Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 19

1 -J Saturday. August 17, 1991 SOCIAL ISSUES Lincoln Journal-Star Pag 1 9 Paster s' views osi (homosexuality vary homosexuality, but in a close vote preceded by emotional debate SOME CHURCHES say the Bible has been interpreted differently while undergoing many translations through the centuries. Some theologians say specific passages and terms must be understood in the historical and cultural context of ancient peoples. The Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha, which ministers primarily to gays and lesbians, said verses that apparently condemn homosexuality actually refer to other prohibited ancient practices, such as idol worship, rape or male temple prostitution. Graves, whose specialty during his pastoral studies was Biblical languages, doesnt agree.

BUT THAT IS THE opinion of the Rev. Matthew Howard, pastor of MCC Thinking that the Bible condemns homosexuality "stems from a misunderstanding of what the Scriptures say," Howard said. i "Jesus certainly did not mention homosexuality at all," Howard said. "He did not say thou shall not be a homosexual The greatest commandments are to love God with an your self and to love your neighbor as yourself. "Certainly, there are gay and lesbian people who do not live that kind of life or seek a relationship with God, just like many heterosexuals." But Howard believes gays can be reconciled with God through a relation- castlgations of homosexuals voiced by some other clerics, who dont distinguish between an Individual and behavior.

"It's detestable. It sometimes comes across almost a hatred for the person, and that's anti-Biblical "All of us are staners, and Christ certainly loves the homosexual as much as anybody else," he said, adding the church's mission is to reach out to all people with compassion, GRAVES, 36, HAS been a pastor since 1977 and worked primarily in small towns. This, his third church, has about. members. He has hot counseled anyone who was openly gay.

If a church member were to approach him regarding homosexuality, Graves said he does not have a cut-and-dried plan for how he would handle such counseling. "My philosophy would be that since I have read of a number of people who were practicing homosexuals and had experienced salvation and had been able change that and became heterosexual my belief would be that the power of Christ could change a person," Graves said. MOST MAJOR denominations have undergone or are working through extensive and heartfelt dialogues about sexuality in general and homosexuality particular. Among the many mainline churches for which homosexuality is a controversial sticking point are the Presbyterian John Taylor attends a monthly coalition event. Bv Linda Thamonn Lincoln Journal-Star Perhaps nowhere is homosexuality more profoundly scrutinized than in organized religion.

Most faiths forbid sexual conduct out-. side marriage. But in the predominantly Christian United States, the debate over what constitutes proper moral behavior has heated up dramatically in recent years. For the Rev. Max Graves, pastor of Christian Life Fellowship in Lincoln, the answer is simple.

"It's taking a path that God has not set forth," Graves said "We consider It a moral choice" rather than a genetically determined fad "The Assemblies of God feel the Bible is infallible and the Scriptures are pretty forthright The Bible identifies practlc-tag homosexuality as being out of the will of God." But Graves' favorite Bible verses on the issue are I Corinthians: (-11, which outline several forbidden behaviors but offer hope of forgiveness to those who repent USING THE NEW International Version 'of the Bible, he noted these passages refer to many people, not just homosexuals, and emphasize that anyone who repents can achieve a godly life no matter what he or she has done. "We all come to God the same way, through grace and faith in the Lord," he said. Graves said he is distressed by harsh Bars remain By Maureen Bogues uncoin journal-Star Lincolnite Richard Nockai-Diaz recalls his years of gay social life with a mixture of pleasure and anguish. Nockai-Diaz, 29, came out openly acknowledged his homosexuality at age 15, but still finds it difficult to meet other gays. "The likelihood of meeting someone on chance I dont think it's going to happen unless it's in the bar, where we can be openly gay," he said.

"Unfortunately, we have to be so closeted in our day-to-day lives you're not going -to meet someone at the supermarket or taking a walk with your dog." He laments the fact that bars are one of the few places gays can openly socialize. "I still think there's a lot of picking up in bars but I think people are being more cautious," he said, noting that the AIDS crisis has caused him to alter his own behavior, "For me, sex is no longer a priority. as 70 to in integral part of gay social life .11 i Lincoln's Invisible notify Church, the United Methodist Church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in i America. The ELCA is working on a study on human sexuality and ministry expected to be presented to the church's 1993 assembly. The General Assembly of the Pres-, byterian Church in June rejected a controversial committee report asking for a study that would address forms of sexual expression outside marriage.

