“Disdain for gay individuals”, according to the latest Barna Research, “has become virtually synonymous with the Christian faith” so far as Americans aged 16-29 are concerned. “Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is ‘anti-homosexual’. Overall, 91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young church goers say this phrase describes Christianity.” Barna president…

“That man is really disgusting.” This was Francis Schaeffer’s assessment of Jerry Falwell, “growled” to son Frank once the two were out of Falwell’s earshot. The apologist was reacting to antigay bigotry Falwell had suddenly blurted: “If I had a dog that did what they do, I’d shoot him!” Schaeffer says his father had tried…

A. J. Jacobs’ first bestseller was on his reading through the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. Now he’s come up with an equally fascinating and humorous account of his Year of Living Biblically (Simon and Schuster). Christianity Today’s Books & Culture review sums: “At its heart, this is a book about all the various ways religious people…

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is warning the Church of England to reject so-called “reparative therapy” for homosexuals. The psychiatrists state that attempting to change one’s sexual orientation “can be deeply damaging. Although there is now a number of therapists and organizations in the USA and in the UK that claim that therapy can help…

“By no means would we ever say change can be sudden or complete.” This is what Alan Chambers, head of the Exodus “ex-gay” network, told the Los Angeles Times in mid-June. He admits to his own continuing sexual attraction to men while now married to a woman and identifying as “straight”. And he’s now joining…

A Calvin College theater professor has compiled over 100 interviews with gay and lesbian Christians. She’s crafting the material into a play. Stephanie Sandberg says the gay students she’s known over the years have gone through “a lot of stress. They are under a lot of pressure both psychologically and spiritually.” Her play, Seven Passages:…

Southern Baptist Seminary president and a leader of the Religious Right, R. Albert Mohler, grants that scientific research “points to some level of biological causation” for homosexuality. Such conclusions do not sit well on the Religious Right, where homosexuality is said to be a sin that people choose, and so he has come under attack…

Denouncing the Religious Right’s demonizing of gay people, a National Association of Evangelicals executive suggests: “Let’s see what we have in common, … rather than stressing our differences.” Speaking to Reuters after Ted Haggard’s departure from the presidency of NAE, Richard Cizik, NAE’s vice president of governmental affairs said: “I think there could be some…

Four EC keynoters are among the authors of the 50 “landmark” books of the past 50 years, according to the 50th Anniversary issue of Christianity Today, the flagship magazine of American evangelical Christians. Books by Rosalind Rinker, Charlie W. Shedd, Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Nancy A. Hardesty rank among “The Top Books That Have Shaped…

“Q: Is the gradual winning-over of religious fundamentalists a better strategy than confrontation and anger?” This question was posed to readers of the March 14 issue of The Advocate, the gay and lesbian periodical. The response: 53 percent said “yes”, 38 percent said “no” and 9 percent said they were “unsure.” Said one respondent: “My…