Being gay is not unnatural, detrimental, or destructive to the foundation of civilization
By Melanie Nathan, 03/07/2012

While the Kirk Cameron firestorm settles its ash, the actor’s response to the backlash he caused may serve only to make matters worse, especially in light of the fact that his rant depicting anti-gay rhetoric is simply one that does not reflect true Christianity  nor main stream religious trend in the United States.

The actor, known for his role as Mike Seaver on the TV show “Growing Pains” (1985-1992), said about homosexuality – “I think that it’s unnatural. I think that it’s detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.”  He has now come back after the show and resulting barrage saying,  “In some people’s eyes, my responses were not sufficiently ‘loving’ toward those in the gay community. I can only say that it is my life’s mission to love all people, and that I expressed the same views that are expressed clearly and emphatically throughout the Judeo-Christian scriptures.”

“Despite what Kirk Cameron said on CNN’s Piers Morgan program, on Friday March 03, 2012, being gay is not unnatural, detrimental, or destructive to the foundation of civilization,” said Todd Ferrell, President of The Evangelical Network.

Churches and Christians have used this same apocalyptic language to oppose interracial marriage, interracial churches, racial integration, women in church leadership and now marriage equality.  In the 1830′s through the 1850′s biblical scriptures were misused to support slavery in the United States.  Few churches would support these Biblical interpretations today, and our society is better for it.

Ferrell concludes, “The church in large is part of the problem but has great potential to be a part of the solution.  The church and Christianity have gotten off track by over emphasizing religion and under emphasizing a relationship with God. They also are simply out of touch with where America is on equality.  Churches across America are seeing lower attendance and much of this has been attributed to their non-stop preaching against  gays and lesbians.”

Ferrell is believes that there are millions of gay Christians across the world in churches weekly sitting in silence as pastors preach anti-gay messages. Many straight Christians who support their gay friends and family members also sit in silence. These individuals do not speak up for fear of being ostracized by their church community.

Ed Ness, a spokesperson for The Evangelical Network, informed GAY U.S.A. today that an e-mail has been sent to Kirk Cameron by the group requesting a meeting to have a private dialogue about the scripture with the actor and that the group is hoping for a positive response back.

Todd Ferrell, a born-again evangelical Christian began leading the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender affirming support organization known as The Evangelical Network in 2004. Having grown up in the mid-west and coming from an Assemblies of God upbringing, Ferrell felt the call of God on his life to be involved in ministry while attending college & as part of a large charismatic suburban St Louis church. Ferrell co-founded Freedom in Christ Evangelical Church of San Francisco in 1991 to establish a LGBT fellowship for believers from a more Evangelical background. Ferrell has served on The Evangelical Network Board of directors for 12 years.   The Evangelical Network promotes the motto, “It is OK to be Christian and gay.”

Picture: Todd Ferrell.
Post, Melanie Nathan