“He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win
We drew a circle that brought him in.” – Edwin Markham
I’m not so sure it’s brave to write a post that seems mostly meant for shock value and link bait. And just so happens to be on the hot button topic of the day….
Dear Jared,
Actually this post has been brewing for two years. I believe it’s my sixth post about gays and the Church . . . an issue that – hot or not – is dear to me. I finally posted this essay in direct response to last week’s news story that had me in tears – about a preacher who said, from the pulpit, that gay people should be put inside electrical fences and left to starve to death. As I watched this pastor spew hate and fear, what hit me first was the calls of agreement and laughter from the congregation. What hit me next and hardest was my absolute certainty that there was at least one precious child sitting in one of those pews, knowing he or she was gay, listening to his or her preacher condemn him or her to death, and watching her parents nod in ascension. In the name of Jesus. I thought of that little one dying inside, knowing once and forever that she was not loved. Not by her God, not by her parents, not by her community. Learning right then and there that because of the way God made her, she would have to choose between loving who she was made to love and the acceptance of everyone in her little world.
I did not want to give the fearful pastor any more press by writing directly about him, but I felt strongly that for each action of fear and exclusion there should be an equal and opposite reaction of love and acceptance. And I decided it was my responsibility to use my platform to offer this reaction. I wrote this post for gay children and adults, just as one more piece of evidence that the tide is turning, and that there are Christians who believe Jesus loves them just as they are. And that these desperate, hate and fear filled folks who always seem to make it to the evening news, are the last, desperate gasps of a dying era. I believe wholeheartedly that soon, very soon, homophobia will be understood to be about as Christian as racism.
Jared, I already have a very large, loyal, and beautiful following and a second book deal with an incredible publisher. I am not into shock value or “link bait.” I’ve never even encountered the term “link bait” until you wrote it to me. I’ve never once advertised or promoted this little blog ANYWHERE, in the four years I’ve been writing it. My writing priority is not the growth of this blog, but my own personal growth.
I predicted I’d lose readers with yesterday’s post and I did. I predicted I’d receive hate mail and I have. The last twenty four hours have been very, very hard for me, as I knew they would. Posting this essay was a LIABILITY to my writing career, and I was advised as much. But the first post I ever wrote about this subject was titled “A Mountain I’m Willing to Die On,” and I meant that. I’d rather watch my writing career go up in smoke than stay silent on a subject about which I feel led to sing about from the mountaintops.
Jared- obviously, I’m not “right.” I guarantee that none of us is. But if I’m going to err, it’s going to be on the side of love and inclusion. And I’m prepared to have that conversation with my maker. I believe He/She/They know that I am doing the very, very best I can down here to find the downtrodden and forgotten and lift them up anyway I know how. We interpret and understand scripture differently. All of us do…every single last one of us does. To read or listen is to interpret.We do not see scripture or the world AS IT IS, we see it through the filter of who we are.
But if it helps- there is a scene in the Bible during which the disciples become concerned and angry because someone is trying to “drive out demons in Jesus’ name.” They say to Jesus, “We tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” Jesus answers- “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” *
I might not be one of you – a “traditional Christian” – whatever that means. But I am not against you. I am just trying to follow the most important commandments- to love God with my whole soul, heart and mind – and to love my neighbor as myself. I am struggling and wrestling with scripture daily with my whole mind, soul and heart. I am considering that if I were my neighbor, if I were gay, I would want the option to love Jesus and I would want to know that He loved me, just as I am. And I would would want a straight, Christian woman to write the essays that I write. I would want someone from the “inside” to look at things from the “outside.”
And I write because although my position is clearly infuriating to many people today, I believe it will leave me on the right side of history. I believe what I’m doing is worth all this time and energy and difficulty. So I believe I am standing where God put me. Perhaps you are, too, Jared. I will not accuse you of anything less, nor attack your motives or heart or interpretations or understandings.
We do the best we can, in the name of Love.
I am a follower of Jesus, and maybe following looks different for each of us. Maybe some of us run and some of us skip and some of us mosey around and walk in circles for awhile and some of us take two steps forward and forty steps back. Maybe some of us just sit down and think for awhile, and come up with a hell of a lot of questions.
I believe that in my spiritual walk, I am allowed as many questions as I need. And I ask them and try my best to answer them here, because this is my blog, and my special place to think and pray and love and heal.
God Bless You, Jared.
G
“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.” – William Wilberforce
*Luke 9: 49-50
Glennon, congratulations in your book. I have been reading your blog for weeks since it was introduced to me by a dear girlfriend who thought I could find some answers to my never ending questioning in the journey that has been my life. Working in a field where I have to see the dark side of our society, an the deep wounds that can leave in the life of our children, I found myself deeply depressed, helpless and wondering where to find inspiration and strength to continue my job and being the mom and wife my family needed. Reading your post and fellow monkees comments, gave me a space to reflect, hear different points of view, cry and laugh together. A sense that I’m not alone in my passion for the Truth, Love and the Jesus that I know: Thank you. So I came coming back here for more and randomly I found this post…..oh my…YOU ROCK! You have the courage, the clarity and the unconditional love to talk about this the way you do. Reading your latest post you tell us how you have been struggling in your family life, we all are, but girl don’t let that take away your braveness, passion and courage. There are many of us thinking about this in the whole world, there is hope, together in the love we feel for God and the people, peacefully, we need to claim this madness to stop. Glennon thank you, thank you. I send you my love and enjoy your new baby.
I’m new to reading your blog, and now truly want to follow your blog; wonderful story; thank you for sharing. You may have lost some readers, but I know you’ll gain more. I couldn’t have said it better than you just did….(I really couldn’t). When will people ever learn that none of us are in a position to judge anyone….I have to share your blog with some dear friends who have left their church because of what you described earlier; it will help them to know that there are more of us out there than they realize…accepting, loving and knowing that we are all children of God.
you. are. amazing. love this response and love love your heart. i’ve spent a LOT of time trying to explain myself as a straight Christian who also loves gay people. i appreciate your candor and openness. it’s about time someone stood up for the underdog. keep doing what you do. =)
Glennon,
Thank you for using your voice to encourage love.
I’m new to your blog and I just have to say THANK YOU. I’m raising a child who I have no doubt will one day come to me and say, I’m gay. From the moment he could express himself, he’s wanted to dress in girl clothes, put on makeup, be a mommy. When he talks about the kids he likes at school, it’s always the girls and how he wants to be just like them. He’s dealing, admirably I must say, with those kids at school who make fun of him for not being interested in the things that boys are supposed to be interested in.
As a parent of 6 kids, 3 boys and 3 girls, I can tell you that we haven’t parented any differently with our 1 versus our other 5. We love each of them as the incredible, individual, amazing people that they are.
When I read or see the hate filled posts currently in the news, it breaks my heart. This wonderful child has so much love and courage to offer this world. I hope, in 10 years, that the world he enters as an adult is one filled with more love and acceptance than the one I see now. That the joy and promise he can bring to this world isn’t snuffed out by the intolerance and hatred of a few.
Thank you again for having the courage to not just stand by your beliefs but to share them.
Glennon, thank you for your candidness. It’s important to be able to discuss these issues.
It seems that due to the extremists in the news on both sides of the gay question, we are unable to discuss the real issues at play. Most people aren’t extremists. Would you ever consider parsing out the question (or have you?): Are people born “gay”? Or perhaps make a distinction between people who are *attracted* to the same sex and those who *have sex* with a person of the same sex? Or most importantly, can having sex with someone of the same sex really make a person happy?
My husband and I are friends with several gay people. The discouraging thing we see is that none of them are happy. We wonder if it’s because acting out cannot make them happy. Again, they are good friends. We care very much for them and believe that there is so much more to them than their sexual orientation.
Dear Kateri,
I’ve had to pause and think about your comments for a short while. I have several thoughts. All of them, I think are a challenge to what seem to me like assumptions you have made.
1) It surprised me that you started by saying “due to extremists in the news on both sides of the gay question, we are unable to discuss the real issues at play…Are people born “gay”?”
I’m not sure why this is the real issue at play? In fact, I find the notion vaguely disturbing, because I’m not clear how it is relevant. If we lived in a theologically governed nation, that would be a relevant question, but we don’t. Our government can make no law respecting religion, so I don’t see why this question is the “real issue at play.”
I’m not trying to be mean and I hope I am not leaving you with the feeling of being attacked, but I really do not understand and it really does bother me on some level. It seems to lead in a direction that I think is unhealthy…namely the direction of providing or denying justification for being judgmental of homosexual people.
Beyond that, this is a scientific question and not something that can be decided via theologically oriented discussions and debates. It can only be determined by science.
2) “Or perhaps make a distinction between people who are *attracted* to same sex and those who *have sex* with a person of the same sex?
Again, I’m not sure where this distinction is going. It seems like drawing a distinction between people who are attracted to the *opposite sex* and people who have sex with someone of the opposite sex. I just don’t see why the distinction is important.
3) “My husband and I are friends with several gay people. The discouraging thing we see is that none of them are happy…”
I’m not sure that this type of anecdotal evidence provides any insight into the viability of a happy same sex marriage or relationship. I can think of any number of people who aren’t happy and who share a specific circumstance with gay people, which is that they are somewhat marginalized by society. People are social creatures and having your culture turn their back on you for who you love or who you are attracted to can be devastating.
I have contrary anecdotal evidence, having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for sixteen years, I know countless gay people and living in a generally supportive community, I can say that from my perspective, they have no greater trend towards being unhappy than any other people I knew.
I posted a link to Josh Weed’s blog on this topic earlier today, but I think Glennon didn’t like it as it has not been approved for publication. Josh came out as being Gay, but being in a heterosexual marriage. His story is beautiful and inspiring, but I worry that it might encourage people to assume that his story is how all gay people need to live and I have to say. I can’t support that kind of position (at least regarding national or state laws). Not in the United States of America. In my country, the one I love and pay taxes to support, people are endowed with an unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.
Kateri, I too have to disagree with your statement that your gay friends are not happy, as your tone seems to imply that gay people cannot be happy… my brother is gay, and he and his partner of 16 years are VERY happy. They work, they travel, they enjoy many things that straight couples enjoy, they spoil their nieces and nephews, and they are HAPPY. At least, as happy as any straight couples I know. They have problems, of course, but their problems are not that different from the problems my husband and I face.
Yes, there is WAY more to them than their sexual orientation, but their orientation is NOT causing them unhappiness..
I re-read my comments and feel like I want to say, I probably should have sat on them a little longer, as they seem to have an aggressive quality, which I didn’t want to communicate!
I think the points I made are important, but I feel passionate about those points and I find it challenging to articulate my point of view on those topics in a thoroughly loving and caring way (like Glennon and many others involved in this discussion).
Kateri, I apologize if I left you feeling attacked, that was not my intention. I can’t promise never to do it again either, this is one of those arenas where I seem to have very little sway with my natural response.
When I was eleven or twelve, I saw the movie Ghandi and I felt inspired by the man and his story. I talked about him incessantly for months. Finally my Grandfather, a staunch Catholic, let me know that he was worried about me, because Ghandi, while being a good man, went to hell when he died.
I disagreed vigorously, to the point that my Grandfather took me to the local Cathedral and asked a priest to talk with me. The priest confirmed that Ghandi went to hell, I said, “OK…I understand.”
