Frank and I met - virtually - at Of Course I Could Be Wrong, MadPriest's blog, "where the lunatics rave". Frank's wit is dry, sharp, and pithy. In just a few words, he can be very funny, laugh-out-loud funny.
A couple of days ago, I wrote a post titled "Back Home And Back In Business". In response, Frank wrote a wise, and wonderful, and serious comment that I thought was worth calling attention to.
These are the words in my post that Frank responds to:
After the service, I had a conversation with a gay man and a lesbian from my congregation, and both expressed support for Bishop Katharine, and the man thinks she did the right thing. I was much more saddened and disturbed by the communiqué and the PB's reflection than they were. The two of them were amazed at how upset I was, and, honestly, I was amazed at how complacent they seemed. The woman said, "I'm used to being oppressed." What gives here?
Here is Frank's comment:
As an old queer, with the emphasis on "old," I think I understand at least up to a point where the gay man and lesbian in your congregation are right now. Many of us have gotten used to taking what we need from the church whether or not it affirms us, knowing the gifts are God's to give and only channeled, sometimes imperfectly, through the human institution. If barred absolutely in one place, we have found another. We can do it again.
I'm not too worried about my generation. We're sturdy and stubborn, having survived this long. I worry about the younger ones who, confronted by such damnfool goings-on, may simply turn away --- not necessarily from God but from institutions the rest of us treasure.
Old queers are accustomed to not getting our way, and that may help explain the behavior of some of the grumpy old straight men now at play in the fields of the Lord. They ARE accustomed to getting their own way, unused to bending with the wind, not open to compromise or kneeling next to those who won't agree with them. Lord have mercy on them.
For one, I don't think this is a time to even consider "fasting" from The Episcopal Church. She has for the most part behaved in a Christ-like manner toward us for many years now and, like PB Katherine, deserves our hope and prayers during a season of hurt.
February 22, 2007 3:38 PM
UPDATE: Oy! Frank the Wit, at MadPriest's place tells me that he is not the author of this comment. I should have guessed that from its seriousness. Anyway, it's quite good, and I thought you should see it.
So many Franks, so little time ... I will add a "D" to make the distinction clear.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Frank D. Sorry about the mix-up. I'm new at this here bloggin' thing.
ReplyDeleteIt sort is like the church wakes up and says: Oh, we haven't kicked the LGBT community in a while. That's how B033 felt. After the utter joy of the election of KJS, the last day was tragic. So yes, the LGBT community is used to (though sick of) getting the occasional kick. IMNSHO.
ReplyDeleteCaminante, I sit here shaking my head at what Frank wrote and what you wrote. Nevertheless, it's true. But how can this be in a church that calls itself Christian? How can it be that this is the best that my LGBT brothers and sisters can expect from the church?
ReplyDeleteMy spirit feels like a yo-yo. It rises with the good news, then it's down again with the bad news. It's so sad and so wrong for things to be this way.