Bible and Homosexuality: An LGBTQ Positive View

By Elton SherwinReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Bible and Homosexuality: An LGBTQ Positive View episodes

May 16, 2024 28. A Transgender Listener’s Feedback
A transgender listener shares their pre-transition struggles and brings a unique perspective to Matthew 19:12.
For more on Matthew 19, and Jesus’s affirming words, see episodes: 6, 7, and 16.
Link to various translations of Matthew 19:12: https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%2019:12
Link to the history of the transgender flag: https://www.pointofpride.org/blog/the-history-of-the-transgender-flag

Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
Synthesized speech also using Descript
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
9 min
April 13, 2024 27. Am I Sick?
Is same sex attraction a mental illness?
UCLA Prof. Evelyn Hooker, whose research showed that gay men were just as mentally healthy as straight men. And how one cleverly designed experiment changed the views of many medical professionals and theologians.
Articles quoted:
Catholic Catechism: https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/568/
The Pope Speaks: https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-pope-chile-gay-20180520-story.html#:~:text=In%202013%2C%20Francis%20famously%20said,Catholic%20views%20on%20sexual%20orientation
and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/20/pope-juan-carlos-cruz
Early DSMs: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4695779/#:~:text=Moor%20%5B44%5D;%20Tripp%20%5B45,as%20a%20%E2%80%9Csexual%20deviation.%E2%80%9D
APA on same-sex attraction: https://www.psychiatry.org/file%20library/about-apa/organization-documents-policies/policies/position-2013-homosexuality.pdf (see second sentence)
Mainstream health organizations:https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts#:~:text=the%20idea%20that%20homosexuality
Finding Affirming, Sex-Positive Counselors Who Do NOT Believe in Conversion Therapy:
• https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#organizations
• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=gay (Find the LGBTQ Affirming pull-down or edit the URL and replace “California” with “Texas” or whatever state you’re in)
• https://www.choosingtherapy.com/finding-an-lgbtq-therapist/
• https://allintherapyclinic.com/how-to-find-an-lgbt-affirming-therapist/
• https://directory.choosingtherapy.com/
• https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org/
On-line therapy:
• https://www.choosingtherapy.com/best-lgbtq-online-therapy-options/
• https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/lgbtqia

15 min
March 14, 2024 26. Living The Good Life
This episode challenges conventional messages on well-being and prompts listeners to question what truly contributes to their wellbeing and living “The Good Life.”
Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
Episode Cover art: Microsoft Copilot
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
11 min
January 30, 2024 25. The Parable of Lost Things
Pastor Danielle Parrish explores the profound biblical narrative of lost sheep, coins, and sons, emphasizing God's inclusive love.
She challenges traditional interpretations by asserting the equal importance of women in Jesus' teachings, presenting a powerful message of inclusivity and unconditional love.
Drawing from her deep understanding of first-century Jewish cultural, she takes you on a journey through Luke 15, highlighting the interconnectedness of lost sheep, lost coins, and a prodigal son, viewing these parables as one continuous narrative that invites everyone to God's table of celebration.
Danielle Parrish is the lead pastor of Spark Church, in Palo Alto, California: www.spark.church
Scriptures quoted:
• Luke 15
• Ephesians 3:14-19
• Galatians 3:28
Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠

#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
#ProdigalSon
#Inclusive

32 min
January 01, 2024 24. America First? A Christmas Letter
The podcast reflects on Pastor Steve Reed's Christmas letter, lamenting the changes in white evangelicalism and criticizing its failure to align with Jesus' teachings.
Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
Synthesized speech using: ⁠⁠ https://maestra.ai/
Episode cover art generated by https://pixlr.com
AI prompt: “a patriotic American Jesus”
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
#Borderwall
#Refugees
#Immigrantion

18 min
November 10, 202323. Conversion Therapy's Dark Reality
We discuss the deeply flawed practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation.
Related Episodes:
8. Paul, Gay Marriage and Gender Pronouns
11. Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church and Some Are Committing Suicide
12. The Problems with Purity
13. When Is Sex Between Two Unmarried People God Honoring? (Seven rules for sex between unmarried people)
21. A Trans Christian's Quest for Authenticity
Movies Referenced:
Boy Erased: https://www.netflix.com/title/80240538
Review quoted from The Jesuit Post: https://thejesuitpost.org/2018/11/boy-erased-conversion-therapy-and-the-catholic-church/
Pray Away: https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370
Review quoted from Conscience Magazine: https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/resource-library/netflixs-pray-away-exposes-conversion-therapy-fraud/
Articles and Websites Quoted:
The American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts

The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/us/group-that-promoted-curing-gays-ceases-operations.html

Time magazine: https://time.com/3065495/9-ex-leaders-of-the-gay-conversion-therapy-movement-apologize/

The AMA calls for ban: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/american-medical-association-backs-nationwide-conversion-therapy-ban-n1088731
Statistics quoted:
Alan Chambers quote, “99.9% have not experienced a change in their orientation” from: https://wthrockmorton.com/2012/01/09/alan-chambers-99-9-have-not-experienced-a-change-in-their-orientation/ or https://www.npr.org/2013/06/20/193965227/group-that-claimed-to-cure-gays-disbands-leader-apologizes

Post conversion therapy suicide ideation rate of 28% from Statista https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053024/lgbtq-youth-in-us-attempted-suicide-conversion-therapy-experience/

Trans children exposed to conversion therapy at a young age are four times more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/transgender-conversion-therapy-associated-severe-psychological-distress-n1052416
Finding Affirming, Sex-Positive Counselors Who Do NOT Believe in Conversion Therapy:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#organizations

