After 60 years of attending a Tennessee church, a family in Collegedale has been exiled because they supported their daughter while she fought for same sex benefits from the town where she worked as a police detective.
Earlier this month, Collegedale became the first city in Tennessee to offer same sex benefits after Detective Kat Cooper was initially denied health benefits for her wife, Krista. The couple was married in Maryland earlier this year.
But that victory turned out to be bittersweet because leaders at Ridgedale Church of Christ gave Kat Cooper’s mother, aunt and uncle an ultimatum during a private meeting after worship services on Sunday.
“They could repent for their sins and ask forgiveness in front of the congregation. Or leave the church,” The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported on Wednesday.
“My mother was up here and she sat beside me. That’s it,” Kat Cooper explained to reporter Kevin Hardy. “Literally, they’re exiling members for unconditionally loving their children — and even extended family members.”
Ridgedale Church of Christ Pastor Ken Willis said that something had to be done because the family was publicly endorsing homosexuality by supporting their daughter.
“The sin would be endorsing that lifestyle,” Willis insisted. “The Bible speaks very plainly about that.”
For sixty years they attended this church, and were part of this community, only to learn that they are only acceptable to it if they abandon their daughter.
I don't even have anything smart ass to say here. I am almost too angry for words.
All I can say is that I will NEVER understand religion, or why people feel the need to let it tell them who, and how to love, and what, and how to think.
I bet a roll call of people's sins in that collective would make even God blush.
ReplyDeleteBully for the parents for not backing down, "There is no sin to repent for," in supporting their daughter. Their daughter, an officer of the law that works for justice in their community.
Sigh.
Of course - remember Ray Stevens, "Mississippi Squirrel Revival"
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhjYWfHwFHM
This part:
All the way down to the Amen pew
Where sat Sister Bertha better than you
Who had been watching all the commotion with sadistic glee
Shoot, you should've seen the look in her eyes
When that squirrel jumped her garters and crossed her thighs
She jumped to her feet and said, "Lord, have mercy on me"
As the squirrel made laps inside her dress
She began to cry and then to confess
To sins that would make a sailor blush with shame
She told of gossip and church dissension
But the thing that got the most attention
Was when she talked about her love life
And then she started naming names
I remember that Ray Stevens number well and it so true to life. There are just so many hypocrites attending churches. Ray nailed it.
DeleteThat little ditty was so funny because it rang so true.
DeleteOn the topic of the post, the family supporting their daughters appear to be the only "Christians" in the whole damn place. If no one else spoke up and raised hell about the bullying and abusive behavior of that "man of god", who is neither, then they are more of a cult than a group of decent human beings. True colours.
Apparently the good pastor never heard about "Judge not lest ye be judged."
ReplyDeletePastors love to judge and so do most church-goers.
DeletePastors love to control minds. Many Pastors are Adulterers just like Sarah and Todd Palin. Religious Freaks are money grubbers who try to pass judgment upon others while they practice the same things that they condemn. When they are exposed for their failures, they beg for forgiveness, like Jim Baker and the"I have sinned" Jimmy Swaggart. Those are the fools that Sarah Palin follows.
DeleteI've known some extremist christianists to say that Jesus was speaking about a prostitute- and they won't judge prostitutes because Jesus called the crowd on it.
DeleteThey do, however, judge everyone else- because they're not bright enough to realize that there's an underlying principle they fail to grasp.
Ivyfree
What I find hypocritical about churches like these is that they often say "Love the sinner - hate the sin", and then they proceed to heap all kinds of hate on "the sinner".
ReplyDeleteThey just use that expression to excuse their hate as if to say they are hating something inanimate, whereas in reality they are full of hatred for the people they define in their own perverse ways as "sinners".
The problem with people like these is that there is absolutely no reasoning with them. They teach each other that there are no humans on earth who are without sin, so they must be full of hate for everyone. Their choice of who to punish is therefore, totally arbitrary.
Although I feel sorry for the family they expelled, I hope that family comes to realize that they are probably better off not associating with such hypocritical excuses for "loving Christians".
There's no difference between "hate the sin" and "hate the sinner" when it comes to homosexuality.
