Jenell Paris is going now, with a talk called “Sex is (Not) a Big Deal.”
Our discussion on sexuality revolves around the question ‘Is homosexuality a sin?’
She says this is a complicated question, partially theological and partly cultural. She also thinks its bullying, a way of dividing people into camps.
“Heterosexuality is to homosexuality as twin is to twin.” -Jenell
Apparently one definition of hererosexuality once considered was liking someone of the opposite sex with the goal of procreation. So all those who wanted to have sex but didn’t want to have a child as a result would therefore be considered deviants.
The word homosexual did not appear in the Bible until 1949. Before then it was translated something like deviant or male prostitute or “abusers of themselves with mankind.” We don’t have an exact english word for whatever Paul was referring to in the Greek.
No one knew the word “homosexuality” until the 1930’s or 1940’s. Before then it was an obscure medical term.
Heterosexuality causes sin for those living a heterosexual lifestyle by carrying inherent moral superiority, producing inauthenticity by requiring one to protect their status as straight, and it isn’t a scientifically credible category.
“It’s difficult to have a discussion about sexuality when some people are morally superior from the get-go.” -Jenell
“Heterosexuality is a category you can get kicked out of for almost nothing.” -Jenell
“Heterosexuality is a construct, an idea, not a scientifically credible category.” -Jenell
Sexuality is better understood as a spectrum, including asexuality, and therefore a person can’t be easily categorized with a simple one-word label.
Different cultures have different ideas and constructs for how they understand sexuality. Our binary version is not the only one.
“I’m not Weslyan, but they talk about holiness a lot, and its a really good idea.” -Jenell
“Don’t just take the culture’s categories and then moralize on top of them.” -Jenell
“If ‘is homosexuality a sin?’ controls the discussion, we can’t have a civil discussion.” -Jenell
I really enjoyed Jenell’s piece! It was a civil and intelligent way of discussing the issue without demonizing anyone.
Now Alyce McKenzie is continuing her skit. She’s focusing on self-reliance. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” kind of thing.
“Self-reliance doesn’t work.” -Alyce
“There are some sorrows that I can’t heal myself. There are some battles that are too fierce that I can’t win myself.” -Alyce
Now Alyce is done for the time being again, and Lauren Winner is on.
21 Ways People Should Know We’re Christians:
1. Christians are Peacemakers
2. Christians always come to help those in need.
3. Christians rest.
4. Christians let their resting reconfigure their work.
5. Christians are people who live well in their bodies (like dancing, like sex, wear clothes not made by child labor).
6. Christians practice boredom – found our way out of consumerism and an obsession with novelty and newness.
7. Christians tell the truth. Authenticity can become a pose, but we actually tell the truth.
8. Christians practice silence – meaning we listen well and don’t offer cheap answers, and are willing to be silent before God.
9. Christians live in communities where everyone has power.
10. Christian communities are communities where women get to do lots of stuff.
11. Christians go to church with people they live near.
12. Christians keep telling God to do things, like heal the sick and feed the hungry.
13. When we think about God, we then think about how the world needs to change.
14. Christians are good to the planet.
15. Christians see themselves as small characters in a bigger story.
16. Christians lament.
17. Christians throw good parties.
18. Christians don’t gossip.
19. Christians know how to practice unity without eliminating differences, just like the Trinity.
20. Christians understand grace.
21. The way Christians celebrate the sacraments and live in the world makes people’s mouths water and hearts hungry.
