SDA Kinship - CONNECTION - December 1991

CONECTIONSDA KINSI{IPFriendsA Publication of Seventh-day Adventist Gay Men and Lesbians and their December i9g1 Volume 15 NumberllAdventistP arallels CAPnsron EVENTH-DAY Aovpurlsrs, OF ALL pEopLE, should be able to sympathize and relate toExeurNES CovrvroN gays and lesbians because of the parallels that exist between being an SDA and being gay or les-GnouND Bsrwppx bian. As a person who is a converted Seventh-day Adventist, I speak from experience. As a pastor who THtr SBvpNTH-DAy has been called upon to minster to gays and lesbians,AovBNTrsr Cnuncu I have listened to their plight, felt their pain, and in AND so doing began to see the following three parallels:Geys AND LBsSTANS l. The Parallel of Prejudice. \"You're going to become By Pastor Ronald Astorley x one of those?\" Many Seventh-day Adventists know from experience the stigma of being made to feel like an outsider, ofbeing rejected and castigated for a faith that is often viewed as being outside the realm of what is considered mainstream or acceptable. Being the recipient ofsuch prejudice should enable Seventh-day Adventist to be particularly sensitive to the similar prejudice that gays and iesbians experience for merely being themselves. 2. The Parallel of lgnorance. \"You're going to join that bunch of weirdos? They believe salvation is earned by keeping the Ten Commandments. They're under the law... etc.\" Seventh-day Adven- tists are accustomed to being on the defensive, hav- See Paralleb on page 3

coSFDhA lEKINcSTH!tPoN Deff Reader, A Monthly Publication In just a few moments, Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers superstar, of Seventh -day Adventist accomplished what many of us have been unable to do in 10 years. He Gay Men and Lesbians and Their Friends awoke millions of Americans to the awareness that: EditorialBoard . It can happen to anyone. Editor in Chief IGvrN G. Rrcnanos' . HIV is not the same as AIDS Associate Editor Geny Srennnos Dstribution Manager RoneRT Foencn 'A person can be infected but still look healthy. Contributors Roti As.I:om,By * . This virus is heterosexually transmitted. FnaNrANorcws \" The result ofJohnson's bold and courageous announcement was immedi- Peu Ronrnrs ate and profound, both on a national and local scaie. The national media were mesmertzed by his story, and he was featured on the cover of several Snrnpl Balcocr national news magazines as well as making the nightly network news. Kinship BoarrlMembers President Mrxr Mclaucur.lN In addition, AIDS hotlines across the country were swamped with Vice President PeM Ronenrs calls. Some reported that many of their callers wanted to know what the secretary Dannnll sunnnoo Treasurer KtpBienosley word \"heterosexuaf' meant-as in the phrase \"HIV can be transmitted by Connection Editor Kertx G. Rtcneros* heterosexual sex.\" Public Relations SHsRRi Be-scocr It is unfortunate that such a tragedy is required to shock and mobilize Church Liaison RoN LawsoN so many Americans. But on the other hand, Johnson's willingness to go Women's C-oordinator Lena ConNalL public and become a spokesman for the HIV virus is encouraging and Information Services BRuce Krerau admirable. A more dynamic, affable and recognizable advocate who Member at Large MancE Dovla Member at Large Cuucr Gtlnent explodes previous stereotypes r,vould be hard to imagine. Member at Large Fr,ovo PoENtrz Member at Large Jecxre SuulterroN Some people have piously suggested Johnson is not a proper role Regional Directors model-that sexual abstinence is the only palatable HIV prevention for young people, and that Johnson \"deserves what he got.\" But the voice of North Atlantic (1) Bon BoucHeno reason, I believe, says otherwise. People have risked marriages, jobs, inher- South Atlantic (2) Pau RosuRTs itances and death by stoning to go to bed with someone they liked, and it Southeastem (3) JoNerueu Devrs' doesn't seem reasonable that fear of AIDS could conquer passion either. Great Lakes (4) BmaN Dwrcur But while the debate over ideology continues, it's good to knorv that Great Plains (5) Flovo PoBrqrz Rocky Mountain (6) WEs Pennv someone as charismatic as Magic Johnson will be spreading the word Pacific Northwest (7) Gronce HurN about how to stop spreading AIDS. Cynics lament that there are no Central Pacific (8) Ftran-ny Wrlruotr heroes in the 1990s, but to their list of heroes should be added the heart Pacific Southwest (9) Parra RosrRrs and the message of Earvin \"Magic\" Johnson. Canada (10) Dewo Ricuer.oson @ Copyright 1991 . SDA Kinship lnternational is a worldride support group for current or for- SDA Kinship Internationd Inc. mer Seventh-day Adventist gay men and lesbians and heir friends. Kinship also provides Box 3840, Los Angeles, CA 90078 educational materials and speakers for individuals and groups desiring greater understand- ing of homosexuality and related issues, and monthly publishes ttre SDA Kinship Connec- (213) 876-2076; TDD (s09) 52s-0202 tion, an inspirational and informational journal for its members and friends. The subscription rate is $24 per year U.S, $tS for additional subscriptions. Subscriber rate outside North2 America is $10 additional. Letters, articles, pictures, art and other materials are solicited from the Connection readership. lnclude your name as you want it published. %me Connectlon contributors have chosen to remain anonymous. Address all submissions to fre editor, Kevin Richards, P.O. Box 2037, Collegedale, TN 37315, or call (615) 490-0013. The appearance of names, organizations or photographs of persons should not be construed as any indication of the affectional or sexual orientation of the person named or shown. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily hose ol SDA Kinship lntemational nor ol the SDA Kinship Connection statl. Subscription requests and address changes should be sent to SDA Kinship, Box 3840, Los Angeles, CA 90078. The Kinship mailing list is confidential among officers and staff and is not sold, rented, or exchanged for any purpose. The Connection is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Press Association. 'Pseudonyms, where used, are indicated. December 1991

Parallels passage itself as well as the historical and cultural con- text in which it was written.Continuedfom ?age 1 In spite of these parallels that should help Adven-ing to correct erroneous ideas concerning their faith. tists to understand and sympathize with their gay andConsider the parallel when it comes to gays and les- lesbian brothers and sisters in their midst, a steep moun-bians, who are constantly faced with the prejudice in tain of prejudice and ignorance continues to exist. As asociety that results from ignorance. Perhaps the most minister, I have found sexual prejudice to be far moredamaging myth about gays is that their sexual orien- pervasive and entrenched than any religious prejudice. Itation is a matter of choice. Just as Seventh-day have found that combating sexual prejudice based on aAdventists must constantly correct these misconcep- lifetime of social and religious conditioning is ations about their faith, even so gays and lesbians must formidable task with littie chance of success.constantly correct people's misconceptions that theirsexual orientation is merely a matter of \"lifestyle\" that As a pastor striving to be an instrument of God'sthey consciously chose. unconditional love, I am learning to quietly walk past those for whom acceptance of the despised and disen- franchised would be too radical a step to take. I sadly3. Tbe Parallel of Scriptural Abuse. Critics of Adventism leave them to the ignorance and prejudice they have chosen, and spend my time and energy sharing God'shave several key texts that, on the surface, would com- grace and mercy with those who have been neglected,pletely overthrow the basis for SDA faith and practice. despised and abused.Seventh-day Adventists cannot As a minister, I Many Christians, including reli-afford the mentai laziness of have found sexual gious institutions, are unwilling to pre judice to he f ar overcome the molding of a life-merely accepting their religionwithout studying its tenets for time, even though such a victorythemselves. Critics point to is necessary in order to extendsuch texts as Romans r4:5,where the apostle Paul says, true love and ministry to people.\"One person esteems one above Most people, unfortunately, choose prejudice over growth. Ianotherl another esteems every more p erva sive and believe the church has a nvo-foldday alike. Let each be fully con- task: to be willing to extendvinced in his own mind.\" After entrenched than unconditional love to Godt chii- dren no matter where they are atquoting such a text, the Sabbathis ffeated as a case-closed mat- any religiou s in their experience, and to edu-ter. In order to defend the truth cate those willing to exparrd theirof the Sabbath and maintain the prejudice. levels of acceptance of others. Unfortunately, how can thevalidity of their faith, Seventh- church lead others to a height itd^y Adventists must beacquainted with these \"difticult\" has yet to reach itsel0 As usual,texts, and be able to explain them in the context of not the task is left wirh individuals within the body of Christ.only the tort itself, but in the historical and cultrual con- OliverWendall Homes stated, \"Man's mind stretchedtext in which the text was written. Christian homosexu- to a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions.\"als e4perience a similar situation when critics of homo- If people can be led to understand the truth concerningsexuality quote such texts as Leviticus r8:zz: \"Thou shalt homosexuality, the persecution that resulted from formernot lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is an ignorance and prejudice will become a thing of the past and will join such historical relics as slavery and the inqui-abomination,\" or Romans 1, where Paul speaks ofhomosexual behavior in a negative light. Once such texts sition. They will serve as nothing more than historicalare quoted, a case-closed posture is taken, and anyone notations of ancient hate and bigotry. (IGlwho disagrees is viewed as disagreeing with Scripture. Inorder to defend the essence of their very being, homo-se:rual Christians must be acquainted with these difficult Ronald Astorley reluctantly writes under a pseudonym, upon thetexts, and be abie to explain them in the context of the advice of Kinship leaders. He pastors a church in Nofih America.SDA Krxsxlp GoxxecrtoN 3

@S exuality and Spirituality :The Intimate ConnectionBy FrankAndrcws' God existentially-in their own time and space.This title is borroaxdfromJarnes B. Nelson\ book, To admit limits is not to say God isn't involved.The Intimate Connection: Male Sexuality and A1l of our experiences of God are limited, butMasculine Spirituality. Tbis article uas originallypresented as a seminar at Kampmeeting in June of God is still present in these experiences. Faithry9r at Menuclta Conference Center near Portland, and experience must always be in conversation orOre. Tlte autltor zorites under a pseudonyrn. else the Word is never made flesh. The waywe humans experience sexuality influences our faithWhen I told a friend that I would be leading this just as our faith influences our sexuality. Theolo- gy, like spirituality, is not an unilateral enterpriseseminar, he said to me, \"Well, you know whatthey say: Those who can, do; those who can't but rather a dialogical faith experience.teach.\" If that's true, then I certainly hope I have My experience is also limited by who I am and what I have done. I am a white, middlea lot of learning to do. Learning and teaching are class, straight male, 27 ye^rs old and single. Mymuch of li[e. Learning requires teachers, and I sexual experiences, like other experiences inhave been fortunate to have many good teachers. 1ife, I consider a mixed bag. I do not considerOne of them you met this rveek-my uncle Bill. what I have done sexua{ly to be either totallySome teachers IVe known personally; others havetaught me through their books. good or totally bad. This seems to be the way Most of what I have to say is unoriginal, most people have experienced their sexuality' Ibut I hope not irrelevant. I would have to have learned from the experience ofothers,spend more time than I'm allowed to credit all even though their experiences may be differentmy teachers. One other though, I feel com- from my own. Part of what I have learned ispelled to mention and recommend. His name is that sexuality is a iife long, whole body, wholeJames B. Nelson, the author of what I consider person, bisexual, relational and sacramentalto be the best book on sexual theology. I found activity and way of being.what he had to say in this book to be a chal- Do you remember your first consciouslenge not only to rethink issues such as homo-sexuality but also a chailenge to accept my own experience of sexual excitation? Mine occurredsexuality as not only a gift from God but as a in the fourth grade. A girl dropped herpencil,sign of and a way to God. and when she bent down to pick it up the view Another teacher, whom Nelson recommends, of her backside elicited from me an instantis one familiar to us all-experience. One might erection. This was before puberty, and I'm sureobject to an existential approach to theology, but I that I had unconsciously experienced such sex-believe that the various existential theologies such ual arousal prior to this occasion. I'm sure alsoas feminist, liberation, or black theologies, do not that most other people have had similar experi-serve as a threat to scripture or tradition. Rather, ences in the pre-pubescent years. In fact,they help to glean more fully the richness of the thanks to the advances of medical science weBible and tradition. have been able to vi.ew male fetuses with erec- tions. (Certainly a moral dilemma for the Moreover, the prophetic writers always met Moral Majoriry I would think.) Not all erections are signs of sexual arousal, but there seems to be an abundance of evidence4 Ilecember 1991