DeleteIf god created homosexuals, then homosexuality can't be a sin.
DeleteAre you calling god a sinner?
7:00 here...
DeleteI should have added "to these people." I don't believe any religious garbage.
The Bible does not tell us this. The Old testament does.
ReplyDeleteWhy do 'christians' not follow the words and deeds of Christ and follow the New Testament?
Because then they would have to be peaceful, loving people who abhor war, and we can't ahve that, can we, here in GOP fascist Amerika?
DeleteAnd they'd have to take care of children, the poor and the sick, too.
DeleteAnd be kind to those unlike themselves.
And forgive sinners.
Ack!!!
Why so angry, Jess? You know the church ultimately did them a favor in exposing their non-acceptance of their members.
ReplyDeleteAfterall...who would Jesus kick out?
The B.
I have a very dear friend who was beaten for years by her husband, a deacon at their fundie church. After he almost killed her she divorced him. Her church first told her they didn't recognize the divorce, then told her she would still need to attend church service and sit with him (even though he remarried). When she declined they told her to leave and never return. She left
ReplyDeleteSome people are a bit denser than others.
DeleteSeriously how does one put up with someone like this as a friend if one is the least bit intelligent. I'm not dissing you,I'm honestly asking - way too frustrating for me and I've never been able to deal with it. Doesn't mean I'm uncaring or unhelpful before I get attacked. If a friend like that wanted help, I'd be letting them sleep on the couch and walking them through all sorts of "getting services" and watching the kids while they go to job interviews. But it does mean that at some point, if a person remains head in sand, I'm done with them as a close friend.
How stupid can people be over religion? It amazes me! I knew it wasn't for me as a teenager (raised in a faith, made to attend church on Sunday and if I didn't, I faced restriction as to something that was important to me in high school!) As soon as I graduated (17), got a job, went to school outside my home state and have never attended a church since!
DeleteHate to say this, but my parents were the worst examples of 'christians', but sure looked 'holy and christian like' when in church and volunteering! I had zero respect for them!
Their ways reflect many I see today - that also profess to be 'christian' but don't act it in any way. Sarah and Todd Palins are examples! So many of the Republicans are the same - affairs, many marriages, racist, evil and nasty acting to others.
Look at the ones that profess to all of us to be religious - they aren't!
You know, it's hard to stop doing something that you've done for the last 60 years, going to a church where your friends are and your kids have all been raised together. I tip my hat to the family for realizing what really important---family and unconditionally loving your kids--- and what's not at all important--- living one's life by the standards set by others in order to gain acceptance. I wish those folks lived close enough to invite them to dinner. It appears they're the only sane---and decent--- people in that town. And if you've ever been around a bunch of knuckleheads, it's hard to keep a little bit of their ignorance and bigotry from wearing off on you. Kudos to this family. That's not a church filled with people worshipping Jesus Christ. It's just a building filled with hypocrites, bigots, and small minds, and they ought to be ashamed of themselves.
DeleteWell, if the exiled people don't do alooooot of thinking about their god and church now.......I hope it is their "aha! moment".
ReplyDelete"Matthew 19:19 [Jesus said] ...if you can not love your brothers and sisters you are worse than heathen men and [Re]publicans..."
ReplyDelete"But what if they're homosexuals or worship differently than we do?"
And Jesus said, "WHAT did I just say?"
Randall, your wonderful editing of the scriptures changing publicans into republicans made my day. I was so depressed and disturbed by this post, but your comment made me laugh out loud. Thanks.
DeleteI find myself laughing that a group based on believing a myth of epic proportions thinks it has any right to dictate how people should behave towards each other.
ReplyDeleteWhy the family was every a member of this church is beyond my understanding. That they have released themselves from this burden is awesome.
60 years of putting money in the collection plate and what do you get?
ReplyDelete60 years older and deeper in debt.
Word.
DeleteIt's not that I'm unsympathetic, but if they attended this church for 60 years(!), doubtlessly in all that time they were witness to deliberate cruelty in the form of shamings, ousters, expulsions, and dis-fellowships or whatever else they call them, all done in the name of love for Jesus, and were fine with it till the same unfairness was pointed at them.
ReplyDeleteYes, they were treated deplorably, but how much of a shock could it have been...?
