If you're like most of the folks I know, you probably didn't consider yourself a loved child of God when you were growing up. You probably thought that you would only be accepted/valued by being like everyone else and by doing certain expected things. You probably never felt that what you were and how you felt were gifts to humanity from God. You probably lived much of your life not being proud of who you were or are and hiding your uniqueness. You were probably also taught that pride is a sin.
Well the good news is that you are God's beloved creation and your uniqueness is something to be proud of. We are learning that we have every right to be respected as children of God.
Pride is a virtuous attribute. As children of God and as uniquely gifted creatures we ought to be proud of who we are. We may not always be proud of what we say and do (and that leads us to review our living and reform our ways to be more in harmony with God's love - but that is another message.)
Many of us grew up with the list of the "seven deadly sins" as: anger, envy, pride, gluttony, lust, greed, and sloth. The sin of pride occupied a prominent place in that grand tableau. Many of us had ingrained in our minds that to be proud was a bad thing. I believe that what is sinful is arrogance - the idea that we are better or superior to others. There are scenes and parables in the Christian Scriptures that urge us to avoid arrogance and to be humble. When you go to a party do not sit at the head table lest the host come and say that you are in the seat on a more honoured guest and you will be humiliated at having to take a "lower" seat. But instead, sit at a humble seat and then, if the host chooses, you will be invited to come and sit at a more exalted place [Luke 14:7-11]. Arrogance is what separates us and divides us and interferes with humility and empathy and respect. That is why arrogance is sinful and pride can be virtuous.
So I endorse gay pride and I celebrate our diversity. Are we a proud community? Are we proud of the accomplishments and of our behaviour? What are you doing to increase pride in our diverse community in Edmonton? When the Canadian Government passed Bill 33 and every Canadian was protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, we had cause to celebrate. When the Human Rights Tribunal recently directed the Canadian Government and all the agencies it regulates to rewrite their policies to ensure that same-sex partners receive equal treatment to mixed-sex partnerships, we had cause to celebrate that finally another "right" and justice-making thing had happened in our land.
But there is more to our community life than an absence of discrimination. What were your needs when you came out? Where did you turn to get help or a listening ear? Who was there for you? OK, now, how are you showing your gratitude for that gift? What are you contributing to our community? What is making you proud to be a part of this community? If something is not making you proud of our community, then what are you doing about it to correct or improve the situation?
Well the good news is that you are God's beloved creation and your uniqueness is something to be proud of. We are learning that we have every right to be respected as children of God.
Pride is a virtuous attribute. As children of God and as uniquely gifted creatures we ought to be proud of who we are. We may not always be proud of what we say and do (and that leads us to review our living and reform our ways to be more in harmony with God's love - but that is another message.)
Many of us grew up with the list of the "seven deadly sins" as: anger, envy, pride, gluttony, lust, greed, and sloth. The sin of pride occupied a prominent place in that grand tableau. Many of us had ingrained in our minds that to be proud was a bad thing. I believe that what is sinful is arrogance - the idea that we are better or superior to others. There are scenes and parables in the Christian Scriptures that urge us to avoid arrogance and to be humble. When you go to a party do not sit at the head table lest the host come and say that you are in the seat on a more honoured guest and you will be humiliated at having to take a "lower" seat. But instead, sit at a humble seat and then, if the host chooses, you will be invited to come and sit at a more exalted place [Luke 14:7-11]. Arrogance is what separates us and divides us and interferes with humility and empathy and respect. That is why arrogance is sinful and pride can be virtuous.
So I endorse gay pride and I celebrate our diversity. Are we a proud community? Are we proud of the accomplishments and of our behaviour? What are you doing to increase pride in our diverse community in Edmonton? When the Canadian Government passed Bill 33 and every Canadian was protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, we had cause to celebrate. When the Human Rights Tribunal recently directed the Canadian Government and all the agencies it regulates to rewrite their policies to ensure that same-sex partners receive equal treatment to mixed-sex partnerships, we had cause to celebrate that finally another "right" and justice-making thing had happened in our land.
But there is more to our community life than an absence of discrimination. What were your needs when you came out? Where did you turn to get help or a listening ear? Who was there for you? OK, now, how are you showing your gratitude for that gift? What are you contributing to our community? What is making you proud to be a part of this community? If something is not making you proud of our community, then what are you doing about it to correct or improve the situation?
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