Faith Matters

Burning Bibles

Azariah — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Sometimes it just feels right. Not that I've done it before or have plans to do it again, but I burned a Bible recently and my friend Jack took the picture.

When he shared this idea of burning a Bible, I immediately feel in love with it and I wanted to do it.

After posting the picture on Facebook I received many responses of how people felt about it. Most were offended. However, my friend Amanda in her infinite wisdom called me and said, "People are focusing on what you're burning, not why you're burning it." She hit the nail on the head. I didn't even think about it like that.

So, I've spent the past two days thinking about why I did it.

This is what I've realized so far...

Growing up, my church was my community... it was everything I loved. It's what I looked forward to the most during the week. It was the place I made myself the most vulnerable. It was the place where I trusted the most.

Now it is the place I resent the most. For a variety of reasons and due to different experiences, the very idea of attending church makes me upset. Church, for me, is no longer a safe place. It now represents rejection and abuse. It means nothing more to me than the Wal-Mart down the street.

So, this picture for me represents that pain, rejection and abuse.

Not that anyone asked for an explanation or really cares but there it is.

I hope to someday come to a place where I no longer harbor these feelings but for now this is where I'm at.

I hope you too can look past what I'm burning and ask why.

Silent Genocide: Gay in Iraq

Azariah — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:25:41 +0000

Iraq is believed to be the most dangerous place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to be out. In March 2012, it was reported as many as 58 Iraqis who are gay or believed to be gay have been killed since the beginning of this year. Further, an estimated 750 gay Iraqis have been murdered in the past six years. In this episode of Faith Matters, we turn our attention to Iraq.

LGBT People & Poverty

Azariah — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:25:50 +0000

A small church in Nashville, TN is doing a big thing. They’re calling it, “Covenant Cupboard.” According to “Queers for Economic Justice” 6 out of 10 Transgender people live in poverty. Black female same-sex couples report earning $21,000 less than white female same-sex couples. Children in same-sex households have poverty rates twice those of children in heterosexual married couple households. In this episode of Faith Matters, Pastor Greg Bullard of Covenant of the Cross will discuss how he and his congregation is leading the fight against LGBT poverty in his city.

For more information on Covenant Cupboard visit… www.covenantcupboard.com

Anthony Venn-Brown: A Life of Unlearning

Azariah — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:53:33 +0000

Anthony Venn-Brown is a busy man. He is the author of an award winning book and has been dubbed, ‘One of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians’ twice. On any given day he is counseling pastors of mega churches who want to become more gay affirming, overseeing one of many organizations he founded or conducting a life coaching session with someone half way around the world. However, it’s been a long road which led Anthony to all of this. As he says it took, “a life of unlearning.”

Ray Boltz: Living True

Azariah — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:57:54 +0000

Ray Boltz has sold more than 4.5 million albums and toured the world as one of Christian music’s top artist. Few know, his most popular songs came from his struggle with his faith and sexuality. In this episode of Faith Matters, we talk to Ray about his journey to reconciling his faith and sexuality.

Speak Up & Speak Out

Azariah — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Last night, my university (IPFW) was holding an event featuring Martin Luther King Jr's niece, Alveda King.

I attended because I thought it was pretty cool to have the opportunity to hear a member of the King family speak. Secondly, I attended because I know of Alveda's history of anti-gay comments. I have to say, last night, she outdid herself and I was unable to remain silent.

While answering a question from the audience concerning LGBT people, Alveda responded by sharing a story of her male gay friend. She ended the story by stating that she asked him, "What sin do you think is greater? Homosexuality or adultery? Which one do you think will send you to hell first?"

Which one do you think will send you to hell first?

Most of you are like me. We grew up listening to this message. You and I both know the pain, confusion and agony that message has caused in our lives. Many of us have since healed from that pain and some are still healing. However, I think its safe to say, all of us wished someone would have spoken up.

Last night, I couldn't remain silent.

So, I spoke up for that one person who might have been in that auditorium who is continuously beaten emotionally and spiritually with that message. "God loves gay people," I shouted. "Yes he does," Alveda responded. "God loves AND affirms gay people," I contended. To that, she had no response.

I wasn't interested in changing her mind or starting an argument. That is not how an authentic change of heart and mind occurs. I was only interested in speaking to that one person who might have needed to hear that God loves and affirms them as an LGBT person.

LGBT people too often are dehumanized, demonized and lied about by religious leaders who use their faith to justify their hate and distain. I refuse to remain silent in those moments. If there is anything I've learned from the life and work of MLK Jr it would be... listen to the oppressed and down trodden then speak up and speak out for those who can't.

The "God vs. Gay" debate is over. The religious right knows this. Now is the time to share the truth.

I hope you too will choose to speak up.

Even if its just for one person in the room.

Loving the Homosexual

Azariah — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:52:20 +0000

Some call him a false prophet while others credit him for their transformation into a more open and loving person. This week we are joined by, Andrew Marin, author of Love Is An Orientation and founder of The Marin Foundation. Known for their “I’m Sorry” campaign The Marin Foundation exist as an organization which works to, “build a bridge between the religious and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in a non-threathening, research and biblically oriented fashion.”

Gay In Uganda

Azariah — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Gay In Uganda from Azariah Southworth on Vimeo.

Gay In Uganda

Azariah — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:34:41 +0000

Imagine this, you wake up one morning with a picture of yourself on the front page of a national newspaper. Beside your picture, are the highlighted words, “Hang them!” Why? Simply because you’re gay. This is a reality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Uganda.

One month after this happened to David Kato, he was found brutally murdered in his home. Who is leading this vehemently anti-gay crusade in Uganda? None other than superstar “pastor” Martin Ssempa.

Don’t miss this exclusive and insightful interview with Uganda’s leading gay activist, Frank Mugisha.

Click HERE to follow Frank Mugisha on Twitter.

Click HERE to follow Frank Mugisha on Facebook.

Click HERE for Sexual Minorities of Uganda’s website.

Gay In Uganda

Azariah — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:57:00 +0000

This week on Faith Matters....

Imagine this, you wake up one morning with a picture of yourself on the front page of a national newspaper. Beside your picture, are the highlighted words, "Hang them!" Why? Simply because you're gay. This is a reality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Uganda.

One month after this happened to David Kato, he was found brutally murdered in his home. Who is leading this vehemently anti-gay crusade in Uganda? None other than superstar "pastor" Martin Ssempa.

Don't miss the exclusive interview with Uganda's leading gay activist, Frank Mugisha.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE