17. March 2011 by admin.

Closed for two years, a historic downtown Minneapolis church is open again. And its Methodist Rev, Greg Renstrom says he plans to bless same-sex unions.

By ROSE FRENCH, Star Tribune

Wesley United Methodist Church

According to

The Rev. Greg Renstrom has big plans for the reopened Wesley United Methodist Church. Plans that could potentially get him defrocked.

He wants to hold ceremonies to bless same-sex unions at the historic downtown Minneapolis church, even though they would conflict with Methodist policy.

"Somebody has to do it," Renstrom said. "I cannot imagine that Jesus would ever refuse to bless a responsible, mutually respectful and reverent relationship."

Wesley’s move comes at a time when Methodists and other Protestant faiths are grappling with gay marriage, gay clergy and related issues. Only a few denominations allow same-sex union ceremonies.

Declining membership forced Wesley, one of the first megachurches in the Twin Cities, to disband in 2008 after nearly 150 years of existence.

The United Methodist Church, the third-largest denomination in the United States, considers homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching," according to its Book of Discipline. "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches." Methodists also do not allow clergy in openly gay relationships to serve congregations.

More http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/117839048.html

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New study: Cheerful optimists die younger than grumpy pessimists. "Part of the explanation lies in studying the health behaviors of the study subject — the cheerful, happy-go-lucky kids tended to take more risks with their health across the years.

College student Aaron Tobey sues U.S. government for violation of Fourth amendment following strip protest at airport: "The defendants listed in his legal filing are Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the head of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, the Richmond airport authority and several security officers there. He’s seeking $250,000 in damages and reimbursement for legal fees.

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Bishop Harry Jackson: The Black Church ‘Raised Up the Banner of Jesus’ to Kill Gay Marriage in Maryland

Anti-gay crusader Bishop Harry Jackson spoke with the Christian Broadcast Network following the shelving of the marriage equality bill in Maryland and claimed the win for the Black Church:

"We exerted spiritual impact in that natural secular arena. It took the Church coming out, the Black Church, and telling its representatives, don’t listen to party leadership. Understand that you’re going to have to come back to your own community. “

“They see you sort of as lemmings who are willing to march off to your death. When really and truly there will be a price to pay. That message came across. The Church was strong. And the Black church did raise up the banner of Jesus and win the day for the Church in Maryland."

http://www.towleroad.com/

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Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Anti-Gay Bill in Montana

Montana’s Senate Local Government Committee held what was described by The Missoulian as a "low key" hearing on a bill that passed Montana’s House last month after fiery debate.

The bill would nullify Missoula’s 2010 ordinance protecting LGBT people from discrimination and prohibit local governments in the state from passing similar ordinances.

The Missoulian:

Opponents, however, argued HB516 had legal problems and that Missoula has the authority to enact such an ordinance if its city council chose to do so.

Niki Zupanic of the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana called the bill unconstitutional at the federal and state levels. She helped draft the anti-discrimination ordinance for Missoula.

Gregory Smith, who was a chaplain to the Legislature in 1993, said he is a therapist whose patients includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

"I am a gay man and a native Montanan," he said. "We want to live our lives happily and from fear in the state we grew up in." Smith said the bill ignores a suffering segment of Montana’s population and is "enshrining bigotry and discrimination."

The Senate panel "took no immediate action" according to the paper.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/03/senate-committee-holds-hearing-on-anti-gay-bill-in-montana.html

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http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8014854

Queens Murder Being Investigated as Hate Crime

The weekend beating of a Queens, NYC teen is being investigated as a hate crime, the NYPD confirmed today. Anthony Collao, an 18-year-old recent graduate who helped run his family’s small ice cream business, was beaten and stomped to death at a brutal attack birthday party on Saturday, the NY Daily News reported this morning.

ABC7 reports:

What began as a birthday party at the abandoned building in Queens turned ugly police say when a group of five men, not wanting to pay the seven dollars cover, began pushing their way inside.

"They started making homophobic remarks," Kelly said.

Windows were broken and even neighbors could see how rowdy things were becoming.

Back outside, according to a criminal complaint, one of the five said "get the f***k out of the front, this is my hood" and then began chasing 18-year old Anthony Collao and another man down 90th Street.

A block and half later, they caught Collao.

Collao was not gay, though the two men throwing the party reportedly were. Collao was beaten "within an inch of his life" according to police. He was taken off life support on Monday.

Four teens have been arrested and a fifth is being sought, according to the NYDN.

In Iowa,  Republications vow to remove pro-marriage equality Senate.

Iowa Republicans and wingnuts focus on ousting marriage equality’s biggest legislative advocate, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal: "Chuck Hurley, head of the conservative Iowa Family Policy Center, agreed, calling Gronstal’s election defeat ‘a very, very high priority. It’s our top issue.’"

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EFzcUDa2Y_0#at=177

Congress Given Until April 18 to Intervene in NY DOMA Case

Americablog reports that an attorney in Edie Windsor’s challenge to DOMA in the state of New York received a copy of an order given to House Speaker John Boehner giving Congress until April 18 to intervene in that case.

Watch a great clip on Edie Windsor’s case.

A press conference is scheduled for today at which legislation to repeal DOMA will be re-introduced. Windsor will be present.

Boehner recently announced that the House would defend DOMA in court.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/03/congress-given-until-april-18-to-intervene-in-ny-doma-case.html

California Megachurch Choir Forces Members to Sign Anti-Gay Pact

Well, isn’t this disgusting? Orange County’s Crystal Cathedral has asked the members of its choir to sign a "covenant" asking them to respect the Biblical view of sexual intimacy and marriage, between one man and one woman, the Orange

County Register reports:

The "Crystal Cathedral Worship Choir and Worship Team Covenant," recently handed out to members, states that members should commit to being Christians by following the Bible in every way.

Former and current choir members say they are particularly offended by a statement in the document that refers to homosexuality. Long-time church members say this is the first time they have seen the cathedral take a firm stand against homosexuality and are disturbed by it.

The covenant states: "I understand that in an era where images of family relationship and personal sexuality are often confused, Crystal Cathedral Ministries believes that it is important to teach and model the biblical view. I understand that Crystal Cathedral Ministries teaches that sexual intimacy is intended by God to only be within the bonds of marriage, between one man and one woman."

A cathedral spokesman said that the pact doesn’t mean gays are banned from the choir, they are just "strongly encouraged" to sign something that says who they are and what they do is wrong.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/03/california-megachurch-choir-forces-members-to-sign-anti-gay-pact.html

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