Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities are often marginalized in churches, Joretta Marshall said she hoped to hold an open conversation on alternative theological ways of thinking about LGBT communities.

Marshall, a Brite Divinity School professor and panelist for the event, said Christian denominations traditionally have approached LGBT individuals with reparative counseling, which interprets homosexuality as immoral, Marshall said.

However, Cody Sanders, a graduate student in pastoral theology and another panelist, said it could be possible to have a Christian theology that accepted sexual diversity as part of God’s plan.

Marshall said, “This is not just a movement for LGBT folks. It’s really a movement for the wholeness of us all.”

Sanders said dominant voices in Christianity speak from their own interpretations of the Bible to condemn homosexuality. The upcoming forum will address the complexity of Biblical interpretations, especially regarding issues on which the Bible contains little information.

However, Rev. Ricky Chelette, executive director of Living Hope Ministries, said he would describe homosexuality as a sin, and people who lead whole and healthy lives recognized their attraction toward sin and worked to eliminate it. Living Hope Ministries in Arlington is a ministry that works with families and individuals that “struggle with same-gender attraction.”

Chelette said all people were oriented towards sinfulness, but those who overcame their attractions to sin and put aside a homosexual identity experienced something similar to repented alcoholics, liars or thieves. Many who visit Living Hope Ministries experienced a “wholesome conversion process.”

Marshall said theologies that labeled homosexuality as immoral could evolve into “theologies of hate” in which church members commit violent crimes. However, Chelette said he would never use rhetoric that encouraged anyone to act violently against LGBT communities.

“I love gay people, or I wouldn’t do what I do,” Chelette said.

Rev. Stephen Sprinkle, associate professor of practical theology, said he thought LGBT people were as religiously whole and complete as anyone else.

Sprinkle, who was the first openly gay professor at Brite Divinity School, said Brite led racial equality, women’s rights and social equality for LGBT communities in the Southwest.

The Religious Institute placed Brite in the top 20 “Most Sexually Healthy and Responsible Seminaries” in the nation for 2012. According to the Religious Institute’s website, Brite has revised its community inclusion statement to be inclusive of sex, gender identity and orientation.

Sanders said the forum was the first of many theological conversations that discussed oppression of race, gender and sexuality as one interrelated topic.

“Brite has defined itself as an institution that is not afraid to have conversations that are difficult and conversations that others would rather us not be having,” Sanders said.

Re-Thinking Sexuality, Theology, and Healing

When: 7 – 9 p.m. Monday
Where: Bass Conference Center on the main floor of the Harrison Building

Panelists and topics:
Joretta Marshall and Cody Sanders — “Therapy & What’s Theologically At Stake”
Rev. Joseph and Suzanne Stabile — “Families & Therapy”
David Jenkins — “What’s Good Therapy for LGBT Communities?”