Church exiles member for supporting lesbian daughter

[CleanShavenJesus]

Collegedale, Tennessee resident Linda Cooper has been asked to leave a church she has attended for six decades because she would not publicly condemn her daughter’s lesbian lifestyle in front of the congregation.

Cooper’s daughter, Kat Cooper, is a detective with the Collegedale Police Department. She and her partner Krista were married in Maryland in May. The couple has been fighting the Collegedale city government in an effort to be granted the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. They recently won over legislators, and Collegedale became the first city in Tennessee to introduce same-sex benefits.

Throughout the entire legal process, Linda Cooper supported her daughter. Linda Cooper’s public support did not sit well with the church, and she was asked to either publicly denounce her daughter’s lifestyle or leave.

Cooper chose her daughter.

“My mother was up here and she sat beside me. That's it,” Kat Cooper said, acccording to The Daily Mail. “Literally, they're exiling members for unconditionally loving their children - and even extended family members.”

The Coopers have attended the church for decades, reports the New York Daily News. Linda Cooper was raised in the church, and her father’s plaque hangs on the walls of the church.

“This is not just some casual church they dropped in on," said Hunt Cooper, the father of Kat and husband of Linda.

Linda Cooper has not taken the exile from her church well.

“She is just so traumatized and so upset,” Hunt Cooper said. “It has been days and she's still crying. It's almost like losing a family member.”

The Cooper’s, who do not believe homosexuality is a choice, continue to support their daughter. Hunt says it was not the church’s place to judge Linda.

“That was between her and her God and it was not their place to judge her for that,” he said.

Ridgedale Church of Christ minister Ken Willis spoke briefly on the church’s decision to exile Cooper.

“The sin would be endorsing that lifestyle," Willis said. “The Bible speaks very plainly about that. You certainly can't condone that lifestyle, whether it's any kind of sin—whether they're shacked up with someone or living in a state of fornication or they're guilty of crimes. You don't condone it."

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/g...n-daughter#

Sigh.

[Violet]

Hey, chose the daughter over the church: way to go girl!

[freedomfromforum]

Makes me want to throw-up!

This morning I ran into an 'elder' from my former church,
(one of two I was exiled from). I reminded him of what a
self-righteous asshole he is. He didn't seem impressed.
What else did I expect? Makes me wish there were a hell!

[bladevalant546]

Strangely, when I a christian I did extensive study on homosexuality in the bible. Only place it says it is wrong is in the OT in Leviticus, however it only states man on man sex. Which also begs an interesting side not in Romans, paul speaks about "homosexual" behavior the greek word that is used means prostitution. It also states that women are doing what is "unnatural" however there is not context. Since we only have the OT to judge, it is hard to speculate what Paul really meant. The only kind of possible explanation was a fringe pagan group of women who did some detestable sexual acts. I say this to make one point, most of the beliefs held by the modern chruch are still very much catholic style draconian laws, most do not know what they really believe.

[Anomalocaris]

What a wonderful church to do her such a favor. I bet she would have found it much more difficult to free herself of it without its help.

The miracle of Christianity - it generously helps anyone with half a brain and a quarter of a spine to free him/herself of it.

[Fruity]

I got pregnant before marriage. Yeah it was stupid, let's skip that part lol

So, anyway. They had me stand in front of the church (500 people staring) and ask for forgiveness to them. My mom, dad, and brother stood next to me as I asked for forgiveness. Back then, I felt that was amazing. Time passed by and I began to resent that. They should have stopped me. Now I forgive them, because they were ignorant as much as I was. I'm glad we all left the church and that at least my brother and I are atheists.

[Silver]

I got pregnant before marriage. Yeah it was stupid, let's skip that part lol

So, anyway. They had me stand in front of the church (500 people staring) and ask for forgiveness to them. My mom, dad, and brother stood next to me as I asked for forgiveness. Back then, I felt that was amazing. Time passed by and I began to resent that. They should have stopped me. Now I forgive them, because they were ignorant as much as I was. I'm glad we all left the church and that at least my brother and I are atheists.

Thank you for sharing that. Horrible memories of a religious past can be daunting.

At least for me.

I had a similar experience. It was during my youth when I had just come out of the closet to a few people. I was also a fundamentalist Christian at the time, though I attempted to find a balance between faith and being gay. Even my best friend at the time informed me that there was nothing wrong with being gay. That changed quickly. Later in life, she would deny ever having been my friend.

I digress, however. One night during a service the pastor began speaking of someone in the congregation who needed help. He began to mention homosexuality, and I instinctively knew it was me. The only way he could know was if my best friend had informed him, though he claimed he had received a message from god. I looked over at her, and i knew right away.

The pastor called me to the front and I stupidly allowed everyone to pray for me, in the hopes of removing the demon of homosexuality from me. If I could go back in time, oh the way things would have been different.

[Esquilax]

I got pregnant before marriage. Yeah it was stupid, let's skip that part lol

So, anyway. They had me stand in front of the church (500 people staring) and ask for forgiveness to them. My mom, dad, and brother stood next to me as I asked for forgiveness. Back then, I felt that was amazing. Time passed by and I began to resent that. They should have stopped me. Now I forgive them, because they were ignorant as much as I was. I'm glad we all left the church and that at least my brother and I are atheists.

I very nearly headdesked in utter frustration reading this. Only reason I didn't is it would probably startle the nice girls sitting at the table across from me.

That's why I love the library: makes me too reserved to hurt myself.

[Fruity]

Maelstrom, thank you for sharing this story. I can imagine how difficult that was for you. I'm just glad you didn't go through life trying to be someone you are not, got married to a woman, and prayed every night that you might fall in love with her. I'm happy for you.

Esquilax, it's not that bad. I mean, it could be worse. Like the time they sent me to a "bible institute" that ended up being more like a convent, that ended up locking me up in a room for two months. So yeah. I'm glad I'm out

[Silver]

Like the time they sent me to a "bible institute" that ended up being more like a convent, that ended up locking me up in a room for two months.

That must have been scary.