On the way out, I didn’t take the holy water and make the sign of the cross, rather I thought to myself, “if hell is good enough for Ghandi, I guess it’s good enough for me too.”
So began my two decade long experiment with trying to be gentle and loving and compassionate at all times. What I’ve learned is that I am not that person. I admire those people, but it isn’t me. I’m more like a red-hot chili pepper than a cucumber. I am passionate and loving and compassionate, but I have an “in your face” quality, which comes out given certain stimuli and this was one of those cases (as was Mary).
I’ll try to pay more attention and manage for this more and I apologize Kateri if I hurt you in any way.
BTW, in re-reading comments to and from Christopher, I want to reiterate a request I made below, which may not have gotten any notice. I think it is important though, so I’ll paste it here:
Please don’t belittle people for their poor spelling and punctuation, even if they are being bullies like Christopher.
It reminds me of this quote from Martin Luther King Junior, which I quoted in a sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Santa Fe on the topic of class:
“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Thanks for all the love you put in your writting.
I wanted to share this quote of St Alphonse Liguori with you (as I am french-speaking and could not find the quote in english, this is a free translation and probably not the best but you will get the idea!)
“If we should be mistaking about God, it would be better to do it by exaggerating his goodness than tougher his justice.”
Mark my words: In thirty to forty years we’ll be having this same debate about pedophilia. “No, that verse about causing one of these little ones to sin doesn’t mean that.” “Love wins. The Bible tells us to love our neighbor…everyone is our neighbor.” “If I’m going to err, I’m going to err on the side of love.” Glennon, would you change your mind if that sweet son of yours was raped by a Sandusky? All sexual sin is an abomination to the Lord. I believe it’s because the Word says it represents Christ and his bride, the church. It’s sacred, it’s to be done one way. The Romans 1 verses couldn’t be more accurate as to what is going on now…Although they claimed to be wise, they were fools. And that God’s word is plain to see. And men exchanging NATURAL relations with women for relations with men. It’s a big fat DUH, homosexuality is a sin…it’s as plain as Adam and Eve and the parts God gave us. Am I saying that I am in less need of a savior? No, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Just like alcholism is a sin. The bible calls drunkeness a sin, and people don’t like that, they want to believe it’s a disease and they’re born that way. Well maybe so, I’m an alcholic, sober many many years, and I also believe I was born with it – that God “made me this way.” But I believe because of the fall we are all born with a sin nature, with various physical, mental, emotional “defects”. Thank you Jesus for a way out! “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
What I don’t understand is why be a Christian if you’re not going to believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, that “all scripture is God-breathed”. Actually, I’ve never thought about this before…CAN you be a Christian and believe the Bible is fallible, that Christ was a sinner? Probably not.
Glennon, I implore you to read Ann Voskamp’s blog, A Holy Experience. It’s the only blog I read (someone told me about the whack a mole post here, and I was dismayed to find these before I made it the other). I guess the whole idea of blogging and facebooking and tweeting is bizarrely self seeking to me. But Ann’s is different, she rarely talks about herself. She exaults and praises the Lord the whole time. You asked the readers if they thought you were Christian. Honestly it’s hard to tell. It shouldn’t be hard to tell. Read Ann, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that she is a Christian.
Mark my words: In thirty to forty years we’ll be having this same debate about pedophilia.,
I have marked your words,but I don’t need to wait thirty or forty years. I already know that you are wrong!
That sort of statement strikes me as very sensationalist and on some level disingenuous. I don’t believe that deep down inside, you believe rape of any kind, particularly of a child is synonymous or even in the same ball park as two consenting adults having sex. If you do honestly believe they are similar, please take a moment to carefully and logically consider the two actions. Apply rigorously honesty and you will have to admit that they are very different!
This is not a subjective point of view. There is a very clear distinction between two people consenting to sexual activity and one more powerful person forcing sexual violence on another unwilling person, particularly a child. I can not in good conscience sit by while this sort of comparison is drawn. It is abominable and I believe it needs to be pointed out as simply untrue!
I am not saying that you are purposefully being false, however, what you said is untrue and misleading. Many people have said the same thing and I believe most have simply accepted the analogy at face value, without taking the time to stop and consider exactly how disingenuous it actually is.
I did read the blog you referred Glennon to and based on what I saw, you are correct, she is a Christian. I can say without any doubt, however, that Glennon is also a Christian.
There seem to be two distinct schools of Christianity these days. One focuses on a literal interpretation of the Bible and the other focuses on the teachings of Christ as in, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.” There are also a few people who fall into both camps, but they seem to be a small minority.
The minister, who Glennon referred to in her response to Jared strikes me as a “Christian” from the first group. One who is interested in having a following, in being right, in having his ego stroked. He uses scripture to spread hate and to undermine the teachings of Christ.
From my perspective, Glennon can easily lay claim to the mantle of Christianity over that man and any of his ilk.
We will NOT be having this same conversation about pedophiles in the future. That is a separate topic and just be aware, it is shameful to equate the two! I know you are better than that.
The thing is, there are actually a LOT of Christians – good, God-fearing, passionate Christians – who do not believe that the Bible is inerrant. Especially not in English, after its been translated and edited and modified by hundreds of people. But disagreeing about a part of our faith does not give us the right to accuse someone else of not having any. See, Momastery is about allowing everyone a safe place to work out their own ideas and beliefs and challenge each other in respectful ways to learn and grow. We will never all agree on anything, but that doesn’t mean we can’t love and respect each other.
.love.
Excellent points Rachael…particularly when you pause to ask which English version of the bible?
My wife’s grandfather had a lot to say on this topic, he was a Methodist minister and later a Unitarian Minister. He also studied the Dead Sea Scrolls and published a book, The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Oh gosh, this will never be a debate. Two consenting adults engaging in sexual activity, whether you believe it is a sin or not, will NEVER be the same as an adult forcing himself on a child. A CHILD. For you to compare this happening to Chase is a very sad thing for me to hear. Glennon is a friend of mine, one that I am so proud to have years before this blog was even a thought. Maybe you don’t agree, but please respect the environment she has created here and don’t bring her son into such a sordid comparison. I hope you can find some peace in this world. I think telling someone else they aren’t a Christian seems like the worst thing a CHRISTIAN can do. Would Jesus go around saying that? Instead of trying to knock someone down, I think Jesus approached with love and kindness.
Glennon –
A friend shared this article with me earlier today: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stan-duncan/my-mothers-friends_b_1572250.html?ref=religion. The quote from the Baptist preacher at the end of the article really resonated with me, particularly in light of the discussions spurred by these posts:
“I’ve been encouraged by the words of a Baptist preacher friend from Dallas who once told me that when he dies and stands before St. Peter at the pearly gates, and he hears a list of his lifetime’s sins, he expects to hear a long list. But when all is said and done, he said he would much rather be judged for being too open minded than too closed. ‘If I’m going to make a mistake,’ he said, ‘I suspect God would rather it be a mistake of loving too many people into the kingdom than too few.’”
As always, love your posts and insights.
I am a “before” follower — long before the Carpe Diem post. Love Glennon, love her blog, love the way she helps me look at parenting, at life. Do NOT love the way this blog had become a battle ground for religious politics. It turns me off. 100% Glennon is “on the right side of history.” Willing to stake my life that one day those who are homophobic, for whatever reason or [religious] rationalization they give, will be proven to be just one more category of bigots. But can we just stop the arguing? Stop trying to convince one another either way? Glennon, you had a post long ago about remaining quiet. Not arguing the same old argument…can you repost? And hang in there. You are “right.” As are we all.
I’m with you on this one Glennon. Way to stand up for what you believe in. I love that you “err on the side of love and inclusion”. We all should. The world would be a better place. You’ve gained another reader, even if you lost some…
I struggle so much with my new Christian faith. So many rules, regulations, and how does it pertain to today. One of my best friends is gay. He would do anything for me and why oh why would I push him asided? Why would Jesus put him in my life? Or anyone for that matter…or anyTHING? My choices may not be right for you, or him, or her, but Jesus gave us – US. Who we are, what we do, and who we are friends with.
So…if I believe, then I don’t see the problem.
I’m so confused.
Glennon…thank you for your eloquent words. I could only home to bring my faith into my writing the way you do.
Be RADiant –
Selena
G –
I love you so much, and I’ve struggled with these postings for a couple of days. I had sincerely considered not commenting, but I think I need to.
As an “evangelical” “born-again” christian (not thrilled with titles, but wanted everyone to know where I was coming from), I know that the Bible is inerrant and God-breathed. As such His word stands above popularity and all other authority as the only true answer to any question. The Bible, cannot contradict itself, because it comes from a perfect and holy God who cannot contradict Himself. The Bible says that homosexuality is a sin, both in the old and new testaments. This is hard for me, because I love gay people, many of whom have played significant roles in my life, so I wish that this truth in scripture was not so. Regardless, I am not God, so it’s not up to me. I know that God is holy, just and loving however, so I can trust in the fact that even when I don’t understand it, God has a good reason for the things he requires.
For the record, I’m not insensitive to the price of obeying God. I loved a man who was not a christian, so I was unable to marry him, because it’s a sin to marry an unbeliever. Additionally, as an unmarried woman, I am required to be abstinant (kill me now!), so in addition to not being married to the man I love, I also can’t have sex. So I get it, the price of following Christ is very high, and Christ is the one and only way to the Father. I would like to point out that christians never seem to attack unmarried sex or adultery the way they attack gay sex, and there is no difference between these in scripture.
Now let me speak to the other “evangelical born-agains” on here…We christians love not only to be right, but also to prove others wrong. I agree with Craig whole-heartedly that if a child is in the street at risk of being run over, we scream to save them, we don’t whisper politely, but it’s the INTENT OF OUR HEARTS THAT PEOPLE HEAR. Some on here (like Craig in my opinion) are simply attempting to defend scripture and share the truth of God’s Word for the saving of many souls. But others of you have taken tremendous pleasure it would seem in trying to prove why everyone else is wrong. That is not a pure motive and is a shameful example of the character of Christ, and you should confess that both to God and on this blog.
Anyways, I love you all (christians, atheists, gay, straight, etc.). Please know that this was written with the gentlest spirit that I could muster.
Stacy
Dear Stacy H.,
While I disagree with your conclusions about the Bible being the word of God or infallible, I have to say that I really appreciate your warm response to this post. I am very saddened to hear that you feel you can’t marry the man you love, but truth be told, I admire you deeply.
I feel there is a general lack of conviction in this country with regards to our personal values and you display the kind of personal conviction that I strive to live by.
Thank you for sharing yourself so honestly and with such kindness and obvious love. I do believe you when you write that you love all homosexuals, Christians, atheists, etc…
I think that your comment here is exemplary of the kind of communication that is necessary for humanity to find a way forward. As is Glennon’s post! Here is a link to a sermon I wrote on this topic and which I delivered on May 20th in Taos, NM:
I don’t like your motives …well, not the ones I’ve decided you have!
Thanks Mike, I’ll be sure to check out the sermon.
Blessings,
Stacy
I disagree with you, strongly, but I appreciate the kindness with which you wrote. I am not a christian, and so I find this topic so incredibly hard to fathom–the notion of this true belief and “knowledge” that to be gay is a sin and wrong in God’s eyes.
