Not an oxymoron

"Liberal Christian" is a hard idea for people to wrap their minds around. It belongs on a list of mythical beings along with Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.

But no matter what evangelical Christians tell you, they exist.

I am one of them.

Sometimes just saying I'm a Christian gets me dirty looks. For some reason, that word has become so loaded it's identified with anti-abortion, homosexual-hating people.

Progressive Christians examine their faith to update it to a changing world. Conservative Christians want a static society that doesn't change, partially because they don't believe in evolution.

Take gay marriage, for example. While conservatives are running to the Bible to quote verses that label homosexuality as a sin, liberal Christians ask how they should interpret the word of God thousands of years later.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA), which I am proud to be a part of, is holding a summit in Orlando, Fla., in August to discuss whether to allow gays and lesbians in same-sex relationships to become ordained ministers in ELCA congregations.

In 2001, the ELCA Church-wide Assembly opened a dialogue about sexuality in the church. Homosexuals can be ordained as long as they remain chaste, so the ELCA is already supportive of welcoming anyone into their ministry.

After studying sexuality biblically and practically, the church council has recommended that the church welcome any gay or lesbian person, in a relationship or not, into the ministry as long as they meet all other criteria.

The church also plans to develop a social statement about sexuality by the 2007 summit, and you can bet it's not "Homosexuality is against God's plan."

Evangelical Christians may scream foul and argue the ELCA is not following the Bible.

This has some merit. The Bible does condemn homosexuality. However, ELCA Lutherans have never interpreted the Bible literally, and frankly, most Christian denominations do not.

If they did, polygamy would be rampant, Christians would handle poisonous snakes to prove their faith and true believers would sacrifice animals to God.

Most conservative Christians aren't frying up farm animals over fire pits to please God, so why should excluding homosexuals from our ministry be any less antiquated?

Many churches have modernized their stances on issues conservatives won't even discuss. Using contraception, for example, is no longer an abomination against God. Likewise, churches often counsel women who choose abortion over adoption.

Churches must decide if they should modernize as society does or stick with tradition. And although many choose to exclude people based on traits like race or sexual orientation, other churches fling open their doors to welcome everyone.

Conservative Christians are quick to judge others by quoting the Bible or using something Jesus said as proof they can judge others.

And maybe this is just a technicality, but we're taught that Jesus accepts all people for who they are. Anyone who can forgive the men who crucified him certainly wouldn't condemn someone based on his or her sexual preferences or political views.

Believe it or not, some Christians aren't so quick to denounce non-believers as future residents of hell. I am not an oxymoron, although I fear the roar of Bible-thumpers drowns my voice out.

Conservatives are welcome to their view of Jesus. I just want to set the record straight for moderates or liberals who still go to church on Sundays.

We really do exist.