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A Tale of Two Clergymen

By Fannie

I've been struggling to write a post about notorious "Pastor" Steven Anderson, who preaches that every. single. gay. person is a child molester who deserves to die, among other things.

Instead, I want to leave you with something uplifting today.

Reverend David Weekley has been a Methodist clergyman for 27 years. He is the married father of 5 children. On August 30, for the first time ever, Weekley told his congregation of 221 (mostly) Japaneses-Americans his secret. He was born a female.

Then:

"Following his story, the congregation, who had remained silent throughout his talk, broke into thunderous applause. Church members then proclaimed their support for their pastor....

Weekley?s original plan was to keep quiet throughout his career, waiting until retirement to finally come out. But a trip he took with church members in June 2008 changed his mind.

Weekley joined members of his congregation, which is 95 percent Japanese-American, on a pilgrimage to the remnants of a World War II internment camp for Japanese-Americans in Minidoka, Idaho, just outside of Twin Falls.

The experience touched him deeply. He had faith that a congregation like his own, many of them having experienced prejudice and alienation would be a safe place to come out, he says.

He was right."

David chose his name because it means "Beloved of God." Yes, he most certainly is. And, it is always nice to experience another person being beloved by humanity, as well.

Full post as published by Fannie's Room on September 04, 2009 (boomark / email).