This is a really interesting Christian sermon that I love, regarding the issue of whether or not being gay is “right”: http://burkepreschurch.org/sermonblog/?p=32
Further, the bible does contradict itself, many times. There are multiple creation stories, for example. I agree with you–God’s word is infallible. But people are fallible. And people wrote the New Testament, beginning years, parts of it decades, after Jesus’ death.
Anyway, be well.
Sister Stacy,
Thank you for sharing your opinion kindly. While I disagree with your conclusions, I greatly appreciate the gentleness and respect with which you wrote them. We are all charged with working out our own salvation, and I believe you will reap great rewards from honoring the convictions you have. Just as I believe Glennon will reap great rewards for honoring the calling that was placed on her heart to speak out on behalf of people who happen to be gay.
.love.
It is a hill I am willing to die on too. And if, by some chance I died on it along with my husband there is an amazing man who would pick up his life and move over a thousand miles to raise a rebellious 14 year old boy and an 11 year old girl with special needs. And he would give up his life for me, for my children. Because he knows it is what God called him to do. And he was the only boy allowed in my room while I was growing up…God made him just the way he is…a beautiful, loving, smart, funny, wise, strong gay man. AND I TRUST HIM WITH MY BABIES. More than any other person God has put on this earth. And I am quite certain Jesus is just fine with him.
Glennon — I am a pastor of an ‘open and affirming’ congregation in California. And you can preach in my church anytime you want!
Thank you for what you do, and what you say. And, most importantly, for who you are.
Grace and peace,
~russ
Wow Russ! That is fantastic! kudos to you!
Though I’m not a Christian or a theist, one of my favorite churches is Glide Memorial in the San Francisco mission district.
All my best to you!
Glennon,
Thought you might be interested in this article about a book written by a Catholic nun on the topic of sexual ethics. It is, of course, receiving criticism from the Vatican. Here’s a quote from the article:
“She refused, explaining in letters to Rome that the book was not intended to represent Church teachings but rather help readers move beyond a reflexive “taboo morality” and think through sexual ethics in the context of justice, wisdom and love.”
Her message reminded me of you. Here’s the link to the article:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47677809/ns/today-books/
Those who tell the truth are always labeled heretical by the power elite.
Glennon – I like what you said about being on the right side of history. Atticus Finch stood on the right side of history. I can’t imagine better company to keep.
You keep writing; I’ll keep reading.
Thank you, Glennon. Again, and again, and again.
I just wanted you to know that whenever I find the time to sit and read your blog, it touches me in a place I need, right when I need it.
This was beautiful and heartwarming.
Thank you for you.
What a wonderful post about God’s love and your love. Thank you for standing up for your beliefs and standing up for those disenfranchised from the traditional christian church. Luckily there are many straight allies in the faith community and outside of it.
I’m skipping past all the other comments (cause I don’t have the stomach for all the bickering). I just want to say thank you, Glennon. For continually sharing your honesty, your take on things, your heart. You challenge me, and make me think long after I finish reading your posts. You stoke embers in me that have been smoldering for a long time. I believe we love the same God, but he sounds bigger when you talk about him. My picture of him seems to involve a lot of arm-folding and eyebrow-lifting. But your picture of him seems to be smiling and twirling with joy and loving. So I keep reading. Because I’m intrigued. And I love the community of women here.
The amount of guts, and deep breathing exercises, and humility it took to write this letter is amazing.
Thank you.
Emily, I love your phrasing: “I believe we love the same God, but he sounds bigger when you talk about it.” Those are words for me to return to again and again.
sorry for the typo: “when you talk about him,” I meant to type.
Hope you’re hanging in there Glennon. Some of these comments are terrible. Loves to you.
Holy crap!!! I was afraid for you after reading this post and so admire you for your courage and faith. I saw a man walking down a busy street the other day. He was wearing a hand painted shirt that said in huge messy letters LOVE IS GOD. It reminded me of why I turn to your words Glennon.
Christian…..you have something in common with the infamous Christian Grey, in that you are Fifty Shades of fucked up as well. I am shocked at your obesession with tryng to prove your point and your relentless act of pushing your beliefs on other readers. No one is forcing you to read this particular blog…if it is not for you….move on Christian….move on!
Who is this aimed at? All Christians, or a particular Christian who posted here? I am a Christian. I often disagree with Glennon. I love coming here because I love that although we disagree, I rarely feel judged for what I believe, and I hope Glennon or others do not feel judged by me. It is meant to be an open loving discussion, I thought. Even though I do not always agree with Glennon, I respect her, I learn from her. I think she is smart and honest. I pray for her journey.
Erin,
We don’t attack each other here. That’s not what Momastery is about. If you’re not comfortable here, if you don’t derive some benefit from participating in this community, then don’t come. We are all trying very very hard not to be jerks, trying to love each other and love ourselves and learn and grow. These kind of hateful, mean-spirited comments help no one.
You are awesome and I loved these two posts. Thank you for writing these and being such a positive person in this world where the negativity definitely tries to get us all down. I hope that I live my life erring on the side of love and inclusion as you have written about.
It truly breaks my heart to read through all of the comments and see how Christians are behaving, but then I look in the Bible and understand why Jesus had to keep reteaching the Disciples the same concepts over and over. We are just like them. We don’t get His truths, we don’t understand His ways, and we take Scripture, quote it, and turn it into something He probably didn’t mean. We don’t listen. And the most heart breaking thing is that we HATE those that aren’t like us, that don’t have our same opinions, instead of truly open our eyes and ears to see the beautifully unique minds that God gifted each person with.
In the Gospels the Disciples were absolutely disgusted by the prostitute, the leper, the whiny man who wanted healing to come to his already dead child, etc etc etc. We hate what we don’t know. We hate when we think we are better than someone else. And it just has to stop!
G, I might not be of the exact opinion of the Godly view on homosexuals yet (still working on what I believe, to be completely honest!), but I LOVE LOVE LOVE how you chose to love and how you respected every single nice and mean comment on YOUR space. This is your www home and yet you invite any and all to come in here, make themselves comfie, and express how they feel. That alone speaks VOLUMES of your character.
I’m a work in progress. I’m having a hard time figuring out what a Godly opinion is like on a lot of topics and my opinions are often flawed by my own blinders, but I’m working on loving any and all persons no matter what their life decisions and opinions are. That’s what Jesus taught me. That’s what I long to be able to do.
What an inspiration you are to me in this time of work in my own life. Thank you for facing hurtful comments head-on and still choosing to love.
Amen!
SISTER ON!!!!
Well if you’re a regular reader of this blog you will easily be able to tell that this post was not link bait. It was a continuation of things that had already been said before. And let’s face it..out of all the blogs being written…is Momastery desperate for link bait? PUHLEEZE. This is a popular blog already. So I highly doubt there will be hot topic/link bait posts being written for the sake of it. But this is an example of how some people will always question your intentions. And that’s sad. Especially when the gay community already has enough darts being thrown at them. Do they also need to question the supporters they DO have? No…just entertain the possibility that sometimes people say what they mean and mean what they say. With no ulterior motive. It’s sad that we live in a world where this doesn’t happen often enough and it leaves us wondering who is authentic. So just FYI…this one is. Genuine through and through. I can say that b/c I’ve been reading long enough to do so
Since Glennon and I have made our peace it’s time for the rest of you to follow our lead.
My reply was written before I saw this post. I don’t always read through the comments before commenting. So you got my 2 cents anyway lol…sorry
G,
I’ve been reading your blog for about a year, and I think it (and you!) are fabulous. In a world where religion (not God) can be so divisive, you articulate a message of love and acceptance. I am also a Christian, but my mind and heart cannot reconcile the messages of hate spoken in the name of Jesus towards the gay community and Jesus’s explicit commandment to love one another.
Yes, I acknowledge the Bible specifically prohibits homosexual behavior. But the Bible also condones slavery (Leviticus 24, Exodus 21, Ephesians 6, and 1 Timothy 6), something I think we can all agree is morally reprehensible and has no place in this world. The context under which the Bible was written and the culture of that time DOES matter, not just the literal words.
God bless you G, keep spreading your message of love. It may not be well received by all, but it is by many. Your bravery is noted and appreciated!
LOL
So this was the verse of the day in my email:
Proverbs 15:1
A sensitive answer turns back wrath, but an offensive word stirs up anger.
Seemed fitting.
Well, I’m a little late to the party. Was anyone else as offended by Christopher’s lack of grammar and punctuation as I was? Even the BIBLE uses periods to end a thought and begin another.
All I will say is this: You think you know, but you have NO IDEA.
Glennon is the definition of love. PERIOD.
See how I used punctuation to let you know I was finished with my thought?
LOL Sarah, I posted a request for him to use spell check. One of the few things he chose to ignore and not argue over.
LOL- can we call the grammar police on his blasphemy of the English language??
So I’ve been reading your blog for several months and have been shy to comment. When it comes to this issue, I cannot sit by the sidelines and watch you take so much (virtual) abuse …thank you for your post- I firmly believe that people who make those ridiculous statements obviously don’t know anyone personally that is gay and that it is pure ignorance and hatred that they spew forth. I have relatives that are gay and I just cringe when people make such statements…. Thank you again!
People like Christopher are the reason I’m Atheist. Because for all the loving, wonderful Christians like Glennon in the world, they still have to be vastly out numbered by the turds in the punch bowl.
Welcome Erin!!
Just so you know you’ve entered a wonderful place -we’ve been meeting here for four years- (is it 4 now?) and we have over 30k followers- and this is the FIRST time we’ve ever had to apply the bully amendment.
Pretty amazing, dontcha think?
So glad to have you.
I was going end with God Bless you but for you, I shall change it to MAY THE UNIVERSE BLESS YOU TODAY!!!!
Love G
Thanks, Glennon! I’ve actually been reading here for several months now and regardless of our differing view points on religion, I find what you do for families in need is spectacular! Also – your loving and tolerating point of view as a Christian, is refreshing.
So, I guess I was just commenting on the fact that it seems no matter how great things can be, there is always at least that one person who has to go and ruin it all (or at the very least try, and in the process cause an uproar).
I wish people would worry more about their own salvation and leave the worrying of others to an ‘each their own’ point of view. Whether that means an Atheist or from one Christian to another!
I think it’s been 3 years. You started the blog in July 2009…that’s three years. You really are a left brainer aren’t you?:)
I meant right brainer…sorry, I am a left brainer:)
Lovies.
We have an amended rule. At Momastery- EVERYONE IS INVITED. But you only get, like, 15 chances to be a civil guest.Then you are sweetly escorted off the premises, to practice kindness more.
Love,
G
And to all the worried Monkees. I promise I am just fine. My feelings are hurt, I feel a little wounded and persecuted and attacked. But then I remind myself about how some of my gay friends I’m writing about feel everyday, and I tell myself to quit whining.
Also, Bubba tells me to quit whining, too.
LOVE YOU ALL.
“I am not afraid, I was born for this.”
JOArc
I vote YES for the amendment! We are trying not to be jerks, and that’s hard enough as it is without having jerkiness rubbed in our faces repeatedly!
