Inspirational Resources
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Articles
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Coming Out As Sacrament,
Mona West -
Homosexuality - Not A Sin, Not A Sickness,
Don Eastman -
Our Story Too - Reading the Bible with New Eyes, Nancy Wilson
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Queer Spirituality, Mona West
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The Bible and Homosexuality, Mona West
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The Power of the Bible, Mona West
The Bible and Homosexuality
What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality, by Daniel A Helminiak.
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The author summarizes the findings of leading Biblical scholars, like John Boswell and L. William Countrymen, into an easy-to-read, objective analysis of biblical passages dealing with homosexuality. A great book to share with religious friends and relatives who are convinced the Bible condemns homosexuality.
The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-Sex Relationships, by Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley.
Written by a MCC pastor and a layperson, this book is an easy to understand examination of biblical arguments on same sex relationships, both in light of modern biblical scholarship and the overarching teachings of the bible. Another great book to share with friends and relatives who believe that the Bible condemns homosexuality.
Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, by John Boswell.
One of the seminal scholarly works on attitudes and teachings on homosexuality in the early church. Using ancient church documents and histories, Boswell uncovers the LGBTQ-positive voices in the early church.
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The Church and the Homosexual, by Father John J. McNeill.
Originally developed as a discussion draft within the Catholic Church (and subsequently banned), this book examines biblical teachings on homosexuality in light of modern scholarship, making a well-reasoned and compelling argument that homosexuality is not a sin.
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Spirituality, Spiritual Living, & Devotionals​
A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward and Undivided Life, Parker J. Palmer
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A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, Eckhart Tolle
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A Return to Love: Reflection on the Principles of 'A Course in Miracles', Marianne Williamson
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Almost Everything: Notes on Hope, Anne Lamott
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Amazing Peace: A Celebration, Maya Angelou
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Coaching Change: Breaking Down Resistance, Building Up Hope, Thomas G. Bandy
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Doorways to the Soul: 52 Wisdom Tales from Around the World, Edited by Elisha Davy Pearmain
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For Those Who Can't Believe: Overcoming Obstacles to Faith, Harold M. Schulweis
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God is a Verb Kabbalah and the Practice of Mystical Judaism, Rabbi David A. Cooper
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Good Grief, Granger E. Westberg
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Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, Anne Lamott
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Holy Envy: Find God in the Faith of Others, Barbara Brown
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Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, Edited by Marcus Borg
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Jesus and Lao Tzu: The Parallel Saying, Edited by Martin Aronson
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Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way, Walter Wink
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Job and the Mystery of Suffering: Spiritual Reflection, Richard Rohr
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Ladder of Angels, Madaleine L'Engle
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Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith, Barbara Brown
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Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, Parker J. Palmer
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Life Lessons, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler
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Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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Live Your Dash: Make Every Moment Matter, Linda Ellis
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Living Buddha, Living Christ, Thich Nhat Hanh
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Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God-Given Talents and Inspire Your Community, Albert L. Wiseman, Donald O. Clifton, and Curt Liesveld
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Naked Spirtuality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words, Brian D. McLaren
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One Hand Clapping: Zen Stories for All Ages, Rafe Martin
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Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner, Nadia Bolz-Weber
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Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
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Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, Pema Chödrön
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Taosim and the Arts of China, Stephen Little
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The Book of Joy, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
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The Four Agreements: A Toltec Wisdom Book, Don Miguel Ruiz
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The Magdalene Gospel: Meeting Women Who Followed Jesus, Mary Ellen Ashcroft
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The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
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The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, Henri J.M. Nouwen
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The Road to Peace, Henri J.M. Nouwen
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
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When Moses Meets Aaron, Gil Rendle
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When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advise for Difficult Times, Pema Chödrön
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With or Without God, Gretta Vosper
LGTBQIA+, Sexuality, & Gender​
10 Spiritual Lessons for Successful Living for Gays and Lesbians (and everyone else), by Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder of Metropolitan Community Churches.
