First Word on The Last Word

I'm reading Brian McLaren's The Last Word and the Word After That, which I know will cause some of you to stop reading already ... your loss then!

In his commentary on the text I found the following which I offer with only one brief comment of my own:

Regarding homosexuality and the polarization it is causing in the Christian community, I would ask two sets of questions, one of each side:

If you take the "conservative" position, assuming you are right, how do you believe homosexual people should be treated? Should they be constantly shamed? Made to live in secret or hiding? Deprived of basic human rights, equal pay, housing, and so on? Accepted, but on some second-class status that would treat them differenly from other people? And if you cannot accept homosexual people in your midst, can you accept those who do, or must you reject (on some level) both homosexual people and those who accept them?

If you take the "liberal" position, assuming you are right, how do you recommed we decide what is right or wrong sexually? Does "anything go," and if not, how do we decide how to identify any sexual behaviour as wrong - on what basis? What are the personal and social consequences of a lack of moral clarity on sexual issues, and how can those consequences be avoided or dealt with? And if you accept and affirm gay people, how will you deal with those whose conscience will not allow them to do so? Does your acceptance of gays require a rejection of those who do not agree with you, and if not, how will the difference be dealth with? (page 254-255)

My brief comment: does anyone else think having meetings in Scotland to answer these questions would be better than the meetings we are presently organising and being invited to?