Just got this press release from some PR firm in Florida:

Should Churches Minister to Gays?
Pastor Reveals How To Minister to
Gays Without Accepting Their Lifestyle

William Campbell says the average American supports the bullying of gays without even realizing it.

“I’ve been writing and talking about homosexuality to show the Christian Right and Left how they are hurting gays,” said Campbell, a Presbyterian minister who has been ministering to gays for 20 years. “Then I looked around and realized our whole country really needs to hear the same message.”

Campbell, author of Turning Controversy Into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality, said his denomination is about ready to come apart at the seams over the issue, and the rest of America isn’t far behind.

“Our country is heading in the same direction,” he added. “If all we do is listen to the extreme viewpoints on this topic, and if we refuse to think rationally, then issues like ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and gay marriage will just build frustration, bitterness, anger, and even hatred.”

So what does Campbell suggest? Certainly not growing the fuck up and recognizing that being gay or lesbian is common, normal and nothing to fuss about. Oh no.

The left adds to the problem by being just as intolerant toward the ministry, Campbell added.

“There are thousands of people who have embraced their faith and renounced their homosexual lifestyle, but they are deeper in the closet than even many homosexuals, because they are afraid of the backlash from the left,” he said. “Christ preached tolerance and kindness, not prejudice and hatred. Both sides need to come together and accept each other. This conflict isn’t only tearing families and congregations apart, but our whole country. We can do better than this, and we must do better than this.”

Yeah. If you’re pro-gay you’re an extremist. The moderate middle ground is clearly a really condescending mix of condemnation and pity for gays and lesbians. They’re good people, those gays but you know, the sin is so icky.

It’s 2011. Anyone who’s hung up on homosexuality is mentally ill. America needs a psychiatrist.

Full press release after the jump.


Should Churches Minister to Gays?

Pastor Reveals How To Minister to
Gays Without Accepting Their Lifestyle

William Campbell says the average American supports the bullying of gays without even realizing it.

“I’ve been writing and talking about homosexuality to show the Christian Right and Left how they are hurting gays,” said Campbell, a Presbyterian minister who has been ministering to gays for 20 years. “Then I looked around and realized our whole country really needs to hear the same message.”

Campbell, author of Turning Controversy Into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality (www.ChurchReflections.com), said his denomination is about ready to come apart at the seams over the issue, and the rest of America isn’t far behind.

“Our country is heading in the same direction,” he added. “If all we do is listen to the extreme viewpoints on this topic, and if we refuse to think rationally, then issues like ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and gay marriage will just build frustration, bitterness, anger, and even hatred.”

The Supreme Court is currently considering the question of whether Fred Phelps, leader of the Westboro Baptist Church, violated the rights of the family of fallen soldier Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder when he picketed the soldier’s 2006 funeral with signs that read “God Hates Fags.” Snyder served in the U.S. Marines as a homosexual while abiding by the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The question before the court is whether Phelp’s right to free speech superseded the family’s right to privacy, or whether Phelp’s demonstration even constituted free speech. Campbell believes Phelps is fighting the legal question, while ignoring the religious question.

“It isn’t just about whether his speech was protected by the law, but also whether his speech was Christian,” Campbell said. “I believe in powers higher than the Supreme Court, and my concern is whether our actions meet those standards first. I don’t believe the path Christ wants us to follow includes bullying and hatred. The truth is that people can be kind toward homosexuals without accepting their lifestyle. Even if we regard that lifestyle as a sin, the Bible tells us we need to welcome sinners into our churches, in the hope we can help them find their way to God. Who are we to decide that their sins or weaknesses are so much worse than our own that we should use God’s Word as an excuse to bully and deride them? I believe Christ would rather we minister to them.”

Campbell wants to help Christians understand homosexuality and then to come together to do ministry.

“Statistically, the majority of people in America identify themselves as Christians,” he said. “And many of us don’t believe the Bible supports homosexuality. But how many of us are following the command of Christ to love everyone? How many of us know how to step beyond the controversy about homosexuality and to show compassion? Even many without faith recognize the Bible tells the story of Christ, who reached out to all people, especially those society rejected.”

The left adds to the problem by being just as intolerant toward the ministry, Campbell added.

“There are thousands of people who have embraced their faith and renounced their homosexual lifestyle, but they are deeper in the closet than even many homosexuals, because they are afraid of the backlash from the left,” he said. “Christ preached tolerance and kindness, not prejudice and hatred. Both sides need to come together and accept each other. This conflict isn’t only tearing families and congregations apart, but our whole country. We can do better than this, and we must do better than this.”

About William Campbell

William has been researching, debating, and writing about the issue of homosexuality and the church for more than twenty years and is deeply concerned about the damage inflicted on individuals, congregations, and whole denominations over this debate. In addition, he has written extensively for Connections and serves as a resource specialist on the advisory board of OneByOne, a ministry that equips churches to bring truth and grace to those who struggle with same-sex attraction.

To interview William Campbell or request more information about Turning Controversy Into Church Ministry contact [redacted].