The United Methodist Church at its 1988 General Conference reaffirmed its official stand that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." However, a divided study committee this year voted to recommend dropping this statement from the church's Social Principles. A final report will be issued this fall that will be reviewed in 1992 by the church's General Conference, a na- -tional gathering. The Nebraska United Methodist An-: nual Conference in June voted to retain statements that condemn the practice of the type of city it's very conservative," she said. "I felt isolated for years. Events like this do bring people Lincoln has more than a dozen gay outlets that appeal to a variety of social, -political recreational and religious interests.

Much of gay socializing, however, is less formal for example, a dinner with friends or a night at the movies. LYNN KISTER, A 21-year-old bisexual has met people through her involvement in different campus organizations and with Queer Nation, a local activist group. Her lifestyle puts her in the position of bridging two worlds straight and gay. "It's kind of tough sometimes," she admits. "Some people, when I tell them I'm bi, they say, 'You're just confused.

You havent figured it out yet' That's not true. I think most people are probably bisexual" V2 ET7 PAID ship with Christ and their sexual orientation does not impede that THE INTERNATIONAL Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches became a denomination in 1968 and is based on many traditional Christian doctrines and statements, such as the Nicene Creed. The Omaha church began in 1974 "I think the people in my congregation are very sincere," said Howard. "They have felt rejected in their own denominations and have gone through a period where they questioned and struggled with their faith. So when they come back to the church, they have a faith Richard Nockai-Diaz now prefers being "meat markets" for one-night stands.

That image persists, despite statistics which show that most gays and lesbians have monogamous relationships. A national survey reported that 91 percent of female couples said they were monogamous, as were 63 percent of male couples. The survey of L266 same-sex couples was conducted by the Partners Newsletter for Gay and Lesbian Couples and printed in The New Voice, Nebraska's gay monthly magazine. Lincoln has had a variety of py bars come and go in the past 20 years, but currently has only one. Members of Lincoln's gay community frequently travel fvf I) wfT It's become so risky that I can no longer count on it" he said.

5 NOCKAI-DIAZ STILL visits bars occasionally, but he's more likely to opt for other outlets, like the monthly events such as poetry readings or dances sponsored by the Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights and held at a minis-try center on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Sue Lynch, 34, a member of the Coalition, has attended many of its events, as wen as those sponsored by the Lincoln Legion of Lesbians, a feministlesbian collective. "You can create friendship networks through these types of organizations," she said. "It's helped me in my personal coming-out process." Lynch also participates in a monthly potluck that travels among a group of women. "It's hard to get out and meet people because the gay community isnt very visible, given the size of Lincoln, ion (MrtmiMLlncoln Journal-Slur that has a meaning and a depth.

They have not had the luxury of someone saying This is the way it is and accepting that" Howard, 3L has been a pastor for nearly three years. This Is his second church. MCC holds two Sunday worship ser-vices, sponsors Bible classes, picnics and support groups, and has plans for a Sunday school for parishioners' children when it moves to a bigger building. MCC conducts communion services and funerals and offers a "service of blessing" for same-sex unions that is not legally binding. mmmm Ion OormutUncoln Joufnol-Mr monthly events designed for gays.

to Omaha, which has about seven such Mark Houf ek, 22, of Lincoln, socializes mostly at bars or "cruises" with his friends in a downtown area frequented by gay men. Houfek said he goes out to be with his friends, not to merely "pick up a trick.1! Though the threat of AIDS discourages such anonymous sexual encounters, Houfek maintains that cruising will always be part of the py experience. Houfek blames that on the way men: are socialized and the lack of role, models. Growing up, men are taught to court women, he said, "but being gay, nobody's taught you how to date 1 Another method involves using boQingl water. Dig down to the root under each ivy stem and follow it through the soil, making a trench as far around it as possible.

