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He heard God's voice

BY Dave Ross  on December 31, 2012 @ 9:00 am (Updated: 9:08 am - 12/31/12 )

gene.jpg
New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in the global Anglican fellowship. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Among those who followed the recent gay marriage votes very closely was Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire who became the first gay Bishop in the Episcopal Church.

There are 100,000 members left as a result of that, but he has no regrets, because after trying therapy to cure himself of gayness, and after 13 years of heterosexual marriage, and two children, he heard God's voice.

"You know I actually felt called by God to come out," says Robinson.

He finally did at the age of 39. As for the first victories for gay marriage at the ballot box last November, Robinson says he thinks it represents an inevitable forward movement.

He predicts that Christian churches, even the Roman Catholic Church, will eventually change their minds when they come to understand what he believes Saint Paul is really saying about modern homosexuality in the New Testament, which is nothing.

"Saint Paul is arguing against a practice that would have been known to him in both the Greek and Roman world, which is an older man taking a younger boy under his wing and teaching him the ways of the world and using him sexually. No one is arguing for that today. That is child abuse," says Robinson.

As for the Catholic Church defining homosexuality as intrinsically disordered.

"I pray every day that the Roman Catholic Church would contemplate the seriousness of their words and the impact it has particularly on vulnerable, gay young people," says Robinson.

Bishop Gene Robinson's latest book is called "God Believes in Love."

Listen to full interview with Bishop Gene Robinson on The Ross and Burbank Show.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (67)


  • Add A Comment

  • cw1997 wrote...
    Maybe It Is Time Dave
    January 1, 2013 8:29 am
    To hang it up! There is no balance in your program and thought process any more. It's the same old DRUM...beat beat beat, more liberal tripe - could you maybe once in 2013 and like tomorrow have some thought come out of your mike that had any semblance of "reason". I am sure that "god" speaks to a lot of folks mostly whack jobs. Just a thought Dave.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • John wrote...
    God told you so?
    January 1, 2013 9:49 am
    Ummm, yeah, go with that. It makes a great headline, but personally, I think God has more important things to do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    John said, "I think God has more important things to do".
    January 1, 2013 10:21 am
    He had plenty of extra time this year John, he wasn't helping Tebow win football games. Of course maybe he was doubling down on starvation in Africa. It's kind of hard to tell with God.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Forrest, at least you're consistant.
    January 1, 2013 11:41 am
    But this year, not even God could help Tim Tebow.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • po_guy wrote...
    Sorry folks
    January 1, 2013 10:53 am
    The Catholic Church does not even teach the Biblical doctrine to begin with. So actually, anything they talk about scriptural lay is a non-issue to start with.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @po-guy
    January 1, 2013 6:56 pm
    Not to be contrarian....but this is the Episcopal church.. not the Catholic church.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MittensRomney wrote...
    usually when people hear voices talking to them..
    January 1, 2013 10:59 am
    its called schizophrenia.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • roomtemp wrote...
    "after 13 years of heterosexual marriage, and two children"
    January 1, 2013 12:33 pm
    Mr. Robinson, if you don't have enough honor to keep a simple promise to your wife and children, why would I possibly care about anything you have to say? Your words mean nothing.

    1st Timothy 3

    "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife , vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach."

    "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?"

    Fail... Pawn takes Bishop.

    "You know I actually felt called by God to come out,"

    Yeah sure, the bible is chock full of examples of God extolling the virtues of fleshly desires isn't it. Your God, is your belly.

    I'm getting a little deja vu here. Didn't Ross already play the gay bishop card?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    How can this man be in the pulpit?
    January 1, 2013 1:42 pm
    And no, any double entendre is coincidental. Priests, pastors, bishops and yes even the Pope are men and thus fallible. But this guy is going out of his way to stick it in God's eye without remorse. He even tries to justify his behavior. This may work with the revisionists and plastic banana "Christians" who find His laws inconvenient or incompatible with their lifestyle choices. I wouldn't want an unrepentant sinner preaching to my family whatever the sin is. The key is to seek forgiveness and redemption which is promised through Christ. You don't get a lawyer on the day of your judgement.
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  • rational wrote...
    Snout - How can this man be in the pulpit?
    January 1, 2013 1:54 pm
    Not everyone to claims to be a Christian is one...some churches have fallen away from the faith and are apostate. Jesus describes some at the beginning of Revelation.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @rational
    January 1, 2013 6:29 pm
    That's exactly what the LDS church says about you!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Michael Shouse wrote...
    God "talks" to gay Bishop
    January 1, 2013 3:53 pm
    Apparently he listens to a different God than I do and apparently reads a different Bible than I do!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    @Michael Shouse
    January 1, 2013 6:32 pm
    His bible says to let God be the judge...and you're just obligated to love/respect others as yourself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    And the voice of God gently told him, reasuring him
    January 2, 2013 3:03 am
    that there is still time to repent and ask God for forgiveness and help in dealing with the Demons in his soul.

    Hate the sin, not the sinner because we have all sinned!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ It's me! Ha ha!
    January 2, 2013 10:28 am
    With that in mind, why do you hate your Dear Leader so much? ;-)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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