Thanks for the update on your “just fine” self. I am sorry for your hurt feelings, I really am. I am also a shell-less one, and can imagine how some of these comments must have you aching. I hope you will sleep well knowing that you have done much good and there are sooooo many who love you. Feel better.
Truly thankful for this amendment to the rules! Praying your enormous heart is healed and the Lymies leave you alone. Love you G. Have a blessed rest of the weekend with your littlest and Craig (with his awesome abs)!
15 chances are more than enough, that’s a great amendment. Well done G! And thanks for reassuring us. We worry, it’s just what we do.
So glad you are able to find something positive in all this : )
I’m wondering if it might be helpful to have someone volunteer to be the moderator here for these “discussions” to help ensure no one is overtaking the spirit of this place. A Monkee Code of Conduct couldn’t hurt either for those new to the sight who may not be aware of how things roll here.
I think I’ll be able to sleep better tonight.
Respectfully,
shannon
I volunteer!
Yay. Excellent choice. Glad you are feeling supported yet working through feelings while setting boundaries;) I hear wisdom and am also relieved that bullying and such will not be extensive ( hopefully)
Rest well. I love being a witness to your journey. Thank you.
Glennon,
You are awesome! I too am sorry for the hurt feelings and wounding.
Hopefully it will fade quickly and you can view it from a place deep inside
of complete peace, where you see all of this as not really towards you at all,
but about the other person and what they are struggling with.
I love the “practice kindness more” part.
Carry on!
ahhh…I started reading at the bottom and made my way up to this! LOL I’ve responded to Christopher a couple of times, but see he won’t be responding back! Which is probably good.
But, though I’m an atheism with a spiritual bent in life, this was my most recent response and I’ll stand by it:
meek (mk)
adj. meek·er, meek·est
1. Showing patience and humility; gentle.
2. Easily imposed on; submissive.
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
There was nothing in my reading of Christopher’s comments that indicated anything like meek. I have come to believe that certitude is the enemy of meek and the antithesis of humility. Folks, I have a request, please don’t belittle people for their poor spelling and punctuation, even if they are being bullies like Christopher. It reminds me of this quote from Martin Luther King Junior, which I quoted in a sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Santa Fe on the topic of class:
“Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
I feel so happy to stumble upon this blog post today. I have gotten into a fairly heated debate on someone else’s Facebook page this week about this exact topic and I have been arguing exactly what you lay out here. It is so refreshing to find someone else who believes this way, as I know there are many out there, but it is not easy to come out and say so when you are sure to receive some pretty heated backlash. Thank you for being so brave as this needs to be heard as a part of the “It Gets Better” conversation. Thank you and bless you!
Welcome Lisa!!
Ugh. I can’t even read through all of the comments. I pray for your ability to let it all wash right on over you. Most of us keep our views to ourselves because the fear of the condemnation I’m seeing right here. Honestly, I’m feeling more and more brave right along with you sister. Rock on.
I cant Even read through it all, its just so much- but I’ve read far enough to ask: Is anyone else Praying for Christopher? I sure am! Bless your heart Christopher. Glennon- don’t be upset, but I’m not praying for you this time, cause to me its pretty clear here who really needs a prayer or two, or 17. You- Glennon, need a Warrior High Five for just being so wicked awesome. Really. You know besides a cure for Lyme, I mean. Thanks for sharing your heart and your journey <3
Has anyone heard the phrase “Stop feeding the Trolls!”?? This guy is a troll, and feeds off of your responses to him. Ignore him and move on. Glennon, your words were shared with love, honesty, and a caring heart. Lean on those who care about you and your work here and ignore the rest.
its true Tammy! Sometimes even though we see the sign, “don’t feed the bears” don’t you still just want to sneak him some popcorn and watch what happens? I think that’s whats happening here…
“Don’t feed the trolls” is spot-on advice. It’s a shame that it has to be invoked here, but there it is.
Amen G- when god said we should love one another as he had loved us I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean for us to leave anyone off the list:)
I love the quote ” all it takes for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing” to me your words are a stand against doing nothing. Your very brave to let your words go out as they need to knowing there will be hater. I can’t stop the haters but I do stand beside you in my own quiet way.
Thankyou for being one who shines light n love.
I applaud you, Glennon, for courageously sharing your truth and creating a safe space where others can, as well. I may not always agree with you or other commenters, but I can say I have been strengthened in my own faith by the thought-provoking responses, even those for which I disagree. I particularly am moved by your “briniging into the circle” Christopher. He seems so hateful and confused and insecure, yet something was drawing him to participate in this discourse. That is a powerful thing. Those who seek true religious strength and insight are willing to GRACIOUSLY walk through forests outside their comfort zones in order to strenghthen their beliefs. I can only hope that Christopher can open his heart and mind enough to accept this wonderful opportunity to help strengthen his belief so that he can offer up his opinions in discourse in a constructive way instead of turning people way with his insecurity.
wrong. im not hateful im not insecure and im not confused. That is what glennon is and she speaks a couple versus of scripture then sneaks in her own meanings and teachings. That according to the bible which again is the literal written word of god is not allowed. God will say that you will not use my words to spread yuor own teachings and your own meanings. if this it what you want to do then dont ever use my name. Its wrong to for glennon to question god. You cant accept christ into your heart then say so i like this part of the bible but this other part not so much so let me telll you how it goes. Wrong! if you accept christ then you ask no questions becuase there are questions to ask. the bible is again the literal word of god so how could it be wronghow could there be some hiden meaning or some sort of undertone. There is none it is written exactly how god wanted it to be written and you try teach his word for your own benifits then your not speaking gods laguage. you can tbring me into a circle that would use gods name in vein. wont happen im secure in my faith in christ that any who would speak gods word and try to manipulate it is is a false prophet. Glennon is a false prophet again she quotes a couple of versus and then goes ok now listen to my words. Sorry it doesnt work that way. you speak gods words and only gods words or else your telling lies and trying to hide from the truth and trying to get people to believe what you would believe. i dont say believe me i say believe god. Believe only God read the bible and understand that it is hiw written word and his written word says only if you accpet christ as your savior can you be saved. Christ is the only way to think that there is some other meaning or way to heaven is wrong. if christ is leading the way and your questioning any of his teachins then your not really walking with christ.
Can’t everyone see this guy is getting off on this? It’s all mental masturbation – don’t help him get off, just walk away.
Haha! Mike for vice president!
I agree, Mike. My comment was directed at Glennon and meant to be a shout out for her courage.
I know… just hoping to spare some people a lot of time when reading the guy below you… he’s been going at it with whomever will take him on, and I’d hate to see him suck anyone else in.
Glennon,
Lovie are you okay? I wouldn’t be after all the hurtful things that have been thrown at you. Don’t let their anger hurt you or make you upset. You just worry about getting better and remember there are thousands of monkees who love you we might not always agree with everything you say but we don’t have to as long as we respect each other. Hang in there sweet monkee mama you snuggle with craig and the kiddos have sister give you a big ol hug and you can rub that beautiful baby bump of hers. Love on your puppy and remember you are kind, you are smart, you are important and mostly YOU ARE LOVED BEYOND MEASURE! I worry about your health and have been praying for you to get better my son Alex reminds me when I forget. Please just know that honestly these people as angry as they are truly are worried about your soul and other peoples souls and are just not going about it the right way. I am pretty sure God can take care of it but they seem to think it is their problem. Promise you will just rest and pray and drink some fabulous coffee and go outside and see the beauty God created for us. Love you to bits and I am thinking about you and praying for you!!!!!!!
Your right Tricia it is gods job. The bible does say that as Christians we are to hold one another accountable for our actions and words we speak. So that’s what I’m doing I’m saying glenonn stop! Stop what you are doing because your not doing it for the glory god your speaking the gospel truth your twisting the words and meanings and in the end if you don’t stop and you don’t. Hangs your ways you will end up in hell. Glenonn is out to spread her word and gods rather she uses faith to ster up false truths abot god. She calls Christ a gay poor black women not to to teach but invoke controversy and strip up false testimony in the name of god. When she made the decision to use scripture( gods literal word) and put a twit on it she have Satan just another way to spread lies. She is a false prophet she uses gods laguage in an ungodly way. glenonn is not a christian.
Thanks Christopher. We’ve got it now. Your message is loud and clear. Your job is done.
what’s wrong this a great discussion. Don’t shy away from it. If you choose to use scripture then you choose to speak gods laguage and his literal word. if you choose this the. You choose to spread groped truth, so do so and don’t use ridiculous topics like what if god is a gay black women…… Oh no she didn’t! That’s choosing to question gods word and to do so is blasphemous. Dont quote scripture if you don’t want to hear all it’s truths!! both good and the bad. You cant hide from gospel truth thats why you are so quick to try and push me away. Because I’m not talking about me I’m talking scripture and I’m talking about exposing are sins and again it’s so very hard for people to adimit all other sin. it’s so very hard for people to admit that they are wrong and god is right. people like glenonn have to hide behind colorful ugly ungodly words so that they don’t have to admit not to me not to you but to god that they broken and want Christ to lead them to salvation. I’ve been there for many a years I surrounded myself bushes and camo because I thought I could hide for god but guess what I can’t hide he always knows what I’m doing. So choose to say ” ok god you got me Im not perfect I don’t know the way and I would like Christ to go ahead and take over.” use me to do you work Christ and use me for the glory of god. that’s all that matters.
“Beyond the ideas of right doing and wrongdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” Rumi.
Christopher, thank you for sharing that you, too, have struggled in your life to find your way to God. I ask that you consider again, that perhaps why so many of us here have felt your words “angry” and condemning and hateful is because, here, where Glennon is so openly sharing her own struggles and questions and journey to God, you chose rather to try to shut her down, to block her path, to shame her, rather than simply to share your own journey, your own lessons learned. I feel your softening, and I appreciate it. Maybe if you shared your own story, we could better understand why you are so passionate in your message. And maybe, just maybe, you could realize that by telling Glennon she is not a Christian, you are not helping another soul on her journey, just showing how far you have yet to go in your own journey. That too is an opportunity if you chose to see it that way. I have two children to care for, a house to clean, laundry to do and yet, here I am, still responding to you. That is why I must end this conversation. I have to fulfill my own responsibilities and leave you to yours. All the best in this life.
I, I, I. That’s all you said in this comment. I have to go do my duties. Again you prove my point. go do gods duties go and teach his word that’s what it’s all about. thats all I’m saying and keep saying. and again your walk with Christ is not about questioning his words and trying to find out what he really means. Umm no the bible is again the literal word of GOD. you have yet to give praise to god and only god you simply try to defend glenonns misguided view and say its ok for her to question gods word. I say no it is not!! It is not ok to question his word to do so is a sin. Al glory belongs to Christ that’s all I’m saying stop focusing on anything other than. Gods grace Gods glory thats it. You have not done that you praise glenonn and you thank her for questioning gods word you show no signs of speaking about god you simply say stop Christopher you can’t its ok if glenonn questions the word of the one true living god. I say again no it is not ok!
