Not even former president Jimmy Carter could tolerate the Southern Baptists view that women should subjugate themselves to men. To say that most religions and churches are out of step with modern times is a gargantuan understatement with tragic human and societal consequences. The issue of homosexuality is one that divides the most level headed and open minded religious leaders and people of faith. Strict interpretation of verbatim text from the Bible bolsters the likes of Reverend Falwell, Pat Robertson and many others, leaving a whole group of individuals in religious limbo. No one listens to the stories of thousands and thousands of gay individuals or hears their cry or tries to understand their honest pleas for acceptance.
Tolerance is a poor substitute.
As gays state emphatically that they were born gay, the religious cling to the words in the Bible, not understanding the entire historic context in which this book was written. The male writers had an agenda, regardless of the inspiration they supposedly received from God. A society was being built, a populace created and power structures honored at a time when women and minorities were considered non-persons. Traditionalists lament the passing of simpler times. The dreaded phrase family values has caused more torment than any single mantra, now barely an issue because of the flawed human nature of its messengers.