FOF #851 - Kneeling Before God - 09.30.08

By Fausto Fernós on September 30, 2008 | | Link | Print |

 
icon for podpress  Standard Podcast [57:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Scott Pomfret on the Feast of Fools podcastGay people are the backbone of many of the world’s great religions, but sadly under difficult times these Churches scapegoat some of their most beloved members.

High ranking Catholic Church officials blamed the scandalous cover up of child molestation on the church’s tolerance of gay men.

On today’s Feast of Fools we’ve got two authors who’ve written extensively about being gay and Catholic and their experience about speaking out against the institutional homophobia.

Jim Leija on the Feast of Fools podcastJoining us today is Scott Pomfret, Boston resident and author of a hilarious new book Since My Last Confession, a memoir of his experience as a lector in the Catholic Church in Boston and his quest to convince his arch-nemesis, Cardinal O’Malley, to invite him to serve at a weekly mass.

Scott was recently let go from the positions he held at the church because the friars had a problem with how the book was being marketed to the public. They don’t seem to have a problem with the book itself but they find the marketing of the book incongruous with their beliefs.

Also joining us is Jim Leija, a filmmaker, performance artist and longtime listener living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His story “Dance or Die” shares his experience witnessing the aftermath of an outcast high school student’s suicide and how he become the first recipient of a scholarship set up by the dead boy’s parents.

The short story is also included in the book Queer and Catholic, a collection of powerful stories about how being Catholic permanently influences people’s identities.

Listen as we talk about why people tolerate their intolerant religions, the consequences of speaking out and where the Catholic Church’s attitudes will be toward gays in the future.

Check out our sponsor:

Steamworks Gym, Sauna and Baths.
Visit Steamwork’s website and register to get a discount
on your next visit. Enter “Feast of Fools” on the promo
code field to get the special discount.

Scott Pomfretqueer-catholic.jpgFeatured Books:
Since My Last Confession: Amazon
Queer and Catholic: Amazon

Featured Music:
Baby Teeth - The Baby Teeth Album:
iTunes | Amazon

RSS FEED | SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES
SUBSCRIBE ON: GOOGLE | PODZINGER
CONTACT US DIRECTLY

Tags: , , , , , ,

6 comments

Did you like it? Click here to subscribe for free.

Browse

← backForward →

  • RcktMan says:

    September 30, 2008 at 4:55 am

    Thanks for this extremely enlightening show. As a former Catholic, who broke away from the Church because of so many things - including, but not limited to my being gay - it was good to hear other people’s perspectives on why they have issues with the Church (the “capital C”) as opposed to the church as a congregation of people.

    As a kid I went to two different Catholic churches and schools. Through Fifth Grade, I attended a fairly liberal, Vatican II church; and after that (due to incessant teasing from the kids there, which spawned a lot of behavioral problems on my part), I transfered to a very old-fashioned, Baltimore Catechism church. For those who don’t know what the Baltimore Catechism is, check out this link: http://flickr.com/photos/pantufla/sets/72157605128108804/ You’ll see why I’m so messed up today. :)

    Reply

  • Mr. Bad Example says:

    September 30, 2008 at 2:43 pm

    Rick, I grew up in a liberal, V-II church as well, but attended all the way through confirmation so that I would not “kill my mother”(her words of course). Everyone I knew in the church were Democrats. I was very surprised to find that there weren’t more churches like that out there. When our priest retired he was replaced with an ultra conservative nutjob. Many of the families that had gone there for years left.
    Despite the non-traditional liberal church and now I’m a Douglas Adams style atheist, I still have all the guilt. :-/

    Reply

  • Carlos says:

    September 30, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Hi,

    I just wanted to state that christian fundamentalism, as we know it, is an early 20th century invention! It was created mainly in America as a reaction to modernism, intellectualism and science. Before this trend came about, the Bible was never taken literally by theologians and the church (though I am sure some ya-yas did nonetheless). The bible was seen as a book of stories and truth that one can use to find God’s message to humanity. It was special but not the inerrant word of God. For Roman Catholics, tradition held more power over the Bible, since it was tradition that gave you the lens to read it. Anyway, I can go on and on, I have a masters in medieval and queer theologies.