My husband (a fairly theologically conservative pastor) and I say this often and did again after reading many of the comments to several of these blogs . . . I think there is a good chance a lot of Christians are going to be shocked, confused, disappointment and even angry when they enter into the presence of Christ and see some of the other souls standing beside them. We are such small monkees. Our hearts and minds are not big enough to fully understand how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. I am of the belief that the umbrella of Christ’s love will cover more than we can imagine. I look forward to the day when we are all redeemed and restored to Christ . . . whatever that means, however that looks.
grace and peace
I love this Sarah! Thanks for sharing this
Dear Glennon and Monkees,
We are ALL humans, born into sin, with a heart to run towards sin… a heart that was born sinful. We are not good by nature. Not at all. The Bible says that “none are righteous, not even one.” God is righteousness and through Jesus we can enter into His grace and His righteousness covers our sin. We can do nothing on our own to take care of the sin. It is ONLY through the blood of Jesus. There is something very “suicidal” about saying that you have turned away from the faith or are “atheist” because of the Christians who’ve disappointed you or wounded you or offended you. Why would you ever look to another human to prove the awesomness and perfect love of God? It simply isn’t possible. We humans, even the most godly, will make great mistakes and hurt others because God’s grace doesn’t make us sinless; just redeemed. And the words “love” and “hate” are subjective. I know that Christopher is not a very popular guy and he probably hasn’t won many over for Christ here, but think about it this way… Lets just say that Glennon is dying of cancer and she is going to a fortune teller to find out what she should do about it and the fortune teller is saying, “Accept it for what it is and love it away. Cross your fingers and do a little dance around the fire at twilight. Think only good thoughts and do good deeds and it will go away.” Then let’s use Christopher as the doctor. He comes along and hears what the fortune teller is saying and he gets really mad because he knows, from experience bc he used to have cancer too, that this fortune teller is doing more harm than good. So he pushes Glennon away from this deceiver and tells her to come with him. He sits her down and he says very passionately, “Glennon, you have to endure surgery and this really painful round of medications that will make you so sick and your hair will fall out and you will feel like you’re going to die, but It’s the only way. In the end you will be healed and you will be thankful for the trial. God will use it to draw you closer to Him in a way that nothing else ever could and you will be whole.” All the while there is a crowd of strangers who have gathered around and they don’t like this mean guy because he wants for their friend Glennon (who they don’t really know) to endure pain and they call him hateful because his plan is harsh and it doesn’t sound very graceful and it’s controversial. They throw stones at him for delivering the not-so-good news. So he rebuttles back and on and on it goes. That’s exactly what’s going on here.
Glennon, I know that you want to spread love and peace, but true peace is not gonna happen here in this lifetime on this sinful planet. We are living through a continuous spiritual battle that is not ours. It’s God’s battle and He’s already victorious. Have you heard the phrase, “We’re not home yet”? He has gone to prepare a place for us. This isn’t where the children of God belong. It is Satan’s playground. He is the Father of lies and he disguises himself as an angel of light. When the antichrist comes, he will bring with him the message of peace and MANY will follow him because of his wonderfully attractive message. But it is a trap. Read the Bible. It is full of revelations for us. Stop looking to Glennon for the answers of love and peace, Monkees! It’s not here. Everything we need is in 66 books. I challenge every last one of you to read it in it’s entirety. Stop trying to “read into” it and interpret it. Just take it for what it says. God did not design it for us wee humans to interpret. he simply left it as a map for us to find Him. If you seek HIM with ALL your heart out of humility you WILL find Him. It’s a promise from God himself, repeated over and over and over again!!! This life is a journey and no one has arrived yet. There is no Christian worthy of the sacrifice of the cross. There is no Christian who has all the answers. There is no sinless Christian. So please, Atheists, stop looking at the sinners. Look to our awesome God! He made the heavens and the earth. He formed you perfectly in your mothers womb. He has plans for your life! Stop feasting on the buffett of lies. Jesus is not going to come back as a gay woman. That is blasphemous Glennon. Truly. Why go to such extremes? I admit that many so-Christians do a bad job at setting an example of love and grace but it’s hard to sit back nicely and watch you lead the naive flock right off the cliff. These Monkees are all so trusting of you Glennon. Are you sure you’re leading them down the right path? Are you 100% sure? Because you will be held accountable to those whom you teach. “James 3:1 “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement.”
When you say such mocking things you are spitting in Christ’s face. It is so unloving of you Glennon. See? It goes both ways, doesn’t it? This controversy will never be resolved here in this lifetime.
I agree that we should all be loving and respectful, but what is loving to one may be considered hate to another… and so forth and so on… Which one of us is “right”? Who defines right and wrong? Only God. Not us humans. Our hearts are full of deceit.
And to comment on what Sarah said above… I used to believe the same thing but scripture leads me to believe that the opposite is true. “…Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” ~Matthew
“Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded YOU, to love the LORD (not man) your God and walk in all HIS (not mans) ways and keep HIS (not mans) commandments and hold fast to HIM (not man) and serve HIM (not man) with all your heart and with all your soul.”
~Joshua 22:5
Lovingly,
Rebecca
Rebecca,
Thank you for taking the time to explain this so wonderfully. I am again reminded to seek God (not man) for truth and grace. I need daily reminding to put my faith completely in Him.
Thank you
Oh dear Rebecca, I am so sorry you live in such a horrible place.
In reading through some of the multitude of comments on this and the previous post, I am struck by the amount of scripture verses people are throwing out. And I am reminded again that there is a verse in the Bible to support just about anything, and how circular it can become when people are making a point using scripture verses. “But look at this verse” (it supports what I think or feel or believe), “no you look at THIS verse”, (because it supports what I think or feel or believe). And, as always, people assume they have the inside track on God’s will and who/what/where God is, they are interpreting it the correct way, etc. etc. Some focus on the message of love, some focus on a vengeful God, some focus on the laws, some focus on what it says (or they think it says) about homosexuality. Some look at is as a collection of poems, parables, stories, food for thought, some take it literally. What an amazing book it is, to be able to stir up so many thoughts and feelings and ways of interpreting. And sadly, can also stir up self-righteousness, wars, fights and exclusion.
Well I won’t pretend I have the ability to understand God. Or to make sense of all that is said in the Bible. As Glennon said in a response to someone, we all pick and choose, and I think we do that because it is very contradictory in many ways. No human, I think, is capable of really knowing what is being said in the Bible, well, because we aren’t God!
When I read Glennon, what I find most refreshing is she doesn’t say “I know this for sure”. She says that this is what makes says to her, this is what her heart tells her it is saying, this is how she makes sense of something that can be very very difficult to make sense of.
As the mother of a beautiful, kind, beloved child of God lesbian daughter, I can only say that for whatever reason, I am glad that I never believed anyone but God made her just as she is. That I never thought or believed she would be damned, or was a sinner, or was an abomination. It must be very hard for those who do believe that to have a child or other loved one who is gay. I’m not going to use Bible verses to explain or support why I believe what I do. It just comes from my heart. And I am reminded of the time, when she was a little girl, and we were in Mass one day, and we were listening to scripture reading. It was about where we can find Jesus. And she tapped my arm, and whispered in my ear, as she was pointing at her heart, “this is where Jesus lives, right mom?” Yes, my darling girl, yes, that’s what I believe.
Geri for president!
Hear hear!
Amen sister.
WARNING: There is a person using this platform as a pulpit and he is taking up a lot of time energy and love that at this point I am sad to say it all feels wasted.
I am feeling like it is time for me to turn away from the “accident” on the side of the road and get back on track. LOVE. Love. LOVE. Love. Understanding. Respectful communication.
Love you Glennon. I will not allow someone to bury your message with his darkness. Your light is still strong in my heart.
Respectful communication is speaking of all and only gods word and trying to making it your own. Accident on the side of the road wow for someone claims to love you sure turn away from people so very fast again. Again my point has been provin. Thank you unconditional love you can not have without Christ in your life. Because you and all the other monkeys fall a false Christ and fake prophet you will never know true and unconditional love. So once again glenonn you are not a Christian please stop calling yourself one because again you are not a Christian.
Excuse me and not trying to make it your own
Your viciousness is shocking, sir. And, quite frankly, people like you are why I have turned away from the ‘Church’. Your presumptuousness and righteousness indignation are NOT AT ALL Christ-like. They teach in Sunday School that to be a Christian you must believe that Christ was the son of God, that he was sent here to wipe away our sins, that he died on the cross to do so, and that he was resurrected and lives again for eternity with his Father in heaven. Children are taught that you must simply believe these truths, and then ask Jesus to come into your life, your heart, to live with you and walk with you forever. It is a fairly simple transaction, then, to become a Christian.
What happens after that…the way you live your life, the choices that you make, the way you represent yourself is between you and God. It is absolutely abhorrent to me that you would assume to know what is in someone else’s heart, that you could possibly understand someone else’s faith to the point where you could, with certainty, tell them that they are or are not a believer. You absolutely do not need to agree with someone else’s beliefs (much like you do NOT need to be reading and responding to this blog), but it does not do YOU, GOD, or the other person any good to lash out with such venom in an ‘attempt’ to rectify what you see as wrong. It’s not your job.
As I tell my preschoolers – “focus on yourself”. Make sure you’re doing right by your God, in your own life. Channel your energy on what you can control – which are only your own actions. And leave the rest of the judging and work to God. I’m pretty sure He can handle it without your interference.
I’m sure you think what you’re doing here is important. It’s not. If you’ll notice — you don’t have anybody bolstering your point of view. What does that tell you?! And, if you happen to read any of the other comments, you’ll see that not everyone agrees with Glennon. That’s the amazing thing about this blog. They don’t have to!! But they appreciate the spirit and the feeling with which her words are delivered, and they aren’t threatened by what she has to say — even when they clearly state “I disagree with Glennon on this point, or that point”.
I think everyone, including you and your blood pressure, would benefit if you chose to simply walk away from this ‘fight’. You are not bringing any new followers to Christ’s kingdom with what you’re doing. Just stop.
Sorry once again you prove my point. It’s not about self. It’s all about god. Only god is perfect and we are not. We can’t get to heaven on our own. We have to let Jesus lead the way only Jesus has the map to heaven. Again you are scared of truth how easy it is for you to turn away from the gospel truth not because of me. I have no power I’m not perfect only god is you hide from the bad and only want to see the pretty roses guess what roses are not perfect they have thorns that hurt when you touch them. I pray one day you have the chance to meet the real Christ on personal level and that you care the wron and error of your ways.
I love how you keep saying ‘sorry’ when you are clearly anything but. You never did address my question about what makes you qualified to make assertions about someone else’s faith or salvation. I agree that it’s all about each person’s relationship with God. On an individual basis. You don’t get to have a say on whether someone else is saved, or not.
Unconditional love, Christopher, does not include allowing a man to beat me for the sake of “tough love”. I hope you are not married and do not have children, for i fear the “tough love” you are imposing in the name of God. I can love you from afar, I can pray for your soul to find peace (and I do), but I will not sit here and take your abuse. Nor should anyone. I do love you, as I love murderers on death row. You are clearly unable to grasp the purpose of this blog, this community and this place of learning from one another. If you want to “teach” us all something, you must find humility first.