that sexualiry and sexual arousal begin very early stantly changing, rnoving internaliy and exter-in human development among male andfemales, heterosexuals and homosexuals. And nally, even when we do not perceive suchsexual drive and need continues throughout life change and movement. Change and movementuntil death. I believe that the de-sexing of chil-dren and older people is one significant cause of become even less perceptible when we talkchild and elder abuse. Even in a society that about personaiity. In fact we might say \"Thedevalues sexualiry there is a link between beinghuman and being sexual. body is the person.\" The body is The problems of child and elder abuse, gay dynamic, growing, and changing, and God created gaysand lesbian bashing, stem partly from limiting the person is concrete, limited and tangible. and lesbians forour view of sexuality and thus our view ofhumanity. Recognizing sexualiry's life long influ- The Bible sees human beings as many purposes, oneence is one important step in regaining the full- bodily persons or as personal bodies. of which is to model Sometimes one even hears this mean-ness of our divinely created humanity. ing perceived in modern language. for all humanity Sexuality also involves the whole body. Fortoo long the church has viewed sexuality as strict- For example, one might say, \"The relationships based police officer discovered a gun on the on equality andly a genital activity. Often I have found that suspect's person.\" Here, \"person\" iswhen I look into a woman's eyes, the fact that sheis modestly dressed does little to squelch my synonymous with body, yet the \"gun\" mutual respect andimagination. And in a given situation, touching is seen as an indicator or symbol of a thus to stand in criminal's personaliry.parts of my body other than my genitals may be judgernent against . Or when Jessc Jackon lcads his all form-\" of sexism.the stimulus of profound sexual arousal. Moreover, touching my penis does not neces- young followers in the uplifting cheer, \"I am somebody!\" one hears this samesarily arouse me. Sex is a whole body experience.Orgasm can be reached without direct physical concrete dynamism. To say, \"1 amcontact with the genitals. And orgasm can beexperienced primarily in parts of the body other somebody,\" is to sa),, \"I am not a nobody; I am .than the genitals. I say \"primarily''because not some ephemeral, invisibie, detached soul whoorgasm like the rest ofsex is experienced is immortal and thereforc unconcerned aboutthroughout the body. This raises difficult ethical rvhether you walk all over rne without recogniz-questions for those with a genital focused view ofsexuality. \"Where do you draw the line?\" I often ing me as real, living, breathing, needing person.\"hear young people ask. The Bible reveals and modern natural and social Ifwe answer, \"Around the genitals,\" have we sciences confirm, in a way which is scandalouslyserved them well? contrary to all alienating dualisms, that human If sexual expression becomes off:base when beings were created to be whole body-persons.it comes to the genitals, then sexual needbecomes focused in the genitals. Morally whole- I am a moody body-person, one with manysome sexuality is, to use Nelson's apt phrase, sides to my personality. Sexuality and personality\"diffused throughout the body.\" Such whoie- are intimately connected. Although sex is not thesomeness will elude us until we stop excluding whole of a body-person, sexuality does permeatethe genitals and thus inevitably over-emphasiz-ing their sexual function. Such wholesomeness all of one's personality, and, likewise, all of one'srequires that we acknowledge and treat sexuality personality permeates onet sexuaiity.as a whole body experience. If I am sexually fulfilIed, my thinking is The body is concrete yet dynamic. It is con- clearer, my tears are more copious, my laughter is louder, my fears are smailer and more real, my anger is keener but less troublesome, my pride is iess important, and my despair is less frequent. Experiencing scxual love and freedom helps me to be the persoll God intends nle to be, a sensi- tive, caring, feeling, thinking, ioving, creative whole body-person, a whole human being.SDA KrxsHtp CoNNEcrroN 5

