The Sacred Bard

“A Masorti (Conservative) rabbi has quit the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies inJerusalem in acrimony over the exclusion of openly gay students from its rabbinical studies program, The Jerusalem Post learned on Thursday.”

“Indeed, some politicians and lawmakers have invoked the language of “sin” in their opposition to gay Americans. But the discourse of “sin,” has no place in the political culture of a liberal democracy. Such discourse lends support to the historical fiction of America as a “Christian nation,” and limits morality as the special province of the religious and Christians in particular.”

“The Church of Scotland has voted to allow the possible selection of gay and lesbian ministers in the future.”

“Despite common misperceptions, biblical writers could also imagine same-sex intimacy as a source of blessing. For example, the seemingly intimate relationship between the Old Testament’s David and Jonathan, in which Jonathan loved David more than he loved women, may have been intended to justify David’s rise as king.”