Your stuck in a box again you dont want to go through the dark tunnel to get to the light you try to go around it. You go from saying love love love to I hope you don’t have a wife and kids I fear you. Thats hate your getting upset because someone wants to expose sin for what it is, sin! Again it’s not about self it’s not about me it’s about Christ through me being the only way to heaven. I don’t have the words to preach god does. Christ is my driver I sit back and let him do all the work. it’s his job not mine. I know this because I am full of humility I am humble I do boost in my weakness and say see self is not perfect self has no direction self doesn’t have the map so Jesus take the wheel and drive I just want to be passenger a vessel for your word and your teachings and no one else’s. That’s why I speak up on this blog because the holy spirit through me helps me to recognize when gods word are being miss used and twisted and torn for self praise rather than for gods glory.
I do get that you are doing this for all the right reasons, Christopher. I do get that you believe you are doing right by God. I just ask you to consider, for a moment, what God asks of you. You are suggesting that we here are only seeing the Love side of God’s word, and not the vengeful side. That we are only seeing “roses” and not thorns. I would have to point out to you, that you are only seeing the thorns, and missing out on the roses. Perhaps, we could each find it in us to recognize both, for as you are trying to say (I think) without both, we do not represent the True message of Christ.
Your proving my point. You want me to stop talking about the thorns and only talk about the roses. this is not a place for both it’s a place to try and hide from the thorns guess what you can’t hide from. expose them talk about them so that you embrace all of god and all his love. don’t shy away from them. Everybody is asking me to stop commenting because they don’t want to deal with the thorns. Sorry but you can’t talk about love and only love. The only way to see true Christ godly love is to admit that there are thorns and god can wipe them away. Don’t be scared to talk about them. Tell me about one of your thorns and I’ll tell you about one of mine and then together we can grow in Christs words and together we can learn about true godly love. Let’s do that!
see my comment on your response in the above thread, so we are not going back and forth between two different places.
Hi Christopher, you sure like to stir the pot don’t you? You seem to be having fun making people feel uncomfortable. Curious though, because you really do remind me of someone, tell me about you. Tell me what is going on in your life? Anything fun? Anything good? Have you followed Glennon in the past? Just trying to see who you might be… care to spill?
Glennon, I am praying for you! You are stirring up much needed debate and are taking your fair share of criticism. Hang in there girl. There are FAR more supporters her than not. xooxoxo Blessings Girl!!
**here
Quite frankly, this post is not about God with Glennon, and her fabricated world. It’s about the facade she has created around herself. Interestingly, I am a devout Christian, however I support the gay community. But, what sends me into the stratosphere is that this blog is a continuation of self promotion around someone who has a knack for the pen, with a few troubles in the past, now turning to social technology to gain for herself through a faith message. I thought I read somewhere that this blog would never be for promotion? Yet, when Arianna comes knocking, she comes running (see Huffington Post deal). In all honesty the narcisisim of this person and her family is unbearable to me. The truest Christians I’ve known (and there have been many), speak with their actions – not with book deals, Husbands’ abs, photo Ops, and Huffington Post payments. My (Christian) Mother always taught me to be wary of those whose preach with fame and financial backing. I am quite certain this is no different. History usually repeats itself. More to come on the exposure, for those of you who are blind Monkeys. Maybe I am just an empty soul without faith, or maybe I am just right…
Oh Susanna! You haven’t done your homework! I’ve only been a fan/follower of Glennon’s blog for a few months, now, but I can tell you that she’d been writing for a lonnnng time before the rest of the world noticed. Go back and read about the how and why that she started writing. You might not be so quick to judge. There are many, many people in this world who get paid for writing their opinions. In books, magazines, newspapers — online and in speaking engagements. I’m even certain that there are lots of CHRISTIANS that you know and respect that get paid to speak and write!! Are they also narcissistic?You think that Billy Graham didn’t benefit financially from his life in the public eye? Glennon has a voice and, clearly, there are people who want to hear it (are you aware of how many people visit her website every day and read her posts that Arianna has so cleverly added to her website?!? It’s a staggering amount of people!!).
I’m sorry for you that you have missed the point here. This is supposed to be a place where people can share their opinions without judgement and using hurtful words like, “facade”, “self promotion” and “narcissism”. It’s unfortunate that you felt the need to be so harsh in your judgement of a person that, I’m guessing, you do not really know. I hope that you continue to read what Glennon has to say – maybe out of sheer curiosity – not so that your mind can be changed (although that would be lovely), but so that you might come to understand why so many of us are drawn to what she has to say and how she says it…
Susanna-
I’ve never been paid a penny by Huffington Post. I write for them for free. As a matter of fact- I’ve written this blog for free for four years, and rejected hundreds- HUNDREDS of offer to advertise here. This blog has earned hundreds of thousands of dollars and I’ve never kept a penny of it. As a matter of fact- there are a team of SIX monkees who work for free- hours a day- and accept no payment, so that every penny we earn here goes straight to mamas in need. That’s not usually the way non profits OR EVEN CHURCHES work Susannah- usually the workers pay themselves. We don’t.
In sum- I’ve been working on this blog and the good works it’s generated ten hours a day for four years- and never received a penny for any of it.
Honestly, the rest of your comment sickens me too much to respond.
Just thought you should know the facts.
Love, Glennon
Amazing glenonn is because you now see the fault and lies in what you preach. Is that why you shy away from confrontation. as I said before sometimes the tuff love is the hardest.
Woe is me!! Love me love me. please stop you do it for your own glory not the glory of god. Your not a christian
Does anyone else think that this guy is really just making a mockery of Christians with his ranting and rambling comments?
Love you Glennon. We all know where your heart is and none of this was done for money. Forgive me Monkees, but can someone pull Susanna’s head out of her ass?
I’m sorry. Menopause really gets the best of me and I don’t respond well to jerkish behavior.
Glennon, this reply to Susanna is actually for you as I think Susanna has a need to judge and no words will reach her. I just wanted to remind you of what you said to Chase in your mountain top letter — “There will always be party poppers baby”. You can’t let them get you down. You shouldn’t have to defend yourself whether or not you get paid for your work or you certainly should be excited about be published in the Huffington Post and getting a book deal. Your words and Monkee actions speak for themselves and have made a difference in so many lives. I have to wonder why Susanna even reads and comments on your blog if she personally finds it not to her liking.
Yes you should have to defend your false testimony. You can’t preach faith and not expect to get backlash from people who really understand the meaning. You can’t claim to be a Christian and say ” well I agree with some of the bible but not all of it.” thats not how it works the bible is the written word of god you take it all or nothing. It’s written the way god wanted to be written the meaning is exactly what god wanted it to mean. please stop you do none of this for gods glory and Gods glory alone therefore it has no meaning its just lies and blasphemy and goes against not only gods word but gods Love and gods law.
Christopher,
I am not understanding why you continue to post responses to this or to be in this place at all. This is our soft landing place where we love each other without judgement,we agree to disagree but with love and we do not worship Glennon but love her and this place she made for us. Let me ask you a question do you think attacking people is the way to bring them to christ? I understand that you so badly want to prove your point but when we scream at people about God’s love and his damnation of our souls if we don’t follow him it makes people stop listening. I appreciate your love for God my father was a southern baptist preacher before he died I know why you feel the way you do. I just do not understand why you cannot share your points in a loving way so that others can understand why and what you are trying to say. Let me also say who are we to say we know the contents of another mans heart? God is the ultimate judge and jury we are here to spread God’s word and his salvation but God will be the one to save them not us. Please if you do not want to be here do not stay but stop attacking and start talking. Glennon would have a conversation with you if you would just speak to her and not belittle what she has done here. I believe telling the truth about God is a must but I do not think you have to do it by breaking people down. Jesus never broke people down to bring them to him he took them as they were, he told them they had to turn away from their sins and ask for forgivness to be saved and that he died on the cross for all of our sins not just yours christopher. No one is without sin except for the Holy Trinity your pride will be a down fall in bringing people to christ. I am sure you will attack me for this but I will love you anyway. Have a nice weekend
Tricia there is no attack there is no anger. All I have said is don’t use scripture to get your own views across. Use scripture for gods glory and only gods glory. His words are literal and the only truth and you can’t change them or try to find new meaning in them. Gods words mean exactly as they read. to use scripture is to spread gods word if you try to make up new meanings of the word the. Your spreading lies. all I’m saying is if it’s not for gods glory and gods glory alone then don’t quote scripture.
This is my very last comment on this post. But for someone who talks about not using scripture to get your own views across, Christopher sure is quoting a lot at us to get HIS views across. Hmmm….. stones in a glass house anyone????
Susanna-
It seems to me that Glennon uses her gift of writing to do good things for others, plain and simple. She puts herself and her family out there, not so we can all be fooled by some facade, but rather to illustrate the commonalities we all have as human beings. I have seen this bring great comfort to so many for the months that I have been following her blog. It’s a good thing Susanna, and if she get 100 book deals out of all this, it’s because she works hard, puts her heart into it, and DESERVES to reap some reward. I hope you can wash away some of your negativity, and allow yourself to see the benefits of what is being done here.
First of all…Glennon – I think you’re amazing. I found you through your Carpe Diem – and I appreciate your perspective so very much. Thank you for not being afraid to say what you think and feel regardless of how you know it’s going to be received by some. It is nothing short of bravery to write what’s in your heart when you know that people will tell you you’re going to Hell for it. Of course you get a lot of Monkee support — but still! The negativity must be overwhelming sometimes.
Second of all…let’s be clear about something people: there is no nice/kind/loving way to tell someone that they’re an abomination. Sorry. You just can’t do it. And in case someone is inclined to argue about exactly what we’re calling an abomination — I DO understand that it is the ACT of homosexuality that is considered so vile, not the actual person. However, I would argue that who we love and want to spend our lives with is a huge part of who we are — so in that respect the person and the act ARE one in the same.
I’ve been married for nearly 8 years and I can’t imagine my life without my husband. My life, my future, my happiness would have been irreparably crippled if someone had told me that I couldn’t marry him — that I wasn’t allowed to. And I don’t see how the salvation of any religious people (Christians being the most vocal) is threatened when two people who happen to be the same sex want to make that kind of commitment to each other. What a beautiful thing! Why does it make people so angry?!
So I struggle with Christians who say that they love the little gay child sitting in the church pew — but wholeheartedly believe that the Bible says that what’s in their heart is an abomination (dictionary definition: intense aversion or loathing; detestation; a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition, habit). That’s not love. At least not the kind of love I want perpetuated. That sounds more like pity. You love them in spite of who they are? But you really think they should be someone else? Something else? That they shouldn’t be allowed to love and be loved the way that feels normal and comfortable to them? How can you say you love someone when you honestly feel they should ignore and suppress part of who they truly are?
The kind of love that I believe God would have us spread is a love that says — you are perfect just the way you are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Introduce me to your partner! Invite me to your wedding! Be happy! Be content! Pass it on!
Is that so hard??
Not hard Michelle. Not hard at all.
I wholeheartedly agree Michelle. Thanks for writing exactly what I have been thinking.
isnt it funny how people only want to know the loving god. guess what the same loving god is also a vengeful god and will hold you acountable on judgement day for all your wrongs. you cant hide from your sin.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Are these not the words from your bible? The words of the LORD. Why do you choose to ignore them?
“Love the Sinner, hate the sin”
I couldn’t get through all these comments….but have you read what the catholic church’s catechism teaches about homosexuality? It doesn’t say it is a sin. It says the homosexual person is to be loved. I find it more understandable than straight up bible christianity’s views on homosexuality.