    Thanks

    Carlos

    Reply

  • hitherqueen says:

    September 30, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    I agree with Carlos in many respects, the puritans that founded what is now the USA were a weird bunch rejected by their own countries and who sought solace in a ‘new’ land. Anybody who thinks that the unconditional love of God can be bound between the covers of the bible is actually putting God into a box that ‘he’ won’t fit into. The tunes that God dances to aren’t the ones that we play! I heard Bishop Gene Robinson speak when he was in London recently and he made a very interesting remark. He said that it was important to remember that the church isn’t God, it is only our very poor representation of God.

    I really wish FoF would give more credence to those who are openly gay and openly Christian…

    But I still love your show!

    Reply

  • Curtis says:

    October 7, 2008 at 9:57 am

    Great show. I want to comment on two issues.

    FIrst I don’t think there is anything unique about the current spate of revelations about the Church’s excesses and abuses of power. The current ones resonate, becasue they are the current ones. History is littered with the figurative and literal victims of Church sponsored violence, or reactionary programs to control members, of ways in which individually and instituionally the clergy has used it’s position of sometimes absolute power over congregants to get away with everything including murder. Those are simply vague stories of the past, many of which most people who ignore or hate studying history know nothing about, while the recent scandals are of our times, so they resonate more and give us the impression that it’s somehow a new phenomenon.

    Secondly in my view, no church gets to be forgiven for their gross abuses and the enormously negative impact they have on the world just because they occasionally feed the poor (invariably on their own terms and with conditions such as sitting through proselytizing sermons) or because for a brief blip of time they worked for social justice (how long did VII influence really have major impact - maybe for one generation?). Particularly as GLBT folks we have been the victims of highly organized, coordinated, calculated attacks against us socially, spiritually, politically and I personally am not willing to separate the institution from the members. After all the institution would falter were it not for the mindless obedience of the membership who fall in line, listen to the rhetoric and continue their donations and vote in line with Church proclamation. There isn’t a single “good work” done by any church that requires a church to be accomplished. It simply isn’t enough of a justification to dismiss their abuses.

    Reply

  • Larry La Fountain says:

    November 23, 2008 at 11:48 pm

    Ann Arbor in the house! Represent!

    Reply

Post a Comment:

Answer a question or login:

Already a Member?

Or Log in with Facebook

Current members should first log in above and then connect to Facebook

  • Community


    Login

    Last visitors
    • About The Author: Fausto Fernós

    Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fausto Fernós created the Feast of Fools in 1998 as wacky artists variety show in Chicago, Illinois. Along with his partner Marc Felion, he hosts the world's most downloaded talk show for gay people on the internet, Feast of Fools. Fausto loves pomegranates, waterfalls and 70s retro funk music.
    View all entries by Fausto Fernós

    Darque Tan - JUNE 2009

    Get the podcast on
    iTunes for FREE

    Subscribe for free and sync up the shows on your iPod

    Signup for our weekly
    mini-newsletter

    Odd news, social trends, and recipes

    Like the shows?

    Make a financial contribution. Your support helps to keep us going.

    Call: (773) 681-3833

    Say your name, where you’re from and ask a question. Great questions make it on the show.

    Quick Look

  • FOF #1021 - The Dumpster Diving Drag Queen - 07.10.09
    4 Comments - Posted on 07.10.09

    With the economy in a downturn, you gotta look to the resourceful folks for ideas. Today we're talking to one of our favorite dumpster diving drag queens- Victoria Lamarr. When she's n [MORE]

  • FOF #1020 - So You Think You Can Dance? - 07.09.09
    5 Comments - Posted on 07.09.09

    You don't like sex, you love it! If you've ever dreamed of being a porn star, and haven't we all, today's the show for you. We're talking to porn director and writer Mike Donner about his [MORE]

  • FOF #1019 - Out of the Internet and Into The Streets - 07.08.09
    9 Comments - Posted on 07.08.09

    Cleve Jones said- you can't win gay rights by clicking the mouse on your computer. But, it's a great place to start. Today we're talking to gay rights activist Nik Maciejewski, co-founder and [MORE]

  • FOF #1018 - Run, Lady Vera Parker, Run! - 07.07.09
    26 Comments - Posted on 07.06.09

    Drag queen Lady Vera Parker moved to Chicago with the hopes of making it big as an entertainer. Last week, her dreams were dashed when she was pulled over in U-Haul truck she allegedly stole [MORE]

  • FOFA #315 - Castraticast - 07.06.09
    7 Comments - Posted on 07.05.09

    We're so excited because today we have one of the world's oldest and most famous Castrati, the incomparable Alessandro Moreschi, pictured on the right. Click on the audio file at the bottom of [MORE]

