Newspapers / Community Connections (Asheville, N.C.) / May 1, 1991, edition 1 / Page 15
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Community Connections, May, 1991 Page 15 SPEAKING OUT! Send us a copy when you send letters or telegrams about gay/lesbian issues to elected officials, mainstream press, or companies. March 2, 1991 The Editor Episcopal Life 815 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017 Dear Editor: For over 200 years christians in this country have been faced with four great moral issues. These four moral issues might be referred to, in short, as the four BS’s. They are: Biblical Slavery, Biblical Segregation, Biblical Sexism, and Biblical Sexuality. This four BS’s are interesting in that both sides of each issue can, and have, supported their diametrically opposite views using holy writ, tradition and reason. The first BS was disposed of during the last century, but cost this country considerably in blood and treasure. In spite of the great and profound arguments made in support of that "peculiar southern institution," anyone using the same arguments today and advancing the same cause would be giggled at as being intellectually eccentric. In spite of the unhealthy remains of racism polluting the atmosphere, the second BS, segregation, was dealt with over a period of many decades. This, too, was mightily defended using holy writ, tradition and reason. How would we react today to anyone using the same arguments to return to the "good old days" of segregation? The third BS, sexism, has been tackled and some inroads have been made. Yet, we hear the same arguments being used once again to keep women out of the priesthood and bishops’ chairs and generally away from the altar unless they are cleaning and prettying up. Slowly this church is beginning to accept the idea of women deacons, priests and yes, horror of holy horrors, bishops. With the fourth BS, however, sexuality, we have hardly gotten to first base, much less tackled it. The first two BS’s, slavery and segregation, were drawn up along sectional lines which left one side smugly pious and the other arrogantly defensive. The third BS, sexism, became a little more widespread and reached over borders and nationalities, but slowly and grudgingly the arguments are falling. One does get the feeling that with the fourth BS, sexuality, "a line has been drawn in the sand." One can almost hear the gnashing of teeth and hot breaths sputtering out, "Yes, slavery was immoral and a human tragedy." This being said from a century’s distance. "And segregation was not a very nice social habit." We’re getting a little closer now. "And if my daughter wants to be a priest, well, ok, but I will never accept homosexuals as equal members of the church!" How the holy corns do ache as they tread closer to the present. One can’t help but wonder how the christians of the 21st Century will view the four BS’s from their vantage. Who will they have to look down upon and feel superior to? Oh, well, there will always be the jews, the moslems the hindus the.... Earl M. Willis The Western North Carolina Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee IN PRIDE The 1991 WNC Pride Festival The WNC Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee 1 n Asheville, NC June 14.15.1 cordially invites everyone to the Land of the Sky for the Third Annual WNC Pride Festival. For more information, contact Ron at (704) 258-3318. Events include a concert sponsored by SALGA, a WNCAP Benefit at O. Henry’s, a volleyball tournament and carnival at Memorial Field on Sunday to close out the weekend. Join us in cool, green Asheville for what promises to be a fantastic weekend for all.
Community Connections (Asheville, N.C.)
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May 1, 1991, edition 1
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