Also, my personality affects my sexuality. straight males long for deeply.Being a melancholy-sanguine (or is it sanguine- The lesbian cannot be seduced by me, so Imelancholy?) my moods alter my sexual needs. am forced to either be angry at her or to treat herSometimes I am playful, and sometimes serious Iike a whole human being, not like a sex object.in my sexual expression. If there is any place And the gay man, I fear, might just treat me thewhere I should be my own person, it is certainly way I treat women. God created gays and les-in my sexuality. No self-respecting person enjoys bians for many purposes, one of which is toor needs a \"lover\" who is not herself or himself model for all humanity reiationships based on equality and mutual respect and thus to stand in And I find it difficult to enjoy sexual ex- judgement against all forms of sexism.pression if I am not true to who I am. Sexuality Also, the homosexual, to us heterosexuals,and personality are interwoven in a whole symbolizes non-procreative sexualiry sexualitybody-person, and to the extent that I deny the for the purpose of pleasure. Gays and lesbianssexual content of my personality and/or the reveal to us that sex is notjust vaginal inter- course. Instead it is a whole body-person expe-personal content of my sexuality, I am denying rience. We would like to corner our rulnerabili-who I am, who God has created me to be, a ty and confine it to the genitals, but this is notwhole sexual body-person. possible nor God-intended. Vulnerability Understanding the complexities of human means loss of control, the need for trust, forsexuality and personality is a difficult task. So it grace, and for love.is also with the issue of orientation. Why are we Gays and lesbians were thus created tooriented one way or another? Human beings are remind us all of the principles by which God reigns. The principals of trust, grace, and love are only recently beginning to understand what we need, what Christ cornc to reveal, but Sexuality and this complex question. One fact seemspersonality are clear, though. Thanks to the gay and what we sinful human beings resist to our detri- lesbian Iiberation movement, we have ment with all our might.interwoven in a been forced to acknowledge the truth- Related to these fears is the fear of our ownwhole body-person, fulness of sexual orientation. homoerotic tendencies as heterosexuals. The and to the extent One does not choose to be oriented more I read about the subject, the more I am that I deny the sexual content of towards the opposite sex or the same convinced that none of us is purely homosexual or purely heterosexual, though with the raremy personality and/ sex. I have only recently come to grips with this realiry. Not only do I know exception of the truly constitutional bisexual, we that we do not choose our orientation, are predominantly one or the other. When l was about 16 years old, I was playing with my five- I believe that God is responsible for year-old brother, wrestling and kissing him. Sud-or the personal the gifts of homosenuality and hetero-content of my denly I discovered that I had an erection. I didn't sexuaiity. But why is it so difficult for straights like me to accept gays and understand it. This had never happened before; sexuality, I am lesbians as whole human beings, cre- only girls made me do that, I thought.denying who I am. ated in the image of God? Well, it didn't happen again, so I forgot Heterosexism and homophobia are about it. But it did happen and I have to acknowledge that I enjoy body contact with largely a combination of sexism and men. I love hugging men, maybe not as much as I do hugging women, but still I desire to besexual repression. The homosexual is one who with men. Their bodies are like mine-lovable. I love my body and I love men. Why shoulddoes not play the traditional gender role games\" that be so difficult to say) I think the answer lies in the fact that all of us straight men haveConsequentially we straights unconsciouslyenvy gays and lesbians. Straight women go togay bars to be themselves, but they can't seemto be authentic and relaxed with us straightmen. Gay men have a relaxed, non-competitivecamaraderie among themselves which we6 December 1991