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=gay (Find the LGBTQ Affirming pull-down or edit the URL and replace “California” with “Texas” or whatever state you’re in)

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/finding-an-lgbtq-therapist/

https://allintherapyclinic.com/how-to-find-an-lgbt-affirming-therapist/

https://directory.choosingtherapy.com/

https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org/
On-line therapy:
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/best-lgbtq-online-therapy-options/

https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/lgbtqia
Benefits of Church Attendance for Adults and Children:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/regularly-attending-religious-services-associated-with-lower-risk-of-deaths-of-despair/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11302358/

https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/6/2030/5892419
Additional References and Resources
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/queer-youth-religion-suicide-study_n_5ad4f7b3e4b077c89ceb9774

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ending-conversion-therapy/

https://glaad.org/conversiontherapy/

https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/faith-leaders-lgbtq-conversion-therapy-ban_n_5fda6074c5b650b99ad93787

https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/conversion-therapy-pray-away/

https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-56496423

https://web.archive.org/web/20230405193059/https://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/

https://youtu.be/Ea10c6VXVx8?si=VebC4DTN9m37bkwD&t=197

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Policy_Statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy
All quotes edited for clarity and brevity, and red by descript not the original authors.
21 min
October 28, 2023 22. Queer Before Columbus: Two-Spirit Native Americans
The vibrant diversity of gender-fluid and non-binary individuals in Native American cultures; the tragic ban of same-sex marriages by the Navajo Nation Council; and the role of Christian churches in a cultural genocide, which attempted to erase the history of Two-Spirit individuals and their unique and respected roles in many tribes.
Quoted or referenced in podcast:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/10/23/navajo-gay-marriage-ban-lgbtq/
https://lgbtqhealth.ca/community/two-spirit.php
https://www.ihs.gov/lgbt/health/twospirit/
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/11/two-spirit-people-north-america
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203%3A28&version=RSV

Additional References
https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/the-history-of-two-spirit-folks
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13845330/5-two-spirit-heroes-who-paved-the-way-for-todays-native-lgbtq-community
https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-two-spirit-native-americans-changing-the-world
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-spirit

Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
12 min
October 14, 202321. A Trans Christian's Quest for Authenticity
Aiden Yang's transformation as he liberates the good troublemaker within, explores the Beatitudes, and finds inspiration from rapper Bad Bunny.
Aiden Yang, a Trans-Christian Asian American, describes the many challenges to living true to your authentic self: Challenges from your church; challenges from your family; and challenges from a capitalist society.
Aiden takes you on a transformative journey to embrace your shadow self and live authentically. Aiden shares insights from his personal experience and draws parallels with the Beatitudes, challenging societal norms and finding inspiration from rapper Bad Bunny's countercultural journey.
Aiden’s website: https://aidensyang.com
About Aiden:
https://aidensyang.com/about-aiden

https://youtu.be/1IVEFNLlC54
Aiden’s book, “The Spineless Porcupine: Why Our Differences Are Superpowers”
https://aidensyang.com/book

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PNJPS1H/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_93WYFb7ED3J6X
Aiden’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love_n_cr8ivity/
Aiden’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayme/
This sermon was originally delivered at Bethel Community Church in San Leandro, CA and has been edited for this podcast.
https://bethelcommunitysl.org

Podcast produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
28 min
September 26, 202320. In 1946 the Word "Homosexual" Was Added to The Bible
1946
About the movie: 1946 - THE MISTRANSLATION THAT SHIFTED CULTURE
This is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.
It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice.
Movie Reviews:
“POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT FILM OF THE DECADE…” Steve Koplan, UNSEEN FILMS
“…one of the most engaging and informative documentaries I've ever seen. Not only is it highly watchable, but it has the potential to be ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FILMS OF THE CENTURY as it seeks to prove that queerness and religion were never meant to be at odds. A must-watch for anyone trying to reconcile the two. ” Matthew Huff, BUZZFEED
Website: https://www.1946themovie.com
Newsletter: https://www.1946themovie.com/subscribe
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/1946themovie
Social media handle: @1946themovie on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
The movie’s team:
Directed By: Sharon “Rocky” Roggio

Executive Produced By: Daniel Karslake

Produced By: Jena Serbu And Sharon “Rocky” Roggio

Original Music By: Mary Lambert
Women Make Movies: https://www.wmm.com/sponsored-project/1946-the-mistranslation-that-shifted-culture

Podcast written and produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
Synthesized speech using: ⁠⁠Speechelo⁠⁠
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
10 min
September 01, 202319. Seven Clobber Passages CLOBBERED, DEBUNKED and CRUSHED
7 Bible scriptures that are MISUSED to condemn the LGBTQIA+ Community.
Janet sets the record straight.
In this episode, the second half of Janet Edmonds new leaflet, we look at 7 Bible scriptures that are INCORRECTLY used to condemn sexual minorities.
Links to Janet's writing:
Janet's leaflet, read in this podcast: GOD LOVES YOU - God Loves All of the LGBTQIA+ Community!!
https://www.slideshare.net/EltonSherwin/god-loves-you-leaflet-by-janet-edmondspdf
More details and scholarly references can be found in Janet’s longer white paper which is published several places:
https://tiny.cc/Janet1

https://serendipitydodah.wordpress.com/2017/02/27/the-clobber-verses

In a PDF: https://elcvienna.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Booklet-about-Homosexuality-and-the-Bible-Sept.-2016.pdf
Podcast written and produced by: ⁠⁠Elton Sherwin⁠⁠
Audio edited and enhanced with: ⁠⁠Descript Studio Sound ⁠⁠
Synthesized speech using: ⁠⁠Speechelo⁠⁠
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
18 min