  • Siedah Garrett and The Agape International Choir's Tribute to Michael Jackson
    11 Comments - Posted on 07.05.09

    I caught an interview with songwriter Siedah Garrett about writing the song "Man in the Mirror" for Michael Jackson. As you can imagine, the news media has been all over her, asking her to re [MORE]

  • Pride 2009: Hunks & Trannies - Part 3 of 3
    4 Comments - Posted on 07.03.09

    On the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, we went with the guys from Outworld.tv to Chicago's Pride Parade to interview the peeps as they got ready for the big celebration. Part 3 of 3. In t [MORE]

  • Calendar of Events

    Click here

  • Archives

  • RSS Gay Fun Show

  • Meta

  • ADS

    1-800-FLOWERS.COM
    • Marc Felion

    Marc Felion | July 12, 2009

    Cleve was just featured in an article where he talks about about the March.

    9 comments on FOF #1019 - Out of the Internet and Into The Streets - 07.08.09

    Mike Donner

    Mike Donner | July 12, 2009

    input your comment here…Marcin, The young man on the far left is Tristian Mathews. Brandt Moore is the cover model on the book and next to him is...

    5 comments on FOF #1020 - So You Think You Can Dance? - 07.09.09

    Marcin

    Marcin | July 12, 2009

    Awesome show, guys. Btw, who is the hottie on the extreme left of your banner/photo montage for this episode?

    5 comments on FOF #1020 - So You Think You Can Dance? - 07.09.09

    Katerina Heights

    Katerina Heights | July 12, 2009

    First of all like to say Lady V Parker got what she deserved, that dumpy queen was always truely a mess. HAY what a great drag name for her now...

    4 comments on FOF #1021 - The Dumpster Diving Drag Queen - 07.10.09

    CharlesVer33

    CharlesVer33 | July 12, 2009

    V-Marr is the vest! You gotta love those crazy but loveable drag queens.

    4 comments on FOF #1021 - The Dumpster Diving Drag Queen - 07.10.09

  • Recent Comments

  • RSS LATEST

    • FOF #1021 - The Dumpster Diving Drag Queen - 07.10.09 July 10, 2009
      When Victoria Lamarr isn't rollerblading on the Chicago lakefront, she loves to dumpster dive outside of celebrities' homes. What did she find in ousted Gov. Blagojevich's dumpster?
      Marc Felion
    • FOF #1020 - So You Think You Can Dance? - 07.09.09 July 8, 2009
      If you ever dreamed of being a porn star, this is the show for you. Porn director and writer Mike Donner talks about his new book "How to be a Gay Porn Star." In the book Donner talks about breaking into the gay porn industry and dispells common porn myths. How do they keep it "up" after so many hours on the set? Will America ever get a p […]
      Marc Felion
    • FOF #1019 - Out of the Internet and Into The Streets - 07.08.09 July 8, 2009
      Activist Nik Maciejewski from the Chicago chapter of Join the Impact talks about the upcoming National Equality March in Washington D.C. and reflects on Michael Jackson's memorial service. Listen as we touch on the more moving and unusual highlights from the historic event, including how it temporarily brought down Twitter.
      Fausto Fernós
    • FOF #1018 - Run, Lady Vera Parker, Run! - 07.07.09 July 6, 2009
      Teri Yaki explains to the best of his knowledge the sordid details of Lady Vera Parker the Chicago drag queen who was arrested for check fraud and stealing a U-Haul truck from Kentucky. Why is Michael Jackson's death hitting the public especially hard and Sarah Palin's abrupt resignation leaves the country befuddled.
      Marc Felion
    • FOFA #315 - Castraticast - 07.06.09 July 5, 2009
      We’re so excited because today we have one of the world’s oldest and most famous Castrati, the incomparable Alessandro Moreschi, pictured on the right. Click on the audio file at the bottom of the Wikipedia page for Moreschi to hear him sing. It’s freaky. Alessandro joins his lesser known Castrato singing buddies, Carlo Cuttheballi and [.. […]
      Marc Felion
    • Siedah Garrett and The Agape International Choir’s Tribute to Michael Jackson July 5, 2009
      Soul diva Siedah Garrett sings the song she wrote for Michael Jackson "Man in the Mirror" with L.A.'s Agape International Choir
      Fausto Fernós
    • Pride 2009: Hunks & Trannies - Part 3 of 3 July 3, 2009
      On the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, we went with the guys from Outworld.tv to Chicago’s Pride Parade to interview the peeps as they got ready for the big celebration. Part 2 of 3. A very hot rugby player named Chris and Candice Jordan, a former Playboy bunny and potential guest for the Real Housewives of Chicago.
      Fausto Fernós
    • FOF #1017 - Sabrina Matthews’ Underwater Adventure - 07.03.09 July 2, 2009
      Comedian Sabrina Matthews shares her story of being attacked by a barracuda off the coast of Myanmar, her unusual treatment at a foreign hospital, and how the US government almost left her to languish in Thai prison.
      Marc Felion
    • Pride 2009 - Part 2 of 3 July 2, 2009
      On the 40th Anniversary of Stonewall, we went with the guys from Outworld.tv to Chicago’s Pride Parade to interview the peeps as they got ready for the big celebration. Part 2 of 3. Is Bozo the clown gay for Pride? What does Miss Foozie say when she runs into Miss Foozie impersonators?
      Fausto Fernós
    • FOF #1016 - Summer Fashion and Skin-Care - 07.02.09 July 1, 2009
      Eric Schwers from Baskit Underwear shares his secrets for picking the best swimsuit and underwear and Enrique Ramirez from Face to Face NYC Day Spa offers some inexpensive ideas for summer skin care. Plus a photo of Fausto as a Star Stek character.
      Marc Felion

