Bishop Gene Robinson interview with Between The Lines
"Because religion has treated LGBT people so horribly it is the last place we will look for support," said Robinson during an interview with Between The Lines last week. "There is no civil rights issue so closely tied to religious issues as homosexuality."
"We cannot ignore the religious piece of the argument, since it is the greatest stumbling block to us making progress. I think it will take religious voices to counter the religious right."
"Religion is not monolithically our enemy. But, homophobia justified by Biblical interpretation leads many LGBT people to stereotype all churches as the right arm in the religious right. "
"In the Episcopal church, with me being elected, there have been lawsuits and people leaving the church. This is the church risking its life for gay and lesbian people. The church has put itself on the line to protect us."
The use of religious beliefs against the LGBT community is viciously visible in the ongoing state-by-state debate over Marriage rights. Calling full marriage rights "absolutely essential" for gays and lesbians, Robinson looks to a separation of church and state as the solution.
Throughout the country ministers or rabbis serve as the legal signatures on marriage certificates. The religious sanction of a marriage is a rite. The ability to marry is a right. Robinson is currently encouraging the separation of the two "Rs" by asking clergy to cease signing marriage certificates.
"If they let a Justice of the Peace do the legal part, then it will become clear what is the right and the rite."
Once religious sanctioning of a union is removed from the debate, Robinson believes it will be easier for gays and lesbians to achieve full marriage equality.
Calling religious groups that try to cure homosexuals "incredibly destructive," Robinson describes from personal experience the affects of trying not to be gay.
"You can white knuckle it, but in the end you are denying who you are and that takes a terrible toll on your soul."
"I believe that God says to me, and to every LGBT person the same thing, that I am God's beloved and God is pleased with me. Whatever may come my way - hatred or death threats - it all pales in comparison," said Robinson.
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"We cannot ignore the religious piece of the argument, since it is the greatest stumbling block to us making progress. I think it will take religious voices to counter the religious right."
"Religion is not monolithically our enemy. But, homophobia justified by Biblical interpretation leads many LGBT people to stereotype all churches as the right arm in the religious right. "
"In the Episcopal church, with me being elected, there have been lawsuits and people leaving the church. This is the church risking its life for gay and lesbian people. The church has put itself on the line to protect us."
The use of religious beliefs against the LGBT community is viciously visible in the ongoing state-by-state debate over Marriage rights. Calling full marriage rights "absolutely essential" for gays and lesbians, Robinson looks to a separation of church and state as the solution.
Throughout the country ministers or rabbis serve as the legal signatures on marriage certificates. The religious sanction of a marriage is a rite. The ability to marry is a right. Robinson is currently encouraging the separation of the two "Rs" by asking clergy to cease signing marriage certificates.
"If they let a Justice of the Peace do the legal part, then it will become clear what is the right and the rite."
Once religious sanctioning of a union is removed from the debate, Robinson believes it will be easier for gays and lesbians to achieve full marriage equality.
Calling religious groups that try to cure homosexuals "incredibly destructive," Robinson describes from personal experience the affects of trying not to be gay.
"You can white knuckle it, but in the end you are denying who you are and that takes a terrible toll on your soul."
"I believe that God says to me, and to every LGBT person the same thing, that I am God's beloved and God is pleased with me. Whatever may come my way - hatred or death threats - it all pales in comparison," said Robinson.
full article
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