A Call for Resources

by Mayra David

Jan 08, 2009 8:10 AM

I’m so excited for what SFNYC is going to bring in 2009. I can feel the energy and anticipation grow even as we discuss and prepare our next equality-seeking action. At our last meeting, the group came up with a great idea: let’s pool our resources and put together new Soulforce NYC literature for hand outs, training, etc. This will be useful as we begin to reach out to folks who still think being queer is sick and sinful.

For hand outs I think we need an attractive pamphlet that gives an overview of what SFNYC does and where can people find us on the web. More importantly we need to get our mission and method across. And since we’re so specific about working on erradicating homophobia based on religious rhetoric I think the literature needs to give an example of that…like a demo. Just something short that’ll get people to visit the website and read more.

Maybe take one of the more famous “clobber passages” in the bible and put a sound pro-equality argument right next to it…?”
We also mentioned some great books that deal with homosexuality and faith. We decided to create this post so everyone could share their resources and ideas.

Please share your thoughts on what might be helpful or enriching—either for SFNYC in general or specific recommendations for the new literature—in the comment section below. 

Comments

Thanks Mayra -
A dear friend recently submitted this quote to my attention from Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
It reassures us that change is inevitable and that common deceny wins out in the end ...

A book that was helpful in addressing religious concerns me was “Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality” by Jack Rogers.  He also wrote an article about how LGBT equality leads to a more missional church, available here: http://www.drjackrogers.com/2008/08/why-lgbt-equality-leads-to-a-more-missional-church.html

I agree with Mayra, a condensed explanation of what SFNYC is and does; it could include a philosophical grounding as well as a religious grounding focused on the tradition we’re interacting with.

I think past actions/campaigns, along with reactions from participants, would be helpful.  I have a bunch of comments from administrators that we met with on Equality Ride talking about how beneficial our visits were.

And as has been said, more stuff on the internet.  Participant statements and contact information, etc. 

Hosting a monthly Bible study or book club would be a good way for us to stay grounded in our principles and provide a good inlet for people who are interested but not ready to plan and participate in campaigns yet.

I think we need an attractive pamphlet that gives an overview of what SFNYC does and where can people find us on the web. More importantly we need to get our mission and method across.

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