Thank you, John. We Christians certainly do need to "get tired" of demonizing people and places and groups. I fear that is a long time off in the spaces I inhabit. Our attitudes and words and behavior have grieved me so much, especially these last 8 years. It has sadly gotten worse and worse. Even people whom I KNOW are actually decent and kind and genuine Christian people in their everyday life cannot or will not see what they are doing. I will never understand it, never.........and it has shaken my own faith, it really has. And this is a 71 year old longtime "evangelical"(in quotes on purpose these days) talking. What have we become???
I am so tired of living in a world where such vitriol is uttered in God’s name. Sadly hatred against the LGBT community, is not new. Hell and damnation has been preached from the pulpit all too often. Televangelists spread it through the airways. Today it is further amplified through social media. We can and should create legal protections for our LGBT brothers and sisters, but laws rarely change hearts and minds. As we fight the hate, we must pray for a healing in our country.
There are legal protections for LGBTQ+. It is those protections that MAGA and Project 2025 plan to take away. Just as the Supreme Court has tampered with other rights.
Jesus Christ said we are not to judge each other or so shall we be judged.
Also, if The Maker knew us before we were born then God knew who would be born homosexual and who would be heterosexual.
Thanks, John: I’ll be sending this excerpt from today’s missive as a response to every “friend” who promotes hate and prejudice. “When Christians finally get tired of being terrible in the name of Jesus, they'll actually be able to accurately reflect him; to bring his mercy and compassion and forgiveness to the places where it is not plentiful. They'll be able to see every other as themselves; to see no distinction between them and their neighbor and recognize the image of God in their faces.“
You bloody nailed it John! I have been saying all of this, out loud to those that need to hear these same exact words, and truths! Thank You for writing this magnificent piece!
As a historical theologian all I can so is religion is often co-opted by power. That is why moral leaders aren't listened to. They won't tell us what we want to hear, religious leaders often do. I struggle with the conundrum daily.
Divisive because of the nature of religion which purports to be the true faith. Faith and Reason are not easily reconciled and thus all the religious wars throughout history. I see myself as a follower and Jesus’s teachings, but not as a “Christian”.
This has been one of the biggest deal breakers. I cannot invite a person into my life of they are hellbent on invalidating others in the name of their so-called "faith". It's not a matter of agree to disagree. I have too many dear people in my life that identify LGBTQ, some that are constantly struggling. And if Harris-Walz doesn't prevail and win in November, I fear for their safety and basic human rights. The hatred needs to stop.
Beautifully said, and so sad that a religion of loving your neighbor is all but forgotten.
“He who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20)
Thank you, John. We Christians certainly do need to "get tired" of demonizing people and places and groups. I fear that is a long time off in the spaces I inhabit. Our attitudes and words and behavior have grieved me so much, especially these last 8 years. It has sadly gotten worse and worse. Even people whom I KNOW are actually decent and kind and genuine Christian people in their everyday life cannot or will not see what they are doing. I will never understand it, never.........and it has shaken my own faith, it really has. And this is a 71 year old longtime "evangelical"(in quotes on purpose these days) talking. What have we become???
Live to be the person you know whom God has created you to be… no reason to be tired of that gift.
These are the thoughts and feelings I haven’t known how to express. Thank you.
I am so tired of living in a world where such vitriol is uttered in God’s name. Sadly hatred against the LGBT community, is not new. Hell and damnation has been preached from the pulpit all too often. Televangelists spread it through the airways. Today it is further amplified through social media. We can and should create legal protections for our LGBT brothers and sisters, but laws rarely change hearts and minds. As we fight the hate, we must pray for a healing in our country.
There are legal protections for LGBTQ+. It is those protections that MAGA and Project 2025 plan to take away. Just as the Supreme Court has tampered with other rights.
Jesus Christ said we are not to judge each other or so shall we be judged.
Also, if The Maker knew us before we were born then God knew who would be born homosexual and who would be heterosexual.
Are these preachers saying God made a “mistake”?
Is the “clay” now instructing the MAKER????
Thanks, John: I’ll be sending this excerpt from today’s missive as a response to every “friend” who promotes hate and prejudice. “When Christians finally get tired of being terrible in the name of Jesus, they'll actually be able to accurately reflect him; to bring his mercy and compassion and forgiveness to the places where it is not plentiful. They'll be able to see every other as themselves; to see no distinction between them and their neighbor and recognize the image of God in their faces.“
What a beloved community it would be. Amen, JP, amen.
Love it. Echo it. Pray it. Thank you.
Thank you!!
You bloody nailed it John! I have been saying all of this, out loud to those that need to hear these same exact words, and truths! Thank You for writing this magnificent piece!
As a historical theologian all I can so is religion is often co-opted by power. That is why moral leaders aren't listened to. They won't tell us what we want to hear, religious leaders often do. I struggle with the conundrum daily.
Yes! I believe that Jesus was sitting right beside you, inspiring you as you wrote this.
Divisive because of the nature of religion which purports to be the true faith. Faith and Reason are not easily reconciled and thus all the religious wars throughout history. I see myself as a follower and Jesus’s teachings, but not as a “Christian”.
If you take the teachings of Jesus as a guide to a way to live one’s life, and not as
“religious”, they are perhaps one of the best examples of the best of human being. However, as “religious” they become devicive b
Oh yes, John, the world needs more loving. Thank you for bringing more loving to my inbox.
This has been one of the biggest deal breakers. I cannot invite a person into my life of they are hellbent on invalidating others in the name of their so-called "faith". It's not a matter of agree to disagree. I have too many dear people in my life that identify LGBTQ, some that are constantly struggling. And if Harris-Walz doesn't prevail and win in November, I fear for their safety and basic human rights. The hatred needs to stop.
Thank you for all of your insight. It truly helps me during this time in America.