LGBTQ Christians

Should I write on this topic? (Gay Christians)

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/formerlyfundie/some-things-to-consider-if-you-think-being-gay-is-a-sin/

Okay, I tend to shy away from anything too political or divisive.  My writing on this is not going to solve anything. But, I am going to share what the author of this article says.  I will try to keep my opinions and thoughts out of the way.

The author (Benjamin Corey - May 29,2014) starts the article with this statement: “Please consider that regardless of whether you’re able to fully accept this or not, there are gay Christians.”

His first paragraph hits the point: “perhaps your theology on the issue might not ever change or evolve, but please know, these are real people you’re talking about. This isn’t just a “concept” or an inanimate object– these are real live Christian brothers and sisters that deserve every bit of love and empathy as anyone else. Maybe you haven’t counseled the teenager in your church who wants to kill themselves because they’re finally realizing that they’re gay and always have been. Maybe you haven’t had a friend weep in your presence over the fact that they realize they are gay, but also realize they did not choose to be– and that they’ll never be accepted by the tribe. Maybe you haven’t had a chance to serve in church for years on end next to someone who you never realized was in fact, gay the whole time and also unwavering in their love for Jesus and commitment to the church.”

*****

They (Gay Christians) exist.  They may or may not be accepted by local church communities. 

I have heard messages that basically say ‘Gay people are not living according to God’s law - and they refuse to change to fit God’s law, and therefore we are to love them as human beings, but deny them as being Christians’.  They go with Romans chapter 1, verses 18 to 32 (for example verse 27: “In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”)  (Romans and 1 Corinthians - below - were both written by Paul - so, we are allowed to pick and choose what verses we like?)

But, of course, I haven’t heard messages on 1 Corinthians 11.  Like “Every man who prays or prophesies
with his head covered dishonors his head (RM). But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off”  (Older Catholics can remember when this was a ‘thing’ - that women needed to have their hair covered.) 

Or in a similar vein from 1 Corinthians 14:: “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”  

Back to the original article, the author adds this “Please consider that we treat our gay brothers and sisters differently than everyone else, and even if you’re right– this behavior is wrong. (see James 2 about favoritism) “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism”

The author of the article suggests that obesity is caused by gluttony -which is a sin, and yet we allow fat and obese people into our churches.  So, (the author suggests) we treat those obese people one way and LGBTQ people another way. We welcome the first into our churches and put up barriers for the second group.  

 

The author also adds: “Please consider that the cultural obsession with homosexuality within the American Church is detracting from the things Jesus asked us to do.”  Do we give water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, visit those in prison and in hospitals and nursing homes? (Or do we want to argue about that gay man or that lesbian woman sitting next to us should be thrown out).

I have considered this quote from Mahatma Gandhi in the past ““I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”.  Seemingly Gandhi saw Christ as reaching out to the outcasts of society, while many Christians were not living that message.

*****

In my opinion, we have allowed hate and doubt to infiltrate our churches - and our lives.  In the distant (and not-so-distant) past, some churches and people didn’t allow blacks to be in the same churches (or in the same schools as our white children). Where does “Love one-another” come into play - in your lives, in your work environment, in your groups, and in your churches and synagogues?

Just something to think about.

Karen