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- Mar 10, 2016
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Two days ago, many Christians solemnly observed the beginning of Lent by having ashes placed on their foreheads. This tradition reminds us that we are but dust and to dust we return. Now begins a 40 day period of prayer, fasting and alms giving. It is a time for reflection, penance and charity, a time to grow closer to God.
A handful of parishes have elected to mix some glitter into the ashes. The purpose: to show solidarity to LGBT congregants. Glitter is important to the LGBT crowd, you see, so it’s an apt symbol. Adding sparkle to the ceremony began in New Jersey last year, when a priest’s girlfriend suggested the addition of glitter “as a way to come out queer and Christian simultaneously."
Why change a long Christian tradition, one that is meant for all Christians, to spotlight one subgroup of Christians? This is not the time to get political. This is not a time to wear glitter on your face. This is a time for all Christians to live out their Christian faith. Adding glitter to ashes is not solidarity, it is an obvious ploy for special attention to one little group of people. It is a blatant demand that everybody honor those who are LGBT - above all others. This is not a time to celebrate diversity. This is not a time to get political. This is a time to honor God.
“It matters very much to me that people understand we’re not doing this in order to be frivolous or disrespectful,” Liz Edman, Episcopal priest, explains. “Glitter is serious business for queer people. Glitter is how we have long made ourselves visible, even though becoming visible puts us at risk.”
It sounds as though Ms. Edman values her queerness more than her priesthood. She, and others who embrace this shiny idea, are indeed being frivolous and disrespectful. Edman is already “visible”. Furthermore, it is not news that LGBT members are welcome in Christian churches. What is the point of rubbing it in (on everybody’s forehead) on Ash Wednesday? The notion of respecting traditions ought be a no-brainer to a group seeking respect. Sadly, churches who participate in this “inclusion” game are not helping LGBT Christians. They are turning them into glitter clowns.
The Lenten Season is a time for Christians to deepen their devotion to God, humbly, obediently. This is no time for glitter.
Ash Wednesday: Leftist Religious Leaders Distribute Glitter Ashes For LGBTQ Solidarity
How some are using glitter on Ash Wednesday as a shout-out to the LGBTQ community
“Because I do not hope to turn again...”: On the attraction of Ash Wednesday | Catholic World Report - Global Church news and views
A handful of parishes have elected to mix some glitter into the ashes. The purpose: to show solidarity to LGBT congregants. Glitter is important to the LGBT crowd, you see, so it’s an apt symbol. Adding sparkle to the ceremony began in New Jersey last year, when a priest’s girlfriend suggested the addition of glitter “as a way to come out queer and Christian simultaneously."
Why change a long Christian tradition, one that is meant for all Christians, to spotlight one subgroup of Christians? This is not the time to get political. This is not a time to wear glitter on your face. This is a time for all Christians to live out their Christian faith. Adding glitter to ashes is not solidarity, it is an obvious ploy for special attention to one little group of people. It is a blatant demand that everybody honor those who are LGBT - above all others. This is not a time to celebrate diversity. This is not a time to get political. This is a time to honor God.
“It matters very much to me that people understand we’re not doing this in order to be frivolous or disrespectful,” Liz Edman, Episcopal priest, explains. “Glitter is serious business for queer people. Glitter is how we have long made ourselves visible, even though becoming visible puts us at risk.”
It sounds as though Ms. Edman values her queerness more than her priesthood. She, and others who embrace this shiny idea, are indeed being frivolous and disrespectful. Edman is already “visible”. Furthermore, it is not news that LGBT members are welcome in Christian churches. What is the point of rubbing it in (on everybody’s forehead) on Ash Wednesday? The notion of respecting traditions ought be a no-brainer to a group seeking respect. Sadly, churches who participate in this “inclusion” game are not helping LGBT Christians. They are turning them into glitter clowns.
The Lenten Season is a time for Christians to deepen their devotion to God, humbly, obediently. This is no time for glitter.
Ash Wednesday: Leftist Religious Leaders Distribute Glitter Ashes For LGBTQ Solidarity
How some are using glitter on Ash Wednesday as a shout-out to the LGBTQ community
“Because I do not hope to turn again...”: On the attraction of Ash Wednesday | Catholic World Report - Global Church news and views