Topic: What I Learned When Defrocked and Excommunicated for Being Queer Affirming

Presenters: Thomas Jay Oord

Thomas Jay Oord recently endured an official church trial for his full queer affirmation. The trial verdict: his license and membership were taken. In this Cobb and Friends session, Oord talks about his journey from becoming queer affirming 30 years ago to eventually being defrocked and excommunicated. That journey included times of guilt and triumph, emotional turmoil and social pressures. Oord also talks about principles in open and relational theology that guided him on this journey, and he shares lessons learned in the process. To prepare, participants might read Oord’s short essay that recently appeared in Newsweek: “I Was Expelled from My Church. I was Found Guilty, But I Do Not Feel Sorry.” https://www.newsweek.com/defrocked-church-found-guilty-do-not-feel-sorry-1947556.

Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord is a best-selling and award-winning author, having written or edited more than thirty books. Academic Influence ranks him among the most influential theologians in the 21st century. Oord directs doctoral programs at Northwind Theological Seminary and directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He is known for his research and writing on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, evil and power, and the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation.  Explore his website at https://thomasjayoord.com.

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