The church has been ostracizing people for centuries.  Just look at its history.  Not too long ago, racism was preached from the pulpit in the South.  A smattering of churches (today!) are accepting their first (!) black elders and deacons.

I’m saddened that we continue to make spectacles of ourselves, rather than simply follow Jesus’s instructions to love others as ourselves.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Why is it that we treat gays as though they’re pariahs?  Why don’t we treat our gluttonous, prideful, lying, lustful selves the same way?  I’ll tell you why.  Because we think of ourselves as better.

Really?  Seriously?  If we do feel that way, then we haven’t learned one single thing about our own humanness.  I’ve often said that the softest, kindest, and most open-minded people are those who’ve been severely hurt and yet, somehow, they’ve emerged more empathetic to others going through devastating losses.  They accept people where they are–on this grand journey of life.  They embrace their uniqueness…and allow their friends the time and space for their own spiritual path.

There is another route one can take (after being severely hurt), and that’s to simmer in bitterness.  Now I don’t know about you, but I find the first option much more pleasing and satisfying.

The following article on gays in church at Politics Daily is an interesting one, especially because the topic is such a heavily debated one.  I find it truthful, in as much as I’ve had the experience of knowing several gay people who are dedicated Christians.  Yep, you read that last phrase correctly.  Are you surprised?

You can read David Gibson’s article–“Why Gay Guys Are Churchier Than Their Straight Brethren”–here.

Weigh your heart as you read.  Are you angry?  Saddened?  Hurt?  Furious?  Your emotion will indicate your true heart.

[Post image: Gays in Church by Monika Graff]