Yes!
Quite frankly, this post is not about God with Glennon, and her fabricated world. It’s about the facade she has created around herself. Interestingly, I am a devout Christian, however I support the gay community. But, what sends me into the stratosphere is that this blog is a continuation of self promotion around someone who has a knack for the pen, with a few troubles in the past, now turning to social technology to gain for herself through a faith message. I thought I read somewhere that this blog would never be for promotion? Yet, when Arianna comes knocking, she comes running (see Huffington Post deal). In all honesty the narcisisim of this person and her family is unbearable to me. The truest Christians I’ve known (and there have been many), speak with their actions – not with book deals, Husbands’ abs, photo Ops, and Huffington Post payments. My (Christian) Mother always taught me to be wary of those whose preach with fame and financial backing. I am quite certain this is no different. History usually repeats itself. More to come on the exposure, for those of you who are blind Monkeys. Maybe I am just an empty soul without faith, or maybe I am just right…
Love! Couldn’t have said it better!
Someone posted this verse and it sent chills down my back! How it could be more true!
2 Corinthians 11:12-15: “But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.”
Welcome, Susanna! Have you spent much time going through this blog. I am sure if you Glennon’s ACTIONS are a plenty! And Glennon was bearing her “ugly” side (that side of us that many prefer we kept hiddenin the closet!) long before her blog went viral. Through my lenses, I don’t see that as self-promotion, I see a lot of brutal honesty – a lot of which comes to a great cost for her. Again, through my lenses, a book deal is only another means/avenue for the Momastery to reach even more people. I know I have grown much be reading Glennon’s well-penned posts. I have learned even more by the MONKEYS themselves! So – I hope you stay around. Spend some time here with us. You might learn to like it!
Donna its not about glenonn. That’s the mistake she and all her followers make. It’s only about god and his words. All praise and all glory is for Christ and Christ alone. Only through Christ can you find salvation. You don’t look for the pat on the back or affirmation from others to make you feel better. You give god the glory you give god the praise. The woe is me, I’m the victim attitude is exactly the problem with the cecular world today. It’s all about the get mines attitude and so easily people shy away from the gospel truth because it will expose your sin. So people like glenonn hide behind a screen name and choose to speak lies and false hoods about things they don’t understand or even care to understand. Now that she has so this forum to speak on, the people who would disagree with her are calling her out for what she is. So all her little brain washed followers are speaking up saying what 99% of the world always says when truth hits home and shakes their very foundation. They speak out against truth. Because it’s to hard to admit faults and have to expose yourself so you and all the brain washed followers hide and run. Tolerance goes both ways. You can’t speak your mind and expect to not get backlash. Don’t be scared of the real gospel truth it will open your heart to the one true living god Christ Jesus and will help you see past the false testimony that glenonn a non christian speaks.
Chris… Can I call you Chris? I feel like we are friends…. And as your friend, it is hard to understand you when you don’t spell correctly. Please spell check.
K. Thanks.
Thank you Glennon. I’m new to your blog but feel like I’ve found a home. God is love. You write that love here. Thank you.
Taking a moment to express my deep gratitude for you, Glennon, by including what I shared when I posted this link on Facebook today:
When I heard about, and then watched, that awful, hateful sermon with a horrible, growing pit of sadness in my stomach, I could not articulate even a single adequate word to express my revulsion and despair at the blatant example of the humanity’s persistent willingness to blindly repeat tragedy after tragedy in the name of God and Right or Justice.
My faith and Glennon’s are not the same, but that’s the crux of all of this. With every fiber of my being, and with every molecule of my existence, I stand firmly with her on this ground.
Thank you so much, Glennon. For your words, and for your grace.
I think it’s a bit funny that I use so many damn words in this post. I still can’t properly explain the very focused, sadly simple, visceral reaction I had to his “message”. Not there yet. But I don’t know… Jesus wept.
I commend you for your post; it touched me to hear your words, so true and heartfelt. You may have lost some (close minded, short sighted) readers, but you have gained this one; and I am certainly going to pass this along to all of my friends.
Thank you for putting this out there.
interesting how someone who claims to be a christian would totaly go against the LITERAL WORD OF GOD, IE. THE BIBLE. it will always amaze me how people like you claim to know god believe in god, and have never truly done the research. What that means is you have fallen to your knees and accepted christ into your heart, you have given all that you are over to the lord, you have become a vessal for his word and not your own,you have joined a small group, you have surrounded yourself with other christians and you always put christ first. it also amazes me how people pick out the couple of senteces from a bible versus and dont care to understand or even look at the surrounding text. The fact that you would try to change or scew the gospel truth lets me know that you are in no way a christian. there is no reading between the lines of the gospel truth.
Deu 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Deu 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
Deu 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
i hope you understand that you are false you are wrong and you spew from your mouth false truth that goes against my lord and my savior Christ jesus.
I SAY TO YOU AGAIN GLENONN YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and i would ask any who call themselves true christians to no longer follow this false profits words. they are lies they are hate and they are not the word of the one true living god Christ Jesus!!
Welcome, Christopher!
Love, Glennon
Glennon, I have no words to say how happy I am that there is you, and that you have the strength to stand up for what you believe in when challenged. So many – like myself – wouldn’t bother and just walk away from a seemingly hopeless discussion.
Carry on, you loving warrior. Carry on fighting for inclusion. One day I might just find it in me to do the same even when facing tiresome righteousness or fear/ignorance. I hope I will.
Lot’s of love – from one straight white Christian woman to another.
Hi Glennon,
I’ve been following you for awhile now but have not yet posted. I love the way you show love to others even in the face what I would experience as hurtful comments. Praying for you and your family, especially for health and strength. Stay strong!
Truth!
Although I know there is not much point in saying anything to a person who has made up his mind and has such a solid and clear belief, nor do I hope to change your mind, however, I cannot prevent myself from addressing your fear… fear that perhaps Glennon may be influencing others against God in the true meaning of the word. Your words suggest you think her a prophet. I’ll speak only for myself here in stating that I do not read Glennon’s words and hold her up as a prophet. I read her words and see a woman, a mother, a wife, a spiritual seeker, speaking from her heart the best way she know how in an effort to maybe make the world a more loving place. That is all. I do not think she is speaking for God, nor pretending to.
I can understand why, coming from your place of loyalty to the written word, she may appear threatening, given the large community we have all become here, however, I will state again, Glennon is not my God. She is my friend. I hope you might find in her a friend as well – despite your obvious differences. All the best.
prophet:
somebody who interprets divine will: somebody who claims to interpret or transmit the commands of a diety.
She has claimed to be a christian and she quotes scripture. therefore she is a false prophet. She chooses how she wants and what she wants to believe from the bible then twists the words. Yes the bible is the written word of GOD not man. All that it contains is the truth and the literal word of GOD. you can not change the meaning.
A perfect example of how two readings can produce a different outcome. Same word, different meaning.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Profit.
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης (profétés) meaning “advocate”, is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and to speak for them, serving as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people.[1][2] The message that the prophet conveys is called a prophecy.
ooooooh thank goodness!!!!!
okay, SO. I have not claimed to have been contacted directly by the supernatural!! which means that i am not a prophet, and therefore cannot be a false prophet!
can’t wait to tell craig that he can relax, i’m just a plain old thinker/lover/writer.
thank you shannon.
lovelovelove,
g
Glennon doesn’t claim to be speaking FOR God, she simply seeks truth and understanding, as we all do. I am far, far more fearful of people who are certain they know everything than people who are smart enough to realize how little we really understand and how broken we are without God’s grace, forgiveness and love. I would never presume to judge someone’s relationship with God or the condition of their soul. I, for one, find it refreshing and inspiring.
wrong!! you quote scripture and then try to put your own spin on the word of god. this would mean that you are a false prophet. by quoting scripture you are speaking gods word so how dare you try to change its meaning.
the bible says any who would speak in the name of the lord and the lord has not spoken those words is a false prophet. you can not change gods words to fit your own meaning. SO please stop calling yourself a christian you are NOT!! a christian. as christians the bibe says we are to hold one another acountable for the things we do and say each and everyday. so by trying to change gods word you falsely spread lies about the gosple you are a blasphemer. You are not a christian a real christian would never question the bible ( the written word of GOD.)
“War begins in the minds of men” Gandhi I think??… it is the minds of fanatical religious fundamentalists that cannot be reasoned with, that frighten me most. Many a horrible act has been committed by those thinking they are carrying out the word of God.
May we all be spared the wrath of the few who are so blinded by the “glory of God” as to forget their own humanity. It upsets me that this beautiful place is now causing me to worry. Christopher, have mercy, if not for all of us here, then because Jesus died for your sins, and you know not what you do.
I can’t help but ask… Christopher, if your place in Heaven is secure, why do you care what Glennon says or does? She can do no harm to you. You live for Christ alone, and surely you can see that if she is wrong, Glennon will face her own judgment. Are you afraid God will find you lacking if you yourself do not change the course of Glennon’s path? Do you think it your Godly duty to control the thoughts and ideas of another as they are shared in a community of seekers? If so, perhaps you could become a vessel of hope, a vehicle of guidance and wisdom, rather than the thundering voice of condemnation.
shannon
2 Corinthians 12-15
.
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Christopher (which happens to also be my father’s name)
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
–Matthew 5:11-12
and just to clarify… it is ye who is righteous.
Christopher. I don’t even know you, but you come across as an unkind person. I don’t know why you wrote the things you did, but it’s hurtful. Not only to Glennon, but to the people that she’s helped. Christ never went around getting angry with people when they tried to help others. He didn’t go around telling them that they were self righteous. She never claimed to be a prophet. She often reminds us that she could be wrong and that her words are he own opinions. For you to write comment after comment about how Glennon isn’t a Christian is rude. It’s not right. Love thy neighbor as thy self. I feel bad for you. I really do. If you follow the bible and love thy neighbors as you love yourself, then you don’t love yourself very much. I hope you don’t waste any more of you time commenting so many times to only cause hurt and pain to others. It’s not right. Even if Glennon is what you are saying, which I believe she isn’t, but let’s just say that she is. She is still a human being with feelings. We should still love her as our selves.
hmmmm…have you read the bible in its original languages? Not English! The English translation IS an interpretation…there is no getting around that!
There is a distinction between knowledge and belief or faith. Faith is good and needed by people, but it is not knowledge.
Christopher, you have confused the two!
Wow, Christopher. I hope you never have the experience of how much hate you just poured out. It makes me cry reading you rant like that. And I would be what is called one of those “fundamental” “normal” “conservative” christians. When did people start to believe the more they hate and shun people they more they can change the other persons opinions? I know I for one have never gotten very far in my aims by hating or spewing hate on someone else.
Agreed. My pastor often says, “People need to feel they belong, before they will choose to believe”. Although I don’t doubt that Christopher *thinks* he is doing/saying the right thing, I don’t know anyone who would turn to Christ and become a believer with those tactics – Infact, I know it would cause many to turn away. Which is sad.
sorry but sometimes the truth hurts. Its difficult to hear the truth i know that. being a christian means exposing all your faults and admitting that we are to weak to do anything on our own.. We have to turn all of our being over to christ he is the only way to salvation. you can never hide from who you are and what you have done. GOD is not just love he is vengeance, he is wrath, he is alll knowing, he is the truth and the way.
