Well, since we're sharing Facebook stories, here's a pleasant surprise for once. I grew up in the Methodist Church in Texas, including several years as a church pianist when I was in high school and college. I was never truly "out" to the congregation, but several people in the church knew I was gay and pretty much left it alone. A Methodist church can kind of go either way on gay rights, and Methodists change ministers every four to six years or so (fewer if the congregation and the preacher don't get along). Growing up, I never heard homosexuality condemned from the pulpit from any of the preachers. A few preachers gave sporadic sermons saying the church needed to become more accepting. Most eschewed anything political altogether and stuck to the Joel Osteen style of preaching (from the pulpit, not on Larry King, I mean). About the only "conservative" sermon I ever remember hearing during my 20 or so years there was one preacher who railed against the Texas Lottery being passed. He was later arrested for tax evasion, but that's another story!
Anyway, whenever I go visit my mom, I still go back to church with her, as she's the church organist and loves to do organ/piano duets with me. As such, I've gotten to know my mom's current preacher, and while we have a friendly enough relationship, I've certainly never discussed my sexuality with him. He friended me on Facebook several years ago, and I was a little reticent to accept, but considering I'm long past the age of posting drunken photos of myself and don't use Facebook that much anymore, I went ahead and accepted.
Well, today, he weighed in on the Chick Fil A issue via a link from a colleague of his that he said he agreed with wholeheartedly. I almost didn't click on it, but I'm glad I did. Take a look, and keep in mind this is coming from a preacher in Dallas (and was linked to from a preacher in the Texas suburbs).
Link
.jpg?format=auto&width=300)
.jpg?format=auto&width=365)