A Desired Past: A Short History of Same-Sex Love in America, Leila J. Rupp
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A Time to Build: Creating Sexually Healthy Faith Communities, Rev. Debra W. Haffner
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Coming Out of Shame: Transforming Gay and Lesbian Lives, Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael
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God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality, Phyllis Trible
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Our Selves, Our Souls and Bodies: Sexuality and the Household of God, Editor Charles Hefling
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Queer America: A People's GLBT History of the 20th Century, Vicki L. Eaklor
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Stand By Me: The Forgotten History of Gay Liberation, Jim Downs
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Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America, Mel White
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Taking a Chance on God, by Father John J. McNeill. Geared for the LGBTQ community, this book brings a gay perspective to fundamental Christian questions: How can we understand suffering and death? How can we overcome fear, anger, and guilt? What does it mean to love God? What gifts do we bring to the body of Christ?
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The Consequence of Sex, Stories by Robert C. Reinhart
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The Sexuality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Journey to Wholeness, Ernest Kurtz and Katherone Ketcham
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The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World, Alan Downs
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Transgender History, Susan Stryker
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Two Flutes Playing: A Spiritual Journey book for Gay Men, Andrew Ramer
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You Can Go Home Again: Reconnecting with Your Family, Monica McGoldrick
Social Justice​
Freaks and Revelations, a Novel by David Wills Hurwin
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G-Dog and the Home Boys: Father Greg Boyle and the Gangs of East Los Angeles, Updated and Expanded Edition by Celeste Fremon
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The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd. Fabulous novel about two oppressed women, one as a slave and the other a radical abolotionist in the early 1800s, striving for physical and spiritual freedom.
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Justice in a Global Economy: Strategies for Home, Community and World, Pamela K Brubaker, Rebecca Todd Peters, Laura A. Stivers
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Learning to be White: Money, Place, and God in America, Thandeka
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Proverbs of Ashes: Violence, Redemptive Suffering, and the Search for What Saves Us, Rita Nakashima Brock
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Soul Work: Anti-Racist Theologies in Dialogue by Unitarian Universalist Association, Edited by Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley and Nancy Palmer Jones
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Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
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Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, Father Gregory Boyle
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Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, Robert A. Lupton
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Trials of Hope and Terror: Testimonies on Immigration, Miguel A. de la Torre
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Undocumented: How Immigration Became Illegal, Aviva Chomsky
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The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. A deeply moving novel that tells the stories we know from the Hebrew scriptures through the eyes and hearts of the women in the book of Genesis.
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Novels
A Wrinkle in Time, Madaleine L'Engle
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The Book of Joy, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu
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The Heaven of Animals, Nancy Tillman
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Holy Envy: Finding god in the Faith of Others, Barbara Brown Taylor
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The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd. Fabulous novel about two oppressed women, one a slave and the other a radical abolitionist in the early 1800s, striving for physical and spiritual freedom.
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Ladder of Angels, Madaleine L'Engle
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Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith, Barbara Brown Taylor
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Pastrix: The Cranky Beautiful Faith of a Sinner and Saint, Nadia Bolz-Weber
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Practicing the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
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The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant. A deeply moving novel that tells the stories we know from the Hebrew scriptures through the eyes and hearts of the women in the book of Genesis.
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Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America, Mel White
Church Administration & Leadership
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History and Biblical Scholarship
Constantine’s Sword, by James Carroll. A huge work of historical research that reveals the heinous history of anti-Semitism in the Church, and how Judaism and Christianity forever parted ways.
The Politics of Jesus, by Obery Hendricks, Jr. A no-holds-barred analysis of the true revolutionary nature of Jesus’ teachings and how they have been corrupted.
The Rapture Exposed, by Barbara Rossing. Afraid of the book of Revelation? Fear no more! This book is an awesome exploration of the message of hope, justice and peace that is at the heart of the last book in the New Testament.
Stand By Me, by Jim Downs. A book about the forgotten history of gay liberation; it includes an examination of the largest massacre of gay people in American history before Pulse, and the impact of that event on MCC.
When Jesus Came to Harvard, by Harvey Cox. A Harvard professor and his students wrestle together with the moral impact of Jesus’ teachings in the 21st century.
