Church's Growing (Gay) Flock Changes Heart of Texas

The Washington Post ^ | Aug. 25, 2002 | Fethiye

[Fethiye]

DALLAS -- On a sweltering midsummer's Sunday in Dallas, the cavernous Cathedral of Hope is packed with hundreds of congregants. Lively choral music sets toes tapping, and the sermon, about observing the Sabbath, is delivered with warmth and humor.

"Six days shall you shop, but on the seventh day you shall cease from all shopping," Mona West, the pastor, says from the pulpit, her eyes twinkling. "And that includes Home Depot. Or at least two out of four Sundays."

It's a scene straight from Middle America: There is laughter all around and hugs and kisses, too, and after the offertory and communion and much greeting and good cheer, the faithful file happily out of church -- men holding hands with men and women holding hands with women.

"Dallas is changing," said Tim Hurst, a gay 47-year-old real estate agent who attends the Cathedral of Hope with his partner, Jay, 44, a hotel owner. "We've been together four years last month, and this church has been very important to our relationship."

As the largest predominantly gay church in the United States, and possibly the world, the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas is thriving. In doing so, it is challenging old stereotypes about conservatism and intolerance in the nation's ninth-largest city.

[Paul Atreides]

Mona West, the pastor

There's the first problem.

[BenLurkin]

Part of the problem for sure.

BTW No BARF ALERT?

[Paul Atreides]

Nine times out of ten, when the words "gay" and "church" appear in the same title, the barf alert is a given.

[mountaineer]

"Dallas is changing," said Tim Hurst

The word of God does not, Tim.

[big'ol_freeper]

I needed a barf alert before reading this one. I hate those big chunks.

[Paul Atreides]

Notice that the article states that the congregation has been reduced by AIDS.

[Paul Atreides]

At least they are keeping their depravity in their own "church." Now, if all of the predominantly heterosexual churches could get over their love affair with homosexuals, and kick them out, things would be better.

[Fethiye]

Would news about your church require a barf alert?

[Sweet Hour of Prayer]

"As the largest predominantly gay church in the United States, and possibly the world, the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas is thriving. In doing so, it is challenging old stereotypes about conservatism and intolerance in the nation's ninth-largest city."

How sad, these people seek after God but only on THEIR terms. I can't imagine "telling" God, the Creator, how I'm going to worship and live for Him. Pride is the number one sin separating people from God.

[keithtoo]

"Despite a congregation drastically reduced by AIDS"

Hey, my church is full of sinners too, but we dont have an AIDS problem? I wonder why?

[Fethiye]

How sad, these people seek after God but only on THEIR terms. I can't imagine "telling" God, the Creator, how I'm going to worship and live for Him. Pride is the number one sin separating people from God.

I'm sure Jesus appreciates your help in pointing out who's the better Christian. Pride, indeed.

[mountaineer]

The Sunday mornings are not always peaceful: The Christian right and anti-gay groups have trained their ire on the church, picketing outside and occasionally infiltrating the sanctuary to shout slogans.

Assuming this is an accurate statement (not a sure thing, considering this is a WashPost article), I disagree with this tactic, which does nothing to win these lost souls to Christ. I do agree with you that the mainstream denominations should start obeying scripture and not accept homosexual behavior as a legitimate alternative way of loving (as some so nauseatingly do). God does not call us to tolerate the sin He finds intolerable. He calls us to love our neighbor -- big difference.

I wonder if the pew Bibles at Cathedral of Hope have certain passages snipped out, e.g., Romans 1, I Cor. 6:9, etc.

[Paul Atreides]

Fethiye signed up 2002-01-04.

And, this is the only thread posted by this person, since joining.

[VOA]

"Dallas is changing,"...

And sadly so are a lot of the churches/denominations that countered this sort of
Bravo Sierra.

I've heard from some relatives (fundamentalist church members) in the Dallas area that
one of their church-affiliated colleges in Texas has "gone soft" on the gay issue.

If all the churches in Dallas/Ft. Worth end up being gay temples, it will be
partly due to inaction by the old main-line churches.

[Paul Atreides]

It is probably more of a social hangout and hookup place, more than anything.

[smoking camels]

pfffft

[Rockyrich]

I had a similar thought - how many read their Bibles, period? I hope most, and then they need to read Romans 1, I Cor. 6:9, etc. IF they are Christian, their inner voice/conscience has got to be screaming to them that their behavior is not in line with God's Will or Word. They must have to continually repress it to shut it up.

[texson66]

The "Cathedral of Hope" is beyond hope!

[Paul Atreides]

It is most likely the Cathedral of Grope.