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Other Sheep is Multicultural Ministries with Sexual Minorities, working world wide in an ever-expanding variety of languages, cultures and GLBT concerns, to share the good news that God loves all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons just as they are and calls them into inclusive, gay-affirming, Christian communities. |
Go to Other Sheep writings on Homosexuality and the Bible and read Dr. Tom Hanks' studies on the topic. Be sure to read his scholarly study on Romans and Homosexuality |
| Rev. Rivers, in his October 12, 2005, address to the NYC clergy of the City Action Coalition, lamented that the church has failed over the years to teach on human sexuality. Dr. Wink's study on human sexuality as chronicled in the Bible over centuries of Bible history, might be a good starting point for dialogue among Evangelicals as well as with gay Christians as to what the Bible may or may not purport about human sexuality. |
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Dr. Joseph Matters, Center Left
Executive Director, CAC
Rev. Eugene Rivers, Center Right
CAC Featured Speaker
Executive Director, CAC
Rev. Eugene Rivers, Center Right
CAC Featured Speaker
February 5, 1996 Issue of Christianity Today For more information on the ministry, life and philosophy of Rev. Eugene Rivers visit the Article in Christianity Today on the Ministry of Eugene Rivers |
October 12, 2005. New York City. At
what the City Action Coalition deemed an
historical event, Rev. Eugene Rivers, in his
address to the CAC today, exhorted his
evangelical audience to enter into dialogue
with gays and lesbians. "I want to
understand how you experience this thing,"
he said, modeling how the evangelical
church needs to begin speaking with the
gay community. "We will invite those who
disagree with us" to talk with us, he said.
When Rev. Eugene Rivers was asked
during the panel discussion if he would, in
the spirit of dialogue, make the written text
of his address available by email, he
announced to his audience that he would
through the office of City Action Coalition.
He asked Dr. Joseph Mattera, Executive
Director of CAC, to receive his text by
email and then to forward it to all
interested parties.
Rev. Rivers was CAC's featured speaker
for today's forum on the topic "Is Same-Sex
Marriage a Civil Right?" In his address,
Rev. Rivers advocated that the Black Civil
Rights Movement has wrongfully been
"hijacked" by the Gay Rights Movement;
and that the Gay Movement, while making
associations of itself with "slavery" does
not make the same associations of itself
with the "holocaust," to which he asked
and answered the question, "Why?"
Rev. Rivers spoke of "lifestyle" but not of
"orientation," linking same-sex marriage
rights with polygamy and bestiality rights,
arguing society's acceptance of one
"lifestyle" must dictate the eventual
acceptance of any "lifestyle."
Rev. Rivers stated that whereas a man can
not change his race he can change his
behavior so that a homosexual presently
has at his disposal all the benefits and
rights of any heterosexual individual under
the law. Rev. Rivers stated that the
homosexual merely needs to change his
behavior to receive the benefits already
provided him under the law for
heterosexual marriage.
In a written statement titled "Is Same-Sex
Marriage a Civil Right?" released by CAC
at today's meeting, CAC said, "We know
that same-sex marriage redefines marriage
downward, and weakens our families, as it
aims for a definition closer to "open
marriage," where mutual fidelity is not
expected or celebrated."
Jeff Beacham, secretary and board
member of CAC, acted as moderator
during the panel discussion. Mr. Beacham
stated to the audience that CAC is
"speak[ing] out in support of traditional
marriage rather than against anything."
Joseph Mattera, in a memo to pastors and
leaders, had previously announced that a
Clergy Press Conference would be
conducted at today's gathering.
Stephen Parelli, Reporting
Executive Director of Other Sheep
what the City Action Coalition deemed an
historical event, Rev. Eugene Rivers, in his
address to the CAC today, exhorted his
evangelical audience to enter into dialogue
with gays and lesbians. "I want to
understand how you experience this thing,"
he said, modeling how the evangelical
church needs to begin speaking with the
gay community. "We will invite those who
disagree with us" to talk with us, he said.
When Rev. Eugene Rivers was asked
during the panel discussion if he would, in
the spirit of dialogue, make the written text
of his address available by email, he
announced to his audience that he would
through the office of City Action Coalition.
He asked Dr. Joseph Mattera, Executive
Director of CAC, to receive his text by
email and then to forward it to all
interested parties.
Rev. Rivers was CAC's featured speaker
for today's forum on the topic "Is Same-Sex
Marriage a Civil Right?" In his address,
Rev. Rivers advocated that the Black Civil
Rights Movement has wrongfully been
"hijacked" by the Gay Rights Movement;
and that the Gay Movement, while making
associations of itself with "slavery" does
not make the same associations of itself
with the "holocaust," to which he asked
and answered the question, "Why?"
Rev. Rivers spoke of "lifestyle" but not of
"orientation," linking same-sex marriage
rights with polygamy and bestiality rights,
arguing society's acceptance of one
"lifestyle" must dictate the eventual
acceptance of any "lifestyle."
Rev. Rivers stated that whereas a man can
not change his race he can change his
behavior so that a homosexual presently
has at his disposal all the benefits and
rights of any heterosexual individual under
the law. Rev. Rivers stated that the
homosexual merely needs to change his
behavior to receive the benefits already
provided him under the law for
heterosexual marriage.
In a written statement titled "Is Same-Sex
Marriage a Civil Right?" released by CAC
at today's meeting, CAC said, "We know
that same-sex marriage redefines marriage
downward, and weakens our families, as it
aims for a definition closer to "open
marriage," where mutual fidelity is not
expected or celebrated."
Jeff Beacham, secretary and board
member of CAC, acted as moderator
during the panel discussion. Mr. Beacham
stated to the audience that CAC is
"speak[ing] out in support of traditional
marriage rather than against anything."
Joseph Mattera, in a memo to pastors and
leaders, had previously announced that a
Clergy Press Conference would be
conducted at today's gathering.
Stephen Parelli, Reporting
Executive Director of Other Sheep
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