertions about the CMA must be sorted out in town by impartial folks who will be fair and truthful and who will seek truth and justice. The President of the HOA wasn't helpful last week.
No comments:
Post a Comment