June 29th, 2009
The San Antonio Express-News had a write-up on the visit that Soulforce and Atticus Circle made to The Cornerstone and their meeting with John Hagee.
Hagee addressed them at a reception after the 11 a.m. service and later spoke privately with LGBT leaders.
If any of them expected fireworks from the gatherings, none erupted. Everyone seemed surprised there were no surprises.
The visit, initiated by two Austin-based groups, Soulforce and Atticus Circle, were portrayed as groundbreaking. It was the first in a series of meetings called Sundays of Solidarity, in which the LGBT community will meet with faith communities. Its goals are to have tough conversations, but Sunday\’s was to connect with people on a personal level.
Cornerstone members reacted positively.
“We really enjoyed the people we met,” said Buzz Park. “It was a pleasant experience.”
Kelli Busey, who traveled from Dallas, said Hagee\’s welcome “couldn\’t have been nicer, more heartfelt and productive. He opened the conversation in a very positive way.”
As expected, this visit did not coincide with Rev. Hagee’s miraculous reunderstanding of the scriptures that have been used to alienate, denigrate, and demonize his gay neighbors. But perhaps the next time he finds the hand of God in a natural disaster he may at least have faces to go with the denunciations he is making.
Small steps, but necessary steps.
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Christopher Waldrop
June 30th, 2009
And very good steps. I have to admit to feeling a bit of trepidation, but I have to applaud both the groups that reached out to Hagee, and Hagee himself for being willing to reach back.
You describe this very well as “Small steps, but necessary steps.” The fact that they’re small steps gives me hope that this will lead–slowly–to greater understanding on both sides. I’ve heard it said that the difference between revolution and evolution is that revolutions are quick, ugly, and tend to backslide, while evolution is slow but produces more lasting results.
This sounds like an example of evolution in action.
Joe Allen Doty
June 30th, 2009
It should be known that John Hagee had an affair with a woman in a church he previously pastored. He divorced his wife so he could marry the woman.
Most of Hagee’s supporters don’t know that documented fact.
I seriously doubt that Hagee will even change his preaching against gays and lesbians.
Timothy Kincaid
June 30th, 2009
Joe Allen,
Can you please provide a source for that claim.
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