by Christyl Rivers

Created on: October 07, 2010

God is seen as love by many.  Most compassionate people, whether religious or not, understand we cannot discriminate against any one “set” of individuals.

It is not contradictory to treat homosexuals, as we would treat any other humans.  All of us are sinners, and all fall short of the mark.  When we isolate and try to dictate whether gays should be in the congregation, or even in the pulpit, we say much more about ourselves, and our intolerance, then we say about them.

We say we know better what to do.  We say we know who to judge. We say we know what God should  love and hate, what God wants and does not want.  But if we look sincerely into conscience and hearts, we see we are not to be in the business of judging for God, but in the business of judging just how little love we expend everyday, and we must be learning how to put more love forth into the world to create joy, and not suffering.

These days there is much discussion about the homosexual agenda.  If there is a homosexual agenda, it is the same as every other agenda, to have those who identify with that group enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other group does.  In history, every bit of ground gained by every “outcast” group was seen as scandalous.  Now women can vote, and minorities are not just slaves, servants, or conquested peoples.

If we are to follow the example of Christ, which is surely what Christianity is all about, we must realize that it is not our place to judge others.  It is our place to love all.   It is our business to offer kindness, love, and inclusion to saints and sinners alike.

Christ spent time with impoverished, diseased people, prostitutes, tax collectors, priests and doubters, and both rich and poor.  He also spoke very often of nature and children, as being holy, and worthy, not only of our respect, but worthy of our attention.  If we were to note the birds, or the lilies of the fields, there are lessons here to learn.  In the world around us God speaks,  in seeds, on winds, in trees, and across the waves. In creation, God teaches all need all.   If we cannot heed the lessons all around us, we could just follow text.

Christ often tells us to take the log from our own eye before we worry about the speck in someone else’s eye. 

In regard to homosexuality, should we allow gay marriage? Should we allow gay and lesbian priests?  Should we allow them to teach our children?

What we should allow is that if we are not perfect, we cannot judge whether others are perfect, or imperfect.  If homosexuality is a sin, how is it in any way different, or worthy of a distinct and special condemnation?  If we all have sexual drives, it is wonderful to think that we also want commitment, devotion, and stability in which to contain those drives.  Also, none of us know if there is a reason, or meaning, to how the Universe unfolds.  Could any of us be certain that nearly seven billion people, (greatly burdening the planet)  are not enough already?

 We die by the millions every day from the greatest sin, neglect of our other citizens of earth.  There is no reason to think that we have one spare second to judge others, while we yet have war, violence, starvation, pollution, corruption,  and whole sale destruction on earth every where we look.  Having a heart in this situation is not just the best solution, it is a commandment.

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