Churches are not clinging to any 'Christian morality'. They are just like everything else these days and have, therefore, lost any authority they had.

One of your better essays Sells, but you lost me in the final paragraph. You need to do better there.

David

It lost something it never ever had! And what's the difference in Annul sex occurring with informed consent between a heterosexual couple and the SS equivalent?

It's still a phallus penetrating an anus sphincter! And although unnatural for the heterosexual couple, practised we're informed by our resident authority on all matters sexual, Big Nana, as (acceptable) birth control in some cultures?

Moreover, there are some cultures where homosexual practice or love was never ever considered immoral or verboten as common practise?

And given the aids epidemic and homosexual spread diseases like syphilis, with the associated onset of early dementia! Very unhealthy indeed!

I cannot feel anything except pity for people whose inherited genetic make up have made culturally acceptable male female sex, completely unpalatable for them along with all the pleasures and rewards of parenthood!

That said, forbidding homosexuality is not too different from forbidding left handedness.

Time to stop obsessing about the sexual predilections of consenting adults! And get onto something Christ would have really cared about?

i.e., injustice and poverty! And way way more important than what occurs in the bedrooms of consenting adults.

Always providing if different, then practised as safe sex! And then only ever as an expression of mind, body and soul, love!
Alan B.

Yeah, it's not only that the church has lost moral authority, most see its prescriptions for society as harmful.
Unfortunately, it seems the only way forward for christians in the west is to separate from the mainstream and request that the secular authorities allow christian safe zones to be established in regional, undeveloped areas.

Sells, the problems facing the Christian churches are bound up with their belief that the Bible is the "Word of God", but people have come to realise that it was written by men who had a particular agenda which was to control the masses. A lot of people still believe in the existence of this nebulous being called God, but because of the various shenanigans which are being revealed to us which show the unholiness of the clergy, they are turning away from organised Christian churches.

David.

I think what was thrown from the Tallahatchie bridge, was a Bible.

Bobbie Gentry was spotted on the bridge with Billy Joe McAlister, by the local preacher and caught in the act: Very co-incidental and somewhat profound, (and embarrassing), since it was the subject of the Sunday dinner, which included the Preacher!

But it was common knowledge among religious folk up on Chocktaw Ridge, Billy Joe was “Gay”.
Consequently, he couldn't cut the mustard, with the vivacious local stunner.

But sad as it all was for the dearest departed, and his watery end. It was actually the beginning of secular life away from the dreadful influence of the Southern Baptists, and their perpetual Bible bashing, (and of course, those stifling Sunday baked dinners, with the family and the preacher).

Bobbie can be seen on the odd occasion to this day, throwing flowers into the slow flowing Tallatchie river, in remembrance of her religious past, and all that went with it!