The irony is that it was Jesus' Mother, Mary, who stood by his side while he was crucified.
ReplyDeleteShe loved him unconditionally, the Bible tells us. She never waivered in her devotion to her son, even when he was being put to death.
Do these stupid Christians in TN even know of what they preach?
(423) 624-4611
ReplyDeleteGive 'em a ring, and (respectfully) let them know that THIS is why people are leaving religion in droves.
Oh this is good, Gryphen!
ReplyDeleteDem Governor Sends Sens Paul and McConnell Reeling with a Powerful Defense of Obamacare
t’s not 2010.
As Republicans preach hatred of Obamacare to a dwindling audience even among their own members, Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear chose to use the Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast to make a powerful case for Obamacare to 1,600 diners.
Republican Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, also attending, weren’t expecting the onslaught. Jill Lawrence reported, “It was not what anyone expected—least of all Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, who sat stone-faced onstage with Beshear as he unloaded on them without using names.”
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/08/23/isnt-2010-dem-gov-kentucky-unloads-powerful-defense-obamacare.html
Republicans Admit to President Obama That They Are Afraid of Rush Limbaugh
ReplyDeleteIn an interview on CNN, President Obama said that Republicans have admitted in private that they agree with him, but won’t act because they are afraid of Rush Limbaugh.
Video:
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/08/23/republicans-admit-president-obama-afraid-rush-limbaugh.html
The Truth Continues to Trickle Out on the Greenwald Family Reality Show
ReplyDeletehttp://thedailybanter.com/2013/08/the-truth-continues-to-trickle-out-in-the-greenwaldmiranda-reality-show/
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/page/300687_A_Pathetic_Slap_from_a_Lying_B
The most amazing thing about this entire story - at least to me - is that the daughter actually WON her case and got benefits for her wife! In Tennessee?!
ReplyDeleteWOW!
As for the church shit? They are better off. It may take them a while to recognize it, but they ARE better off.
They had to, it's a Federal Law! I'm sure the lawyers for the town told them if they didn't do it they would get sued and LOSE.
DeleteFirst, just because it may be Federal law doesn't mean that the state isn't stupid enough to try to deny her a right!
DeleteSecond, I was under the impression that the FEDERAL aspect of this question was that FEDERAL benefits were guaranteed. I have not read a thing stating that the STATES had to follow and recognize.
My impression was that the states still had the right to decide about things like spousal benefits for same sex marriages.
Regardless, as a repube state, it is still amazing the city gave in!
Send them to an Episcopalian, Methodist or Presbyterian (Northern) church where they'll be welcomed with open arms.
ReplyDeleteMethodist? not down here in SC! Unless there are two methodist churches like Baptist and Southern baptist!
DeleteAt least as far south as D.C., the Methodist church is a very vocal, all-inclusive ministry.
DeletePerhaps this national creed hasn't seeped into the hills and hollers of the Bible Belt.
Those are all RINO denominations. Not enough hate is preached to make em real kkkristyun churches and they don't scare the congregations enough.
DeleteMethodists are practically librul churches, even in Mississippi, from my experience. They's all heathens, practically, compared to the Jimmy Seaggard Old Time Gospel kind of penny cost ul kinda churches, where running whores up and down Airline Highway between North Baton Rouge all the way down to Noo Awlins is okay, but not puttin 10% of your gross earnings in the collection plate is a big din, sho nuff.
Sin, not din. Sho nuff.
DeleteTwenty-six miles away in Chattanooga are at least three Episcopal churches -- one of them has to be liberal-minded.
ReplyDeleteThere's a Methodist church in Harrison, but I don't know if the nationwide Methodist open-arms reach deep enough into Tennessee.
The point is -- what's been done to them is terrible, but they can find worship alternatives that welcome them, just not in their hometown.
5 Most Absurd, Self-Pitying Gripes of the Christian Right
ReplyDeletePainting themselves as victims creates cover to actually victimize other people, usually by imposing their fanatical religious views.
