Comments on: Denny Moon: “Saved”

By: Patty Peterson

Patty Peterson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:48:00 +0000

Denny,
This is a beautiful and tender story. Thank you for sharing it. I have long held you in high regard and have great respect for you ~ this just adds to the reasons why!
May God continue to bless you!
Patty Peterson

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 22:32:00 +0000

Denny,
Thanks so much for sharing this story. It breaks my heart to think of all the LGBT people out there that feel rejected by the one place that need to include them.

I left the Covenant church after my brother came out 18 years ago. I can’t express the disappointment and hurt I felt when he had the integrity to bare his soul and was rejected by the one place he that should feel safe.

He was asked to step down from his leadership position and was basically asked ” to sit at the back of the bus”, at least that is how it felt to me. He was no longer able to share his talents as a leader and a teacher.

Thanks for sharing your story . That young man is alive today because of you.

By: Crboltz

Crboltz — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 17:17:00 +0000

Denny,
Thank you for your post. I was raised in a U.C.C. church, and our minister had made similar comments about God loving everyone as they are (and explicitly mentioned homosexuals) durring several youth group events. I’m sure very few others heard the statements, but they spoke volumes to me. Growing up, and figuring out my sexuality was much easier and had far less drama than many of my friends who came from other faith traditions. I realize how blessed I am that suicide was never on my radar as I was coming out. I know so many GLBT folks who had mental anguish, depression and suicidal thoughts because their church’s preaching didn’t align with what they knew to be true, that God loves us as we are. As various religions wrestle with the issue of their stance on homosexuality, I hope they can all remember the homosexual kids in their youth groups, and think before speaking. Suicide not only tragically cuts a life short, but it also send shock waves through the greater community. You may have thought it was a half-hearted response, but I can attest to its power. I believe you saved that young man’s life (and probably others).

Thank you so much!

Chris

By: Denny

Denny — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:40:00 +0000

In reply to Cheryl Larsen Lawing. Cheryl, Glad to hear from you. I hope all is well with you and yours!! Denny

By: Anoncov

Anoncov — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:07:00 +0000

In reply to Christina Tinglof.

You hit it on the head. When we see family, friends, and even strangers, especially anyone with an association of being Christian telling jokes and making other hurtful remarks, we hear it loud and clear. Who in their right minds would want to come out in the midst of this? Who would want to be around the people that tell lies about them, eat up junk science, and debase them as humane beings?

Every time you open your mouth, we are listening. Every time you smile, we see. Every time you don’t speak up, we notice. The hateful remarks are the worst, but the humor is sometimes very scary. Have we not learned from the not too distant past how the Nazis used humor in their propaganda to debase and mar the image of the Jews. I’m not calling anyone Nazis, lets be clear about that, but trying to point out how it can be a very insidious thing.

Unfortunately, everything I’ve heard, I can forgive, but I will never be able to forget. I cannot just wipe my mind clear of memories of all the horrible things said and done. It is from that base that the church must earn my trust back. Just as a spouse wounded by an adulterer, trust may never be the same as it once was or could have been.

Most gay people are terrified by and disgusted in the church. Inaction, just like actions, is more powerful than words. It’s not God who’s terrifying, it’s his people. Jesus wept.

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:34:59 +0000

Great, great story! Thank you for sharing. How can it possibly be that the church has forgotten this great truth and instead has turned into a “sin inspection agency”, looking for what its imagines to be the sins of others (but not its own sins)? I would love to hear any of my LGBT friends describe the church as “those people who are so loving” instead of “those hateful people”.

Just as you did not know the impact of your words, some people have absolutely no idea how harmful the things they say can be. Who would want to discover that shortly after they had spoken thoughtless, unloving words in the presence of someone struggling with their sexual identity that the person had committed suicide?

By: Kim Aliczi

Kim Aliczi — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:12:29 +0000

A great story about sharing the Gospel and the letting Jesus do what only He can do. We don’t always have to have the right words; just communicate Christ’s love simply and trust He will work in our hearts for His Kingdom purposes.

By: Lorian

Lorian — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 04:24:36 +0000

Cheryl! Fancy meeting you here! Good to see you, friend.

By: Cheryl Larsen Lawing

Cheryl Larsen Lawing — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:17:28 +0000

Denny, thank you…such grace-filled insights…I wish you well from my place in the ELCA! Cheryl

By: Barbara Nordlund

Barbara Nordlund — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:09:46 +0000

“Among other things, Jesus was crucified for accepting those who others thought unclean. ”

I’ve always loved the quote “the spirit rejoices in hearing what it knows to be true.” This was one of those moments for me. Thank you, Denny.