Monday, April 23, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page '
Christian community
Members of the group A.C.T. in Faith gather before Easter to pray and take communion. The group meets Wednesday evenings at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave.
The main reason for that I can see at this point is the opposition of the religious right. Too many individuals have somehow twisted that into what I see as a religion of hate."
KU gays are regularly reminded of that hate in demonstrations led by Fred Phelps, a Baptist minister in Topeka who is best known for his signs declaring "God Hates Fags." While campus fundamentalists are less harsh in their condemnation of homosexuality, they still preach that homosexuals will go to hell.
Although Handshy and other gays have left their churches because they felt condemned, some have found accepting religious communities that support them for who they are.
Acting in faith
Hankins moved to Lawrence to pursue a business degree after leaving the fundamentalist church that tried to cure him. Hankins said he had finally found peace in his life as a member of A.C.T. in Faith. Also known as Affirming Communities Together in Faith, it is a safe and confidential alliance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons of faith.
"I wouldn't have made it through the last two years of school without the support of some very patient friends and the social service network here that stands far above all I've ever experienced," he said.
A. C.T. in Faith meets Wednesday nights at Ecumenical Christian Ministries and is led by the Rev. Heather Hensaring.
Hensarling said the group started with a group of non-students, some gavor or lesbian and some straight.
"They wanted to have a faith-based community group to support gay/esbian issues in the church," she said.
Like Hankins, Christian Boy, Sioux Falls, S.D., graduate student and teaching assistant in the theater department, said his Lutheran faith was still an important part of his life despite condemnation from one previous congregation over his homosexuality.
"It is the basis of my beliefs and personal ethics," he said. "It is also the basis for my social life."
Boy said he experienced discrimination because of his sexuality, but instead of leaving his faith, he found a more accepting congregation.
"I had an incident with a main Evangelical Lutheran Church with about 6,000 members in 1933," he said.
At the time, he was a cantor, singing the liturgy at the church. Then he was identified as gay in a newspaper article.
"The senior pastor decided that if I was going to be public about my homosexuality, the Lutheran Church could no longer support hearing me as a cantor for their televised service. Rather than fight that decision, I left the church and found another one."
Boy said he had not left the Lutheran Church altogether because he hoped to do good from the inside.
u gays were excluded from organized religion, churches would be a different place, he said.
"The organ wouldn't play, choirs wouldn't sing and half of the sermons wouldn't be preached," Boy said.
Reforming churches
ality was a gift from God and that churches should work together to support gays.
Some churches now welcome homosexuals into the community without condemnation.
Peter Lucky, pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont St., said any person's sexu-
"Our human sexuality is a gift to us from God," he said. "We are called to use this gift responsibly. The church is called to support persons that are gay and lesbian and to work on behalf of justice for these people, so they are not discriminated against."
hate egnistme
Paul Evans, pastor at Topeka's gay-dominated Metropolitan Community Church, said MCC was a nationwide community that served as a spiritual home for gays.
He believes churches are wrong in their condemnation of homosexuality.
"Gay and lesbian people often stay hidden because if they came out, they would be treated oppressively." he said. "I hope that more and more people of the faith will see the image of God shining in all kinds of people—people of all orientations."
Evans said the scriptural passages fundamentalist Christians used to condemn homosexuality were not valid because they took the Bible out of context.
"The only way they understand same-sex relations is by male prostitutes," he said. "They are not talking about the love between two people. They are talking about idolatry and temple prostitution in the scriptures."
Robert Minor, KU professor of religious studies, said that the Bible was ambiguous about sexual orientation and that people often used it to defend their cultural prejudice.
"There are seven passages in the Bible that are used against gay people," he said. "I know of at least four or five interpretations of each of those passages. Only one of those interpretations is against gay people. It promotes the general cultural prejudice, just as for almost 1900 years, the Bible was used to support slavery."
John Shelby Spong, an ardent gay-rights advocate, and the author of Why Christianity Must Change or Die, challenges the literal reading of the Bible. He said in a phone interview that it was absurd to take the
Bible literally, especially in its references to homosexuality.
"The church and the military are the two most homophobic institutions in our society," he said. "The gay community has been brutalized by the church."
John Hankins has found a place where he doesn't have to be ashamed of his sexuality and can get support and fellowship from other believers, many of the same sexual orientation.
Every Wednesday, Hankins religiously attends A.C.T. In Faith. During dinner, members talk openly with one another about their struggle to keep the faith despite condemnation they have experienced from fundamentalist churches.
With the support of A.C.T. in Faith, Hankins is now comfortable knowing that his sexuality is not a choice and that he can still be accepted and loved by God.
"I doubted God's love for me, and sometimes I still do, but I'm coming to terms with that," he said. "It has led me to start to see the God of compassion, love and forgiveness."
Edited by Leita Schultes
John Hankins, Tucson, Ariz., sophomore, finds acceptance within A.C.T. in Faith, an alliance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons of faith. Hankins had previously "curing" his sexuality while involved with a fundamentalist church.
The Rev. Heather Hensarling, center, turns to snap a picture of protesters during Friday's drag show, while John Hankins, left, Tucson, Azir., sophomore, and Priya Sahni, Overland Park sophomore, keep up the faith. Queers and Allies raised $600 from pledges based on the number of minutes the protesters stayed at the show.
"Our human sexuality is a gift to us from God. We are called to use this gift responsibly. The church is called to support persons that are gay and lesbian and to work on behalf of justice for these people, so they are not discriminated against."
Peter Lucky pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church
Gay and lesbian people often stay hidden because if they came out, they would be treated oppressively. I hope that more and more people of the faith will see the image of God shining in all kinds of people, people of all orientations."
Paul Evans pastor at Metropolitan Community Church in Topeka
"There are seven passages in the Bible that are used against gay people. I know of at least four or five interpretations of each of those passages. Only one of those interpretations is against gay people. It promotes the general cultural prejudice, just as for almost 1900 years, the bible was used to support slavery."
Robert Minor KU professor of religious studies
"The church and the military are the two most homophobic institutions in our society. The gay community has been brutalized by the church."
John Shelby Spong gay rights advocate
Sunday April 22
Archetype
The Goners
Ghosty
An Old Surrender
Monday April 23rd
Jose PH
Preferred Villan
Fifth Ticket Fraud
Punctured Bicycle
Farmer's Ball is a battle of the bands. The finals will be on April 25th and the winner will play at Day on the Hill on April 28th.
Sponsored by: SUA, The US Army, PitchWeekly, Mass. Street Music and Yellow Sub
e-mail: tgoetz@affinitas.net