Dear Pastor Warren, Can you understand the harm?
An open letter from Mitchell Gold
An open letter from Tracey Zoeller
Faith In America today released a series of videos and letters that it hopes will help Rev. Rick Warren and other non-accepting people of faith understand the harm caused to gay Americans by religion-based bigotry, prejudice and discrimination.
The project, entitled "Can You Understand the Harm?", includes videographed open-letter segments from Faith In America Founder Mitchell Gold of Hickory, N.C., who in September released his transformative expose about the personal, social and religious pain and trauma of growing up gay in America; and Tracey Zoeller of Chicago, Ill., author of a recently published young adult novel entitled "A Pastor's Daughter." Both titles were presented to Warren.
In addition, the organization collected letters from its supporters who address Rev. Warren about the harm that they have experienced as gay Americans or as parents and friends of gay individuals. Examples of those letters, along with the video segments, are being delivered to Saddleback Church in Forest City, Calif. Read letters.
Gold said the project is an attempt to assist Rev. Warren in understanding the harm that is caused when his words and actions promote an attitude that gay Americans are somehow unworthy and inferior and therefore underserving.
"While there has been much controversy over Mr. Warren's invitation to deliver an inaugural prayer, our organization believes these circumstances have created a much greater opportunity for Rev. Warren," Gold said. "He has the opportunity to help millions of gay Americans, particularly gay youth, who are hurting inside because of a societal climate of rejection and condemnation – a climate that his words and actions have promoted."
Continue reading at Faith In America's blog...EndTheHarm.com
Civil Rights Activist Critical of Rev. Warren's role in MLK celebration
An open letter to Rev. Rick Warren from Rodney N. Powell
Faith In America today released a videographed open-letter to Rev. Rick Warren during which a civil rights activist says Warren's pastoral leadership does not honor the late Martin Luther King Jr.
Warren is scheduled to speak Monday at a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration service in Atlanta.
The open-letter, which has been posted on YouTube and the nonprofit organization's web site, features Rodney N. Powell, M.D., a member of Faith In America's board of directors and a former student activist during the Civil Rights Movement.
Continue reading at Faith In America's blog...EndTheHarm.com