at least a little homoeroticism within us and racism, classicism, ageism, etc., which burden ourbecause our culture conditions us men toexpress our emotions almost solely through world, I have to acknowledge that such an inter-genital sexual activity, we become extremely pretation of the incarnation is true. However, thefrightened at the prospect of emotional close- incarnation also means that God desfues to beness with another man. with us, that God affirms and embraces our bod- And yet, every David needs aJonathan, and ily existence which She has created.everyJesus needs aJohn the beloved. Men needmen just as women need women. The revelation Likewise we are promised the resur- Agape is neverof our homoerotic capacities should not scare us rection of the body, and we are all divorced from eros.but be a sign of God's graceful act to help draw members of the Body of Christ,us straights into same sex intimacy even thoughwe are primanly driven in the other direction. communingwith one another by Vhen Jesus says, sharing His Body. oolove your This revelation of bisexuality leads us toanother dimension of sexuality. Se:ruality is When will we Adventists stopinvolved to one degree or another, in all our rela-tionships. Love always involves desire for anoth- worrying about the \"state of the enemiesr\" he does soer. Agape is never divorced from eros. When dead\" and start proclaiming in word for our own benefit made flesh the good news of Godt as \{ell as that of ourJesus says, \"Love your enemies,\" he does so for love embodied in Christ?our own benefit as well as that of our enemies.The enemy is our enemy because he or she con- Norman Pittenger has said that enemies. The enemytains something we need, something we desire, \"human sexuality is one of the clues, is our enemy because indeed the central clue, to whatsomething which, in our sin brutalized world, God is up to in the world.\" We he or she containshas been alienated from ourselyes. Adventists are always looking for something we need, clues about God's presence and something we desire, Sexual expression reveals this to us. How God's final return. The Sabbath is something whieh, inoften have we experienced the most intensely one ofour favorite clues, and it toopassionate and tender sex after a lover's quarrel? has sexual meaning. our sin brutalized Karl Barth has written that God world, has beenSex tells us that we are relational beings. In theact of sex, I discover who I and the other body- rested on the seventh day for nvoperson, my partne! are. We are both togetheror apart body-persons ofgreat power and vul- basic reasons-God is free, and God alienated fromnerability, body-persons who love and are is loving. God is not entangled by ourselves. work; God is free from work andloved, body-persons who exist because of love,love which is both giving and receiving. As my therefore free for creation. Goduncle's tombstone reads: \"amo ergo sumr\" I ceased from work on the seventh day becauselove; therefore I am. He/She had found the object of His/FIer love. The relational aspect of sexuality can God did not and does not rest by retiring to somebecome, ifwe choose, sacramental. Sex is a visi- remote corner of the universe. Rather, God restsble sign of an invisible grace. Sex and all that it to embrace us as the Cosmic Lover, the Greatestentails should remind us of God's love, thatGod loves us desirously and fully as whole Lover with the greatest desire and freedom inbody-persons. The great and fundamental doc- passionate tenderness and in tender passion. Howtrine of the incarnation should reveal this to us. fitting that the first honeymoon recorded in scrip-Too often we speak of the incarnation as God,sstooping sacrificially to save us miserable ture begins on Friday night, the first Sabbath.wretches from our sin. The story is a sign to us of God's \"yes\" to us. When I think of the heterosexism, sexism, God says yes to our sexualiry yes to our homo- sexuality, yes to our heterosexuality, yes to our bisexuality. When we answer yes to God's yes, we make the most intimate connection, the sexual spiritual connection which breaths into us Godi breath of hfe. fKilSDA Krxsxlp Cotxecrpx 7

