Letters to the Editor
Readers are an integral part of Whosoever. We appreciate hearing from our readers, whether they have praise or hot coals to heap on our heads. With the new year, we're beginning this new feature of a reader forum. Here's some of the things our readers are saying.
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Editor:
I just wanted to say that I appreciated your piece entitled Evolving
Toward Perfection. In it you make mention of a great number of things
that I have tried to say and convey in my life. I feel that I have been
successful in that endeavor, and continue to be so, as are you within
this article. Thank you for expressing yourself on this issue. It is one
near and dear to my heart. Not that I feel any need to defend my own homosexuality,
but that I have always had great concern over those who would condemn
it. Not for my sake, by any means, but for their own. In times past I
was involved, and quite well studied, in biblical and fundamental "Christian"
disciplines. And although those times threatened to tear me in two (for
the dichotomy that I was dealing with), I persevered in my pursuit of
God in "real life," and have gained from my experience, first hand, what
condemnation does to both the condemned as well as the condemner. It is
such an unsavory place to be, either side, as they are both essentially
the same, that it has taken years for me to come out of the slave-like
mentality. I've found that those who are the greatest purveyors of "biblical
condemnation" are in fact only sentencing themselves to the condemnations
they deliver. It's a terrible, terrible place to be. Full of traps, and
destined, "without hope," to bring the self proclaimed judges to the end
of themselves. Only to find that what they had been damning the whole
time was indeed themselves.
My heart goes out to them. And my heart goes out to you. To them for
the sure hope of this ingenious plan of God to make, shape, and form us
all. And to you, for being another instrument to bring this about. I could
write on about what I know but that is not the point of this email. It
is only to say thank you for taking time to put to pen, the thoughts of
another, namely myself. I truly hope that this email finds you. And that
it finds you well, and in good spirits. If not, then perhaps I have helped
to lift those spirits around you. Thank you once again.
John
Editor:
Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed reading your site. I have
been married to a wonderful loving woman for 25 years, am a father of
two, and I feel there is much on your site for me. I am really tired of
the "overhead" I often confront with some Evangelicals - confusing nationality
with matters of faith, preaching that any one who does not "confess" Jesus
(in a manner that conforms to guidelines set by a particular group of
believers) doesn't measure up.
I worked for the Southern Baptists of Virginia when I was in college
and was part of a group that played folk and worship music for churches
all over the state. Some of the churches I visited were full of warm folks
and were welcome places to visit. In other churches, I saw beginnings
of the tyranny and tragedy of intolerance and fundamentalism that has
swept the Southern Baptist denomination leadership in recent years.
I want to thank you because your site feels a bit like one of those great
country churches I had the honor and pleasure of serving years ago - lots
of encouragement, warmth and some great articles. Thanks again.
Bruce
Editor:
I've never taken the opportunity to tell you have seeing your site has changed my life. I fully understand that I can be gay and a Christian is a real blessing. To also know that there is a site like yours that is balanced and interesting and helps me to feel part of a community is awesome! Thank you so much for your ministry!
I was wondering if you have any interest in a sort of a pen pal ministry? Where gay Christians can just sign up to chat and make Christian friends online. I would love to be in touch with other gay Christians for friendships and mutual interest. Does this exist already or is there interest out there? Thanks for your help.
Jerry
Editor Candace Chellew Responds:
Jerry,
Thanks so much for your letter. I'm so glad that Whosoever has meant so much to you!
As for a "pen pal ministry," the closest thing we have to that is the Whosoever Magazine group at Yahoo groups. This online community is there to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians as well as our allies from the straight community. We talk about all sorts of topics like issues surrounding coming out, reconciling our sexuality and spirituality as well as sharing jokes and events in our lives.
Anyone is welcome to join the group and the fellowship. This is, however, a high volume group. We do a lot of talking to one another and it's not rare for us to generate more than 300 emails a month! You can always subscribe to the "digest" version, which is delivered once or twice a day depending on volume.
To subscribe go to this page or send an email to whosoevermagazine-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Whosoever also hosts a smaller group for those interested in prayer. Whosoever Prays is a group where participants have agreed to pray for one another and to rejoice in each other's praises.
To subscribe go to this page or send an email to WhosoeverPrays-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
We invite you to join us in our online fellowship!
Blessings,
Candace Chellew
Editor
Editor:
I first came across your site when giving it a positive rating at hotrate.com. I returned to it recently when writing an article about the Bible and homosexuality for Date.com (where I am the Gay Relationship Adviser). Your site is wonderful! You are providing a very valuable service, not only for homosexuals like myself, but for anyone who wants, nay needs, an alternative to Jerry Falwell and the religious right's (mis)interpretation of Scripture. Continue the good work and thank you!
Brian
Editor:
I have just stumbled upon Whosoever.org and I love it. I have only begun
to explore what appears to be a huge site. The open
letter to critics was wonderfully expressed.
I am a gay Christian and member of Open
Door Community Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. It is an affirming church
pastored by a gay couple and attended by straight and gay folks alike,
including families. Even my mother and sister attend this church! Finding
it was a real blessing, as was finding your site which I will be exploring
in depth.
God Bless!
Jerry
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