Was Jesus That Way?
In a story by Elizabeth Day at the Telegraph News [UK], the "Rt Rev Gene Robinson, the Bishop of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church of the United States" is quoted saying interesting things:
In answer to a question from the congregation [attending his recent address at the Christ Church of Hamilton and Wenham in Massachusetts] about how the acceptance of homosexuality could be squared with the scriptural emphasis on redemption for sins, the Bishop replied: "Interestingly enough, in this day of traditional family values, this man that we follow was single, as far as we know, travelled with a bunch of men, had a disciple who was known as 'the one whom Jesus loved' and said my family is not my mother and father, my family is those who do the will of God. None of us likes those harsh words. That's who Jesus is, that's who he was at heart, in his earthly life.
"Those who would posit the nuclear family as the be all and end all of God's creation probably don't find that much in the gospels to support it," he said.
In response, it seems that someone named Mr. Virtue (I'm not making this up!) is aghast that Bishop Robinson might suggest that Jesus was gay:
It is appalling deconstructionism from the liberal lobby which will spin even the remotest thing to turn it into a hint that Biblical figures are gay. It is so utterly preposterous to imply that Jesus's relationship with John was homo-erotic, but twisting the truth is the only way these people can get scriptural justification for their lifestyles. Can you imagine Calvin, Luther or Erasmus saying something like this? It is a wonder that thunder and lightning bolts don't strike Bishop Robinson down.
I like that thunder and lightning bit. And what, by the way, is so preposterous about the idea that Jesus was gay? I bet Mr. Virtue believe that's what happens when a person grows up with a distant father, even if that father happens to be omnipotent.
I begin to think that if I believe in God, I'd ask him/her/it to bless Bishop Robinson.