Perhaps I was too hard on Brazoria

Just a few days after comparing Brazoria, Texas, to a John Grisham hell, the news breaks that the patron saint of my college years is setting up residence there.

David Herndon, founder of the House of Pies, is taking over as the pastor of the tiny town's Unity Church of Christianity this October. Now, usually, a church in Brazoria is, well, exactly what you would expect -- stuff right out of the Jerry Falwell playbook. The one I remember best has an annual Fourth of July event that resembles the type of thing that would have had Jesus knocking over tables were it Biblical times.

While I don't know much about Herndon, just glancing over the article in The Facts, however, looks encouraging. Specifically, quotes like this:

“Unity is considered to be a new-thought church, meaning that we’re not a fundamentalist church,” Herndon said. “We’re more progressive.”

I'm not familiar with the Unity Church, either, but ReligiousTolerance.org's take also seems promising. At least, in theory, I could get in the doors.

They see that the divisive arguments that were once used against minority races, religions and nationalities are now being used against minority sexual orientations; i.e. against homosexuals. They are not concerned about rejecting a particular sexual orientation, but rather ask whether a particular individuals relationship is healthy; does it reflect God's love; does it make the world a better place?

Respecting the growing consensus (and in some jurisdictions, laws) that there should be equality of employment and opportunity for persons of all sexual orientations, they feel that homosexuality should not be an issue in Church membership, employment or ordination. Some Unity clergy perform commitment ceremonies for gay or lesbian couples. The Unity Church has a commitment certificate to recognize this ritual.

Modern Christianity comes with its stereotypes, thanks particularly to some of the loudmouths who get plenty of Fox News time, but this is a good reminder to me that even small churches and small towns can surprise you. I'm making a lot of assumptions about Herndon and that particular church, but I already owe him a great deal.

The House of Pies, for those not familiar with the Houston area, is a IHOP-like restaurant that, as you might imagine, has a huge selection of pies. The pies themselves are mediocre, but the atmosphere, at least at the Kirby location, couldn't be beat. For my crew, it was the place to go after the bars closed, and it wasn't unusual to see a table of drag queens seated next to a couple of lost, elderly tourists. Any man who can come up with a place like that automatically has won my heart.