Glimpses from Outside the Closet

This Book comes under the heading of 'Christian Alternative.' It is the honest account of how my private and professional worlds collided as I faced the Industrial Tribunal of my son against the Church that employed us both. When the fog and the fear subsided, the Book became a therapeutic, God given task, and a true witness of his deliverance. I am privileged to add my voice to the many others who expose the sham and hypocrisy that has always surrounded homosexuality, enabling its...
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This Book comes under the heading of 'Christian Alternative.' It is the honest account of how my private and professional worlds collided as I faced the Industrial Tribunal of my son against the Church that employed us both. When the fog and the fear subsided, the Book became a therapeutic, God given task, and a true witness of his deliverance. I am privileged to add my voice to the many others who expose the sham and hypocrisy that has always surrounded homosexuality, enabling its deadly consequences to thrive. Snapshots of my childhood and young adult life allow us to glimpse a few of the masks that we all wear in order to conform to society. It is particularly so if we are part of Church. I acknowledge closets of pretence that I tried to live within, and how I painfully emerged from them. Each situation has equipped me to understand others, and enabled my call and journey of ministry. I look at the Bible as an authority, and examine how selectively it is followed, even by fundamentalists who hail it as the 'inerrant word of God'. 'Unmasked' Bible study shows a darker picture. The Bible has been used to justify the hateful treatment of certain groups, including women, throughout history. I glimpse historical persecution of homosexuals, and quote preachers of hate who use our Christian pulpits today. On the subject of 'The Law' (which includes the so-called 'prohibition texts' regarding homosexuality) I show that other Laws of Moses are completely ignored by followers of the Bible. I glimpse the work of Biologist Bruce Bagemihl who shows how the study of natural sexuality in the animal kingdom has been suppressed. As well as my Christian stance I stress the value of the teaching of other faiths that has enlightened people throughout history. I welcome this light from others, and include the logic of atheism presented by Professor Richard Dawkins. I plead the importance of dialogue in the divisive subject of homosexuality, particularly within the church. I invite us to talk about the issues raised. I glimpse the stances of other denominations and faiths; LGBT rights and punishments throughout the world, the Gay Church and its encouragers. Each chapter ends with a short quote, and quotes from the wise have the last word.