HOMOSEXUAL SAINTS

This week a book I’ve been waiting to be published arrived in my mailbox. It has been difficult to put down and I’m almost all the way through it already. The book is “HOMOSEXUAL SAINTS: The Community of Christ Experience”. The book, edited by William D. Russell, is a collection of personal stories about gay and lesbian experiences in connection with the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). In addition to the stories the Introduction traces the history of this issue within the church during the last several decades.

Friends of ours, Dick & Barbara Howard, are quoted on the back cover of the book; “If ever there was a collection of stories to inspire and enlighten, this is it. Here also is an example of the power and beauty of story to build sacred communities. These stories will do far more than legislation or official dogma to dismantle walls of fear and indifference.”

The guilt, shame, pain, isolation, struggles and difficulties caused by our culture and our churches to the gay community is shocking. Bill Russell doesn’t mince words when he says, “If homosexuals are not treated as equals in a particular church, in that regard it cannot responsibly claim to represent Jesus Christ.”

Amen!