Celeb rate- and Guide- Sexuali tyBy RobertWanen Cromey that has unified Christian biblical initial passion burns off' Churches blat about familY life, ex is a great boon to Chris- intelpretation is anti-homosexuality. tian unity. We can't agree but seldom teach much about sex about how to interpret the I wonder what Jesus would and love rehtionships in their parish think about this debate. He gets Bible, the doctrine of blamed for our hang-ups about programs. It seems easier to be anti-Christ or the meaning of Holy sex, butJesus said nothing about homosexuals. Not once in the gay than pro-family. Do we sPonsorCommunion. But there is ecu- Gospels did he mention or refer to workshops and seminars helPingmenical near-consensus that thou homosexuality. In fact, there is no couples, straight and gay, to learn toshalt not have sex outside the f,orgive, forget and move back intoshrine of marriage. Not only is evidence that Jesus was a hetero- love? Or do we just offer counselingnon-married sex sinful; homosexual to the already distressed?behavior is even worse. Ecumenism sexual. He hung around 12 men ofat its strongest is found in telling His own choosing. He talks of One of the arguments againstthe non-married what not to do supporting lesbian and gay rela-with their genitals. John as his beloved disciple. He tionships is that family life will be was criticized for having women undermined and weakened. One Churches just love discussing and prostitutes among his camp of the best families in mY parishpeople's behavior in bed, Nosing foliowers. He did not marry, and consists of two gay men in a com-around people's sex lives is a there is no evidence that he ever mitted relationship. They eachfavorite pastime of denominations had sex. Denominations spend have children by their former het- precious little exploring the sex life erosexual marriages. They havewith nothing better to do. It is so ofJesus. They fear they might dis- legal guardianship of their chil- dren, one of whom is a severelYmuch more fun than feeding the cover he had one. handicapped teen-ager. TheY get out to the zoo and the movies,hungry. How sweet it is to peek The churches need to get con- wash dishes, go to church and school. They love one another\"between the sheets of lesbians verted. They need to become \"sex-rather than house the homeless. The roots of family life are deeP positive\" and cast off the old skin of and quite unshakable. The struc- [Most Christians of] liberaldenominations are not biblical fun- appearing anti-sexuai. They need to tures and forms of families willdamentalists or literalists. We take get further into the business of help-the Bible seriously and intelpret it ing people to love their sexuality. change and develop as we humansfrom historical, Iiterary and spiritual evolve. It's time for fall Christians]perspectives. We change interpreta- No one seems to want sex edu- to be open to our gaY and iesbian cation in schools. Sex education in brothers and sisters and welcome tions as each era brings new homes is getting worse and worse. them into our ministry churchesinsights into human behavior. and families. [!Gl Statistics on unwanted pregnanciesChristians prohibited the lending of show that our chiidren don't know Robert Warren Cromey is rector of Trini- how to say no, or how to enjoy sex ty Church (Episcopal) in San Francisco money at interest, but when the and author ot ln God's lmage (Alamochurches found enjoyment in capi- and avoid pregnancy. Square). Reprinted by permission of thetalism, that prohibition was dis- author lrom The Los Angeles Times,missed. Not so very long ago Wouldn't it be fabulous if the denominations quoted Scripture to churches taught the enjoyrnent of May 31, 1991.prohibit the use of birth control.Now most churches, enamored with sex, instead of being negative about it? Sunday schools would be packedecology and saving the planet, call it if churches taught children, teen-a moral necessity. The one item left agers and adults about good sex. I do mean adults, too. There is plen- ty of evidence that married couples get \"dead in bed\" after the heat ofa December 1991

-:'Wiiidtiis W:a::W; Why Not Recycle? , -Rob€ritrifurrrcfiald llort{r Alla.nfc:i:::: U6*:9,6,46:';,',,,.;, :::::::r :: I am writing to thank you for publishing the Connection on 2,, recyclable paper (although I pass my issues on to someone :1.:',:, ::.,,,,,,:,::,t :, :::::::::::: :::::) :,,:;,,,,,:t' ::, :,:,::: 5;uiri attCAlii......,,, else to read). Each year, more than 50 million tons of paper :3 Vetn',H'ey,1,.1.,.;.,';. . 11.1,. are dumped into landlills. As landlills across the United States : : ::':' ,:::.:::l: :'.::,:: : become filled, Americans have begun lo recognize the need to :::.:,: 'e'.'#t#t\"\"',\"t1 : :: :t::: . ),::,: : :,,:,:.:,:,::..::: :.: re@ver and reuse consumer and industrialwaste materials. ln : an effort to preserve our natural resources, we have begun to $ti, laAXiH*r,,Aavd,,. l: change our habits and are creating a demand lor recycled and recyclable products. As I see it, one of our goals in SDA Kin- 5, ,souttlestt*n,,,.,,,,,,,',','', ship is to ensure a more liveable world for our children and grandchildren. One thing you can to toward that end is consid- -::.::::::,:::: Bryan:Ewight::,,;',,a:.:.:,:t;,:,1.'::t',:,1.:,,;,,,'l: rcfeel:La*es,:,,:,,::,,, er printing lhe Connection on recycled paper. lt may not yet be feasible since recycled paper is still more expensive. But I :6 a1::,*r;054rl9l\l:;,r,;::..,rr..:,,;,::;,::i,ttt';',r,t;,ttr, expect that the price will e,ome down, and I hope that you will reconsider that option later if it is not possible now. Please 1) ? j) |: : : ::.:..|,':.'-:,|::1:.: |:,:1 .brimi.,Pliirr!:. .: rrr:rrr:,r,:,:,:, investigate the possible use of other \"environmentally friendly\" : r ::::::.:::::: ::a ::::::. : a :::::: :: materials, 2) recycle office paper, and 3) let your readers know ::::::::::: F'loyd,iPffi ltt:i:t;:.1:;::;:,;:;.,,,,,:t,,:::;;;,., what a good example you are setting. ,.8 r: :rt ::: ::::r:r: -HWeihdeiJaotohnn,sModn. ,g \"ur*.,,.lirr8.4rw.r\",ii',.,i'-t';\"t:',;:,,;t,::;\",;1:, :.n;[i,:U;ufliii EDITORS: Thanks for the suggestion. We're looking into using recycled paper, but currently prices are still a little too high for i,0 Wes Pe.rrvlRick l{hiie :,:..,,:.:|.: :,:: us, plus recycled paper is harder for our printers to use, and ,J|1,, doesn't hold the ink as well. Pffi,llolihwest qqzt *Sti,6r ,, The Connection welcomes letters from its readers. lf you | :::: :':: :: :: ::):::,j|:': ::::::,: have a comment on an article you've read here or some- : : : :: :l ::::: :: :::::::: :::::::::t.::::: : :::::: ::,,:: ,::,::::::::::::::::, :: where else, a thought on a current political issue, or a sug- gestion, please write: Editor; SDA Kinship Connection; PO Suz,i,,S,:.:,l,l,i,v:a::n, : Box 2037; Collegedale, TN 37315. :::,| |::::.::: :: ::::::::::: ,:, : Seeking all Ghurch-Ennployed : ::::::::::::.::::r- | ::l.t .:::: : t:::: The Connection staff is currently researching for an article ::a ::::: :: :.a:.::.::,:: ::::::: :::::::::::):::::::::::.:: :: :, ::,,',''.a| : :'.: about denominationally employed gays. If you are now or have :r.:.: :) :: jr:: :::: :: . .,, : :: l:: been an employee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or one : .r. :..,:: of its institutions, please contact us. We are interested to know :. about how closeted you are, and the kind of intolerance or ttl 4lt7l1,llarin:: .Cenlraf Bicille ,, , compassion you find from your colleagues and boss. | Wilonbth:':':':',':':\"\" ::: :a.:'.: .: :.:::::::::1:::::::::.: \"\". \"\" Anonynimity is assured. Write: David Rodgers; c/o SDA Kinship; P.O. Box 384o; <+tlt Los Angeles, CA 9oo78. Or call1-800-4-GAY-SDA. Bluce Bolton : . ,P icsouthwertSDA Krrsxrp Coxxecrrox , titifit':,,lri6tiuia.tir.';,..,t.,;,,:,,,,;:;;;,;, :: :: :: :: ::::::::::: ::: :.:: ::::::: : ::::::: : : : ., Da+id, Richard.son,,,,,, .:Bex,aat,,:stationtC,,, .:., :. Torontoj Ontafio, Gnada <416 g6t'+t41 \" AUstsalie,,,,,:,: .:..,,, '.,.i',,irll B,\" p','a,ricsohulcnpltq'leek8in:g: ,::::::;:,,:,:,:,:,:; Cwenat,Cieen,:.:,,.,.,, .,,,' #|iiaig9,'.6$iai{t;;1\",,;.,:,\": 6t'l,49,,41o6ci,,',.,,,,,,,,,',,,.,';,t,,,'.,,.,: l ]1:] ::::::::::::':: i7tf,,$,r,ilas Ave, , ;,,,;, r\"\"ruffii,ca.,laaa:?, ,,:,,,),:):1,,:,,:,.,.,,,:,::.;:,',,::::::::a:,:,,tttlt:,:,,:,1 Nor.$iev' .',. I,,',,,',t,.,.:,:,.),,:',.',.. Brazit a.ndPort-rlgal ,ea Vi*\",.,,.;....;''.;,:..1..1.;.',...,;.. 4, -7r5V(V \ : lV a :: : : :: ::: :,,:t,, :: I

f1I e?,$st\t otes,,tt,,seerns:::,lflat,,H,e$io,n, :g::hes bre:e:h,,,,:ce,febirat!:nO,:Spr!ng Accordir.g,,!o the new Rbgion::tCihmn.S,,.,..Aieak,,.ieat1tounU. n,eglon,S,,biiectorli..J6bk , the porttam..:,urapte.i.iS,nopp+rthosu:,:e:nergetic KinsHip ::gesting this, etehing:, ,,The,,,urrouuiB: unanir,nou,s:::,ctlope:i .HiqiEEio:n.,.l2iiKi.n,sn.ip..:. Urrbeii$i::i.h'hAA:ve:.::Seorn,:;eCliv6:.:::ih,.rrtlre: full:Calbndar 'AIDDSS minisfry::ln adOitibn,io nefping witn tiie iecentiiit6.iiiffiehdi.ithei,.,D.i6.ai..Sffi.;e.,. }flito[ri=..:.:,.ili..se#.,iiBeUetat..ttingniU.,..mAm*;; at,e,lobal roollelerrr-skatilg fink on Monday nights, : ,.,.On,,,JantirS, tEgzi ,-nebiAn.e..,.Oirector Harry Wit:mofir The execulive,,committJAi, riero another teleconferenceoh, his,Wedding daV. HAiry willbid preparing the wedding meeting:, the.lawsuit,,:and pres,s,coverage ol Kinship'scake,,arran$ing the,lnwers and,singing for'the wedding victory, the group also make plans for the upcominghiscouple,'He also plans::ru,:nost a negon a meeting at board'meeting in Datlas on Jan. 18 and 19r 1992 A