Film looks at conservative parents, gay kids
Many churches have been struggling in recent years with issues of how to minister to homosexual members and whether to ordain them or bless same-sex unions.Hawaii Public Television will air a documentary film next week that explores the issue in the context of conservative Christian parents who have responded to their gay offspring by publicly opposing homosexuality.
"Family Fundamentals" will be shown at 10 p.m. Tuesday on the "P.O.V." show on KHET, Channel 13.
It looks at three divided families:
>> Kathleen Bremner, Pentecostal church leader and founder of the San Diego Christian Trauma and Sexuality Conference, and her lesbian daughter Susan Jester.
>> Brett Matthews, former Air Force officer discharged because of his sexual orientation, and his father, a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah.
>> Brian Bennett, former chief of staff and legislative aide to California Congressman Bob Dornan, an avid opponent to gay rights.
Interviews with two biblical scholars about scriptural texts regarding homosexuality and viewers response about keeping family ties in the midst of divided views will be aired in the presentation. Award-winning California filmmaker Arthur Dong was producer and director.
The "P.O.V." program has presented point-of-view documentaries to a national audience since 1988.
Professor to discuss 'Crisis of Our Age'
Human development professor Pattabi Raman will speak on "Understanding the Crisis of Our Age" at a free public lecture tonight in Palolo.The presentation will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Baha'i Center, 2165 10th Ave.
Raman is an adjunct professor of education at Antioch University in Seattle and is on the faculty of Capella University, an Internet system. He has taught graduate courses in human development at the University of Hawaii and other colleges. He directs an educational consulting firm that provides human resources and diversity training for elementary and secondary school teachers.
City Lights will allow religious displays
The tradition of permitting public displays celebrating religious events during Honolulu City Lights, the city's December holiday exhibition, will continue this year.Five spaces on the City Hall lawn will be available for churches and other nonprofit organizations.
Friday is the deadline for applications to be filed with the city Department of Customer Services. Each applicant must provide proof if its nonprofit status.
Permits will be awarded in a Sept. 8 drawing.
The Christian celebration of Christmas, the Jewish Hanukkah festival and the anniversary of Buddha's achievement of enlightenment on Bodhi Day have been marked in past displays.
The lottery system itself is a display of Hawaii's diversity. It was devised by the city administration as a way to resolve a complaint that a Christian manger scene permitted by a former mayor violated the U.S. Constitution.
Other cities have banned religious displays after similar challenges.
Application information is available from George Souza, 523-4381.
2 church groups offering free food
Two island church groups plan to offer free entertainment and food as an outreach ministry next Saturday.>> Free food and a variety of family fun events will be part of Mililani Presbyterian Church's fifth annual Free Block Party for the neighbors. It will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 95-410 Kuahelani Ave., across from Kipapa Park in Mililani. Entertainment will include games for all ages and presentation of door prizes. The Mililani New Hope Fellowship dance team will perform.
>> Live and lively gospel music can be expected at the Holy Warriors at Work Youth Rally opening at 6 p.m. at Pacific Revival Center, 419 Waiakamilo Road. Musicians and singers from several churches will participate in the event sponsored by the First Samoan Assembly of God. Free food will be served.
Religion Calendar