Ah yes, but you are not God, so stop acting like you are.
I think you may be confusing “the truth hurts” with “if it hurts it must be true”.
Christ said, “love one another as I have loved you”. He bore all, suffered all, gave all, healed all, touched all. He did not strike back, speak back, our cause hurt, even to the end. He begged forgiveness from who God for those who wished him ill. He assured those in fear that his love was with them always. Not his vengeance.
Love wins. Always.
That should read “his peace was with them always”…
Christopher –
Your reply reminds me of the cartoon with a guy at the gates of heaven. God says to him, “You were a believer, yes. But you skipped the not-being-a-jerk-about-it part.” Something you might want to ponder before you find yourself there.
im not scared of judgment day! i am as a christ follower prepared to answer for alll of my sins on the day of judgement. the bible teaches once my place in heaven is secure it can not be taken away. that is why boost in my weakness and i expose my soul to the world. I now live for the glory of Christ Jesus one and only true living GOD. there is no one else that i put before GOD.
“you quote scripture and then try to put your own spin on the word of god. this would mean that you are a false prophet. by quoting scripture you are speaking gods word so how dare you try to change its meaning.”
There re many scholars who are better studied than you who believe that your spin is the wrong one.
So, is what you accuse Glennon of not what you are doing?
I believe you are throwing a brick in a glass house.
no its not. i dont try change the meaning i dont try to add or subtract any of gods words. they are gods words not my own.
Christopher, I don’t believe glennon added or subtracted words. She interpreted them. Just as you are.
I am not looking to argue, or convince you of anything, but I wish your heart would soften just a little.
Your message would be better received, or perhaps you would even convince someone to look at it from your angle, if the anger was not pouring out of your words.
Just a suggestion, friend.
again you prove my point tolernce goes both ways. yet you dont want to hear it. you say oh hes angry so could anyone want to listen. again tuff love is hard to take and that sbecause life isnt just a bed of roses
oh and there is nothing to interpret gods word is literal. you cant sit here and say hmm so i think god was trying to say is. ummmm no thats not how it works. GODs word is GODs word it is literal. there is no grey area there is no other meaning. ther is no interpretation it is what irt is. GODS WORD
“Like”!
Wow. You are an angry bird.
Christopher, the Westboro Baptist Church, is looking for people just like you.
I apologize. That wasn’t very Monkee like.
Welcome, Christopher.
Friends, Christopher seeks to prove a point. Let’s prove ours.
We love you, Christopher. We welcome you, and you differences. We know you have a strong feeling, and we are so glad you choose to share. I hope you stick around.
But calm down…. there’s no need to get yourself so angry. You just worry about your soul.
Glennon is a big girl, she can worry about her own soul. As can the rest of us.
Have a great night.
oh im not angry. but you prove my point by saying ” sorry thats not monkee like” by saying your a monkee it only strenghtens my argument. why would you call yourself something other than a christian. i unlike so many on this blog will not follow a false prophet. oh and you only further prove my point that people are so scared of the whole truth. tuff love is hard to take. At some point you do have boost in your weakness and say lord its all you take it from here becuase i know i cant do it on my own.
Christopher, I am not calling “Monkee” my religion. It is a group I identify with. Like a team. Is it blasphemy to identify with a group of people? I don’t worship glennon, or identify her as a prophet. You’re a lot like Craig below, but not nearly as articulate or well versed. But like him, you’re a bully.
And you know nothing about me, or my beliefs, or where I am on my path. I’m rather offended that you would assume to understand me.
“Why would you call yourself something other than a Christian?”
I don’t know, like maybe a US Citizen, a Native American, a thinker?
There are many reasons someone would call themselves something other than a Christian. You probably do too!
zoey I freaking love you by the way! You made me laugh so hard with that one. Hugs my sweet friend!
Christopher-
Are you kidding me!? How can you say that you know the heart of another? Isn’t God the only one that can judge that? It’s okay to disagree but your response is angry and hateful and the simple fact that you are telling someone else that they are not a christian is outright appalling to me. Why don’t you worry about your own soul.
Rebekah
And now for something completely off-topic: the intro to this post is a slightly changed version of a poem by Edwin Markham. How do I know this? I’m a proud graduate of Markham Middle School in Portland, OR, where we all had to memorize this unknown poet’s one famous poem.
“He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win
We drew a circle that brought him in.”
Since the blogosphere tries to be sensitive to crediting sources, I thought I’d pass that on.
thank you Wendy! My old pastor had this quote on his website. I always loved it so much, but didn’t know where it originated. I’ll add brilliant Markham’s name!
I love this gem of a poem.
Glennon,
That pastor clearly does not understand who God really is or what the scriptures teach about love and grace. There is no wisdom in what he said. However, your message is really no different to me, you just choose the polar opposite end of the spectrum to speak about. Both are equally unwise and incorrect in my opinion.
I’ve been pouring through these comments for hours and am struck by all the thoughtful replies. I do have a question to those who agree with the message that above all we’re called to love our neighbors, but who still maintain that they believe homosexual acts are a sin. I don’t doubt for a minute that many of you are honest that you love your gay friends but you believe their lives/relationships/marriages are sinful.
My question to you is: If you do truly love the gay people in your life, what does that look like? Do you embrace them as they are and they might never know your spiritual beliefs regarding their life? Do you let your kids play with their kids? Do you always speak kindly to them, but also hesitate to become too close as it would be awkward if issues of faith/politics ever come up? Do you vote for or against their right to marry the person they love? Does your love for them mean you want to help them overcome their sinful temptations? Does your love for them mean you’ve considered what it must be like to be them and honestly ask yourself what you would do if you were them?
Just interested in some examples of “love the sinner, hate the sin” and how that looks in the real world.
Hey! I was thinking your question, and I think that loving my gay friends looks exactly like loving my straight friends (and I don’t really categorise them as “gay” or “straight”). And they might know my spiritual believes. They know my church and know what I believe in, but we don’t sit around discusing about it. I don’t judge my friends’ decisions because of course they can have different believes than I do, and they don’t judge my believes and religion, because I also have the right to have different believes, but I don’t rub those to their faces. And if they would come to introduce their girlfriends to me, I would congratulate them and be happy for them (and yes, there’s a possibility that I might be just a bit awkward first, but I wouldn’t show it).
To your other questions, yes I would let my kids to play with their kids if there would be some. I do speak kindly to them but can also argue like with all of my friends, and no I don’t hesitate to become too close. And I don’t need to vote for nor against that, since where I live, they are voting if a certain church should aloud gay marriages and I don’t belong to that church. And no, my love for them doesn’t mean that I try to help them to overcome their “sinful temptations” (and I don’t believe that having the temptation is a sin). I have thought what it would be like to be gay, or maybe not what it would be like, but what if I was gay.
This is how I think, feel and believe. I hope it answerd your questions at least a little bit
Fantastic Post Kimberly! Unfortunate that there has been only one answer so far…though what a great answer huh!
Glennon and Monkees… I am a usually silent monkee but I just had to comment on this. G’s words often leave me in a whirlwind of thoughts… “Do I agree?” “She’s amazing” “Why didn’t I think of that?” “I should chew on that for a bit…” “I may need to wear diapers when reading some of these posts because I’m laughing so hard…” No matter what, her words are kind and loving and honest. And, for me, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I find myself continuously inspired by the amazing people that make up this Monkee movement — no matter my stance on a particular subject. I love a God that I know has to want love and inclusion, and if by some Earth-shattering chance I’m wrong, what harm has been imposed upon this world through the betterment of society and the conscious choices to love and help others however we can? G – I truly admire your strength to speak your mind honestly and with love.
Thank you for this: ” I love a God that I know has to want love and inclusion, and if by some Earth-shattering chance I’m wrong, what harm has been imposed upon this world through the betterment of society and the conscious choices to love and help others however we can?” That says something I have wanted to find words for — not just the ‘what harm does it do’ part, but the “Earth-shattering chance” part in particular.
I read the post in question, and didn’t particularly love it. HOWEVER, I do appreciate the different points of view, and the way I feel really shouldn’t have any effect on how someone else feels about the situation.
My sister is gay. At 29 years old, she realized there was a reason she had not found the right man for her, and finally admitted what she had been feeling for years. Her girlfriend was quickly welcomed into our family, and my sister has never been happier.
Our father, a devout ‘old school’ Christian doesn’t know. I’m not sure he ever will, because we are not sure he could handle the truth. That is painfully sad to me. He loves his daughter, but would his love change if he knew?
I am with Glennon in the fact that God loves us just as we are. He (or she) made us, and being that God knows the bigger picture, I’m pretty sure there is a grand design in all of this! It’s unfortunate that in God’s name we have been taught to fear, to hate, and to judge others. I honestly don’t believe that was ever in God’s plan.
Glennon, you caught my attention months ago with the Carpe Diem post, and though not every post is in line with my thoughts, I still find myself coming back. You have a way with words that causes me to think a little more. Thank you for that.
Glennon, from Southern Baptist preacher’s kid, sister of a gay man, a gay woman and a straight Ga. redneck…….Thank you. I love all my sibings, even if one of them is straight and we four were lucky to be raised by parents who practiced erring on the side of love and inclusion and who knew the deeper meaning of family and unconditional love. Inthe early days (30 yrs ago) of knowing my brother and sister were gay we surely didn’t understand all we do now but we understood the most important things. Love has no boundaries or walls and Jesus loves us all.
Monkees we have seen the amazing power of prayer and positive energy, thoughts and good vibes in action. We carried Mindy Green, Kristin Croyle, Claudia, and the other sweet family just recently. We know that we can make a really big difference. Please join me in that same powerful movement and lets pray, think of, good vibe, or what ever you feel comfortable doing in lifting up our fearless, amazing, strong, and loving Monkee leader. Glennon Doyle Melton. Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up Glennon to you right now. I pray Lord that the Monkees will rally around her and lift her up in love. I pray for health and strength not only in her physical body but also in her spirit. I pray for creativity and passion in your words as they flow through her. I pray for blessings in her life and in her family. I pray Lord that this Love mob right here will be as big as the others and blessed by your hand. Amen!! Monkees? Shall we carry our leader?
Amém !
You’ve got an amen here too!!!
I love you Hillary!! AND AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hillary, this gives me goosebumps! Thanks be to God!
Glennon, I really appreciate both posts. I appreciate that you are willing to encourage not only soul-searching but also difficult dialogue (and that dialogue is happening in a mostly loving, productive way.) I don’t know if I agree with every point in your posts, but the bottom line is I’m THINKING about how I feel about them.
And really, more than anything I agree that we should always, always err on the side of love. Your heart and your voice are a beautiful gift. Thank you.
Glennon, I know this blog is for your own personal growth, but it’s been the single biggest thing to help me rediscover my relationship with Jesus/God/religion. Your saying that “I am a child of God; so is everyone else” has helped me remember that not all Christians are evil and close-minded and that many of them uphold the spirit of the Bible, rather than the letter. I do have many happy memories of the church in which I grew up. I haven’t made it back to any organized religion yet, but I’ve stopped being so wary of those who do choose that path. Thank you for speaking up on behalf of those that can’t. God created us ALL in his image. Warts and all.