A ‘queer-led’ sermon quickly went off the rails as the individual leading the service asked congregants to amend the typical choral praise ‘Thanks Be To God’ with a variant praising the late country music legend Dolly Parton after celebrating her as a ‘queer icon.’ The pastor closed part of his remarks with ‘Thanks Be To Dolly.’
The pastor commented on what people of different political persuasions noted about Parton, particularly how she started a foundation aimed at getting books in the hands of kids. As reported previously on Parton following her death at the age of 80, “the shared public-private venture, begun in the early 2000s, has mailed out more than 300 million books since its inception.” By all accounts, it was a marked success.
Still, and while the pastor did not seem to go into further detail other than acknowledging Parton gave ‘the gift of literacy,’ The Christian Tribune also added in the ever-present culture war even something as simple as distributing books left enough room to battle. “Both left-wing and right-wing groups have taken issue at various times, as literature has often been described as ‘too woke’ and ‘not woke enough,’” the Tribune wrote.
In addition to the Imagination Library, the pastor pointed out Parton’s family-friendly theme park, songs that spoke to everyone, and for the purpose of the sermon, comments made regarding the self-identifying transgender that ‘they deserve the right to love just like everyone else.’
“And they have the gift of literacy. She made her park for people to go and have fun and have a great time with family at an affordable price. And she sang songs that spoke to all of our hearts. But most importantly, when asked-most importantly for me, I should say-when asked what she thinks about queer and trans people, she said, “they deserve the right to love just like everyone else. And so, to that, I say, “Thanks be to Dolly, and thanks be to God. Amen,” the pastor spoke to everyone.
Watch ‘Praise Be To Dolly’ transpire below:
Of course, the sermon went much longer than just honoring Dolly Parton. Perhaps it would not be a ‘queer-led’ sermon without the frequent application of inserting transgenderism into biblical theory. The speaker made sure to point out that ‘God is present in queer love’ and ‘made flesh in trans bodies.’
“God is not lingering at a distance. God dwells in the world around us. God is present in queer love, in all love, in your love. God is made flesh in trans bodies and in all bodies. God suffers with those who suffer from prejudice, discrimination, or broken relationships. If you want to experience God, look around, listen, embrace, and care for her body in the body of your neighbor. Amen,” the sermon continued.
Featured image: Screen shot from embedded video