Congregations in Conflict: The Battle over Homosexuality - Hardcover

Hartman, Keith

4.36

14 ratings by Goodreads

9780813522296: Congregations in Conflict: The Battle over Homosexuality

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813522293 ISBN 13: 9780813522296

Publisher: Rutgers University Press, 1996

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A Methodist church puts its minister on trial after he marches in a gay rights parade. A Quaker meeting struggles to decide whether to marry a lesbian couple. An entire congregation is thrown out of the Southern Baptist Convention for deciding that a gay divinity student had a sincere calling to the ministry, and an order of celibate monks comes out of the closet. An Episcopal priest blesses two same-sex relationships--then a closeted gay lawyer leads the charge to have him fired.

Homosexuality is the most divisive issue facing churches today. Like the issue of slavery 150 years ago, it is a matter that ignites passionate convictions on both sides, a matter that threatens to turn members of the same faith against each other, to divide congregations, and possibly even to fragment several denominations. Like slavery, it is an issue that calls up basic questions about what it means to be a Christian. How does one know right from wrong? Is the Bible fallible? Do good Christians always follow their church's teachings, or are they allowed to think for themselves on moral issues? And to what source does one finally look to determine what God really wants?

Hartman explores in very readable prose how different denominations have handled their conflicts and what it says about the nature of their faith. He shows some churches coming through their struggles stronger and more unified, while others irrevocably split. Most importantly, he illuminates how people with a passionate clash of beliefs can still function together as a community of faith.

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From the Back Cover:

An invaluable beginning to the healing of misunderstanding on all sides. -- Publishers Weekly

A tremendous resource for churches grappling with the issue. -- The Other Side

Hartman's message is one of hope. . . A readable, thought-provoking study of the fomentations of faith within a community and within a congregation. -- The Washington Blade

One comes away from Mr. Hartman's book with a renewed appreciation of the diversity and vigor of religious life in this country. At a time when fanatics of various stripes use faith as a smokescreen for intolerance and hate, it is valuable to be reminded that religious belief can foster a spirit of compassion and understanding. -- The Baltimore Sun

Fascinating, highly-readable array of human stores. . . Hartman has written the first book that reveals how the competing principles are being played out in the pews. . . the book contains as many ironically humorous moments as it does thought-provoking ones. -- Windy City Times

A readable, useful book. -- Booklist

A helpful and readable book. -- Feminist Bookstore News

A rare and compelling look into the hearts and minds of Christians dealing with the issue of homosexuality and the Church. -- Out Front

Recommended. -- Library Journal

Number 2 on The Advocate's "Best Selling Books" list (General Category), April 1, 1996

Homosexuality is the most divisive issue facing churches today. Like the issue of slavery 150 years ago, it is a matter that ignites passionate convictions on both sides, a matter that threatens to turn members of the same faith against each other, to divide congregations, and possibly even to fragment several denominations. Like slavery, it is an issue that calls up basic questions about what it means to be a Christian. How does one know right from wrong? Is the Bible infallible? Do good Christians always follow their church's teachings, or are they allowed to think for themselves on moral issues? And to what source does one finally look to determine what God really wants?

While many books have been written analyzing the scriptural and theological dimensions of the conflict, none has yet shown how it is being played out in the pews. Congregations in Conflict examines nine churches that were split by disagreements over gay and lesbian issues, and how the congregations resolved them. Keith Hartman shows some churches coming through their struggles stronger and more unified, while others irrevocably split. Most importantly, he illuminates how people with a passionate clash of beliefs can still function together as a community of faith.

Keith Hartman is a journalist and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous mainstream and gay publications. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

About the Author:

KEITH HARTMAN is a journalist and freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous mainstream and gay publications. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

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