Being Christian Scientists, many people consider us weird, willfully out of step with the common good, child abusers, and, even if only a small minority, very troublesome. Some fundamentalists even think we're sinners. These stereotypes of Christian Scientists are often applied to Lesbians and Gay men, not to mention in varying degrees to Jews, Mormons, "foreigners"or really anyone who is not part of the "in"group. So we're in good company. The point for the serious student of Christian Science, especially those doubly blessed to be Gay, is that one will always end up at the effect of problems, including bigotry, when one views himself and others as merely mortals. Any attempt to reach perfection on that basis will frustrate. As one dear Christian Science teacher once put it "The divinity of man is a role, not a goal."

Many attending our meetings have engaged in activism within the church over the years. This has had some beneficial effects, particularly at the level of local branch churches and in dealings with individual teachers and practitioners — even The Mother Church has shown movement and the Monitor is often startlingly fair. But anyone who came through the period of "colored"churches and practitioners will understand the tenacity of error and the work yet to be done.

Some in attendance are establishing their own sense of church even as they pray for the healing of the Movement of homophobia and other detriments to growth. Some attend local branches on Sunday and Wednesday, supporting them financially, prayerfully and with testimonies. One member likes the quiet ashram-like atmosphere of the classical churches as a place to do prayerful work in concert with others. All seem to agree that our Thursday meetings and in-between meeting interactions with members facilitate growth in Science. We now have several non-Gay people and a couple of non-Christian Scientists attending. With our web site it seems that a new church format is emerging.

Here's what Mary Baker Eddy says of "Church":

CHURCH. The structure of Truth and Love; what-ever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.

We have talked in a number of meetings about the value of Christian Science to a Lesbian or Gay person. A few new points came up at this meeting. All the remarks by religious and political figures about Gay people recently showed how easily they break the Commandments (which do not condemn homosexuality) when this subject arises. For instance when someone predicts the destruction of an American city because a part of the community are allowed to display flags, is the Lord's name perhaps being taken in vain? When someone rushes to judgement about others without the slightest attempt at understanding, is this just maybe bearing false witness? So much for putting the Bible into practice, other than on some doctrinal program.

At the base of all religions would be Science; if Mrs. Eddy had been a Hindu or Moslem her discoveries would have partaken of their stories and imagery. Now here's a challenge — what would the Science of Southern Baptism look like? Or homosexuality, or heterosexuality? Different words, different stories, same Science!

What/who made me Gay? What/who made me a Christian Scientist? Whatever the birth conditions or human instruction, might it be "by the effectual working of His power"? (Ephesians 3:7)

Some commentators feel support for homosexuality would wreck the nuclear family. There is an implied feebleness of the heterosexual lifestyle in this. Perhaps some people would shift from the appearance of heterosexuality to, for them, a truer form of homosexuality. But the point is that the American way, A.K.A. competition, is said to be good for all concerned, and a flourishing homosexuality should force heterosexuals to come up with something more engaging than the current concentration camp mood.

All things human are rich with the resonance of the divine. Let us see with the lens of Science and rejoice in the affluence of our God. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God"(I John 3:2).

Healings:

One of our members has recently entered into a warm and loving relationship with another man. He worked with page 412 in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, to bring this into his experience and still prays daily as our Leader recommends.

One attendee was seen by non-Gay co-workers on TV at a Gay rally. He demonstrated the non applicability of homophobia with the help of a Journal-listed practitioner*, working there for another year and a half before moving on to other work.

One of our members is "celibate and loving it."He is still Gay — in fact "one hundred percent,"so as he hastened to reassure us, but could entertain the prospect of a serious relationship if the right person appears.

Some years ago, another member was approached by a non-Christian Scientist friend for prayer to help with what seemed a life threatening disease. Our member sensed a strong self-condemnation and shame overhanging this dear one, perhaps based on his quite flamboyant appearance. When this self-condemnation was silently removed through prayer, the complete healing was evident overnight.

*A Christian Science practitioner is one who is in the public practice of Christian Science healing.