To hear activists on the Christian right tell the story, the conservative Christian American—especially the male conservative Christian American—is the most oppressed, victimized person in the country, and perhaps the history of the world. It’s all utterly disingenuous, of course: painting themselves as victims creates a cover to actually victimize other people, usually by imposing their fanatical religious views. Here’s a rundown of various ways Christian conservatives paint themselves as victims, and who the real victims actually are.
http://www.alternet.org/belief/5-most-absurd-self-pitying-gripes-christian-right
“The Bible speaks very plainly about that.”
ReplyDeleteThe Bible also speaks very plainly about a great many things, especially in the Book of Leviticus, that we would find hard to follow in the second decade of the 21st century. Lines 19:16-18 are especially poignant in light if the nasty, un-Christian behavior of "Pastor" Ken Willis.
19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the LORD.
19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Thank you, well said!
Delete8:45
Delete+1 from the amen corner here.
If they're gonna pick and choose, they could at least err on the side that Jesus preached from.
New Mexico's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a local wedding photography business in Albuquerque violated state law by refusing to photograph a lesbian couple seeking the company's services.
ReplyDeleteThe state's highest court found that Elane Photography's decision to refuse to serve the couple was an act of discrimination under the state's Human Rights Act, which outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation, according to The Wall Street Journal's Law Blog. The owners of Elane Photography argued they were exercising their rights of free speech and religion in refusing to photograph the couple's ceremony.
Earlier in the week, Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins received national attention for issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Ellins argued that New Mexico's ambiguous laws on gay marriage did not prohibit him from granting the licenses.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/new-mexico-supreme-court-wedding-photographers-discriminated-against
Let's watch the follow up on this - "they?" is that the church (higher up governing body), the asswipe pastor or elders or whatever,or the congregation? If the congregation or a large part of it walks, that'll restore my faith in humanity in TN. And I wonder what they expect the parents of preggers teens to do - kick them out of the house? Talk about hypocrites either way.
ReplyDeleteOT -
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicususa.com/2013/08/23/sarah-palin-75-pay-cut-job-fox-news.html
Stupid took a 75% cut in pay. She's still making 25% too much.
Tennessee Pastor’s 21 year-old church counselor son puts his penis on boy’s crotch, slaps kid’s face
ReplyDeletehttp://freakoutnation.com/2013/08/23/tennessee-pastors-21-year-old-church-counselor-son-puts-his-penis-on-boys-crotch-slaps-kids-face/
My cousin was going through a messy divorce. Her husband was cheating on her and he and his girlfriend would go to church and sit behind his wife and bother her just to intimidate her.The church's solution?? Even tho my cousin had attended and volunteered for years?? They told her to find a new church or stay home.My friends Grandmother had attended her church all her and her families lives. They too volunteered and all of their family had for generations attended married and been buried from that church. When the grandmother died they asked to borrow a dozen folding chairs from the church . The church told them No. Really christian. I hate organized religion.
ReplyDeleteI hope this is the moment of enlightenment for this family and they can break that 60-year commitment to an organization that is stuck in the dark ages.
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic Church has had a great month so far in August, 2013.
ReplyDeleteActually, it hasn't really been a *great* month, just typical. Here's a laundry list of things either completely ignored or under-reported by both the Corporate Lamestream Librul (ha) Media and the much more ethical Fair and Balanced Selective News Network owned by Murdoch and the House of Saud.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTrackerArchive/2013/08/
Kinda sad when the plethora of scandals in the RCC is completely swept under the rug. Daily.
So true. Until the cases were settled, the archdiocese of Philadelphia had to maintain it's own database of Abuse. Most of the priests either died of old age, were sent to other places, or put to work where no children were present. Once they settled, the database disappeared. This is the same church that officially excommunicated me and my husband, but my kids were allowed to attend if they wanted.
DeleteThe irony is that the homosexual family behaved more "christ like" than the church.
DeleteThe RCC handles it differently, they take you aside and explain you can still go to church, but can't receive the sacraments. A few weeks later, you get a letter from the Vatican explaining that your particular sin is "unforgivable" unless you...
But the gossip mill gets the word out effectively.
I wish there was a photo of the pastor, his staff, and other members. Are any of them overweight??? Gluttony is a SIN in the Bible. If the church kicked out membersl guilty of that their offering plates would be almost empty.
ReplyDelete