Gay Rabbi, Priest Lead Interfaith Bible Study

A gay Orthodox rabbi and a gay Episcopal bishop led a rare interfaith Bible study in Los Angeles on Thursday for 160 rabbis and priests at a time when debate over Scripture and sexuality continues to divide those in both faiths.

Convened jointly by the Board of Rabbis of Southern California and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the seminar was led by the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal priest to become a bishop in his church; and Rabbi Steven Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, who is with the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership in New York.

The seminar was held at the Episcopal Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Echo Park.

Although both Greenberg and Robinson said they believed most rabbis and Episcopal priests present were sympathetic toward their liberal views of homosexuality and faith, clergy who took issue were also present. The important thing, the two gay clergymen said, was to encourage dialogue.

“In many scenarios, the text is used either to silence conversation or it’s abused by not being actually taken terribly seriously,” Greenberg told reporters after the seminar, which was closed to all but clergy.

Robinson added, “The question is not what does the Bible say, but what do you believe the Bible is saying.”

A plain reading of certain Hebrew and Christian scriptural passages may appear to speak unambiguously against homosexual behavior. But some biblical scholars and advocates for the full inclusion of gay men and lesbians in religious life argue that those same passages may not be as condemning as they appear when the social, religious and cultural contexts of biblical times are taken into account. Conservatives dispute that.

Since Robinson’s consecration last November as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, nine of the 38 Anglican provinces or national churches worldwide have declared themselves to be in impaired or broken communion with all or part of the Episcopal Church in the United States.