Forced back

[jay]

I just talked to K, the rector of our parish... because of "lifestyle issues", specifically, I will not be allowed to be a vestry candidate, or a candidate for anything else that represents the parish. If I insist on running for any office, he will remove my eligibility by writing a disciplinary letter to the diocese, thus making me a member-not-in-good-standing. Poly-sensitivity outweighs any gain that the organization might get from my talents and skills. K justified having existing gay vestry members, but not poly, as, "people are of several minds on homosexuality within the church, but everyone agrees that monogamy is the biblical standard."

If I don't force the issue, I will continue to be allowed to participate as a member... allowed communion, but essentially nothing further. patgreene has asked me to not force their hand, if only to not make things harder on her and the kids. So I will probably retreat back to my corner...

Comments

[geekchick]

everyone agrees that monogamy is the biblical standard

Who's this "everyone"?

I'm sorry you guys are having to deal with this. =(

[kiya]

Who's this "everyone"?

The ones who don't read the OT, I suspect.

I'm sorry you guys are having to deal with this. =(

Metoo. Ugh.

[sebab.livejournal.com]

I was about to point this out too.

sorry to hear this, Brian.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

(nods) After all, polygamy was still extant in Jewish communities until medieval times, and ended then not because the Torah said it was unlawful, but as a means to stand out less and minimize pogroms by the surrounding Christians...

[geekchick]

The ones who don't read the OT, I suspect.

*nod* When I read that justification, my first reaction was "I suppose that means the Old Testament isn't part of the Bible then?".

Ugh.

Indeed. Ugh.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm annoyed in part because I expected better of this parish community... they might not agree with my ethical stands, but that they'd agree to disagree -- rather than effectively tell me to be quiet and re-closet myself.

[kiya]

*nods* I always find it hard to deal with people being that much less than I thought they were. (And I find closeting damnably hard and soul-breaking, as I'm sure you've picked up over the years.)

Blergh. I hope you can find a way of not getting too badly hurt by these folks.

[brooksmoses]

Yeah. I was wondering why exactly Brian doesn't count as part of everyone, aside from all the OT issues....

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Heh. Here, "everyone" functionally means "other clergy and important parishioners who agree with me"...

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

It was going to happen at some point... thanks.