Then pour several gallons of boiG tag water over the roots. Dont rebury the rootstock. Exposure to drying wind and sunshine will help weaken the plant, making it easier to kill any stems that sprout after the first water treatment Regardless of which method you use, make sure you cover all exposed skin with heavy clothing and wear boots and gloves. When you've finished your task, remove the clothes carefully and throw them away if you can. If your skin has come in contact with poison ivy, scrub the area with soap as quickly as possible, and certainly within four hours of exposure.

Some camping outfitters, including Recreational Equipment Inc, sell soaps especially designed to wash away poison rvy oils. ENVIRONMENTAL GLOSSARY Ozone: In the stratosphere (the atmospheric layer beginning 7 to 10 miles above the earth's surface), ozone is a form of naturally occurring oxygen which protects people and the environment from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is the only gas in the atmosphere that limits the amount of harmful solar radiation reaching the earth. But in the troposphere (the layer between the earth's surface and the stratosphere), ozone is a major component of photochemical smog. This "ground-level" ozone can seriously affect the human respiratory system, limit visibility and stunt the growth of trees and crops.

It is formed when sunlight combines with nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons. These compounds are released into the atmosphere when petroleum products are handled, processed or burned 8nd wmtlont obeut tlw nvtromntnf to TIM e6 Vonouard Communications, Ills N.W., Wodv Ington, D.C. 20004. Question! of control Interest will be answered in the column; Individual onswtrs can. not be provided.

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Though she occasionally dates men, Kister said if she were to date someone long-term, it would likely be a woman. "I still find men I like, that I'm attracted to. But I do feel a deeper connection to women," she said. Because much of their lives is shrouded in secrecy, social life means more than just socializing for gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Gathering with peers offers affirmation and a sense of identity for a minority not embraced by mainstream society and often alienated from family members.

BAR LIFE, THOUGH it evokes a sort of lovehate sentiment with gays and lesbians, still offers a safe place for -them to interact Kister prefers py bars for that rea- son not having to worry that if she asks a woman to dance "whether she's going to freak out or not and you dont have to worry about (her) mean boyfriend beating you up," she noted wryly. For Jean Mortenson, 30, who has been with her lover for two years, the bar acted as an icebreaker into Lincoln's gay community. "After I got to know people, I would do more private things, like dinner or going to movies, so the bar worked as an initial contact" she said. Like-unmarried heterosexuals, gay singles are more likely to bar-hop during their 20s and 30s, but go less frequently once they "settle down." GAY BARS, not unlike straight single bars, have long had the reputation of Videos carry An Increasing number of videotapes are being produced to help people understand how the steps they take to clean up the environment can make a difference. Here's a sampling of some of the better ones: Save Planet Earth: Easy Ways to Make a Big Difference" is hosted by "Cheers" star Ted Danson.

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20003. Q. Can yon recommend an organic way to control poison Ivy? A. Eradicating poison ivy, a perennial weed, is perhaps the organic gardener's greatest and most annoying challenge. A tenacious plant that sends up vigorous new shoots as far as 20 feet from the parent plant, poison ivy causes serious itching and skin rashes in most people who come in contact with it "Rodale's Chemical-Free Yard and Garden" (Rodale Press Inc, $21.95) recommends mulching as the easiest way to rid your yard of poison ivy and other stubborn perennial weeds that seem impervious to digging.

Mulch heavily with a thick layer of hay, wood chips or shredded leaves. Then cover the mulch with a material that will prevent light from penetrating and shoots from emerging, such as black plastic or an old carpet or swimming pool liner. Leave the mulch and covering in place for the entire growing season. The following spring remove the cover and pull back the remaining mulch. If you still find traces of the poison ivy, replace the mulch and cover as before.

By the end of the second season, the ivy should begone. in society. We hope we do also. And we are compassionate and kind in our diets every day," said Robin Walker, a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals from the group's Washington office. 'I 4.

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I Only 2 animal rights activists protest DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Two vegetarians protesting the slaughter of animals wore silver halos, silver wings and white gowns as they picketed an entrance of the Iowa State Fair. Clip Mall along with your payment tot Journal-Star Super Summer Saver, Box 81609, Lincoln, NE 68501.