March 27, 2011:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“A New Day Is Dawning”

This afternoon a large group of Pilgrim members and friends will participate in the "Strides of March" walk to benefit the HIV/AIDS program of Chattanooga Cares. Thanks to Bob Austin’s tireless efforts we expect that our team will be the largest! It’s not too late to join us!

A new day is dawning in Chattanooga, the "Bible Belt," the United States, and around the world. There is increasing acceptance of the right of Gay and Lesbian people to the same civil liberties afforded to heterosexuals. Though the drumbeat of hate and prejudice is still heard, it is being rejected by more and more people. Thank God!

How did this happen? I think that three things helped to make this new day possible:

— More and more Gay and Lesbian people have had the courage to "come out" to their families, friends, co-workers, fellow church members, and others. Straight and narrow people were confronted with the reality of people they cared about being homosexual. When we know someone is a person of worth and value, it is harder to reject them because of their sexual orientation.

— The psychological community has come to realize (by and large) that homosexuality is as normal for Gay and Lesbian people as heterosexuality is for straight people. What a change! Fifty years ago mental health professionals still regarded homosexuality as a serious psychological disturbance, even a perversion. While some still insist that homosexuals can be changed by the right therapy, there is little support for this anymore in the psychological community.

— The religious community is increasingly becoming an ally in the fight for homosexual freedom and justice. Denominations such as the United Church of Christ and local churches such as Pilgrim are no longer lonely voices crying in the wilderness. Of course, there are still haters and bigots in the religious community, but they have lost much of their power to influence the majority of Americans.

Now is the time to be gracious winners. A new day is dawning. Soon, everyone, except for those blind to the truth, will see the light.

Love,
Pastor Dave