Matthew Vines

Because Jesus hated it when religious folk hung out with oppressed people and societal castaways.

If staff disagree with the ministry’s position on LGBT issues, leadership said they “trust that they will alert their supervisors and conclude their work.”

A new book that debuts in print this week is already causing outrage and discordant reactions from right-wing American Christian conservatives, who have labeled the book a sham, shameful, inaccurate, and a misinterpretation of the basic tenets of the Christian faith.

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — A Kansas man whose online lecture about the Bible and same-sex relationships gained considerable attention has gathered about 50 Christians from around the country to delve into his belief that the Scriptures do not condemn homosexuality as a sexual orientation.

“What does the Bible say about loving, same-sex relationships?” Nothing. Not a thing. And in that absence of Biblical direction of support for or condemnation of these relationships, Christians need to follow the general principles of the Bible: love, justice and kindness…

Matthew Vines attended a conservative Presbyterian church growing up. He excelled in school and went to Harvard in 2008, and in that less restrictive social and academic environment, Matthew came to understand and accept that he was gay. In conservative denominations, there are only a few options for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members: leave it all behind to possibly find a welcoming denomination, stay and hide out or submit to a reparative therapy program, or leave the church altogether. None of those seemed acceptable to Matthew…