28 episodes
The Queer Christian: Navigating Faith, Church and the Bible Elton Sherwin
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- Religion & Spirituality
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4.1 • 9 Ratings
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Questioning the Bible’s stance on same-sex attraction or premarital sex?
This podcast series debunks the myths propagated by conservative churches. We expose the shameful use of Old Testament verses to condemn gay Christians and spotlight Biblical scriptures that affirm sexual diversity.
Yes, there are pro-LGBTQIA+ scriptures.
And NOWHERE in the Gospel does Jesus forbid premarital sex, same-sex marriages, or female priests.
If your faith and sexuality seem at odds, these podcasts may help.
Too many churches teach a cultural gospel, a false gospel, that Jesus never preached.
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26. Living The Good Life
This episode challenges conventional messages on well-being and prompts listeners to question what truly contributes to their wellbeing and living “The Good Life.”
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
Episode Cover art: Microsoft Copilot
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming -
25. The Parable of Lost Things
Pastor Danielle Parrish explores the profound biblical narrative of lost sheep, coins, and sons, emphasizing God's inclusive love.
She challenges traditional interpretations by asserting the equal importance of women in Jesus' teachings, presenting a powerful message of inclusivity and unconditional love.
Drawing from her deep understanding of first-century Jewish cultural, she takes you on a journey through Luke 15, highlighting the interconnectedness of lost sheep, lost coins, and a prodigal son, viewing these parables as one continuous narrative that invites everyone to God's table of celebration.
Danielle Parrish is the lead pastor of Spark Church, in Palo Alto, California: www.spark.church
Scriptures quoted:
• Luke 15
• Ephesians 3:14-19
• Galatians 3:28
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
#ProdigalSon
#Inclusive -
24. America First? A Christmas Letter
The podcast reflects on Pastor Steve Reed's Christmas letter, lamenting the changes in white evangelicalism and criticizing its failure to align with Jesus' teachings.
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
Synthesized speech using: https://maestra.ai/
Episode cover art generated by https://pixlr.com
AI prompt: “a patriotic American Jesus”
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
#Borderwall
#Refugees
#Immigrantion -
23. Conversion Therapy's Dark Reality
We discuss the deeply flawed practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation.
Related Episodes:
8. Paul, Gay Marriage and Gender Pronouns
11. Why Young Christians Are Leaving the Church and Some Are Committing Suicide
12. The Problems with Purity
13. When Is Sex Between Two Unmarried People God Honoring? (Seven rules for sex between unmarried people)
21. A Trans Christian's Quest for Authenticity
Movies Referenced:
Boy Erased: https://www.netflix.com/title/80240538
Review quoted from The Jesuit Post: https://thejesuitpost.org/2018/11/boy-erased-conversion-therapy-and-the-catholic-church/
Pray Away: https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370
Review quoted from Conscience Magazine: https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/resource-library/netflixs-pray-away-exposes-conversion-therapy-fraud/
Articles and Websites Quoted:
The American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/us/group-that-promoted-curing-gays-ceases-operations.html
Time magazine: https://time.com/3065495/9-ex-leaders-of-the-gay-conversion-therapy-movement-apologize/
The AMA calls for ban: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/american-medical-association-backs-nationwide-conversion-therapy-ban-n1088731
Statistics quoted:
Alan Chambers quote, “99.9% have not experienced a change in their orientation” from: https://wthrockmorton.com/2012/01/09/alan-chambers-99-9-have-not-experienced-a-change-in-their-orientation/ or https://www.npr.org/2013/06/20/193965227/group-that-claimed-to-cure-gays-disbands-leader-apologizes
Post conversion therapy suicide ideation rate of 28% from Statista https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053024/lgbtq-youth-in-us-attempted-suicide-conversion-therapy-experience/
Trans children exposed to conversion therapy at a young age are four times more likely to report lifetime suicide attempts: https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/transgender-conversion-therapy-associated-severe-psychological-distress-n1052416
Finding Affirming, Sex-Positive Counselors Who Do NOT Believe in Conversion Therapy:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/therapy-for-lgbt#organizations
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/california?category=gay (Find the LGBTQ Affirming pull-down or edit the URL and replace “California” with “Texas” or whatever state you’re in)
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/finding-an-lgbtq-therapist/
https://allintherapyclinic.com/how-to-find-an-lgbt-affirming-therapist/
https://directory.choosingtherapy.com/
https://lgbtqhealthcaredirectory.org/
On-line therapy:
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/best-lgbtq-online-therapy-options/
https://www.talkspace.com/online-therapy/lgbtqia
Benefits of Church Attendance for Adults and Children:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/regularly-attending-religious-services-associated-with-lower-risk-of-deaths-of-despair/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11302358/
https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/49/6/2030/5892419
Additional References and Resources
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/queer-youth-religion-suicide-study_n_5ad4f7b3e4b077c89ceb9774
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ending-conversion-therapy/
https://glaad.org/conversiontherapy/
https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/faith-leaders-lgbtq-conversion-therapy-ban_n_5fda6074c5b650b99ad93787
https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/conversion-therapy-pray-away/
https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-56496423
https://web.archive.org/web/20230405193059/https://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/
https://youtu.be/Ea10c6VXVx8?si=VebC4DTN9m37bkwD&t=197
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Policy_Statements/2018/Conversion_Therapy.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy
All quotes edited for clarity and brevity, and red by descript no -
22. Queer Before Columbus: Two-Spirit Native Americans
The vibrant diversity of gender-fluid and non-binary individuals in Native American cultures; the tragic ban of same-sex marriages by the Navajo Nation Council; and the role of Christian churches in a cultural genocide, which attempted to erase the history of Two-Spirit individuals and their unique and respected roles in many tribes.
