And not only is this sad, it’s just plain WRONG. (I’m not yelling, just being emphatic.)

The last church I belonged to has (to the best of my knowledge) still not installed an elevator so that people using canes, walkers, wheelchairs (etc.) can get into the sanctuary, which is on the 2nd floor. I mean, ???? They were even relieved that they got past code inspection without having to do it. That made me angry at the time, and my feelings on their attitude haven’t changed.

zeemanb: Oh, good Lord, I don’t think ANYONE would have been brave enough to bring up doctrinal differences. I’ve had to work to learn not to sound condemnatory when talking about church ethics. It’s not exactly easy.

lesbiansaidwhat: oh so true. Thanks for commenting!

e2tc: Two very, very good ones. I know (of) a woman who was ostracized after leaving an abusive husband. It’s so sad.

* Physical condition * (Especially for those who are disabled in any way, whether temporary or permanent.)

* Person is either widowed or divorced. *

C.

In all seriousness, I have seen that deer in the headlights moment when you bring up something that follows the logical path of an exercise such as this, and the key for me (and I am only speaking for me) was to get past the humongous chip on my shoulder about it because I have a tendency to gloss over loving my brethren when I’m telling them who they should love….. still fun stuff though.

From my experience, these stereotypes are bred into people, and it’s SO hard to weed them out. I feel lucky that my family was pretty open minded, and I remember the shock I had when I met my first racist. It’s sad that we don’t move past these things as a people.

I am glad to hear that your church is trying to make in roads. And I like your last statement about crossing things off your list with your actions. You are always so good at saying what needs to be said.

E2tc: You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. Although to clarify the American Cultural background, that was brought up AFTER ethnic background, when someone said, “but even if you’re from the ‘right’ country but the ‘wrong’ place in it, people treat you like a stereotype.”

1. age

2. Marital status or lack thereof

3. “American cultural background” – is everyone supposed to be from the US?! And even if they are, isn’t this being presented as a bunch of stereotypes? (i.e., California = surfer, hippie; Southern = well, you fill in the blanks!…)