Reddit reviews God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships

Believe it or not, the people who wrote the ELCA text are aware of everything you just wrote. It's not like we're just pretending that those things don't exist. There's a reason that the document specifies that there are multiple positions (including yours!) which an ELCA Lutheran can hold in good conscience.

Also, the lack of sacramental marriage in the Lutheran world is a very important thing that I don't want you to ignore. Until after Vatican 2, my marriage would have been invalid according to the Roman Catholic church. My own grandparents were unable to get married by the Catholics until they were re-married Catholic in the 1970s, since my grandmother was Protestant and would not convert. It's also awfully convenient that Roman Catholics suddenly discovered that Protestant marriage was "valid but imperfect" right around the time that there was a lot of invalid marriage between Catholics and Protestants in American and European society.

My recommended reading on the subject of gay relationships is actually God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines of the Gay Christian Network: https://www.amazon.com/God-Gay-Christian-Biblical-Relationships-ebook/dp/B00F1W0RD2/ ... He is an evangelical with a very high view of Scripture who engages with everything you've said and more.

I came from that background. In fact I think many who are conservative and gay have grown up in Christian / Catholic / Mormon households and it is familiar to us. We were rejected for being gay, christian, and conservative a triple whammy.

I'd suggest listening to youtube Gay Christian Network. Watch This Documentary. Tons of videos like this. There are several who do support the LGBT community and have their own churches. They just had a conference that was huge (once a year). I have backed away from it as they have become much to political for me with a liberal tint and Trump hate. But there is definitely Republicans and Democrats there. Checkout the other videos as well the full conference is online. IF you want a explanation of the bible and homosexuality Matthew Vine has a book. But Dr. Brownson is much deeper.

Many are wounded by their faith and the hatred they received the totally reject religion and become almost rebellious liberal SJWs. Some like myself become private about our faith (hell it's hard enough to find a conservative) and personal, often not the ultra religious types (It was another part of yourself that became closeted as some gays hate religion and conservative viewpoints). Some are super religious and from liberal accepting backgrounds (families) so I think it's easier for them in a way. I think there are many more liberal christian gays than conservatives. Because of separation of church and state some are closeted trump supporters. Peter Theil is conservative and Christian. Tony Campolo Pastor, Rob Bell mega church pastor famous for his Nooma videos, Jay baker son of Jim and Tammy (hes quite alternative), Hillsong Christian Singer Vicky Beeching, Singer Jennifer Knapp.

They say as generations go by, the younger generation grew up with Gay is ok and are much more accepting, many leave the church when they grow older.


{Documentary}_

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QImNx1JA3BI - Documentary on Being Gay and Christian (experiences)

{Deep Dive into Bible Verses - Theology}__

Matthew Vine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8ZgSHK6tdA

Dr. James Brownson (Deep Dive Theology)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1f0KD-B0Z8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKOTNneoOpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kONByDAXko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt-a0BiAEVs

{Videos}___

https://www.youtube.com/user/GayChristianNetwork - Videos why its ok to be gay and christian, Speakers Keynotes from Gay Christian Network Conference 1,500 Attendees

{Books}_

http://www.amazon.com/Torn-Rescuing-Gospel-Gays-vs-Christians-Debate/dp/1455514306 - Justin Lee (biography about being gay and christian)

http://www.amazon.com/God-Gay-Christian-Biblical-Relationships-ebook/dp/B00F1W0RD2 - Matthew Vines

http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Gender-Sexuality-Reframing-Relationships/dp/0802868630 - Dr. James Brownson (deep dive theology)

{Forum / Gay Christian Message Board}

http://www.gaychristian.net

{Find a Gay Affirming Church}____

http://www.gaychurch.org

That's a lot to tackle, but off the top of my head:

1. Many (most) thoughtful Christians see absolutely no conflict between science and faith.
   
   
2. Many Christians are fully welcoming and affirming of LGBT persons. See /r/OpenChristian, for example. See also John Shore's book Unfair, Matthew Vine's book God and the Gay Christian and Jack Roger's Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality.
   
   
3. a. Christians generally understand God to be the termination of that otherwise infinite regress.
   
   b. Most atheists wouldn't say that the evidence shows that no god exists, rather only that they see insufficient evidence of his existence.
   
   c. I'm not sure what "simple logic and reasoning" you're referring to. Again, most Christians would view logic and reason as absolutely consistent with and foundational to their faith.
   
   d. Deferring to a 'god of the gaps' argument is almost always a bad idea.
   
   
4. Based upon what you're hinting at, many would probably call that 'progressive Christian.' Consistent with many mainline denominations: Episcopal/Anglican, UCC, UMC, PC(USA), ELCA, etc.

Check out this book.