Quoted or referenced in podcast:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/10/23/navajo-gay-marriage-ban-lgbtq/
https://lgbtqhealth.ca/community/two-spirit.php
https://www.ihs.gov/lgbt/health/twospirit/
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/11/two-spirit-people-north-america
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203%3A28&version=RSV
Additional References
https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/the-history-of-two-spirit-folks
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13845330/5-two-spirit-heroes-who-paved-the-way-for-todays-native-lgbtq-community
https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-two-spirit-native-americans-changing-the-world
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-spirit
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming -
21. A Trans Christian's Quest for Authenticity
Aiden Yang's transformation as he liberates the good troublemaker within, explores the Beatitudes, and finds inspiration from rapper Bad Bunny.
Aiden Yang, a Trans-Christian Asian American, describes the many challenges to living true to your authentic self: Challenges from your church; challenges from your family; and challenges from a capitalist society.
Aiden takes you on a transformative journey to embrace your shadow self and live authentically. Aiden shares insights from his personal experience and draws parallels with the Beatitudes, challenging societal norms and finding inspiration from rapper Bad Bunny's countercultural journey.
Aiden’s website: https://aidensyang.com
About Aiden:
https://aidensyang.com/about-aiden
https://youtu.be/1IVEFNLlC54
Aiden’s book, “The Spineless Porcupine: Why Our Differences Are Superpowers”
https://aidensyang.com/book
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PNJPS1H/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_93WYFb7ED3J6X
Aiden’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love_n_cr8ivity/
Aiden’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayme/
This sermon was originally delivered at Bethel Community Church in San Leandro, CA and has been edited for this podcast.
https://bethelcommunitysl.org
Podcast produced by: Elton Sherwin
Audio edited and enhanced with: Descript Studio Sound
#Bible
#Christian
#Affirming
Customer Reviews
Thank you
I have been in church my entire life and have read and studied my Bible always, and yet, you put some scriptures that have been used to harm people into perspective.
In my gut, I knew those scriptures didn’t apply to me, but I lacked the ability to articulate that for others.
I have shared your Podcast with dozens of people; some as an educational tool but to others who claim they will never attend church again because of the gay hate. I wonder how many people will have a different story to tell in Heaven thanks to you and the work you do?
I also wonder how many gays will not seek suicide because they feel loved and accepted.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing love in this world.
Courtney
October 10, 2022
Much needed
Grateful for this thoughtful, well-researched rebuttal to the harmful homophobia coming out of so many churches. This hate has been nurtured by evangelical radio for decades. Along with this absence of brotherly love is often a lack of empathy for all marginalized groups—the opposite of what Jesus taught. Thankfully, there are good churches out there but have to look. Please keep up your good work!
Ravening Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing
“If you were raised in a conservative church and told the Bible forbids all sex outside of marriage… And forbids all gay sex… These podcasts may surprise you, because the Bible says none of this.” Oh really?… Goes and gets the Bible. “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Hebrews 13:4 "If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." Leviticus 20:13 (NLT) The Bible is quite clear on these sins. You are teaching Liberation Theology. It's Marxism using the church as a vessel to push the Theology of Marxism on the flock of the church. You will have to stand before God for this offense.