[At top of episode, Ellen, Ryan and Joey discuss Ryan's ignoring of God, why it's a bit morbid when a Christian asks "was he/she a believer" after some one dies, and how the church is trying to convince Ellen's friend to stay with her cheating husband because he "reads the word" and "it was only a blowjob."]
For our main talk, biographical author, George Azar, lived it and wrote a book for us to peer into his journey from leading vocational ministry as a pastor (and as a gay man) to “eventually having enough" and leaving Christianity all together. He shares his story here.
Joey and George discuss the senselessness of appealing to “traditional theology” as a standard not to evolve past for the reason of "God ever changes." This ideology seems to assume that God hasn’t anything further to say about the teachings in the bible and no more revelatory direction for humanity. Pretty boring God, if you ask me.
Joey shares how hard it was to maintain his un-affirming views of homosexuality when close friends of his shed light on her/his relationship with the Holy Spirit, the journey of diligent searching for the truth of God’s view on sexuality, and the current peace they have found in pursuing gay companionship.
George and Jack reflect on the prospect of him being an adult gay man in the very much less accepting world we lived in, just 20 years ago. Joey takes the opportunity to get a “Billy Graham Rule” critique from a gay man, the two discuss the dynamics of gay Christians fellowshipping with non-affirming ones, and Joey asks if the word “homosexual” is even appropriate terminology anymore.
George Azar and My Gay Church Days / Website / Amazon / Instagram
Host Ellen Mauro / Instagram
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Theme song, courtesy of Derek Minor
Other music originally composed by Joel Hamilton and Joel Hamilton + friends
Production and Editing: Jared Svendsen
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