@MH4 Exactly. In communicating biblical right from wrong, it should never come from a place of hatred, but love. The scripture is clear on what constitutes sin, and as a person of faith, it puts me in a bit of a conundrum. If I really believe what the Bible says about sexual morality, and if I also really care about the welfare of people who are in the LGBT community, I feel it would be a disservice to them if I didn’t express it. Not because I hate them and want to tear them down, but because I care about their soul, which is just as valuable as mine.
2/2
I fully agree that people who happen to be LGBT are unfairly targeted; there are plenty of sins outlined in the Bible, like drunkenness and swearing, but people who use profane language or drink are not subjected to nearly the same amount of scrutiny in society as one who is gay. No one has ever shot up a night club because the people inside were potty-mouthed or had alcohol. Everyone deserves the right to live and the right to feel secure in public. There is no justifiable reason for a Christian to ever use prejudicial slurs or to abuse a non-conformant, whether physically or emotionally. If a person thinks he will be rewarded in Heaven for doing so, he will be in for a rude awakening on the day of judgment.
If you think religion is often used as a tool for evil, the Bible actually concurs with you, and there are several scriptures that warn of those who will abuse it to usurp others. This is what the Bible calls “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” But Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor, treat others as we would want to be treated, turn the other cheek, and many other proverbs of love and peace that are still common expressions today.
You don’t have to agree with me for me to still love and respect you. You may feel that what you do in private that doesn’t hurt anyone is none of my business, and frankly, you’re right. But I hope people will find it in their hearts to still love and respect me despite my religious beliefs that until now I’ve largely kept in private. None of us should feel we have to hide who we are.
I was really scared about what kind of reaction I might get from sharing my views in my initial comment, but I’ve seen nothing negative so far and couldn’t be more grateful. I hope the response to this one will be similar, but I am unsure, and I hope I communicated myself in a way that will not resonate poorly. I strongly encourage everyone to read the Bible for themselves and come to their own conclusion–you may be surprised by how different it is from the way many so-called Christians interpret it.
I wish nothing but the absolute best for each and every person in this comments section, and I’m heartbroken by the “us vs. them” mentality that dominates so much of our thinking and keeps us divided. Not all religious people profess they “hate the gays,” nor are all LGBT people anti-religion. I think of none of you as my enemy and hope none of you will think of me as one. I really think if we could take the time to listen and understand each other, the world could be a better place. God bless you all in the Name of Jesus Christ.