  • RSS Latest on the Forums

    • marcfelion on "Gay T Shirts" July 12, 2009
      From Buzzfeed- some hot gay t shirts
      marcfelion
    • marcfelion on "Guys with iPhones" July 12, 2009
      Damn Stipe has a hot bod!
      marcfelion
    • jklyon on "Guys with iPhones" July 12, 2009
      http://guyswithiphones.com/ What a strange fetish. There are some gems there though. Apparently Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) was found on there with a coupla hotties. http://perezhilton.com/2009-07-12-three-of-a-kind Guess gay rockstars get the men when they want it...
      jklyon
    • Yagerma on "Stonewall in Texas" July 12, 2009
      They're at it again... I found this on the AP today: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/breaking/6525523.html "DALLAS — Activists are crying foul over the raid of a Dallas-area gay bar less than a month after the raid of another club ended with one man in the hospital. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission officials entered the Dallas Eagle club […]
      Yagerma
    • marcfelion on "Bruno - Who else has seen it?" July 12, 2009
      crayfish- why won't you see it? Its funny! What isn't real- The talk show host MichaeL was in on it but the audience wasn't. Funny how half of them walked out. I'm sure Harrison Ford knew too when he said "fuck off!" Wonder what was going through Paula Abdul's head? Do you think she knew?
      marcfelion
    • trickytoro on "Bruno - Who else has seen it?" July 12, 2009
      I feel you should be compelled to see the film before we answer those questions. I thought of something else funny. It keeps coming back to me in flashes. When he congratulates the mom and tells her that her child will be photographed as a nazi pushing a wheelbarrow of jews into an oven and she's totally excited. OMG
      trickytoro
    • crayfish on "Bruno - Who else has seen it?" July 12, 2009
      Three things: 1) Is Bruno a 'gay movie'? 2) What makes something a 'gay movie'? 3) If Bruno is a gay movie, is it sad that may end up being one of the highest grossing gay movies? And, for the record, I haven't seen the movie and likely won't.
      crayfish
    • Chickengirl on "Bruno - Who else has seen it?" July 12, 2009
      yeah if you remember Borat you'd know there had to be some staged scenes like when Borat and his partner where running through that hotel naked and then burst into that convention/meeting..and when he abducts Pamela Anderson....and also i'm pretty sure they have some of the people sign release forms..but don't entirely give away what's re […]
      Chickengirl
    • tungstencoil on "Bruno - Who else has seen it?" July 12, 2009
      It's a combination of live improv and staged scenarios, like Borat. Note that one of the funnier sequences, the Ron Paul one, was real (at least according to Ron Paul): http://www.politico.com/singletitlevideo.html?bcpid=1155201977&bctid=19692471001
      tungstencoil
    • marcin on "Bruno - Who else has seen it?" July 12, 2009
      I also gotta say that if all of the movie is really real and not staged, he's got some serious balls. I mean, he should count himself lucky he got alive from some of the scenes (e.g. some of the Middle Eastern ones).
      marcin
    • Steamworks-Spring2008