Homosexuality and the church

Many religious communities continue to grapple with ideas of homosexuality within the church.

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Rene Syler

Rene Syler has written a new book on motherhood.

Source: Rene Syler




Listen to Today's Segments



What if you could know whether your baby is gay?

I know, I know. This sounds like something from the supermarket tabloid wars. But this question has set off a serious theological discussion within one of the nation's more conservative denominations, the Southern Baptists. The President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Albert Mohler, took that question and wrote a rather serious meditation on the implications as he saw them. You can read the article for yourself here.

I could have told Rev. Mohler that his writing would produce one thing for sure: lots and lots of DRAMA!

Given that many of the world's major religions are struggling over the issue of homosexuality, we thought it would be interesting to talk about how other religious leaders are grappling with the issue, particularly within the Baptist tradition (given that Rev. Mohler is Baptist).

What are his colleagues saying? Do they agree? Should the matter even be up for discussion?

You'll hear from two ministers with similar roots who embrace very different ideas. They are Dr. Kenneth Samuel, pastor of Victory for the World Church in Atlanta, and Dr. Hershael York, associate dean at the Southern Baptist Seminary, and pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church. In addition to the controversial "gay baby" article, they talk about their beliefs on opening the "doors of the church" to the gay community.

They also chime in on the debates some states are having about whether to apologize for slavery. Good idea, bad idea?

From there, travel back in time with us for our "History Minute." (I hope you're keeping a list of our new signature segments...you never know when you'll be tested). We rediscover a powerful letter written by Abigail Adams, wife of former president John Adams. Best part of all: Reading the letter for us -- and somehow capturing all of its intended passion -- is the acclaimed actress Ruby Dee.

Then, we go...Behind Closed Doors.

Rene Syler, former anchor of The Early Show on CBS, talks candidly about deciding to have her breasts removed (yes, both of them) after realizing how vulnerable she was to breast cancer, and about motherhood. And get this...she lost her breasts and her job all within one month's time. She's a trouper. Her new book is "Good-Enough Mother: The Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting."

And (drum roll) the moment you've been waiting for, our Culture Coach segment...

I don't know if you've been monitoring our post asking for your questions, but there has been rich dialogue there...good stuff. Blogger Samuel has been holding it down...

Harriette Cole cuts to the chase and answers some of your most interesting questions about those awkward situations that we all sometimes have. Just one of the experiences she addressed: A guy in the car (as a passenger) with a group of friends. A popular hip-hop song comes on the radio that generously drops the "n" word (of course, "for entertainment purposes only."). Uncomfortable? What to do? Listen to her advice...

The church debate over homosexuality? What's your belief? Will there ever be common ground? Apologies for slavery. Necessary, or forgive and forget? Let us know!

And KEEP THOSE EXPERIENCES COMING FOR OUR LIFE COACHES. If you have a life dilemma, we want to know about it...

AND, any travel experiences THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?...We want to know about it all, your questions, your insights, your ideas...yes, we're greedy.

6:14 - April 4, 2007

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