Sharing his views on gays and lesbians in the church, the role of religion in public policy and whether non-Christians can go to heaven, Gene Robinson, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop, conducted an adult faith forum Sunday at Episcopal Church of the Advent in Louisville.
“I know Jesus to be the son of God,” he told a group of about 50 people, “but what a small, limited God we would have if that was the only manifestation. I think Christians should stay away from spiritual arrogance and show more love, mercy and zeal for justice.”
He called on audience members to present an alternative to the activism of the religious right, saying, “I believe that there's a positive role for religion in the world, and we've already seen what not to do.”
And he described how he and his partner, Mark Andrew, a New Hampshire state employee, endured death threats and FBI involvement in their security after he was elected bishop in the Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003. But he described coming out as a gay man in the 1980s as even more formidable.
“I just knew my life in the church was over,” he said. “At that time there was no openly gay person serving at my diocese. But I felt God calling me to out, and God was there every step of the way.”
A Lexington native and valedictorian of his graduating class at Lafayette High School, Robinson spoke Saturday at the Episcopal Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Lexington and preached Sunday morning at Church of the Advent.
Last year the Church ordained its second gay bishop, Mary Glasspool, in the Dioceses of Los Angeles, and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church last year became the first in the Diocese of Kentucky to bless a same-sex union. Robinson is an outspoken advocate for legalization of same-sex marriage and lobbies for civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
He is author of “In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God”, an examination of sexuality and theology, and “God Believes in Love: Straight Talk about Gay Marriage”, due to be released next year.
He delivered the invocation at the inaugural ceremonies in January 2009 on invitation of then President-elect Barack Obama, but last year announced he planned to retire in 2013, citing the emotional toll the controversy had taken on him and his family.
Asked by an audience member how he'd spend his time, Robinson answered, “I'll use it to talk about the living God, get to tell more un-churched people that Gold is alive and well and wants a relationship with us.”
And he joked later, “I hate doing educational forums like this because there's an expectation of learning something, and there's too much pressure on me.”
But those attending the faith forum said they were edified and uplifted.
“I thought it was outstanding,” said Margaret Adelman, a Church of the Advent parishioner. “I can't imagine that people in conflict over the homosexual issue would be moved by what he had to say.”
Harland Smith, a member of Christ Church Cathedral who also worships at Church of the Advent, said: “It's different from my upbringing, but the gay members of the congregation here are my friends. We don't have to get hung up on gay or straight. You can be different from me and still be my friend.”