For the bible tells me so . . .

. . .went very, very well last night at Trinity Cathedral in Easton, MD.

The documentary was shown first and I must say, it gets more powerful every time I watch it. I 'hear' different things.

Like: Yes, you can read in the bible the following words: 'Homosexuality is an abomination'. However, that's not what the bible says. There is a difference between how you read the bible and what the bible says - depending on how you read it.

"An abomination" refers to the prevailing cultural and religious standard in that day. This is why the prohibitions against homosexuality are in with other sexual restrictions, like having sex during a woman's menstruating cycle, as well as dietary abominations, etc.

Leviticus is all about building up those who had fled from Egypt having been held in captivity and in bondage for all those centuries. Let's not waste "seed", which they felt was nascent and contained everything for procreation, on mastorbation or having sex when fertilization is not as possible or with another man.

It was also a way for the community to have a sense of atonement with God for whatever it was they had done (shame and blame) to anger God so that they ended up in slavery. If we can stay pure, the thinking went, we can stay closer to God and the closer we are to God, the less likely harm will come to us.

The prohibition against homosexual acts (because homosexuals as a demographic of people was not known in antiquity) was so powerful because it instilled a fear of God, a national and religious identity, and misogyny (Don't let our men be treated like women), all in one.

That was helpful to hear again.

My panelists were all brilliant. You can see us all in the pictures, together with the organizers. There's Bishop Bud Shand, the big guy in the blue sweater standing next to Mark Harris and directly behind Ted Mollogen there, in the middle chair (fourth one in from the left).

The Cathedral was PACKED, the questions were thoughtful, the food was delicious and the hospitality couldn't have been more generous and gracious.

I am convinced that it is from gatherings such as these that real social and spiritual change happens. That gathering last night was more effective than any 10 resolutions that have or might pass General Convention.

So, from that heady experience to the mundane. It's Friday. My day off. And, there are chores to do. I'm off now to Dover, DE to have my car serviced, then to RB to get my hairs cut (And not a minute too soon. I am having a Very Bad Hair Day).

Another day, another fifty cents in the Realm of God.

I must say that, on the drive down here yesterday I had this thought in my head. I woke up with it this morning. I think I'm meant to share it with y'all:

I believe it was a former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, who said, "Sometimes we succeed, and God is present. Sometimes we fail, and God is present. Whether we succeed or fail, God is present."

So now g'won. Get on wid yo sassy selves. I'll catch up with you later.

Update: Thanks to Kelly Malone, one of the organizers of this event, for identifying everyone in the picture.

Back row, left to right: Rev. Phyllis Spiegel, Karen Kohn, Rev. Mark Harris, Bishop Bud Shand, Rev. Heather Cook, Rev. Paul Winters
Front row, left to right: Kelley Malone, Ted Mollegen :-), and Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton