Announcement of Formation of CRH in Prominent National Christian Magazine
Dublin Core
Title
Announcement of Formation of CRH in Prominent National Christian Magazine
Description
Copyright 1964 CHRISTIAN CENTURY. Reproduced by permission from the December 23, 1964 issue of the CHRISTIAN CENTURY. Subscriptions: $49/year from P.O. Box 378, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. 1-800-208-4097.
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Clergy Shatter Another Taboo
A Council on Religion and the Homosexual has been organized by clergy men in San Francisco bay area to meet a "great need for a better understanding of human sexuality" and its "broad variations and manifestations." The council grew out of meetings during the past six months between 25 or more clergymen of various faiths and homosexuals of both sexes. The trustees of the incorporated, nonprofit council will include clergymen of the Methodist, Lutheran, and Episcopal churches and the United Church of Christ. Spokesman for the new organization is the Rev. Cannon Robert W. Cromey, director of urban work and vicar of the St. Aidan's Church, San Francisco. For too long the problems of homosexuals have been hush-hush in the church, and for too long the church has made homophiles feel that they are spiritual pariahs who deserve from Christians only contempt. Except for the efforts of a few ministers here and there the church has not dealt with the complexities of the problem: even responsible discussion of it has been taboo. When homosexuality proves to be an incurable aberration, the victim needs the concer of the church as he seeks to accomodate himself to a society which considers him alien. "And in those case's where the homosexual can be helped to develop a normal sexuality, the church should be for him both a guide and a strength. If the newly organized council is to accomplish these ends its primary purpose should be something more than "to promote dialogue between the religious community and and the homosexuals." Dialogue is essential, but if the council members do nothing more than talk about the problem they will defeat those goals which are beyond dialogue: the adjustment of the persistent homosexual and the hostile community to each other and the rehabilitation of those homosexuals who can be restored to a sexual life of the kind approved by the Christian church.
A Council on Religion and the Homosexual has been organized by clergy men in San Francisco bay area to meet a "great need for a better understanding of human sexuality" and its "broad variations and manifestations." The council grew out of meetings during the past six months between 25 or more clergymen of various faiths and homosexuals of both sexes. The trustees of the incorporated, nonprofit council will include clergymen of the Methodist, Lutheran, and Episcopal churches and the United Church of Christ. Spokesman for the new organization is the Rev. Cannon Robert W. Cromey, director of urban work and vicar of the St. Aidan's Church, San Francisco. For too long the problems of homosexuals have been hush-hush in the church, and for too long the church has made homophiles feel that they are spiritual pariahs who deserve from Christians only contempt. Except for the efforts of a few ministers here and there the church has not dealt with the complexities of the problem: even responsible discussion of it has been taboo. When homosexuality proves to be an incurable aberration, the victim needs the concer of the church as he seeks to accomodate himself to a society which considers him alien. "And in those case's where the homosexual can be helped to develop a normal sexuality, the church should be for him both a guide and a strength. If the newly organized council is to accomplish these ends its primary purpose should be something more than "to promote dialogue between the religious community and and the homosexuals." Dialogue is essential, but if the council members do nothing more than talk about the problem they will defeat those goals which are beyond dialogue: the adjustment of the persistent homosexual and the hostile community to each other and the rehabilitation of those homosexuals who can be restored to a sexual life of the kind approved by the Christian church.
Citation
“Announcement of Formation of CRH in Prominent National Christian Magazine”, The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed May 18, 2024, https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/exhibits/show/crh/item/1758.