Controversial Book ‘Homosexuality in the Orthodox Church’ Published
12/2/2011
Controversial Book ‘Homosexuality in the Orthodox Church’ Published; Editor Justin R. Cannon Says Constant Focus on ‘Sex’ and ‘Sin’ Misguided
Newly-published book “Homosexuality in the Orthodox Church” offers a brief overview of the experience of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans Christians in the life of the Orthodox Church, including personal testimony and a Bible study.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 12, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ — “Too often the discussion around homosexuality in the Church focuses on sin, when the real question before us should be: How can the Church faithfully minister to and love homosexual Orthodox Christians?” These words are found in the preface to the recently published book Homosexuality in the Orthodox Church (ISBN 978-1456416874), now available on Amazon.com. Editor Justin R. Cannon believes that most conversations about homosexuality are misguided because they reduce people, lives, stories, and struggles to two issues: sin and sex. “This is not just about sex–it’s about people, relationships, love, and that core human longing for companionship,” explains Cannon. “Often it is not until the ‘issue’ is given a face and someone’s close family member or dearest friend comes out that hearts and lives are changed. This is not about an act, but about people.”
Cannon points out that most mainstream Christian denominations–even Roman Catholics with their ministry Dignity USA–have at least one gay-affirming group. But such is not the case with Orthodox Christianity. “The conversation concerning the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the Orthodox Church has not started in the same way it has in the Roman, Anglican, and Protestant churches. While many localized Orthodox jurisdictions teach that practicing homosexuality is a sin, this teaching has not been ecumenically affirmed within the Orthodox Church,” states Cannon.
According his website, this book offers “a glimpse into the life, witness, history, and struggle of Eastern Orthodox Christians who happen to be homosexual.” Cannon identifies three ways that priests handle their congregants who are gay and partnered: 1) they just don’t talk about it and maintain a ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ policy, 2) They kick them out of the Church, or 3) They are embraced and welcomed to be full members of the community. “The frequency of these different responses is probably in that exact order,” he comments.
This 116-page tome is one of a kind–purportedly the very first book about homosexuality in the Orthodox Church that challenges the status quo belief that same-sex relationships are sinful. The book includes four accounts by Orthodox Christians and family members, an essay by a Ukrainian bishop, a history of a group called Axios (which served gay Orthodox Christians), a brief Bible study, and a list of further resources. Copies of the book are available for $12 through Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456416871.
In the book’s Preface, Cannon writes, “It is my prayer that this anthology will open up dialogue and discussion within the Orthodox Church about the struggles, stories, and witness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Orthodox Christians, and those who love them.”
Inclusive Orthodoxy is a Christian ministry which teaches that the Church must be inclusive of all faithful believers regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, while also holding firm to the authority of Scripture and Tradition. More information is available at www.inclusiveorthodoxy.org.
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Please keep in mind none of the canonical orthodox churches have approved this book.
“Nothing in the Bible comes close to condemning loving, committed, faithful gay relationships.”
-Justin R. Cannon, Founder of Inclusive Orthodoxy
This statement by the author is absolutely incorrect and a misrepresentation of the Orthodox Faith. If you are to read this book, please keep in mind that is a ROGUE interpretation. The Orthodox Church of America, the Antiochian Archdiocese, and the Greek Archdiocese of American all disagree with the author. Just because he puts orthodox on the book, does not mean its true. For examples on what the Church does believe … read here:
http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7101
http://www.antiochian.org/homosexuality
http://www.oca.org/DOCmarriage.asp?SID=12&ID=26
With Love and Respect.. Athanasius
Please keep in mind that unlike the Roman Catholic church which endorses books with ‘imprimi potest’ and ‘nihil obstat’ the Orthodox Churches do not have a process for formally approving books.
“Nothing in the Bible comes close to condemning loving, committed, faithful gay relationships.”
-Justin R. Cannon, Founder of Inclusive Orthodoxy
This statement by the author is backed up by his Bible study “The Bible, Christianity, & Homosexuality” on his website and available on Amazon. There are local jurisdictions that disagree with the author, but none speak for the Orthodox Church as a while.
Other resources on Orthodoxy and homosexuality:
http://sateenkaariseura.wordpress.com/articles-from-other-sites/the-question-about-homosexuals-2032007/
(from the Finnish Orthodox Church, which is canonical)
“A Report on the Homosexuality Debate in the Orthodox Church of Finland”
http://www.kosmas.fi/PDF-files-veljeston%20paasivu/Finn_Ort_Probl_2009_Autumn.pdf
Compiled in Autumn 2009 by the Brother of Saint Kismas of Aitolia, Joensuu Finland. Brotherhood founded by students and scholars of Orthodox Christian Theology, and other members of Finnish Orthodox Church with the blessing of the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Finnish Orthodox Church, Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2001.
Being Gay and Coptic
http://gaycopt.blogspot.com/
AXIOS – Eastern and Orthodox Gay and Lesbian Christians
http://www.eskimo.com/~nickz/axios.html
With Love and Faith… Chrysostom
i almost have no words for such disregard for scripture and the Fathers of the church. The last time i checked, we were not in the business of modeling any of our activities on schismatic groups. The fact that the Roman Catholic Church and various protestant groups have pro/affirming homosexual groups is irrelevant. This is sad to see such attempts to normalize homosexuality within the church.
the church teaches us to love and that love conquers all, so this will apply to any and all persons we deal with in the church, but, at the same time, the church will loving help any person to overcome sin. the church is not in the business of affirming any sin. the church actively assists the person to overcome sin. The church does not embrace sin, just because a face is put on it. this book will do nothing more than to help liberal thinkers to feel better about themselves and to try and show the world that we are “enlightened”.
Have either of your guys read the book? It tells people’s stories, it tells facts about history, and has a Bible study. Talk about judging a book by its cover. Does even discussing this topic frighten you guys so deeply?
Nice try Chrysostom, but a cliche of not judging a book by it’s cover will not take away the fact that both scripture and church tradition calls homosexuality is sin. Reading the stories of homosexuals is an attempt to pull at heartstrings, while leaving serious thinking/decisions behind.
This is a book written by a homosexual episcopalian.
Ad hominem, short for argumentum ad hominem, is a logical fallacy that attempt to link the validity of a premise to a characteristic of the person advocating the premise. Any attack on the editor of this book is a clear avoidance of the issue and slip into this logical fallacy.
@4f720bde0e0411e92b4c31e17cbebc38:disqus It is entirely relevant to mention that Justin Cannon is an Episcopalian. That, at the very least, call in question his ability speak authoritatively on Orthodox doctrine.